Issue - items at meetings - Petitions

Report of the Director of Strategy & Governance (copy attached).

98(i)       Petition – proposed parking restrictions, Court Farm Road

98.1               Councillor Bennett presented a petition signed by 65 people requesting that the Council alter proposals for double yellow lines in Court Farm Road to single yellow lines.

98.2               The Cabinet advised that he would consider the petition when discussing Item 109 later on the agenda.

98.3               RESOLVED – That the petition be noted.

98(ii)      Petition – on-street parking contract

98.4               Councillor Elgood had submitted an e-petition signed by 40 people requesting that the council to bring the on-street parking contract back in-house when the contract came up for renewal in two year's time.

98.5               Councillor Elgood was unable to attend the meeting and had requested that consideration of the e-petition be deferred until the next meeting.

98.6               RESOLVED – That the e-petition be deferred.

98(iii)     Petition – congestion charging

98.7               Mr Jorg Thieme had submitted an e-petition signed by 118 people calling for the introduction of a congestion charge in the city centre to improve public transport.

98.8               Mr Thieme was unable to attend the meeting.

98.9               The Cabinet Member confirmed that the Administration had no intention introducing a congestion charge in Brighton and Hove.

98.10          RESOLVED – That the petition be noted.

98(iv)     Petition – Worcester Villas parking

98.11          Ms Julia Jeyes presented an e-petition signed by 37 people asking the council to bring forward and commit to a specific date for the residents of Worcester Villas to be consulted on a parking scheme for residents and visitors. Ms Jeyes also submitted a paper petition signed by 31 people bringing the total number of signatories to 68.

98.12          The Cabinet Member advised that he agreed for the consultation to take place as agreed at the Environment Committee in 2008 and that it would take place against the background of a city-wide review of parking schemes to determine how schemes could be best managed in the future to limit the displacement into neighbouring areas. It was not possible to commit to a specific date at this time.

98.13          RESOLVED – That the petition be noted.

98(v)      Petition – provision of salt/grit bins

98.14          Mr Roy Pennington had submitted an e-petition signed by 9 people asking the council to provide more salt/grit bins throughout the city in time for the next severe weather spell.

98.15          Mr Pennington had requested that consideration of the e-petition to be deferred until the next meeting.

98.16          RESOLVED – That the e-petition be deferred.

98(vi)     Petition – pedestrian and road safety at the junctions of Old Shoreham Road and The Drive and The Upper Drive

98.17          Ms Paula Slinn had submitted an e-petition signed by 131 people calling for the council to implement measures to reduce speed and ensure a safer crossing at the junctions of Old Shoreham Road and The Drive and The Upper Drive.

98.18          Councillor Davis presented the petition on behalf of Ms Slinn who was unable to attend the meeting.

98.19          Councillor Davis also submitted a paper petition signed by 299 people bringing the total number of signatories to 430.

98.20          Councillor Fallon-Khan also spoke in support of the petition.

98.21          The Cabinet Member advised that meeting of the Full Council to consider the council’s budget, an amendment was made to allocate £50,000 for an improved pedestrian crossing at the junction of the Old Shoreham Road and The Upper Drive. He reported that work had begun and that he expected major progress to have been made by the end of the year.

98.22          RESOLVED – That the e-petition be noted.

98(vii)    Petition – cutting down of plane trees in Clyde Road

98.23          Mr Alan Pipes had submitted an e-petition signed by 138 people opposing the cutting down of plane in Clyde Road.

98.24          Councillor Taylor presented the petition and thanked the council’s Arboriculture Team for planning an event to inform residents about their work.

98.25          The Cabinet Member was pleased to confirm that the council had listened to residents and that the trees would undergo major pruning instead of being cut down.

98.26          RESOLVED – That the petition be noted.