Agenda, decisions and minutes

At this point in the meeting, the Executive Member is asked to declare:

·        any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests

·        any prejudicial interests or

·        any disclosable pecuniary interests

which he may have in respect of business on this agenda.

The Executive Member was asked to declare, at this point in the meeting, any personal interests, not included on the Register of Interests, or any prejudicial or disclosable pecuniary interests that he might have had in respect of business on the agenda. He confirmed he had none.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meetings held on 17 January 2019 and 7 February 2019.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the Decision Sessions of the Executive Member for Transport and Planning held on 17 January and 7 February 2019 be approved and signed by the Executive Member as a correct record.

At this point in the meeting, members of the public who have registered to speak can do so. The deadline for registering is 5.00pm on Wednesday 13 March 2019. Members of the public can speak on agenda items or matters within the Executive Member’s remit.

To register to speak please contact the Democracy Officers for the meeting, on the details at the foot of the agenda.

Filming, Recording or Webcasting Meetings

Please note that, subject to available resources, this meeting will be filmed and webcast, or recorded, including any registered public speakers who have given their permission. The broadcast can be viewed at http://www.york.gov.uk/webcasts or, if recorded, this will be uploaded onto the Council’s website following the meeting.

Residents are welcome to photograph, film or record Councillors and Officers at all meetings open to the press and public. This includes the use of social media reporting, i.e. tweeting. Anyone wishing to film, record or take photos at any public meeting should contact the Democracy Officers (contact details are at the foot of this agenda) in advance of the meeting.

The Council’s protocol on Webcasting, Filming & Recording of Meetings ensures that these practices are carried out in a manner both respectful to the conduct of the meeting and all those present.  It can be viewed at

https://www.york.gov.uk/downloads/file/11406/protocol_for_webcasting_filming_and_recording_of_council_meetings_20160809

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

Alexander McCallion (Director of Works and Precinct) and Mark Calvert (Chair of the Neighbourhood Forum) spoke on agenda item 4 (Minster Precinct Neighbourhood Plan Area and Forum) in support of the officer recommendation to approve the designation of a Neighbourhood Plan Area and Forum. He advised that the Minster and surrounding area was a much loved and visited part of York with a unique and valued atmosphere. He advised the  Executive Member that all parties would be represented with a public consultation, workshops and regular meetings for the wider forum and the public and that they would also work closely with representatives from York Minster, in order to produce a plan for the community based on the needs of the community.

Councillor Waller, Ward Member for Westfield Ward, presented a petition from local residents in relation to junction safety on Thanet Road near Acorn Rugby Club. He advised that, the previous day, work had started on the installation of a longer line of utility boxes. The petition asked that “no additional utility boxes be placed on Thanet Road due to the safety problems with being unable to see traffic clearly when leaving sports club car park” and requested that “the council work with utility companies to reduce the number of boxes here”. He asked the Executive Member and officers to consider this petition.

With regard to agenda item 4 (Economy and Place 2019-20 Transport Capital Programme), Councillor Waller queried when the list of highway repairs would be published and referred to a letter he had sent to the director to advise of several heavily used roads in his ward that were in need of significant repair. With regard to agenda item 7 (Vehicle Activated Speed (VAS) Indicator Device Trial) he expressed his support for residents’ requests for action in relation to speeding on Wetherby Road and for the use of the new style VAS signs. With regard to agenda item 8 (Petitions relating to highway and transport issues) he expressed concern regarding the proposed response to the Kingsway West petition in light of recent damage to verges on Dijon Road and highlighted this as a example of development in areas with narrow roads.

Councillor Carr, Ward and Parish Councillor for Companthorpe, spoke in support of agenda item 5 (Request to authorise taking a definitive map modification order out of turn). He expressed his desire to maximise the benefits to the community of Copmanthorpe by moving the crossing of the east coast mainline to a more convenient location while still meeting Network Rail’s requirements. He presented the Executive Member and Officers with a set of annotated plans showing three routes (the present position of the crossing, the location proposed by Network Rail and the location which he felt would be most beneficial to the community of Companthorpe) along with a satellite photo showing all 3 routes. He stated  ...  view the full minutes text for item 78.

