Agenda item - 20mph - Scrutiny Review Panel Report

Report of the Strategic Director for Resources (copy attached).

53.1         Councillor West introduced the report and stated that he believed the Review Panel had made a number of important recommendations and hoped that these would be reconsidered by the Cabinet Member.  He noted that authorities elsewhere were rolling out 20mph zones in recognition of the need to address the safety of the public and felt that the council should be undertaking a similar exercise.

53.2         Councillor Davey stated that as the mover of the original notice of motion which led to the scrutiny review, he wished to thank the Panel and the officers who supported the review.  He believed it had been a very worthwhile exercise, which had been recognised nationally and was concerned that the council did not appear to be taking the recommendations on board.

53.3         Councillor Davis stated that she welcomed the recommendations and hoped that the serious issue of a number of ‘rat runs’ in Goldsmid ward could be addressed in the near future to ease residents’ suffering.

53.4         Councillor Theobald stated that as the Cabinet Member for Environment he had received a number of road safety reports and 20mph zones had been introduced in areas across the city.  He had welcomed the scrutiny panel’s report and taken on board a number of the recommendations.  However, he had also taken into account advice from other agencies such as the Police who had indicated that additional measures were required, such as road humps, to enable 20mph zones to be effective and these had resource implications.

53.5         Councillor Mears stated that she believed there was a need to look at the wider picture for the city and noted that congestion figures had fallen and therefore questioned the need to roll out a programme of 20mph zones.

53.6         Councillor Mitchell stated that she believed the need for an incremental introduction of 20mph zones had been highlighted by the panel’s findings and also noted the number of petitions that had been presented to the Council calling for such schemes and traffic control measures.

53.7         Councillor West noted the comments and stated that he believed the need for a review and further consideration of the panel’s recommendations had been made.  He hoped that the Cabinet Member would take this on board and wished to add his thanks to the Panel Members and officers who supported the review.

53.8         The Mayor noted that the report had been moved and asked that the recommendation be agreed.

53.9         RESOLVED: That the report be noted.