Agenda item

At this point in the meeting, any member of the public who has registered to address the Council, or to ask a Member of the Council a question, on a matter directly relevant to the business of the Council or the City, may do so. The deadline for registering is 5:00pm on Wednesday 10 October 2012.

The Lord Mayor announced that six members of the public had registered to speak at the meeting.

Wilson Clark spoke in support of the petition to be presented, later in the meeting, requesting speed restrictions on the A19 at Deighton. He referred to the alarming increase in traffic on the A19 generated by the Designer Outlet and Park and Ride sites with more expected following proposed developments in Barlby and the North Selby anaerobic digestion plant. Residents of the village were requesting a 40mph speed limit and safe access/egress to the A19 for pedestrians, bus users, motorists and cyclists.

Tony Bramley also spoke in support of the petition requesting speed restrictions on the A19 at Deighton. He referred to 80% resident support for a 40mph, rather than a 50mph speed limit through the village. The recent fatality on the A19 at Deighton, had involved his son’s girlfriend. She had been trying to cross the road which had, at the time, been dark as the bus stop lighting had been out of action for a number of months. He requested member support for a lower speed restriction in the area, with improved lighting, to ensure residents were able to safely cross the road.

Richard Bridge spoke on the Council Tax Benefit reform, the forthcoming legislation which would target the poorest in society. He referred to the number of current tax benefit claims which also included a number of residents in work. Reference was made to other options available as those targeted had also received other cuts in income which would mean they had to make a choice between eating and heating. He therefore asked members to consult on alternative options when considering the localisation of Council Tax benefits.

Valerie Bedford spoke in support of the petition, to be presented later in the meeting by Councillor Cuthbertson, regarding traffic issues at Calf Close, Haxby. She pointed out that Calf Close had once been a peaceful road popular with young families and the elderly, close to a sports field. However in 2009 the road had become a short cut from Station Road to York Road with incidences of speeding vehicles and cars hitting kerbs and walls raising residents concerns over safety. Petitioners were requesting that Calf Close should either be made a ‘no through road’ or a 20mph zone.   

Sarah Hodgson also spoke in support of the petition regarding traffic issues at Calf Close, Haxby. She confirmed that residents were requesting safety measures that would ensure children and vulnerable residents had safe access to the Ethel Ward Playing Fields. Reference was made to the regular need to contact Police and PCO’s following the use of the road as a racing circuit. Residents were requesting action to prevent Calf Close being used as a short cut and to limit vehicles to safe speeds.

Jim Begley spoke in support of a petition to be presented by Councillor Scott, later in the meeting, regarding traffic issues on The Avenue/Westminster Road, Clifton. Mr Begley thanked members for agreeing to reinstate the left hand turn at the Water End junction however their roads were still being used as a rat run by vehicles trying to avoid the traffic lights and queues at the junction. Recent official counts had demonstrated that, on average, over 1500 vehicles created noise, vibration, dust and other pollution on residential roads on a daily basis. Residents were requesting point closure to improve safety for residents and improve their quality of life.