This report sets out the Economy & Place Transport Capital Programme as agreed by Council on 28 February 2019. It provides further detail on the split of funding for the Local Transport Plan.

Resolved:  That the proposed Economy and Place Transport Capital Programme for 2019-20 be approved.

Reason:     To  implement the council’s transport strategy identified in York’s third Local Transport Plan and the Council Priorities, and deliver schemes identified in the council’s Transport Programme.

The Executive Member considered a report which set out the Economy & Place Transport Capital Programme as agreed by Council on 28 February 2019 and provided further detail on the split of funding for the Local Transport Plan. It included the proposed programme of which had been developed to implement the priorities of the Local Transport Plan (LTP3) and the Council Plan.

Officers advised that further reports with more detail would be brought to the Executive Member  through the year and would take account of any carry over items that come from changes at the end of the current financial year.

In response to Cllr Waller’s question on the resurfacing of streets and when the programme of works would be published, officers advised that surveying of streets had been taking place, the data from that was currently being matched against the increased budget which had been approved that year and the list should be published before the end of the month.

Resolved:  That the proposed Economy and Place Transport Capital Programme for 2019-20 be approved.

Reason:     To  implement the council’s transport strategy identified in York’s third Local Transport Plan and the Council Priorities, and deliver schemes identified in the council’s Transport Programme.

This report seeks authorisation from the Executive Member to take a definitive map modification order (DMMO) application out of turn and start to process an application immediately, as a matter of priority, to record Yorkfield Lane, Copmanthorpe as a public right of way, for the reasons set out in the report.

Resolved:  That authorisation be given to take the Yorkfield Lane DMMO to be taken out of turn and for the investigation to be started immediately as a matter of priority.

Reason:     Determining the status of Yorkfield Lane will give certainty to planners, developers and Network Rail allowing future development to be better integrated into the existing sustainable transport network of the area. This in turn will allow improved sustainable transport links within Copmanthorpe village, particularly to the school.

The Executive Member considered a report which asked him to authorise officers to take a definitive map modification order (DMMO) application out of turn and start to process an application to record Yorkfield Lane, Copmanthorpe as a public right of way (PRoW), on the basis of historical documentary evidence and user evidence, immediately as matter of priority. The request was being made to end uncertainty over the status of Yorkfield Lane prior to Network Rail carrying out proposed improvement works to the crossing of the east coast main line and the possibility of housing development adjacent to the lane.

The report explained that determining the status of Yorkfield Lane would give certainty to planners, developers and Network Rail allowing future development to be better integrated into the existing sustainable transport network of the area. This in turn would allow improved sustainable transport links within Copmanthorpe village, particularly to the school. If approval was not given to take the application out of turn, the opportunity to improve the sustainable transport links within Copmanthorpe may be lost.

In view of the comments made by Councillor Carr, Ward Member for Companthorpe, officers clarified that the only decision for the Executive Member to make was whether to authorise that the Yorkfield Lane DMMO be taken out of turn and started immediately or not and that it was not for him to consider the best place for relocation of the crossing. Officers advised that they would, however, pass the information from Councillor Carr onto Network Rail for their consideration and the Executive Member confirmed his support for taking the application out of turn.

Resolved:  That authorisation be given to take the Yorkfield Lane DMMO to be taken out of turn and for the investigation to be started immediately as a matter of priority.

Reason:     Determining the status of Yorkfield Lane will give certainty to planners, developers and Network Rail allowing future development to be better integrated into the existing sustainable transport network of the area. This in turn will allow improved sustainable transport links within Copmanthorpe village, particularly to the school.

This report relates to the applications submitted by the proposed Minster Precinct Neighbourhood Forum for designation of a Neighbourhood Plan Area and Forum. The report recommends that City of York Council approve both applications and designate the Minster Precinct Neighbourhood Forum and Plan Area as per the applications received.

Resolved:  That the Neighbourhood Forum application and Neighbourhood Plan Area application be approved as per Option 1 in the report.

Reason:     To allow the Minster Precinct Neighbourhood Forum to progress a Neighbourhood Plan for the Minster Precinct area.

The Executive Member considered a report which presented the applications submitted by the proposed Minster Precinct Neighbourhood Forum for designation of a Neighbourhood Plan Area and Forum with a recommendation that the Executive Member approves both applications and designates the Minster Precinct Neighbourhood Forum and Plan Area as per the applications received.

