Agenda and minutes

The audio recording of this meeting can be found at the following link:

https://www2.harrow.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=260&MId=64656&Ver=4

RESOLVED:   To note that the following interests were declared:

Harrow View/Headstone Drive/Headstone Road Junction Improvement (Goodwill to All) – Progress Update (Agenda item 10)/Other Relevant Agenda Items

Councillor Ameet Jogia, a member of the Panel, declared a non- pecuniary interest in that he was Ward Councillor for Canons and owned a property in Headstone Lane.  He would remain in the room the room whilst the matters were considered and voted upon.

Councillor Simon Brown, who was not a member of the Panel but would be back-benching on this item, declared a non-pecuniary interest in that he was Headstone South Ward Councillor and lived in a street within the proposal which would be impacted upon.

Information Report - Traffic and Parking Schemes Programme (Agenda item 12)

Councillor John Hinkley, a member of the Panel, declared a non-pecuniary interest in that he was Ward Councillor for Hatch End and roads in his Ward were referenced in the report.  He would remain in the room the room whilst the matter was considered and voted upon.

Relevant Agenda Items

Councillor James Lee, a member of the Panel, declared a non-pecuniary interest in that he was Ward Councillor for Edgware and lived in Canons Park.  He would remain in the room whilst the matters were considered and voted upon.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 25 June 2019 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 25 June 2019, be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

To receive any public questions received in accordance with Executive Procedure Rule 49 (Part 4D of the Constitution).

Questions will be asked in the order in which they were received.  There will be a time limit of 15 minutes for the asking and answering of public questions.

[The deadline for receipt of public questions if 3.00 pm, 18 October 2019.  Questions should be sent to publicquestions@harrow.gov.uk

No person may submit more than one question].

To receive petitions (if any) submitted by members of the public/Councillors under the provisions of Executive Procedure Rule 47 (Part 4D of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  To note the receipt of the following petition which was referred to the Corporate Director of Community for consideration and it be noted that a report on this petition would be submitted to the February 2020 meeting of the Panel:

Pedestrian Safety at Salt Bar Road Crossing, HA2 0JY

Councillor Sarah Butterworth, together with Councillors Dan Anderson and Honey Jamie, presented a petition signed by 119 people with the following terms of reference:

“We the undersigned are seriously concerned with the safety of pedestrians crossing by the Salt Bar road junction at the bottom of Roxeth Hill.  We therefore demand that the Council, as a matter of urgency, implements improvements at this junction for pedestrians, including the introduction of a ‘green man crossing facility for these lights that notifies pedestrians when it is safe to cross.”

To receive deputations (if any) under the provisions of Executive Procedure Rule 48 (Part 4D of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  That, in accordance with Executive Procedure Rule 48, the following deputations, which were both received after the deadline, be received:

(1)          (Agenda Item 10) - Harrow View/Headstone Drive/Headstone Road Junction Improvement (Goodwill to All) – Progress Update – Deputation led by Yiannis Christofi and Jagdish Trivedi

Objection to the proposed Plan.

(2)          (Agenda Item 10) - Goodwill Junction – No Right Turn Ban – Deputation led by Inqilab Kassam and Mohamed Assaria

To speak on behalf of residents and individuals affected by Goodwill to All junction improvement.

Full details in relation to both the deputations, including questions asked and answers given, were set out in the audio recording and referenced, in brief, at Minute 58.  The audio recording of this meeting can be found at the following link (Agenda Item 10, Minute Number 58refer):

https://www2.harrow.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=260&MId=64656&Ver=4

Report of the Director of Legal and Governance Services.

The Panel received a report of the Director of Legal and Governance Services, which set out a nomination for the appointment of an additional Adviser to the Panel for the 2019/20 Municipal Year. 

The Chair reported that, previously, the Panel’s membership had included a representative from Living Streets, formerly known as the Pedestrians’ Association and recommended that this further appointment be made to reflect the priority given by the Mayor of London to increased use of walking.

Resolved to RECOMMEND:  (to the Portfolio Holder for Environment)

That the nomination for an additional Adviser to the Panel, as set out in the report at paragraph 2.4, be agreed.

