Agenda item

To consider the decisions taken by the Executive Member for City Strategy on 5 January 2010 on the above item, which have been called in by Councillors Scott, Douglas and King 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 the call-in procedure, together with the original report to and decisions of the Executive Member.

Members received a report, which asked them to consider the decisions made by the Executive Member for City Strategy at his meeting on 5 January 2010. The decisions related to the vehicle surveys and questionnaire carried out in relation to the through traffic in the Westminster Road area, following the introduction of the Water End cycle scheme.

Details of the Executive Member’s decisions were attached as Annex A to the report. The original report to the Executive Member was attached as Annex B. The decisions had been called in by Cllrs Scott, Douglas and King on the grounds that:

“That the Executive Member misdirected himself by:-

• Failing to listen to the representations of residents;
• Failing to listen to the representations of ward councillors;
• Failing to recognise and correct the deficiencies in the   consultation process;
• Failing to act so as to alleviate the increased traffic volumes and flow on Westminster Road and The Avenue;
• Failing to comply with the council's own highway design guide; and
• Failing to honour his commitment on the issue given at an EMAP meeting in 2009.”

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

Cllr King, addressed the meeting on behalf of the Calling-In Members, he stated that he was disappointed at the reports approach and analysis of comments. He confirmed that Greenfield Road residents had been included in the consultation and that the majority supported road closure. He pointed out that there had been no survey of traffic before and after the changes at the Water End junction. He stated that the increase in through traffic of between 80% and 90% could not be allowed to continue and he asked Members to listen to local residents and refer these decisions back to the Executive Member with a recommendation for closure of Westminster Road/The Avenue.

In response to Members’ comments and questions, Officers confirmed that no reference had been made in the original report to the possible reinstatement of Water End as this had not been part of the reports remit. He confirmed that the Water End scheme would not be reviewed until it had been in place for 12 months.

After a full debate, Cllr Orrell moved, and Cllr Hyman seconded, that Option A be approved and the original decisions of the Executive Member be confirmed. Four Members voted in favour of this motion and four voted against. The Chair then used his casting vote in favour of the motion and it was therefore 

RESOLVED:             That Option A be approved and the original decisions of the Executive Member in this matter be confirmed.

REASON:                  In accordance with the procedures set out in the Council’s Constitution for dealing with called-in decisions, and in accordance with the reasons given by the Executive Member for his decisions.