Officers explained that the proposed Minster Precinct Neighbourhood Forum had submitted the Neighbourhood Plan Area Application and the Neighbourhood Forum Application simultaneously to allow people who lived, worked and undertook business in the Minster area to see the proposals in context and that it also removed the need to consult twice.

Officers were satisfied that both the application for the Neighbourhood Plan Area and the Neighbourhood Forum Application met the statutory requirements and that the council had published the applications in line with regulations. They advised that St Michael le Belfrey had responded positively to the consultation and had expressed support for the plan.

Officers recommended that the Executive Member approve both applications and designate the Minster Precinct Neighbourhood Forum and Neighbourhood Plan Area in line with the applications received. If approved, they advised they would publicise designation of the neighbourhood area and neighbourhood forum and then the Minster Precinct Neighbourhood Forum could start to prepare the neighbourhood plan, with which they would be given appropriate advice and assistance from officers. Once the draft plan had been produced, the Neighbourhood Forum could undertake a pre-submission consultation which was a minimum of 6 weeks.

The Executive Member considered the following four options set out at paragraph 18 of the report and took into account the comments made under public participation by the Chair of the Neighbourhood Forum and Director of Works and Precinct and approved both applications as recommended.

Resolved:  That the Neighbourhood Forum application and Neighbourhood Plan Area application be approved as per Option 1 in the report.

Reason:     To allow the Minster Precinct Neighbourhood Forum to progress a Neighbourhood Plan for the Minster Precinct area.

Following a number of requests for vehicle activated signs that indicate speeds to drivers the report sets out the national and local policy context.  It offers a number of options and seeks decisions with regard to undertaking a trial of a vehicle activated sign speed indicator device on the authority’s highway network. It sets out criteria for that trial and the potential next steps once the trial is complete.   

Resolved: 

(i)      That approval be given to undertake the trial for a minimum of three months, to allow consideration of speed indicator devices in future vehicle activated sign policy.

(ii)      That York Rd, Strensall and Stockton Lane, Heworth be used as trial sites

(iii)     That the types of sign to be used will show actual speed and “Thank You” up to and including the speed limit and will display the speed roundel and “Slow Down” for speeds over the speed limit.

(iv)    That a trial of two Speed Indicator Devices, one in the village of Strensall and the other on Stockton Lane in Heworth Without at the locations shown in Annexes A & B to the report, using sign type C be approved. Once the trial period is complete and the outcome reviewed the results will be reported back to a future Executive Member Decision Session.

Reason:    

To provide a structured trial of speed indicator devices to allow this type of equipment to be considered for inclusion as an option in the council’s future vehicle activated sign policy.

The Executive Member considered a report which set out the national and local policy context in relation to vehicle activated signs that indicated speeds to drivers which had been prepared in  response to a number of requests for vehicle activated signs. The report set out a number of options and sought agreement to undertake a trial of a vehicle activated sign speed indicator device on the authority’s highway network. It sets out criteria for that trial and the potential next steps once the trial was complete.  

The Executive Member was asked to consider 3 decisions as detailed in the report at paragraph 24 of the report in relation to whether to undertake the trail, the trial site location and which type of sign to be used.

He acknowledged the comments made under public participation by Councillor Waller, Ward Member for Westfield and by Lawrence Mattinson,  Strensall with Towthorpe Parish Councillor. He also noted the written representations received from Cllr Ayre, Ward Member for Heworth Without, welcoming the proposals to trial vehicle activated speed indicator devices in the city and particularly his ward, and from residents of Wetherby Road expressing their concerns regarding speeding on Wetherby Road.

Resolved: 

(i)      That approval be given to undertake the trial of two speed indicator devices for a minimum of three months, to allow consideration of speed indicator devices in future vehicle activated sign policy (Option A).

(ii)      That York Rd, Strensall and Stockton Lane, Heworth (Without) be used as trial sites at the locations shown in Annexes A & B to the report (Option C).

(iii)     That the types of sign to be used will show actual speed and “Thank You” up to and including the speed limit and will display the speed roundel and “Slow Down” for speeds over the speed limit (Option C).

(iv)    That once the trial period is complete, and the outcome reviewed, the results would be reported back to a future Executive Member Decision Session.