Reason: To assist in the work of the Panel.

Report of the Corporate Director of Community.

Prior to the consideration of the report, the Panel heard from deputees present at the meeting (Minute 56 alsorefers) who spoke on behalf of shopkeepers and residents living in the area of the proposal, full details of which were available under this Minute by following the link below:

https://www2.harrow.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=260&MId=64656&Ver=4

In brief, the deputees, whilst welcoming the proposed pedestrian crossings, urged the Panel to reject the recommended proposal (option 4B) as they were concerned that it would lead to an increase in accidents, impact adversely on surrounding streets and businesses which would also loose out on passing trade and enquired if officers had made provision in respect of any economic benefits resulting from the proposal.  They were also concerned about increased traffic congestion in an area that already suffered from congestion.

The deputees also referred to a petition opposing the proposal and how it would impact on what was essentially a residential area with schools and businesses.  The proposal to ban right turns would result in U-turns as residents tried to get to their homes.  It would also increase pollution in the area  which would impact adversely on the vulnerable.

The deputees also related various examples of how traffic would travel if the scheme was implemented and the resultant impact on residents.  They urged that officers work with residents/businesses to achieve an amicable scheme.

The deputees responded to the questions from the Panel, which then proceeded to consider the officer report.

The Panel received a report of the Corporate Director of Community, which set out details of the Goodwill to All junction improvement scheme, informal consultation and recommended that the scheme progress to the statutory consultation stage.

Harrow View / Headstone Road / Headstone Drive junction also known as the Goodwill to All junction was a four arm traffic light controlled junction located close to the old Kodak site.  The junction currently had no controlled pedestrian crossing stages and operated during weekdays at or near capacity in the morning and afternoon peak times causing congestion in the area.

An officer introduced the report and referred to the development of the Kodak site which would have a significant impact on the Goodwill to All junction for both pedestrians and traffic.  He added that money had been secured for improvements to the junction from the developer of the Kodak site and the money would be released when a viable scheme had been approved.  The deadline was 2019/20 financial year.

The officer outlined the key issues and explained how officers had arrived at a decision, following consultation with local residents, which recommended option 4B, details of which were set out in the report.  He added that a roundabout was not feasible and traffic signalling was the only viable way forward.  The junction was constrained and without any improvements there, the traffic would increase particularly on side roads.  The option proposed would help keep traffic congestion to a tolerable level.  He was confident that the investment would result in significant improvements  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58.

Report of the Corporate Director of Community.

The Panel received a report of the Corporate Director of Community setting out details of the public consultation undertaken in September / October 2019 to make changes to parking permit charges.  The Panel also received and accepted a  supplementary paper for the reasons set out on the supplemental agenda.  The supplementary paper provided an update to the consultation results to reflect the final results.

An officer introduced the report and informed Members that  the Parking Management and Enforcement Strategy set out a number of structural changes to parking control measures and the charging regime.  He summarised the proposed changes as follows:

·                     residents’ permits – use of vehicle emissions based charging

·                     business permits (on-street) - use of tiered charges in line with the London Plan classification of centres

·                     traders’ permits – introduction of a new permit to facilitate traders working in CPZs (Controlled Parking Zones)

·                     doctors’ (GPs) permits – introduction of a new permit to facilitate parking of emergency call out vehicle at surgeries without off street parking

·                     diesel vehicles – introduction of a surcharge for more harmful vehicle emissions

·                     electric vehicles – introduction of subsidised charging for zero emission vehicles.

The officer clarified the position in relation to question 8 in the report, which specifically related to businesses and asked about varying parking charges based on the location and type of a town centre.

Resolved to RECOMMEND:  (to the Portfolio Holder for Environment)

That

(1)          the results of the parking permit charges consultation detailed in the report be noted;

(2)          a statutory consultation on the parking permit charges, as proposed in the public consultation document at Appendix A to the report, be undertaken.

Reason:  To enable implementation of the proposed changes to parking permit charges set out in the public consultation and the Council’s Parking and Enforcement Management Strategy.

