Agenda item

This report presents the final report from the A-boards Scrutiny Review, undertaken to identify suitable guidelines for the use of A-boards, and asks Cabinet to approve the recommendations arising from the review.

[Councillor Douglas as Task Group Chair has been invited to attend the meeting for consideration of this report.]

Resolved:           That, having considered the Task Group’s final report and annexes, Cabinet agree to request the Director of City and Environmental Services to prepare guidelines for the use of A-boards across the city, in consultation with interested parties, for consideration at a future meeting.

Reason:     To conclude the Scrutiny Review in line with CYC Scrutiny procedures and protocols.

Consideration was given to the final report from the A-boards Scrutiny Review. The review’s aim had been to identify suitable guidelines for the use of A-boards, taking into account other issues such as alternative ways of advertising and health and safety issues.

Councillor Douglas, as Chair of the Task Group presented the final report. She referred to her concerns regarding the increased use of A-boards in the city and to the difficulties of identifying acceptable requirements and guidelines to balance the needs of both highway users and businesses. She referred to research undertaken and to policing issues and asked Officers to work with businesses to enable them to advertise on buildings and to prepare guidance for the boards use across the city, in line with the Task Groups recommendations:

i)             The introduction of a policy allowing the use of A-boards under strict criteria. 

ii)            The policy to include a list of streets where the use of A-boards is prohibited at all times due to the limited widths of footways.

iii)          That appropriate resources be identified to ensure the full and proper enforcement of the new policy.  This to include consideration of the potential for improved cross directorate/team working outlined in paragraph 44 of the review final report. 

iv)          The Policy (based on Option E, as detailed in Recommendations (i) & (ii) above) be trialled for a two year period.

Members confirmed that enforcement was key, as was the need to balance the use of A-boards with the livelihood of small businesses. With limited resources there was a need to work with and support businesses to find alternative methods of advertising.

Resolved:           That, having considered the Task Group’s final report and annexes, Cabinet agree to request the Director of City and Environmental Services to prepare guidelines for the use of A-boards across the city, in consultation with interested parties, for consideration at a future meeting. ^1.

Reason:     To conclude the Scrutiny Review in line with CYC Scrutiny procedures and protocols.