Reason:     To provide a structured trial of speed indicator devices to allow this type of equipment to be considered for inclusion as an option in the council’s future vehicle activated sign policy.

This report asks the Executive Member to consider 5 petitions which have recently been received by the Council.

Resolved:

(i)      That the five petitions detailed in the report be noted.

(ii)      That, with regard to the petition relating to reducing vehicle speeds on Wetherby Road, officers be requested to notify Ward/Parish Councillors that:

(a)     The current speeds on Wetherby Road would meet the existing Council policy for the potential reinstatement of a Vehicle Activated Sign funded by the Ward/Parish Council.

(b)     If speeding remains a concern a further request for investigation could be submitted to North Yorkshire Police after August 2020 in accordance with the current Speed Management Policy.

(c)     Speed camera vans are managed solely by North Yorkshire Police and any request for the implementation of Safety Cameras on Wetherby Road would need to be communicated directly to the Police.

(iii)     That, with regard to the petition relating to the Kingsway Area, officers be requested to notify Ward Councillors that:

(a)     The impact of development on the adjacent highway network has been considered as part of the planning process for individual developments.

(b)     Laybys are not considered to be necessary at this location for road safety or congestion reasons however could be considered for funding from Ward Council funds if considered to be a priority for the area.

(c)     The provision of children’s play facilities will be reviewed before any existing provision is removed.

(iv)    That in relation to the highway maintenance petitions  relating to Ridgeway, Grange Street and  Askham Lane, as detailed in the report, officers be requested to notify the lead petitioners and Ward Councillors that maintenance for all streets is prioritised using a citywide evidence based process and that the streets would be maintained when their condition warrants intervention when compared to other streets across the city.

(v)     That in relation to 8 petitions from residents requesting new road surfaces at Minster Close, Corner Close, Helmsley Grove and Westfield Grove in Wigginton and Kennedy Drive, Little Lane, Lowfield Drive and Coppice Close in Haxby submitted by Cllr Cuthbertson, Ward Member for Haxby and Wigginton, officers be requested to notify the lead petitioners and Ward Councillors that maintenance for all streets is prioritised using a citywide evidence based process and that the streets would be maintained when their condition warrants intervention when compared to other streets across the city.

Reason:

To ensure petitioners are aware of current Council policies and potential actions relating to the items highlighted.

The Executive Member considered a report which asked him to consider five petitions which had recently been received by the Council.

The first petition asked the Council to consider reinstating and modernising both flashing speed warning signs on Wetherby Road and asking the police to site their speed camera van in the built up area on Wetherby Road on an occasional basis, in order to control vehicle speeds.

The second petition asked the Council to undertake the following improvements prior to any further building work starting in the Hob Moor area: Improving the access road along Kingsway West/Ascot Way, removing, where necessary, the grass verge; providing dropped kerbs or Layby parking where this didn’t already exist; and providing alternative, modern, children’s play facilities before any existing provision was removed.

The remaining three petitions were in relation to requests for highway maintenance to be undertaken on Ridgeway, Askham Lane and Grange Street.

The Executive Member acknowledged an additional eight petitions which had been presented to the Council on behalf of local residents by Councillor Cuthbertson, Ward Councillor for Haxby and Wigginton requesting new road surfaces at Minster Close, Corner Close, Helmsley Grove and Westfield Grove in Wigginton and Kennedy Drive, Little Lane, Lowfield Drive and Coppice Close in Haxby.

The Executive Member considered the comments made under public participation by: Councillor Waller, Ward Member for Westfield; Susan Hamilton, organiser of the Grange Street petition; and Councillor D’Agorne, Ward Member for Fishergate. He also took into account written representations received from: a resident of Grange Street setting out the problem of potholes on the street and a recommended method of repair; Councillor Cuthbertson, Ward Member for Haxby and Wigginton in relation to eight petitions regarding road surface renewal in Haxby and Wigginton;  and two residents of Wetherby Road expressing their concerns regarding speeding on Wetherby Road.

Officers explained how potholes were assessed and how repairs were undertaken. They advised that a trial was being undertaken with the Department for Transport using alternative materials for repairs to see how they stood up over a period of time.

