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An opportunity was given for residents to
raise any issues or concerns they may have in respect of the ward.
The following issues were raised:
·
A discussion took place about the parking issues in the terraced
streets by the river, in particular with reference to Frances
Street. A resident noted that visitors had noted it was
increasingly difficult to find parking places on the street during
the day due to commuters’ parking. Councillors advised that
they had undertaken a consultation with residents, though
apologised for missing Holly Terrace off the list of those
canvassed, regarding the suggestion of introducing resident parking
permits. The majority of residents in each street had responded
against the introduction of parking permits. Parking was recognised
to be a continuing issue, but as a result of the residents’
survey, there was no intention of introducing a parking permit
scheme in these streets.
Councillor D’Agorne reported that he had met with TSYS to
discuss their employees using the surrounding streets for parking.
He advised they had been very open to looking for solutions to the
problem, and had agreed to get involved with a Park and Cycle
Scheme which was being launched that week.
- Residents asked for
an update on work undertaken by the council to cut down trees in
the area. Councillors noted that little information was available
about the council’s plans, but that they had attended a
briefing about managing parks and open spaces across the city.
Councillors noted that there was no admission that the felling of
trees and cutting down of bushes was in response to the need to cut
maintenance costs, but agreed that it was hard to see the logic in
some of the removals which had taken place.
- Residents asked if
there was any update on the cycling strategy. Councillor
D’Agorne reported that there had been a recent review of the
whole cycling network, and that he had made some comments on a
number of cycling paths which had been marked for removal. He
further reported that as a result of this, they had been put back
onto the list.
- In response to a
question about the monitoring of the 20 mph zone past St Georges
and Fishergate schools, councillors noted that this was ongoing,
and that attitudes were starting to change towards enforcement.
Councillors further reported that 20mph zones were being rolled out
across the city in all residential streets.
- Residents raised the
issue of potholes in the ward, in particular one outside Fishergate
School which had been half filled in but still posed a risk to
cyclists. Councillors noted that they were aware of this, and had
reported the issue to the council.
- A question was raised
about the maintenance of the ward noticeboards. One resident noted
concern that they were used as a commercial space, rather than for
community-focussed, time-specific events. It was noted that two
residents on Grange Garth regularly undertook to keep the
noticeboards updated, and councillors expressed their thanks to
these residents for this. In response to a question about the
location of noticeboards in the ward, it was confirmed that these
were outside Broadway shops, by the Blue Bridge and on Heslington
Road.
- In response to a
question about the former greengrocers’ on Heslington Road,
councillors confirmed that a planning application had been put in
to turn the premises into an off licence.
- Councillors advised
residents that, due to cuts, this
formal meeting of the Ward Committee would be held annually rather
than quarterly, though there was approval to convene additional
meetings to discuss any particular issues should there be a need.
The intention in the future would be to bring community groups
together to discuss ward matters on a six-weekly basis, with
resident representatives, councillors, the Safer Neighbourhood Team
and Street Environment Officer.
One resident
strongly felt that formal meetings should still be held on a
quarterly basis as before, and requested a breakdown of the total
cost of running these meetings.
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