Issue - items at meetings - Petitions

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

119(i)     E-Petition – on street parking contract

119.1          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.

119.2          Councillor Watkins presented the e-petition on behalf of Councillor Elgood who was unable to attend the meeting and requested that the council set up a Members monitoring group to be involved in the process of agreeing a new contract.

119.3          The Cabinet Member advised that the current on-street parking enforcement contract would expire in December 2012 and that a full assessment of the future needs and delivery options would be carried out in advance of this. As part of the assessment the option to deliver services in-house would be considered.

119.4          RESOLVED – That the petition be noted.

119(ii)    Petition – broken street light, Waterloo Street

119.5          Councillor Elgood had submitted a petition signed by 12 people requesting that the council replace a broken street light in Waterloo Street with a historic copy.

119.6Councillor Watkins presented the petition on behalf of Councillor Elgood who was unable to attend the meeting.

119.7The Cabinet Member advised that there were two columns in Waterloo Street of slightly different historical design and that the most recent replacement had been selected and painted black in order to blend in with the original design. An exact match was no longer available and would therefore require manufacture of a new mould, followed by the making up of a new lighting column at significant additional cost. The Cabinet Member confirmed that he would meet with colleagues to discuss future budget possibilities.

119.8RESOLVED – That the petition be noted.

119(iii)   E-Petition – provision of salt/grit bins

119.9Mr Roy Pennington presented an e-petition signed by 9 people calling for the council to provide more salt/grit bins throughout the city in time for the next severe weather spell.

119.10      Mr Pennington was unable to attend the meeting.

119.11      RESOLVED – That the petition be noted and a written response be provided.

119(iv)   Petition – parking problems, Hayes Close, Portslade

119.12      Councillor Harmer-Strange presented a petition signed by 26 people concerning problems of parking and access to homes and driveways in Hayes Close, Portslade.

119.13      The Cabinet Member advised that, although the existing footway was structurally sound, it was crazed and pitted, therefore he had instructed officers to place the site on a programme to resurface it later in the year to smooth out any irregularities; the area would be covered with a thin asphalt overlay to create a smoother waterproofed surface. The Cabinet Member explained that resolving the parking issues was more challenging, but that he had instructed officers to investigate the issues in Hayes Close and report back to himself and to Councillor Harmer-Strange.

119.14      RESOLVED – That the petition be noted.

119(v)    Petition – withdrawal of 27A bus service

119.15      Councillor Bennett presented a petition signed by 110 asking the council to reconsider the withdrawal of the 27A evening and Sunday bus service and to continue subsidising it. Councillor Bennett submitted an additional 90 signatures, bringing the total number of signatures to 200.

119.16      The Cabinet Member explained that the council had never provided financial support for the 27A bus service; the decision to reduce its frequency was a commercial decision by Brighton & Hove Buses, because of the very low usage on the part of the route between Dyke Road and Hangleton. The Cabinet agreed to forward the petition to the bus company at the request of Councillor Bennett.

119.17      RESOLVED – That the petition be noted and forwarded to Brighton & Hove Buses.

119(vi)   Petition – pedestrian safety, York Place

119.18      Councillor Davey presented a petition signed by 497 requesting that the council take steps to improve pedestrian safety in York Place.

119.19      The Cabinet Member explained that it was only possible to introduce zebra crossings where traffic conditions allowed pedestrians to cross safely. Officers had advised that a zebra crossing could not be introduced where there were two lanes of traffic going in the same direction because vehicles could be stationary in one lane, but moving freely in the other, confusing both drivers and pedestrians. The railings were needed to help to direct pedestrians, and guide vulnerable pedestrians to the designated crossing points and were important for safety reasons. The Cabinet Member confirmed that it would therefore not be possible to implement the requested measures.

119.20      RESOLVED – That the petition be noted.

119(vii)  Petition – parking problems for tradesmen working in Camelford Street

119.21      Councillor Mitchell presented a petition signed by 29 concerning parking problems experienced by tradesmen working in Camelford Street.

119.22      The Cabinet Member explained that Camelford Street was very narrow and the double yellow lines, which had been in place for many years, were necessary to prevent dangerous parking, particularly on the pavements. The Cabinet Member agreed that there would be occasions when essential works needed to be undertaken and officers had therefore been instructed to consider issuing one waiver per day if it was proven to be for essential works in the street.

119.23      RESOLVED – That the petition be noted.

119(viii) Petition – parking issues, Poets’ Corner, Hove

119.24      Councillor Oxley presented a petition signed by 76 people concerning the effect of parking restrictions on those using Hove Methodist Church premises.

119.25      The Cabinet Member explained that there were over 100 churches in Brighton and Hove, in addition to mosques, synagogues and other organizations provide valuable services to the community. The council provided flexibility within the current system of permits and parking concessions and also provided a service for suspending parking bays that enabled wedding and funeral cars to be parked close to the venue. The Cabinet Member advised that introducing a new permit scheme would be administratively complex and contrary to the council’s sustainable transport policies, but that he would consider the written suggestions made by residents and report back to Councillor Oxley.

119.26      RESOLVED – That the petition be noted.