Issue - meetings

It was reported that there had been 5 registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme. The Cabinet Member also granted 6 requests to speak from Council members.

i)          Evening and Sunday Bus Services to Rawcliffe and Skelton- Matter within the remit of the Cabinet Member

A Rawcliffe resident made representations in respect of the public transport situation in the Skelton, Rawcliffe and Clifton Without Ward. She expressed concerns regarding the lack of consultation in respect of the contract for bus services and to the reduction in services particularly on Sundays which was impacting on local resident’s ability to participate in the life of the city.

Representations were also received on behalf of local residents from Councillor Cunningham-Cross in relation to the changes to bus routes in the Skelton, Rawcliffe and Clifton Without Ward. She pointed out that this had resulted in reductions in service and a 2 hourly service at weekends which was affecting residents attending doctor’s surgeries etc. The alternative routes were causing confusion and she requested the Cabinet Member to undertake negotiations with the operators to find a solution.

Cllr Watt also spoke on behalf of residents of the Skelton, Rawcliffe and Clifton Without Ward to draw attention to the significant concerns of local residents at the changes to their bus services. He referred to a petition signed by 140 local residents objecting to the reduced services. Concerns had been raised at the revised routes and with the reliability of the new service and he requested a meeting to consider revisions to the route and frequency of the evening and Sunday services.

In reply to the speakers comments, the Cabinet Member pointed out that the decision to tender bus services had been taken prior to the election. He confirmed that the tenders had now been returned making it more difficult to undertake any major revisions at this stage. However he had asked Officers to examine possible enhancements to the services and confirmed that it may be possible to improve the Friday and Saturday evening services and Sunday service in response to residents concerns. He had also requested Officers to ensure that they worked with the bus operators to maximise publicity of the service. He confirmed that resident’s comments in relation to the new service would be collated and bus usage monitored.

ii)        University Related Parking in Nearby Residential Areas

A representative of the Badger Hill Resident’s Community Group, referred to the lack of consultation and to the need to take this opportunity to assist residents with the parking problems being encountered, at no cost to the Council. He referred to the flawed measurement of parking levels and to the invalid and unreliable results. He pointed out that the only feasible strategy was for the restrictions to cover the whole of Zone 9 to prevent the problem moving further into Badger Hill and to provide full consultation on any scheme.

A local resident confirmed that he had lived in the area for a number  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8