Issue - meetings

This report advises the Executive of work undertaken subsequent to its decision of 28 August 2015, for Officers to prepare a Consultation Draft Policy for ‘A’ Boards. This report presents the findings from consultation and provides a recommended Final Draft Policy, together with estimated financial implications of implementation and enforcement.

Resolved:  That the Executive agree to:

(i)           The implementation of the Draft ‘A’ Board Policy, relating to the area of city centre as outlined in Option A and as shown on the plan at Appendix A of the report; along with,

(ii)          Option B, a 5 month transition period, to allow the policy to become fully communicated and put into practice for 1^st February 2017, and

(iii)        Option D, the trial of Remote ‘A’ Board (RAB)/Shared ‘A’ Board (SAB) criteria/approvals, for 12 months.

(iv)    Option E, the undertaking of further assessment and consultation with regards to potential policy content for all areas outside of the city centre zone, requiring a further report and recommendations within 12 months, and

(v)         Option F the undertaking of analysis of the initial city centre policy, with a subsequent report one year post full implementation.

Reason:      (i)     To provide adequate control of the many and varied obstructions (particularly for those with impaired mobility for example, blind and/or partially sighted) temporarily located on the public highway, taking into account of the Council’s responsibilities under the Highways Act 1980, the Equality Act 2010 and Town & Country Planning Act 1990.

(ii)      To mitigate the impact on the visual amenity of the conservation area and setting of the many listed buildings in the city centre.

(iii)     To contribute further to the removal of street clutter, improve the street scene and public realm.

Consideration was given to a report which advised the Executive of work undertaken following its decision of 28 August 2015 for Officers to prepare a Consultation Draft Policy for ‘A’ Boards and undertake consultation prior to reporting back to the Executive.

Officers reported on the work undertaken by the cross party Officer group, which included a street audit, prior to circulation of the Consultation Document. The document had been sent out  to a range of stakeholders and this had been followed by a consultation session. Wide ranging consultation had been undertaken on the potential licensing of ‘A’ Boards and the results of consultation had been reported at Annex B of the report.

Members noted that there was a general consensus in support of a more controlled form of advertising and the need for consistency. It was also noted that over and above the initial introduction costs that the cost of operating a licensed process would not impact upon existing budgets.

Officers also highlighted the implications arising from the introduction of the new policy, in particular that the policy addressed the Council’s duties with respect to its Highway and Planning responsibilities. They also confirmed that the scope for licence application would be limited solely to Micklegate in view of current work being undertaken to revitalise this area of the city. In answer to earlier comments Officers confirmed that they would provide a named Officer contact to the York Association of Voluntary Guides in respect of the advertisement of their services.

 Members referred to the short transition period and requested an extension to February 2016 to allow both Officers and businesses  additional time for dialogue and implementation of the new arrangements. It was noted that a media awareness campaign would be undertaken with letters being sent to all businesses in the area and information provided on the Council’s website.

Members expressed their support for the proposals and thanked Officers for their comprehensive report and work undertaken since the last report to the Executive. Members expressed their support for city businesses and independent traders and agreed that a trial of remote/shared ‘A’ Boards would provide feedback to enable Members to evaluate the success of the scheme.

Following further discussion consideration was given to the following options:  

Option A - implementation of the Draft Policy (Appendix A), and the prohibition of ‘A’ Boards (and all other comparable advertising materials/features placed on the highway) within the streets shown on the plan.

Option B – For Option A to be implemented over a 4 month transition period (policy implemented 01/01/2017) to allow full communication with the city centre businesses in particular and for adequate staff resourcing and administrative systems to be put in place.

Option C – the alternative originally tendered option of a board placed flat against the building (FAB).

Option D – Recommended for a 12 month trial, an option previously tendered, the Remote (or Shared) RAB/SAB board.

Option E the undertaking of further assessment and consultation with regards to potential policy content for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34