Agenda item - Items referred from Council

To consider items referred from the last meeting of Full Council held on 21 October 2021

(A)          PETITIONS

(i)             Consult families and children on City playground upgrades

49.1      The Committee considered a petition referred from Full Council and signed by 278 people requesting the council to engage in a period of open consultation with families in the communities for each park prior to undertaking upgrades to assess preferences for equipment, access.

49.2      The Chair provided the following response:

“Thank you for your petition. Play is so important for children and young people through its promotion of health and happiness.

Our £3 million playground refurbishment programme is upgrading 45 play areas over the next three years, with 25 sites being finished by the end of next March. Not only will the equipment on the 45 sites be newer and better, but it will also be safer and far more accessible for all children.

City Parks have carried out a great deal of consultation for each of the parks planned to refurbish before the end of March 2022. This includes working with Friends groups, local councillors, accessibility groups and holding on-site pop up consultations.

The recent media release for the Preston Park playground highlights the impact that the Friends Groups have on the refurbishment programme. Through the Friends of Preston Park, 600 members were consulted about what they would like to see for their children in the future

More informal consultation have always been undertaken with park users through the role of the Play Development Officer whilst on site.

I encourage the general public to support and join their local Friends Groups as the simplest way to keep up to date with park changes.

City Parks are seeking to utilise a representative from the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities children forum to review sites during and after completion.

Light touch pop-up consultations may be possible at future sites which have not advanced too far in the procurement process,

I hope this provide you with a suitable response to your important petition and thank you for taking the time to create it”.

49.3      RESOLVED- That the Committee note the petition.

(C)      DEPUTATIONS

(i)             Tackling congestion on the A259 which is limiting the access of buses to the bus lane with journeys now taking up to 65% longer than in 2010

49.4        The Committee considered a deputation referred from Full Council requesting the Council trial allowing some vehicles to use the A259 bus lane.

49.5        The Chair provided the following response:

“I would like to publicly thank you for your recent attendance at a  stakeholder workshop organised by East Sussex County Council on the future of this section of the A259 which is now classified as part of the major road network.

The  Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee approved a draft Bus Service Improvement Plan in September. All Local Transport Authorities are required to produce this document in response to the new National Bus Strategy. This responds to the government’s requests to introduce more bus priority, improve bus journey times and grow passenger numbers. It identified the A259 corridor as one where improvements could be made and funding has been requested to develop proposals and consider the feasibility of these. It is worth noting that there are enforcement issues associated with High Occupancy Vehicle Lanes, particularly if they operate at certain times and their efficiency in managing congestion is not proven.  The technology is not refined to robustly differentiate between a human second occupant and a mannequin for example.  Therefore, the council has no current proposals to allow traffic into bus lanes; however, the impact on general traffic will be fully assessed as part of any potential scheme development. Once again thank you for your concerns that we have noted and also for taking time to offer innovative solutions to dealing with congestion on the A259”.

49.6        Councillor Platts moved a motion to call for an officer report on the matter.

49.7        Councillor Hamilton formally seconded the motion.

49.8        RESOLVED- That the Committee receive a report to a future meeting responding to the deputation request.