Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no Declarations of Interest.

Any county councillor may, by giving notice to the Proper Officer by 9 am two working days before the meeting, ask a question on any matter in respect of the Cabinet Member’s delegated powers.

The number of questions which may be asked by any councillor at any one meeting is limited to two (or one question with notice and a supplementary question at the meeting) and the time for questions will be limited to 30 minutes in total. As with questions at Council, any questions which remain unanswered at the end of this item will receive a written response.

Questions submitted prior to the agenda being despatched are shown below and will be the subject of a response from the appropriate Cabinet Member or such other councillor or officer as is determined by the Cabinet Member, and shall not be the subject of further debate at this meeting. Questions received after the despatch of the agenda, but before the deadline, will be shown on the Schedule of Addenda circulated at the meeting, together with any written response which is available at that time

There were no questions from County Councillors.

Report by Corporate Director, Environment and Place

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management is RECOMMENDED to approve the advertised proposals for the introduction of paid parking bays; permit parking areas; limited waiting bays; and “No Waiting at Anytime” amendments in Woodstock, subject to the following changes:

1.     The proposed free parking period within the 3 hour paid parking bays is extended from 30-minutes to 1 hour.

2.     The proposed max stay duration in the ultra-short stay bays is extended from 20-minutes to 30-minutes.

3.     The proposed 2 hour limited waiting bay on New Road is amended to a 3-hour limited waiting bay.

4.     A further assessment by officers is undertaken to consider the introduction of permits for visitors to Guest Houses, Hotels and Holiday Lets within the scheme. This will require further public consultation.

5.     A further assessment by officers is undertaken to consider the best use of the existing 2-hour bays on Park Lane. This will require further public consultation.

6.     To amend the schedule of permit eligibility to include 1-11 Oxford Street.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management, Councillor Gant, considered a report by the Corporate Director, Environment and Place, which recommended approval of the advertised proposals for the introduction of paid parking bays, permit parking areas, limited waiting bays, and no waiting at any time amendments in Woodstock, subject to the following changes –

(i)        The proposed free parking period within the 3-hour paid parking bays is extended from 30-minutes to 1 hour.

(ii)       The proposed max stay duration in the ultra-short stay bays is extended from 20-minutes to 30-minutes.

(iii)     The proposed 2-hour limited waiting bay on New Road is amended to a 3-hour limited waiting bay.

(iv)     A further assessment by officers is undertaken to consider the introduction of permits for visitors to Guest Houses, Hotels and Holiday Lets within the scheme. This would require further public consultation.

(v)      A further assessment by officers be undertaken to consider the best use of the existing 2-hour bays on Park Lane. This would require further public consultation.

(vi)     To amend the schedule of permit eligibility to include 1-11 Oxford Street.

Councillor Gant, having received a few representations on the proposals which he had taken into consideration ahead of today’s meeting, then heard several presentations by speakers present at the meeting both for and against the recommended proposals.

Having heard the speakers, and having taken into consideration the written representations, Councillor Gant made the following comments.

(a)  He noted that the officer’s report that was before the meeting today extended to over 300 pages including responses to an extensive consultation. Having read the report and the responses to the consultation, he thanked officers for their work in in preparing the report.

(b)  As there had been a significant response to the consultation, it was appropriate to address some of the issues that had been raised in response to the consultation, as follows –

(i)         That there was no such thing as “free parking”. The question was, who paid, that is, the user or the authority providing the parking space. It was his view that it was not unreasonable to tilt the balance such that it was the user who met the cost of using the space, as was the case with several local authorities.

(ii)        Whether a parking regime helped or hindered local businesses was a key issue and was addressed in Paragraph 20 of the report, which stated –

When considering options to manage on-street parking, there is often concern about the impact that this can have on the economy of town centres and that any increase in the types of control may discourage visitors to the town centre and reduce trade for businesses. However, there is no direct evidence that this is the case and careful kerbside management has proven to support parking for local retail centres in Oxfordshire including Abingdon, Wallingford and Henley-on-Thames

(iii)      The results of poll undertaken by the District Council under the Parish and Community Meeting (Polls) Rules 1987[1], asking whether residents wanted free  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4/22

Report by Corporate Director, Environment and Place

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management is RECOMMENDED to approve the proposed amendment to the hours of operation in the Marston North Area Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) in respect of Elms Drive, which will allow parking only for permit holders only between 9am & 5pm Monday to Fridays (thereby replacing the current restriction allowing for permit holder parking only at all times / days of week).