Report of the Corporate Director of Community.

The Panel received a report of the Corporate Director of Community, which set out details of the petitions that had been received since the last Panel meeting and provided details of the Council’s investigations and findings where these had been undertaken.

An officer introduced the report and explained the outcomes relating to each petition, details of which were set out in the officer report. 

An adviser supported the outcome reported in respect of Nugents Park petition where changes to bus standing arrangements were made by TfL.

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.

Reason:  To be availed of the outcomes in relation to the petitions submitted previously.

Report of the Corporate Director of Community.

The Panel received a report of the Corporate Director of Community, which set out the progress made in developing major transport infrastructure projects for Wealdstone to support regeneration and growth.

The Chair reported that the infrastructure projects covered three main sites in the Council’s regeneration programme which were the Poets corner (existing civic centre site), Byron Park (leisure centre site) and the new Civic Centre site (Peel House car park).

An officer introduced the report and explained that a great deal of work had been carried out and the projects were at an advanced stage.  The modelling work had been funded by the TfL (Transport for London) and the results for the Wealdstone Scheme was showing significant benefits in bus journey time reductions for the area. Public consultation was planned for November 2019.  The officer reported on other transport infrastructure initiatives for the area, such as a Cycle Way for the borough.

In response to questions from the advisers about the need for a cycle network and bus network to move together, the officer reported that this was underway and broad plans had been prepared and would be available at the consultation stage.  The officer undertook to share details with the relevant adviser in this regard.  He added that the road layout would be regulated to assist movement of buses, including a central bus lane in George Grange Way which would operate all day and revised loading/unloading areas in the High Street.   In response to a question from a Member, the officer reported that consultation would mainly focus on the bus improvement project.

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.

Reason:  To be availed of the work undertaken.                                          

Report of the Corporate Director of Community.

The Panel received a report of the Corporate Director of Community updating Members on the progress made with the 2019/20 traffic and parking management programme of works.

An officer introduced the report, which set out the current programme of transport schemes and initiatives funded in the 2019/20 programme.  It included schemes funded by the grant from the TfL (Transport for London) and the Council’s capital programme.  He added that appendices A and B provided a summary of progress made with all the schemes within the current programme.  The report detailed specific schemes where they had reached the public consultation, statutory consultation or implementation stages and any other specific issues that would be of interest to the Panel.

The Panel was also informed that the World Car Free Day, an event in which one day is set aside to encourage people to be less dependent on their cars, celebrated by the Council on 22 September 2019 by the closure of a section of Greenhill Way, a strategic road network, for a street party, had been received well and the attendance had been good.

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.

Reason:  To be availed of the progress made on the various schemes within the traffic and parking programme.

This item has been placed on the agenda at the request of a Member of the Panel, Councillor James Lee, in accordance with the Executive Procedure Rule 40.1. In accordance with the Procedure Rule, it is for the Panel to agree to the item being included on the grounds of urgency which are: This is the last opportunity to place this item on the agenda before the Annual Parking Management Schemes Review is submitted to the Committee in the New Year (February 2020).  Recent decisions on parking timing in neighbouring streets, namely Buckingham Road, has also warranted this street being reviewed in a new context.

It was felt prudent to give notice of this intended item on this agenda.

In accordance with Executive Procedure Rule 40.1, the Panel agreed to the item being included on the agenda on grounds of urgency given and set out on the agenda sheet.

Councillor Lee stated that recent decisions on parking timings in neighbouring streets to Methuen Close, namely Buckingham Road, had resulted in this matter being brought back to the Panel.  He was of the view that it was important for the Council to revisit the issue of how reviews were dealt with in the context of an allocated budget and the need to revisit all the Wards in Harrow.  He also referred to a petition he was gathering in relation to Methuen Close.

An officer reported that Methuen Close would be included for consideration in  the report on the ‘Annual Parking Management Schemes Review’ which would be submitted to the Committee at its meeting scheduled to be held on 5 February 2020.  He referred to a previous decision of the Panel, which had discouraged automatic reviews and clarified how reviews could be carried out.