Agenda and minutes

The recording of this meeting was available by following the link below:

https://www.harrow.gov.uk/virtualmeeting

On behalf of the Panel, the Chair welcomed Councillor Anjana Patel to the Panel and thanked Councillor Baxter, a former Member of the Panel, for his contribution to the work of the Panel.

RESOLVED:  To note that there were no Reserve Members in attendance.

RESOLVED:  To note that 

(1)          the Declarations of Interests published in advance of the meeting on the Council’s website were taken as read and the following further declarations made at the meeting by Councillors under this item in relation to agenda item 5 and during consideration of the same item, Harrow Street Spaces Programme – 2020/21, be also noted:

Councillor Marilyn Ashton: (Non-Pecuniary Interest) – Local Authority appointed Governor of Park High School

Councillor James Lee: (Non-Pecuniary Interest) – Lived in Canons Park

Councillor Vina Mithani: (Non-Pecuniary Interest) – Ward Councillor for Kenton West where Kenton Park Shopping Parade was situated 

Councillor Paul Osborn: (Non-Pecuniary Interest) – Lived on Vaughan Road, part of the West Harrow Low Traffic Neighbourhood Scheme.

Councillor Varsha Parmar: (Non-Pecuniary Interest) – Marlborough Ward Councillor where schemes were being proposed

(2)          Members and Advisers who had declared interests remained in the virtual meeting whilst the matters were considered and voted upon.

To defer the appointment of Vice Chair and Non-Voting Advisers to the next ordinary meeting of the Panel. The Panel are requested to consider the  suspension of Executive Procedure Rule 35.4 to allow the following Advisers appointed in 2019/20 to participate in the meeting pending their formal appointment at the next ordinary meeting of the Panel:

RESOLVED:  To defer the appointment of Vice Chair and Non-Voting Advisers to the next ordinary meeting of the Panel and to suspend Executive Procedure Rule 35.4 to allow the following Advisers appointed in 2019/20 to participate in the meeting pending their formal appointment at the next ordinary meeting of the Panel:

To receive deputations (if any) under the provisions of Executive Procedure Rules 43.2 and 48 (Part 4D of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  That, in accordance with Executive Procedure Rules 43.2and  48, the following deputations be received in respect of agenda item 5 – Harrow Street Spaces Programme – 2020/21:

1.             

2.             

3.              

4.               

5.               

Full details in relation to the deputations, including questions asked and answers given, were set out in the audio recording and referenced, in brief, at Minute 79 and at Appendix 1 to these minutes.  The recording of this item/minute can be found by following the link below:

https://www.harrow.gov.uk/virtualmeeting

Report of the Corporate Director of Community.

Prior to the consideration of the report of the Corporate Director of Community, the Panel heard from the five deputees present at the meeting (Minute 78 also refers), full details of which were available by following the link at Minute 78 and listening to the audio recording.

In summary, the deputees urged the Panel to reject the schemes that they were speaking on and that they were vehemently opposed to proposals because of the adverse impact they would have on their communities.  Their submissions are also set out at Appendix 1 to these minutes.

The deputees responded to questions from Members of the Panel and stated that:

-               the proposed schemes for Dennis Lane and Green Lane areas were counter productive and would not increase the use of public transport or walking;

-               the pedestrian barriers in the Honeypot Lane area had not encouraged people to walk to their local shops and there was evidence that the foot fall had dropped considerably which was crippling businesses in the area.  The situation had been exacerbated by the lack of parking, including the provision of parking for people with disabilities;

-               the proposals for the Pinner View area (Scheme LTN-02 at revised Appendix A to the report referred) would lead to traffic congestion in the surrounding roads.  A Member cited the proposals previously rejected by the Panel for the Goodwill to All junction and asked officers how the two proposals were related.  An officer responded that there were plans to consult on the Goodwill to All junction which had had to be delayed due to Covid-19.  Another Panel Member stated that in light of the officer response it was best that both the schemes were held in abeyance and was of the view that the response given appeared to give an impression of silo working mentality;

-               the School Streets Grimsdyke Primary School Scheme SS-01 was poor and would increase traffic flows and congestion and did not interact with other schemes in the area.  The consultation was poor and a 20mph zone was required in Hillview if the scheme were to proceed.  An officer replied that funding was only available for SS-01 but that he would ascertain if a 20mph could be incorporated but he was not certain that the parking issue (Grimsdyke Road) could be resolved.  

The Chair thanked the deputees for their presentations.

Prior to the consideration of the report of the Corporate Director of Community, the Panel also heard from a number of back-benching Members who, in brief, were opposed to the implementation of a number of schemes, as follows:

-               Green Lane/Dennis Lane – the proposals were unrealistic and partial closures would impact on the surrounding area and would result in traffic gridlocks.  Both Green Lane and Dennis Lane had steep gradients and would not encourage cycling.  The problems would be exacerbated when children returned to schools in September 2020.   The existing width restriction at Dennis Lane would need to be removed and were the proposed scheme  ...  view the full minutes text for item 80.