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management, Councillor Gant, considered a report by the Corporate Director, Environment and Place, which recommended approval of the proposed amendment to the hours of operation in the Marston North Area Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) in respect of Elms Drive, which would allow parking only for permit holders only between 9am & 5pm, Monday to Fridays (thereby replacing the current restriction allowing for permit holder parking only at all times/days of week).

Councillor Gant noted that no persons had requested to make representations regarding the recommended proposals and that no written submissions had been received regarding the proposals.

Having reviewed the report and its recommendations, Councillor Gant was of the view that the recommendations were not controversial and that it was appropriate to concur with the officer’s recommendations. Therefore, he would approve the recommendations as set out in the report.

DECISION: To approve the report’s recommendations.

Signed: ………………………………………………………………………….

Dated: ……………………………………………………………………………

Report by Corporate Director, Environment and Place

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management is RECOMMENDED to approve the proposed amendment to the hours of operation in the Marston North Area Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) in respect of Elms Drive, which will allow parking only for permit holders only between 9am & 5pm Monday to Fridays (thereby replacing the current restriction allowing for permit holder parking only at all times / days of week).

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management, Councillor Gant, considered a report by the Corporate Director, Environment and Place, which recommended approval of the proposed amendment to the hours of operation in the Marston North Area Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) in respect of Elms Drive, which would allow parking only for permit holders only between 9am & 5pm Monday to Fridays (thereby replacing the current restriction allowing for permit holder parking only at all times/days of week).

Councillor Gant noted that no persons had requested to make representations regarding the recommended proposals and that no written submissions had been received regarding the proposals.

Having reviewed the report and its recommendations, Councillor Gant was of the view that the recommendations were not controversial and that it was appropriate to concur with the officer’s recommendations. Therefore, he would approve the recommendations as set out in the report.

DECISION: To approve the report’s recommendations.

Signed: ………………………………………………………………………….

Dated: ……………………………………………………………………………

Report by Corporate Director, Environment and Place

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management is RECOMMENDED to approve as advertised:

a)    A Zebra crossing at First Turn south of its junction with Mere Road

b)    The no waiting at any time restrictions on First Turn and Mere Road north of the proposed zebra crossing

c)     The no waiting at any time restrictions on First Turn south of the proposed zebra crossing, but with their implementation to be deferred to allow an assessment of the operation of the crossing following construction, with these being omitted if found not to be required, in order to reduce the impact of the proposals on the adjacent parish church premises.

d)    A new pedestrian refuge at Godstow Road approximately 50 metres south west of is junction with the A40 Wolvercote roundabout, and an improved pedestrian refuge north east of its junction with Wolvercote Green.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management, Councillor Gant, considered a report by the Corporate Director, Environment and Place, which recommended approval, as advertised, of –

(a)  A Zebra crossing at First Turn south of its junction with Mere Road;

(b)  The “No Waiting At Any Time” restrictions on First Turn and Mere Road, north of the proposed zebra crossing;

(c)   The “No Waiting At Any Time” restrictions on First Turn, south of the proposed zebra crossing, but with implementation to be deferred to allow an assessment of the operation of the crossing following construction, [the restrictions] being omitted if found not to be required in order to reduce the impact of the proposals on the adjacent parish church premises; and

(d)  A new pedestrian refuge at Godstow Road approximately 50 meters south-west of the junction with the A40 Wolvercote roundabout, and an improved pedestrian refuge north-east of its junction with Wolvercote Green.

The Chair then invited Councillor Sandelson of Oxford District Council who, having made a request to speak on this item, to make her presentation.

