Agenda, decisions and minutes

Delegated Decisions by Cabinet Member for Environment (including Transport) - Thursday, 26 February 2015 10.30 am

Venue: County Hall, New Road, Oxford

Contact: Graham Warrington  Tel: (01865) 815321; E-Mail:  graham.warrington@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

5/15

Petitions and Public Address

Minutes:

 

 

Speaker

 

Item

 

 

John Histon

John White

Simon Marshall

 

 

)

) 4. Proposed Changes to Parking –

) Burford

 

6/15

Proposed Changes to Parking - Burford pdf icon PDF 2 MB

Forward Plan Ref: 2014/166

Contact: Owen Jenkins,  Highways, Transport & Waste Service Manager Tel: (01865) 323304

 

Report by Director for Environment & Economy (CMDE4).

 

The report considers objections to a formal consultation on proposals to introduce or amend parking restrictions in several streets in parts of Burford.

 

The Cabinet Member for Environment is RECOMMENDED toapprove the proposed parking restrictions for Burford as advertised and amended as described in the report. 

 

 

 

 

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered (CMDE4) objections received to a formal consultation on proposals to introduce or amend parking restrictions in several streets in parts of Burford.

 

Mr Histon a resident for 10 years confirmed that whilst he did not object to the technical aspects of the proposal he had grave concerns regarding the potential effect on Burford as a small town. Burford would be seriously disadvantaged if it was treated in the same way as larger towns such as Witney as it did not have high levels of alternative parking available. Such a comparison was wholly inappropriate.  There were 2 small car parks both in the flood plain which were inadequate and poorly served.  Reductions in the level of available parking would have a considerable impact on Burford where there were already currently 6 empty shops. Charges for parking would be detrimental to local trade and any changes should reflect and enhance the natural pace of a small town like Burford.

 

Mr White the Mayor of Burford speaking on behalf of the Town Council stated that Burford largely relied on visitors to the town and any move which might further discourage that needed to be considered carefully and he highlighted  the current number of empty shops as testament to that.  A compromise proposal submitted by the town council to serve the interests of both traders and residents had not been referred to in the officer report. He considered the restriction in Swan Lane completely unnecessary and one that the town council opposed.

 

Simon Marshall supported retention of the status quo on the High Street and that the proposed three hour limited waiting should not proceed.  He saw no real objection to the proposals in other areas but highlighted potential for conflict due to congestion at the exit of Witney Street onto the High Street.

 

Mr Tole confirmed that these proposals had been triggered by development at the top of the town, which had provided some finance but it was clear that there was a divergence of views in the town on the best way forward. The main focus had clearly been on proposals to limit parking on the Hill with a lot of responses received objecting to that element. As a result the proposals on High Street had been relaxed and that amendment had been reflected in the report.

 

With regard to the junction of Witney Street with High Street no change was being proposed because of a need to accommodate delivery vehicles.

 

With regard to Swan Lane again there had been a divergence of views with strong comments for and against additional restrictions. The officer view remained that the restrictions should proceed as advertised in order to alleviate the passage of wider vehicles.

 

The overall effect of the proposals in total had been fairly neutral on gains and losses and efforts had been made to balance the needs of residents and visitors alike.

Responding to the Cabinet Member with regard to High Street and Lower  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6/15

7/15

Proposed Zebra Crossing - A415 Kingston Bagpuize pdf icon PDF 219 KB

Forward Plan Ref: 2014/066

Contact: Owen Jenkins, Highways, Transport & Waste Service Manager Tel: (01865) 323304

 

Report by Deputy Director for Environment & Economy – Commercial & Delivery (CMDE5).

 

The report presents objections and other comments received in response to a statutory consultation on a proposed new zebra crossing on the A415, Kingston Bagpuize. The proposal arises from the residential development on land adjacent to the A415, Witney Road, Kingston Bagpuize, comprising of 63 dwellings and a 45 unit extra care facility.

 

The Cabinet Member for the Environment is RECOMMENDED to not proceed with the implementation of the proposed Zebra crossing as advertised.

 

 

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Environment had before him a report (CMDE5) setting out objections and other comments received in response to a statutory consultation on a proposed new zebra crossing on the A415, Kingston Bagpuize.

 

Mr Tole confirmed that since publication of the report David Wilson Homes had agreed to make a £20,000 payment to fund either a zebra crossing or as a contribution to a puffin crossing.  The report had also recognised a case to reconsider provision and alternative locations in the light of possible further development in the village.

 

The Cabinet Member agreed that the desirability of providing a crossing but remained to be convinced that this was the best site for it.  Therefore in the light of the agreement with David Wilson Homes and having regard to the arguments and options set out in the documentation before him, the representations made to him and the further considerations set out above he confirmed his decision as follows:

 

to defer a decision on provision of a crossing on the A415, Kingston Bagpuize as originally advertised pending further consideration of alternative sites.