The Executive Member noted that some road surfaces needed considerable attention and that additional funding had been allocated for repairs but acknowledged that this could not all be done at once and it was necessary to prioritise the repairs based on urgency. He agreed that the 8 additional petitions in relation to Haxby and Wigginton, not detailed in the report, be considered in the same way as the other highway maintenance petitions.

Resolved:

(i)      That the five petitions detailed in the report be noted.

(ii)      That, with regard to the petition relating to reducing vehicle speeds on Wetherby Road, officers be requested to notify Ward/Parish Councillors that:

(a)     The current speeds on Wetherby Road would meet the existing Council policy for the potential reinstatement of a Vehicle Activated Sign funded by the Ward/Parish Council.

(b)     If speeding remains a concern a further request for investigation could be submitted to North Yorkshire Police  ...  view the full minutes text for item 83.

This report considers pedestrian crossing points on Bishopthorpe Road. Further, the report identifies improvements which might be made to the existing pedestrian crossing point at the junction with Campleshon Road.

Resolved: 

(i)      That Option 1 be approved and a 20 metre extension to the existing no waiting at any time restrictions (Double Yellow Lines (DYL)) and a small extension to the build-out to allow the crossing width to be increased by 0.8m be agreed.

(ii)      That the proposed change to the parking restriction extension (as detailed in (i)) and clearway south of Campleshon Road be advertised and any objections be considered at a future Executive Member Decision Session.

(iii)     That officers be asked to prepare a report on a potential resident parking scheme, specifically in relation to the impact of pavement parking, for consideration at a future Executive Member Decision Session before a decision is made whether or not to advertise a potential residents parking scheme for the area.

Reason:    

To ensure that a joined up approach is taken to parking provision and road safety in the area and to address concerns raised in relation to the potential impact of pavement parking as part of a resident parking scheme.

The Executive Member considered a report which provided information on pedestrian crossing points on Bishopthorpe Road and identified improvements which could be made to the existing pedestrian crossing point at the junction with Campleshon Road. The report asked him to agree to include the proposed change to the parking restrictions in the advertisement of a potential Residents Parking scheme for the area and the parking restriction extension and clearway south of Campleshon Road, and that any objections to the combined ResPark/Double Yellow Lines/Clearway scheme be considered at a future Executive Member Decision Session.

The Executive Member noted the comments made by Councillor Crawshaw, Ward Member for Micklegate. He acknowledged that the extension of double yellow lines would have an impact on residential parking in the area and noted the petition which had been received calling for a residents parking scheme to be introduced on Bishopthorpe Road between Beresford Terrace and Reginal Grove and between Balmoral Terrace and Campleshon Road, and Councillor Crawshaw’s concerns over the  possible use of the pavement to accommodate parking.

The Executive Member acknowledged that the proposals for residents parking included possible use of a narrow strip of the pavement to accommodate parking where the road was not wide enough to accommodate parking on both sides. He echoed Councillor Crawshaw’s concerns about parking on footpaths without it being properly marked out with sufficient space for pedestrians to pass. Officers confirmed that they would need to review the pavement width to ensure that a residents parking scheme was achievable before it was advertised.

The Executive Member considered the options detailed in the report and expressed his support for the proposed change to the parking restriction extension and the clearway south of Campleshon Road. With regard to the advertisement of a potential residents parking scheme for the area, officers agreed to provide a report on this, and specifically the impact of pavement parking, for consideration by the Executive Member at a future decision session before a decision was taken whether to advertise a potential residents parking scheme for the area.

Resolved: 

(i)      That Option 1 be approved and a 20 metre extension to the existing no waiting at any time restrictions (Double Yellow Lines (DYL)) and a small extension to the build-out to allow the crossing width to be increased by 0.8m be agreed.

(ii)      That the proposed change to the parking restriction extension (as detailed in (i)) and clearway south of Campleshon Road be advertised and any objections be considered at a future Executive Member Decision Session.

(iii)     That officers be asked to prepare a report on a potential resident parking scheme, specifically in relation to the impact of pavement parking, for consideration at a future Executive Member Decision Session before a decision is made whether or not to advertise a potential residents parking scheme for the area.

Reason:    

To ensure that a joined up approach is taken to parking provision and road safety in the area and to address  ...  view the full minutes text for item 84.