Agenda item

To consider the decisions made by the Executive Member for City Strategy at his Decision Session held on 1 March 2011 in relation to the above item, which have been called in by Councillors Merrett, Potter and Simpson-Laing in accordance with the Council’s Constitution. A cover report is attached setting out the reasons for the call-in and the remit and powers of the Scrutiny Management Committee (Calling In) in relation to 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 Decision Session on 1 March 2011 in relation to a report setting out a proposed approach for the submission of an application to the Department’s (DfT) Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF). The report had also sought approval of the approach and delegated authority to complete and submit any subsequent bid to the DfT by the Director of City Strategy.

Details of the Executive Member’s decision had been attached as Annex A to the report and the original report to the Executive Member attached as Annex B. The decisions had been called in by Cllrs Merrett, Potter and Simpson-Laing, on the grounds that:

-        Any final submission delegated to officers should only follow consultation with all Groups’ transport spokespersons as well as the Executive Member given the importance of this bid for future transport funding in the city.  This has not been confirmed.

-        The report and decision for an area-based approach offer no evidence for how sustainable change will be achieved city-wide, given the funding is only one-off funding.

-          There is no evidence of action to address the five air quality management area hotspots as part of this area-based approach.

-          There is a lack of emphasis on improving local bus services, the highest resident priority after tackling congestion.  Also insufficient focus on the most effective measures on bus priorities, cycling and travel campaigns.

-               The Library Square scheme has been retained resulting in the loss of disabled parking spaces and is no longer affordable in the current climate.

Members were asked to decide whether to confirm the decisions of the Executive Member for City Strategy (Option A) or to refer them back to the Executive Member for re-consideration (Option B).

Councillor Merrett addressed the Committee on behalf of the Calling In Members, stating that the LSTF bid was key to the provision of funding to replace that lost by transport funding cuts.  He detailed reasons why more emphasis needed to be placed on improving local bus services, the highest resident priority in tackling congestion. The bid also required stronger commitment to improve air quality and gaps in the cycling network.

Officers pointed out that they were still keen to continue dialogue and consultation to assist in the further development of the bid. To reinforce the integrated transport approach it was confirmed that the bid would be ‘area based’ to provide a geographical focus for targeting measures and given the limited funding available, the bid would reflect these comments as far as possible. 

After a full debate, it was

RESOLVED:             That Option B be approved and resolution 8 (iv) referred to the Executive (Calling-In) meeting, for the reason that any final submission delegated to officers should only follow consultation with all Groups’ transport spokespersons as well as the Executive Member, given the importance of this bid for future transport funding in the city.

REASON:                  In accordance with the requirements of the Council’s Constitution.