Agenda and minutes

At this point Members are asked to declare any personal or prejudicial interests they may have in the business on this agenda.

Members were invited to declare at this point in the meeting any personal or prejudicial interests they might have in the business on the agenda. No interests were declared.

At this point in the meeting, members of the public who have registered their wish to speak regarding an item on the agenda or an issue within the Committee’s remit can do so. The deadline for registering is 5:00 pm on Friday 17 December 2010.

It was reported that there had been two registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

Representations were received from a representative of the North Yorkshire Group of the National Cyclists Organisation. He referred to York’s Local Transport Plan and the need to reduce car dependency to prevent gridlock in the city by 2020. He pointed out that the Water End scheme was part of this Plan giving priority to cyclists and that if the left hand filter lane were to be reinstated that it would only bring short term gain. He therefore requested members to support the LTP and its outcomes to avoid future congestion and eventual gridlock in the city. 

Representations were also received from a resident of Westminster Road who confirmed that he supported the encouragement of cycling in the city. He did however question how many new cyclists were using the Water End junction and his doubt at the overall success of the scheme. He pointed out that the changes at the junction went against the authorities highway design guide and that point closure in Westminster Road would not benefit the authority, as it would only add to the existing congestion in Water End. He suggested that Officers should examine some alternative creative ideas for the creation of a cycle lane to reduce the high number of vehicles cutting through Westminster Road/The Avenue.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 8 November 2010.

RESOLVED:             That the minutes of the last Scrutiny Management Committee (Calling In) meeting held on 8 November 2010 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

To consider the decisions made by the Executive Member for City Strategy at his Decision Session on 7 December 2010 in relation to the above item, which have been called in by Councillors Watt, Gillies and Hudson and Councillors Scott, Douglas and King in accordance with the provisions of the Council’s Constitution.  A cover report is attached setting out the reasons for the call-in and the remit and powers of the Scrutiny Management Committee (Calling In) in relation to the call-in procedure, together with the original report to and decisions of the Decision Session – Executive Member for City Strategy .

Members received a report which asked them to consider the decisions made by the Executive Member for City Strategy at his Decision Session held on 7 December 2010 in relation to the possible reinstatement of a left turn lane on the Water End approach to the Clifton Green traffic signals, whilst retaining a dedicated cycle lane. The report also set out details of the responses received to the proposal to take forward a chicane trial along Westminster Road and the Avenue.

Details of the decisions made by the Executive Member for City Strategy at his Decision Session were attached at Annex A to the report. The original report to the Decision Session – Executive Member for City Strategy was attached as Annex B. The decisions had been called in twice, firstly by Cllrs Watt, Gillies and Hudson, on the grounds that:

i)          It ignores the increased traffic levels and congestion caused by not having a left turn lane.

ii)     The impact of extra traffic on Westminster Road.

And secondly by Cllrs Scott, Douglas and King, on the grounds that:

1. The Executive Member misdirected himself in that:-

a - He failed to follow the recommendations of the Councillor Call for Action;

b - He failed to consider whether the consultation was defective;

c - He failed to heed or otherwise take into account the representation made to him at yesterday's Decision Session meeting by Councillor King;

d - He failed to consider re-instating the left hand lane at Water End without a cycle lane, a solution that would have alleviated fears that had been raised in relation to safety at the junction;

e - He failed to honour the commitment he gave at the City Strategy EMAP in October 2008 to reinstate the left-hand filter lane;

f - He failed to consider the point closure of Westminster Road by use of a fixed, rising bollard as an alternative to chicanes;

g - He took into account erroneous information in relation to the A1237/A19 Rawcliffe roundabout and the alleged effects of traffic flow at the Water End/Clifton Green junction from improvements at the roundabout;

h - He failed to heed resident’s views and representations.

2. The Executive Member made a decision on the information before him that no reasonable Executive Member would have made.

Calling in Councillors seek a referral back to the Executive with a recommendation that the left hand lane be re-instated with or without a cycle lane and that officers prepare a feasibility report on the introduction of a rising bollard so as to stop through traffic between The Avenue and Westminster Road.

Cllr Watt addressed the Committee on behalf of the first group of Calling-In Members, he pointed out that the removal of the filter lane had not been the correct decision. He requested the reinstatement of this facility to allow the free flow of traffic, prevent gridlock and air quality issues in the area. He pointed out that he wished to promote cycling in the city  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.