To consider report HCS/06 of the Head of Community Services.
Minutes:
The Commission considered report HCS/06 of the Head of Community Services.
The report responded to the petition about residents’ parking concerns in Broadfield, which requested grass verges be removed and more car spaces be allocated at Halley Close, Eddington Hill, Broadfield. The petition documented the concerns and issues with the current parking situation in the area.
The report outlined the research that had been undertaken following receipt of the petition and documented whether the Council could consider the request. The report outlined the key areas for consideration. Members considered this and the additional information.
Susan Redfearn and Pamela Bostock were in attendance. Susan Redfearn (principal petitioner) was invited to address the Commission and raised the following concerns:
· An increase in the number of HMOs in the local area had increased the demand of parking spaces.
· The damage to vehicles that was being experienced needed to be addressed as it was felt this should not just be solely a police matter.
· The increase in parking obstructed access for emergency vehicles.
· The children’s play area has been vandalised and was infrequently used.
· Alternative, cheaper parking solutions could be provided.
The Commission thanked both Susan Redfearn and Pamela Bostock for attending and for their contribution.
Members were informed that the key areas for consideration and recommendation within report HCS/06 were:
· To enable creation of additional parking spaces in Halley Close, green amenity open space would be permanently removed from the area, including a significant number of mature trees being felled, and potentially the children’s playground removed.
· The options proposed within the petition are costly, approximately in the region of £700,000-£800,000.
· WSCC are currently undertaking a Road Space Audit for Crawley and this Council is currently updating its sustainable transport plan.
· The Council will have further powers as a result of legislation coming into force on 1st October 2018 to extend the mandatory licensing of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) under the Housing Act 2004 to include two storey HMOs with five or more occupants forming two or more households. However, parking is not a consideration for this licensing.
During the discussion, Members made the following comments:
· It was noted that the WSCC Road Space Audit was progressing and hotspots were being identified. Contact could be made to the WSCC Parking Manager to request the area as a hotspot. A Road Space Audit seeks to provide essential technical data that identifies and assesses the current demands upon the road network and parking stock, whether these demands are actually being met as well as residents and users views.
· It was recognised that the outcome of the Road Space Audit was to inform the design for a particular place that defines how parking, various alternative travel solutions, infrastructure improvements, safety considerations and future development can be integrated so that the road network is used and managed in the most efficient way possible.
· Concerns were expressed that there were parking issues throughout the town and it would be necessary to seek to acknowledge these rather than merely an isolated case.
· Concerns expressed that the costings appeared excessive and perhaps alternative options could be sought.
· A multi-agency approach was discussed as an effective method in order to assist in exploring possible options.
· Acknowledgment that although many residents may be happy to replace grass verges with parking spaces, many residents were equally likely to want to retain their green open spaces and trees.
· Concerns were raised regarding the removal of the children’s play area and the impact of children’s obesity together the felling of mature trees.
· It was felt further consultation would be beneficial between officers, the Cabinet Member and residents to establish creative options and a potential way forward to address issues.
· It was recognised that the residential environmental improvement scheme was no longer available.
Having considered all the matters in detail, and as a result of the comprehensive discussion and subsequent voting, the following recommendations were to be referred to the Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Sustainability:
1. That the Commission requests that the Cabinet Member, the Cabinet and the Budget Advisory Group give consideration to reintroducing the Residential Environmental Improvement Scheme for the 2019/20 budget.
2. That the Commission urge the Cabinet Member to work with officers to engage with the Principal Petitioner and the local residents to ascertain the issues in detail and work to identify potential solutions.
3. That the Head of Community Services liaise with Miles Davey (Parking Manager, Transport and Countryside Services, WSCC) – via the Broadfield County Councillor if required – to request the area as a hotspot within the Crawley Road Space Audit.
RESOLVED
That the Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Sustainability consider the Commission’s comments and recommendations (appendix to the minutes) and provide the Principal Petitioner with a response.