 

 

Signed……………………………...

Cabinet Member for Environment

 

Date…………………………………

 

8/15

Proposed 50mph Speed Limit - A417 Wantage to West Hendred pdf icon PDF 581 KB

Forward Plan Ref: 2014/196

Contact: Owen Jenkins, Highways, Transport & Waste Service Manager Tel: (01865) 323304

 

Report by Deputy Director for Environment & Economy – Commercial & Delivery (CMDE6).

 

The report considers objections received during a consultation to introduce a 50mph speed limit on the A417 Reading Road between Wantage & West Hendred in place of the current national speed limit. The proposal arises from a request from County Councillor Stewart Lilly, in response to local concerns over road safety. The accident record for the most recent 5-years (2010 to 2014), although not unduly high in relation to the traffic flows, includes 4 serious and 10 slight injury accidents.

 

The Cabinet Member for the Environment is RECOMMENDED to approvethe implementation of a 50mph speed limit on the A417 Reading Road between Wantage & West Hendred in place of the current national speed limit as advertised.

 

 

 

 

 

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered (CMDE6) a report presenting objections received to a consultation on a proposal to introduce a 50 mph speed limit on the A417 Reading Road between Wantage and West Hendred and replacing the current national speed limit.  The proposal had arisen following a request by the local member Councillor Stewart Lilly in response to local concerns over road safety.

 

Mr Tole confirmed the details of the two objections one from the Wantage town council and a second from a driver, both on the basis of need. Thames Valley police had commented that the restriction would bring some consistency to speeds along this road.

 

The Cabinet Member advised that having driven along this stretch of road recently he had found it easy to comply to the proposed limit with very few accesses onto the road from neighbouring parishes.  Therefore, having regard to the arguments and options set out in the documentation before him and the further considerations set out above he confirmed his decision as follows:

 

to approve implementation of a 50 mph speed limit on the A417 Reading Road between Wantage and West Hendred in place of the current national speed limit as advertised.

 

 

Signed……………………………...

Cabinet Member for Environment

 

Date…………………………………

 

 

9/15

Request for Exemption from Tendering Regarding Potential Reallocation of LSTF Funds fro OXONBIKE pdf icon PDF 82 KB

Forward Plan Ref: 2014/195

Contact: Tom Flanagan, Localities, Policy & Programme Service Manager Tel: (01865) 815691

 

Report by Deputy Director for Environment & Economy – Strategy & Infrastructure Planning (CMDE7).

 

The report seeks endorsement from the Cabinet Member for Environment for an exemption from procurement, to enable a proposal to extend the OXONBIKE cycle hire scheme beyond the current end date of June 2015 to February 2016. This would be funded from underspends elsewhere within the Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF) programme, totalling £36,713.

 

The OXONBIKE scheme has been very successful, despite the unexpected liquidation of the original operator in November 2013. The scheme was re-launched in June 2014 with a new operator, Hourbike, and membership numbers are approaching 400. OXONBIKE provides a low cost option for users to access employment sites in Headington from Thornhill Park and Ride and between employment sites by hire cycle, with benefits of sustainability and personal health. The scheme meets Oxfordshire goals of supporting jobs and housing growth and economic vitality, supporting the transition to a low carbon economy and improving public health, safety and individual well-being.

 

OXONBIKE is about to expand to other employment sites. An initiative from Oxford Health has resulted in additional grant funding from LSTF Business Travel Grants. From April 2015, there will be an additional 22 docking stations and 16 cycles at 3 new sites - Chancellor Court (for Oxford Business Park), the Littlemore Mental Health Centre and the Warneford Hospital, where match funding from Oxford University has also been agreed. The expansion is dependent on the continuation of the original OXONBIKE scheme beyond June 2015.

 

The proposal has been discussed with Procurement and Legal colleagues who have approved the submission of the proposal to the Cabinet Member for endorsement. The Managing Director of Hourbike has confirmed that he is prepared to operate the scheme at the existing level of payment from OCC. There are no staffing issues to consider.

 

The Cabinet Member for Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve an exemption from procurement to enable a proposed scheme extension of the OXONBIKE cycle hire scheme from the scheduled end date of June 2015 until February 2016.

 

 

 

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered a report (CMDE7) which sought endorsement for an exemption from procurement to enable a proposal to extend the operation of the OXONBIKE cycle hire scheme from the scheduled end date of June 2015 until February 2016.

 

The Cabinet Member welcomed the proposal which would help encourage future increased use and the potential to expand the use of electric bikes. Therefore having regard to the arguments and options set out in the documentation before him and the further considerations set out above he wished the scheme continuing success and confirmed his decision as follows:

 

to approve an exemption from procurement to enable a proposed scheme extension of the OXONBIKE cycle hire scheme from the scheduled end date of June 2015 until February 2016.

 

 

Signed……………………………...

Cabinet Member for Environment

 

Date…………………………………