Agenda item

At this point in the meeting, members of the public who have registered their wish to speak regarding an item on the agenda or a matter within the Cabinet’s remit can do so.  The deadline for registering is 5:00 pm on Monday 2 April 2012.

Please note: Registrations to speak in relation to the urgent item: Beckfield Lane Household Recycling Centre will be extended until 12 noon on Tuesday 3 April 2012.

It was reported that there had been thirteen registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme and that seven Members of Council had also requested to speak.

The following spoke in respect of Agenda item 6 – Water End/Clifton Green Junction: Options for Reinstating a Separate Left Turn Lane on the Water End Approach:

Virginia Shaw spoke as a pedal cyclist who regularly used this route pointing out that, prior to the alterations, this junction had been identified as a priority for work to ensure the safety of cyclists . She expressed concern that the consultation options had not included ‘leave in present form’ and she made a plea for members to let commonsense prevail and leave the junction alone.

Matt Wilson-Boddy, representing York Youth Council, expressed surprise at proposed changes at the junction, as he felt these would undermine the Council’s credibility. Responses to the consultation were they felt insufficient to allow further changes, particularly as maintaining the present layout had not been offered as an option. Reference was made to the council’s cycle campaign to further changes  being inconsistent with the authority’s hierarchy of road users.

Bernie Cullen, representing Bike Rescue, pointed out that one of the key council priorities was to protect vulnerable people and that any change to the road layout would not support this. Cycling was supported especially if it took residents out of cars and improved congestion giving cyclists the right to safe passage.

Peter Fay spoke as a user of the Water End route, both as a cyclist and a motorist. He confirmed that the new arrangements had encouraged him to cycle but the proposed changes in both Options 1 and 2 would be a retrograde step removing protection for cyclists. He therefore requested members to leave the present arrangements as any change would encourage him to revert to car use once again.

Paul Hepworth spoke as a representative of the CTC referring to the increased risk to cyclists if changes were made at Water End. He referred to a safety audit carried out at a redesigned junction in London which had been disregarded and which was now under investigation by the Police following an accident. He questioned the short term gains and costs involved to revise a government funded scheme and requested members to defer a decision pending receipt of legal advice.

June Tranmer spoke in relation to safety issues as a cyclist and the victim of two accidents as she felt there were now increased risks on York’s roads. She pointed out that, as a resident of Clifton and regular user of the Water End junction, since the redesign she felt much safer and requested the Cabinet to leave the junction alone.

Jim Begley, spoke on behalf of residents of Westminster Road and The Avenue pointing out that neither of the proposed options put forward in the officers report would assist local residents with the issue of traffic using their roads as a rat run to avoid the junction. He referred to a recent traffic survey undertaken by residents which had shown 1600 vehicles using the roads over a 12 hour period. This was no longer a peak flow problem and he urged members to put measures in place to overcome residents concerns with a point closure of the roads.

Andrew Pringle spoke as a resident of Westminster Road of 13 years and the impact changes at this junction had made to local residents. Although the works had been of value to cyclists he questioned the percentage of non cyclists who had been encouraged to cycle in comparison with the money invested. Failures of the scheme included congestion, pollution, noise, speed of vehicles and the increased use of residential roads and he reiterated the request for point closure.

Cllr D’Agorne spoke as the former cycle champion and a member of the cross party Councillor Call for Action in respect of this issue. He referred to the work undertaken to form this crucial section of the orbital cycle route to encourage cycling and to the proposed options which would break this link. A further request was made to leave the junction unchanged and to note the results of the consultation.

Cllr Reid reiterated the Lib/Dem comments in relation to this report, particularly that the consultation had not offered the option of No Change to the existing layout however the majority of responses, almost 60%, had favoured this.The Safety Audit findings had clearly shown that to alter the junction would be wrong and increase risks to pedestrians and cyclists. The emergency services had also agreed with these findings and in view of this the decision should be taken to leave the junction as it is.

Cllr Warters referred to this issue as an important point of principal, particularly as the present administration had as a manifesto pledge supported the reinstatement of the left turn lane at this junction. Members should therefore support Option 1 in the report.