Having heard Councillor Sandelson’s presentation, and there being no other presentations, Councillor Gant referred to several points made by Councillor Sandelson, as follows –

(i)    Regarding proposals to remove parking affecting the Church that fell within the area of the parking proposals, it was noted that provision had been made for parking arrangements to accommodate the requirements of the Church in respect of funerals and other services and that these measures had met the concerns of the Parish Council.

(ii)   Of primary importance was the safety and amenity of the nearby primary school including appropriate signage, noting that there was a requirement to replace the existing signage with new signage.

(iii) The recent repainting of road markings was not consistent with the colour of existing road markings and, as this was a conservation area, officers were requested to ensure that road markings were of a consistent colour and in accordance with road marking regulations and best practice.

Regarding the crossing from the school to the church, Councillor Gant proposed that a zebra crossing with a hump would be safer. Therefore, he instructed officers to look at the possibility of installing a zebra crossing with a hump, notwithstanding the additional cost of so doing, given the primary importance of the safety of schoolchildren.

Councillor Gant noted that the scheme had come forward because of the proposed development of Oxford North as a way of facilitating active travel links between Oxford North and Upper Wolvercote. He noted that the proposals included a pedestrian refuge on Godstone Road, which was already under construction. He therefore proposed that there should be a report on why this work had been initiated without the requisite authority.

Furthermore, regarding the amenity that was intended to be delivered by the installation of a pedestrian refuge, Councillor Gant asked that a review be undertaken as to whether this was the best  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6/22

Report by Corporate Director, Environment and Place

The Cabinet Member for the Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve:

(a)  The proposed removal of Disabled Persons Parking Places (DPPP) at: Oxford – Bracegirdle Road, Elmthorpe Road, Sandy Lane, Slade Close, Winchester Road, and Wood Farm Road.

(b)  The proposed provision of DPPP at: Barns Hay, Barns Road, Beaumont Buildings Bonar Road, Boults Close, Boundary Brook Road, Brampton Road, Charles Street, Comfrey Road, Dashwood Road, Farmer Place, Field Avenue, Heather Place, Kestrel Crescent (2 bays), Knights Road, Napier Road, Northfield Close, Peel Place, Pegasus Road and Warren Crescent.

(c)   The proposed relocation of DPPP at: Alma Place, Bayswater Road and Observatory Street.

(d)  The proposed relocation of DPPP at: Spindleberry Close following a local consultation to extend the bay subject to the result.

(e)  The proposed reduction in the hours of Operation from at all times to Monday -Friday 8am – 6.30pm within the DPPP in Junction Road.

(f)    But to defer approval of the proposals at the following locations pending further investigations: Oxford – Birchfield Close, Giles Road, Malford Road,  Southfield Road,

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management, Councillor Gant, considered a report by the Corporate Director, Environment and Place, which recommended approval of –

(a)  The proposed removal of Disabled Persons Parking Places (DPPP) at: Oxford – Bracegirdle Road, Elmthorpe Road, Sandy Lane, Slade Close, Winchester Road and Wood Farm Road.

(b)  The proposed provision of DPPP at: Barns Hay, Barns Road, Beaumont Buildings Bonar Road, Boults Close, Boundary Brook Road, Brampton Road, Charles Street, Comfrey Road, Dashwood Road, Farmer Place, Field Avenue, Heather Place, Kestrel Crescent (2 bays), Knights Road, Napier Road, Northfield Close, Peel Place, Pegasus Road and Warren Crescent.

(c)   The proposed relocation of DPPP at: Alma Place, Bayswater Road and Observatory Street.

(d)  The proposed relocation of DPPP at: Spindleberry Close following a local consultation to extend the bay subject to the result.

(e)  The proposed reduction in the hours of Operation from at all times to Monday -Friday 8am – 6.30pm within the DPPP in Junction Road.

(f)    But to defer approval of the proposals at the following locations pending further investigations: Oxford – Birchfield Close, Giles Road, Malford Road, Southfield Road.

Councillor Gant noted that there had been a representation regarding deferral of the proposals in relation to Malford Road and that this had been agreed by officers as set out in the recommendations.

DECISION: To approve the report’s recommendations.

Signed: ………………………………………………………………………….

