Agenda item

To consider the decision of the Executive Member for City Strategy on the above item, which has been called in by Councillors Alexander, Crisp and Bowgett 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 Scrutiny Management Committee (Calling In) in relation to the call-in procedure, together with the original report and the decision of the Executive Member.

Members received a report which asked them to consider the decisions taken by the Executive Member for City Strategy, at a meeting of the Executive Member and Advisory Panel (EMAP) on 8 December 2008, in respect of the proposed introduction of waiting restrictions in the Holly Bank area of Acomb.

Details of the Executive Member’s decisions were attached as Annex 1 to the report.  The original report to the EMAP meeting was attached as Annex 2.  The decisions had been called in by Cllrs Alexander, Crisp and Bowgett for the following reasons:

• Ignoring most recent, recorded, tabulated and named will of residents as presented by ward Councillors. Almost 60% of local people do not support the proposed restrictions and just over 80% of residents of the roads affected by these restrictions also opposed
• Inadequate Council consultation (mainly that deadline for consultation had wrong year on it and so people did not realise they could still be involved in consultation process, despite deadline being extended).
• Introducing traffic regulations for a bus route that First says will be unsafe for passengers to board and disembark from.
• Not allowing Clive Grove to be incorporated into regulations, thus leading to increased parking along and on the corners of Clive Grove (leading to obstructions and poor visibility).
• Ignoring need for a 20mph speed limit along bus route to ensure that shaking of people's houses and windows leading to damage is reduced. Not incorporating measures to slow the possible increased speed of traffic that could cause accidents.

Members were invited to consider whether to confirm the decisions of the Executive Member (Option A) or to refer them back to the Executive Member for reconsideration and / or amendment (Option B).  

Cllrs Alexander and Bowgett addressed the meeting on behalf of the Calling-in Members.  They also circulated a written report prepared by Cllr Alexander, outlining consultation undertaken by the Holgate Ward Members and a set of proposals suggested as a basis for negotiation.  These included the introduction of a 20 mph speed limit on the bus route, the relocation of ‘no waiting’ restrictions to the Clive Grove side of Holly Bank Road and limiting the times of the restrictions to 10 am - 4 pm, instead of 7 am - 7 pm.

Following questions and a full debate Cllr Watson moved, and Cllr Galvin seconded:

“That the decisions of the Executive Member be confirmed, and that the following observations be made:

a)                 If the no. 16 bus service is not re-introduced on the ‘Holly Bank loop’ route, then the traffic restrictions should be removed.

b)                 Consideration should be given to the introduction of a 20 mph speed limit on the course of the re-introduced bus route.”

This motion was then put to the vote.  Four Members voted for the motion and four voted against.  The Chair then used his casting vote against the motion, which was consequently declared LOST.

Cllr Scott then moved, and Cllr Taylor seconded:

“That the decisions be referred back to the Executive Member to reconsider, taking into account the observations made by the Holgate Ward Members and the observations made by this Committee that:

a)                   the traffic regulations should not be implemented unless the no. 16 bus service is re-instated on the ‘Holly Bank Road loop’ and

b)                   that consideration should be given to the introduction of a 20 mph speed zone in the area.”

This motion was then put to the vote.  Four Members voted for the motion and four voted against.  The Chair then used his casting vote in favour of the motion, which was consequently declared CARRIED.  Members agreed that the referral back would be to the Executive (Calling In) meeting already arranged for 6 January, rather than to the next EMAP meeting.

RESOLVED: That Option B be approved and that the decisions be referred back to the Executive Member to reconsider, at the Executive (Calling In) meeting on 6 January 2009, taking into account the observations made by the Holgate Ward Members and the observations made by this Committee that:

a) the traffic regulations should not be implemented unless the no. 16 bus service is re-instated on the ‘Holly Bank Road loop’ and

b) that consideration should be given to introducing a 20 mph speed zone in the area.

REASON:      In accordance with the Constitutional procedures for called-in decisions and to deal with the issues raised by the Calling-in Members.