Cllr Scott spoke of the history of this junction and work undertaken. He pointed out that it was incorrect to state that the financial implications were low as works had already been over budget and issues of reputational damage had not been mentioned. He confirmed his support for reinstatement of the left hand lane

Cllr Warters also spoke in relation to Agenda item 10 (Economic Infrastructure Fund – Governance and Initial Funding Decisions). He pointed out that on a number of occasions he had made requests for funding to be made available for the complete re-construction of the highway on Tranby Avenue, Osbaldwick, without success. He then submitted a request in writing for the release of £500k from the economic infrastructure fund to carry out these works which would support the York Economic Strategy Ambition 4, Get York Moving.

The following spoke in respect of Agenda item 14 – Controlling the Concentration of Houses in Multiple Occupation Supplementary Planning Document Consultation Planning Outcomes:

Harry Telfer spoke on behalf of the Badger Hill Residents Community Group, circulating a plan which gave example calculations to demonstrate the unintentional consequential effects of the clustering of HMO’s. It was suggested, that lowering the threshold to 10% rather than 20% was justified as the majority of consultees felt that 20% was too high.

Cllr Warters confirmed his comments and that of Osbaldwick Parish Council as set out on pages 294 to 297 of the report. He went on to reiterate his opposition to the threshold approach at either street or neighbourhood level, particularly as York had chosen an extremely high threshold of 20%. Reference was made to the high number of students in comparison to the accommodation provided on campus and to the proposals which would lead to the ‘filling up’ adjacent residential areas with student HMO’s.

Cllr Barnes spoke as the Councillor of a ward on which these proposals would have most impact. He expressed support for a combination of the thresholds which he felt would provide a better approach, providing balance in neighbouring streets. Although HMO’s were an important part of the housing stock, he supported mixed communities rather than establishing ghetto’s. The proposals should however be clearly communicated to resident’s to ensure they had a clear understanding of the issues.

The following spoke in respect of the urgent business at Agenda item 17 – Beckfield Lane Household Recycling Site:

Professor Downes spoke in support of the retention of the recycling site which had been well used for over 30 years. He referred to safety issues raised as a reason for closure when the site already had an excellent safety record. Closure of this facility which result in less recycling and additional vehicle journey’s to other sites. He requested members to note residents views and support its retention.

Trevor Scott reiterated his support for the earlier speakers comments. He referred to the increased distance skip lorries would have to travel from Hazel Court rather than Beckfield Lane to Harewood Whin increasing pollution and recycling costs. The Beckfield Lane facility was well used and should remain open.

Rueben Mayne spoke in respect of the recently published officer report, which set out further information regarding the decision made for the closure of Beckfield Lane Household Waste Recycling centre as part of the budget proposals. He pointed out that the savings figures were gross rather than net and that increased fly tipping and landfill tax would also require inclusion in costings. Local residents took pride in their community and this would be undermined with the closure of this facility. He therefore asked members to note residents support for the centre’s retention provided by the number of signatories of the petition.

Peter Ashton spoke as a Beckfield Lane resident and signatory of the petition. He referred to the popular facility which local residents were able to visit without a vehicle using wheelbarrows and wheelie bins. Mention was made of the assistance provided by the excellent staff on site, the support of immediate neighbours and to the detrimental effect closure of the site would have on residents in the west of the city.

Cllr Reid spoke in support of the motion and petition presented to council, and the e-petition for retention of the facility. She referred residents strength of feeling for the sites retention when the alternative meant a drive across the city. Reference was made to the lack of detail in the report, particularly financial, and to the comparatively small saving closure of the site would provide. Additional points included the increase in transport costs from Hazel Court and skips at the Towthorpe site were no more accessible for residents than at this site. A request was made to defer further consideration of this report pending consideration at Council. 

Cllr Warters expressed support for reference of this motion and petition to a special council meeting to enable further consideration of the matter. He requested members to reconsider the closure of this site and acknowledge the views of local residents.

Cllr Galvin also asked members to listen to local residents and support the retention of a well used community facility on the west side of York. He pointed out that there had been no personal injury accident reported at the site since its opening and that fly tipping in the area would increase leading to future costs for the authority.

Cllr Cuthbertson expressed concern at the late publication of the officer report dealing with this site. Concern was also expressed at the length of the Cabinet agenda which included a number of important issues for the city which he felt could not be seriously considered in the time available.