Agenda item

It was reported that there had been three registrations to speak under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme and that three Members had also registered to speak.

Dorothy Best, representing Easingwold Country Market, spoke in respect of agenda item 4 – Footstreets Report.  She stated that she had a stall on the Parliament Street Farmers’ Market.  She queried whether the changes to footstreet hours had resulted in an increase in footfall.  Ms Best drew the Cabinet Member’s attention to the particular problems facing market traders because their customers tended to shop early in the day to purchase fresh products and hence trade at the end of the day was very limited.  She requested that arrangements be put in place to enable the market traders to pack up and leave earlier.

Mr Mannion spoke in respect of agenda item 4 – Footstreets Report.  He stated that he was representing market traders but that he also had a cafe on Blake Street.  He expressed concern that traffic regulations were not being properly enforced in the city centre.  He reiterated the comments made by the previous speaker in respect of the lack of business for market traders at the end of the day.  He also pointed out that market traders had very early starts to the day, as they had to visit wholesalers.  This meant that they were having to work very long hours.   Mr Mannion suggested that consideration be given to the strategies that Swindon had carried out to encourage greater footfall and asked that consideration be given to changing car parking charges at certain times of the day.

Councillor Jeffries spoke in respect of agenda item 4 – Footstreets Report, and in particular the implications for blue badge and green permit holders.  She stated that there appeared to have been a lack of consultation with those affected.  Referring to suggestions that there may have been some abuse of the scheme, Councillor Jeffries stated that this may have been as a result of confusion arising from poor signage.  She commented that there was confusion regarding the two categories and that the criterion for the green permits was not readily available.  Councillor Jeffries stated that she had spoken to Health Watch who had commented that issues in respect of car parking and transport in York were regularly brought up at their meetings.

Councillor Richardson spoke in respect of agenda item 4 – Footstreets Report, he queried how the regulations were being enforced and how many fines had been issued.  He stated that the signage in respect of Blake Street and regarding green permits and blue badges was not clear.  Councillor Richardson also spoke in respect of agenda item 5 – Capital Programme.  He expressed concern that the cycling scheme/road layout in Haxby Road would cost significantly more than had originally been anticipated.  Councillor Richardson also commented on other issues within his ward which he stated required attention.

Councillor Runciman spoke in respect of agenda item 5 – Capital Programme.  She stated that she opposed the proposed expenditure of £235k on the implementation of a blanket roll out of the 20mph scheme in North York and East York.  Councillor Runciman stated that the funding would be better spent on targeted road safety improvements in high risk areas.  There were also areas within the proposed scheme where drivers would be hard pressed to travel at 20mph.  Councillor Runciman stated that it was important that the results of earlier schemes were properly analysed to ascertain if they had made a difference.  She suggested that the schemes did not have wide public support and stated that consultation should take place with residents.  In Huntington and New Earswick the parish councils would consider the maps in detail.  Councillor Runciman stated that she supported the proposed expenditure on the school safety schemes.

Greg Flockton, Transport Manager Northern Bulk Transport Limited, spoke in respect of agenda item 4 – Footstreets Report.   He expressed concerns regarding delivery vehicle access to the York precinct.  He stated that, as well as the problems caused by the footstreets hours, there were insufficient loading bays in the periphery.  He gave details as to how the changes in footstreet hours had impacted on his business, including the fact that it was now necessary to use three vehicles rather than two in order to deliver to market traders and shops.