Dated: ……………………………………………………………………………

Report by Corporate Director, Environment and Place

The Cabinet Member for the Highway Management is RECOMMENDED to approve the proposed 40mph speed limit on the A44 Woodstock Road and the introduction of a bus lane.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management, Councillor Gant, considered a report by the Corporate Director, Environment and Place, which recommended approval of the proposed 40mph speed limit on the A44 Woodstock Road and the introduction of a bus lane.

In response to a request by Councillor Gant for clarification on Paragraphs 11 to 13 of the report, under the heading “Consultation”, officers reported on the results of a further consultation referred to in Paragraph 13 of the report.

Councillor Gant noted there were two issues to be considered: the scheme, and the consultation process, and asked that officers provide clarification on the following points –

(a)  Access to the Sheehan Haulage and Plant Hire site at the King’s Railway Bridge embankment (Paragraph 23 of the report); and

(b)  The proposal that there be a bus gate at the Canal Bridge but not at the King’s Railway Bridge.

In response, officers provided the following information –

(a)  The proposals for the bus lane and access to the Sheehan Haulage and Plant Hire site reflected standard practice for bus lanes with a break in the bus lane for side road entry to allow vehicles to enter and exit the junction without contravening traffic regulations in relation to the bus lane, with vehicles turning in and out of the side road having to give way to buses.

(b)  It was proposed that there would be a bus gate at the Canal Bridge for the reasons set out in Paragraph 20 of the report, that is, the width of the road did not permit a continuation of the bus lane without compromising cycle and pedestrian provision.

(c)   There was no requirement for a bus gate at the King’s Railway Bridge as the general traffic lanes could be reduced for a short distance without raising safety concerns as set out in Paragraph 26 of the report.

Referring to Chernwell District Council’s Local Plan and Rapid Transit provisions, it was noted that Oxfordshire County Council’s 2015 Local Transport Plan, Connecting Oxfordshire, had given priority to buses, and modelling had shown that the current proposals would reduce bus journey times.

In considering the proposals, Councillor Gant made the following observations.

Regarding the scheme itself, he noted that –

(a)  The proposed reduction in speed limits was sensible and in accordance with Council policy, noting that, sometimes, a reduction in speed limits improved the overall flow of traffic.

(b)  Having a bus lane on one side of the road but not the other was a compromise that was necessitated by what was available without embarking on expensive engineering schemes involving compulsory purchase orders.

(c)   Persons coming into Oxford by bus would, travel out of Oxford by bus and that was to be encouraged.

(d)  It was not the case that bus gates would inevitably lead to tailbacks of traffic as evidenced by existing bus gates. However, the position would have to be monitored.

(e)  The use of bus gates reflected the hierarchy of road users as set  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8/22

Report by Corporate Director, Environment and Place

The Cabinet Member for the Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve the following proposals in respect of eligibility for parking permits:

a)    Divinity Road - exclude Nos. 2A, 2B & 2C Bartlemas Road from eligibility to apply for residents & visitor permits;

b)    East Oxford - exclude No. 163 Cowley Road, and Flats 1-4 at 55 Rectory Road from eligibility to apply for residents & visitor permits;

c)     Girdlestone Road - exclude No. 2 Everard Close from eligibility to apply for residents & visitor permits;

d)    Lye Valley - exclude No. 3 Bulan Road and No. 4 Cinnaminta Road from eligibility to apply for residents & visitor permits; and

e)    North Summertown – exclude:

i)          Nos. 26 & 26A Davenant Road from eligibility to apply for residents & visitor permits

ii)         No. 43A Davenant Road from eligibility to apply for residents permits only, and

iii)       No. 327 Woodstock Road from eligibility to apply for residents & visitor permits.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management, Councillor Gant, considered a report by the Corporate Director, Environment and Place, which recommended approval of the following proposals in respect of eligibility for parking permits:

(a)  Divinity Road - exclude Nos. 2A, 2B & 2C Bartlemas Road from eligibility to apply for residents & visitor permits;

(b)  East Oxford - exclude No. 163 Cowley Road, and Flats 1-4 at 55 Rectory Road from eligibility to apply for residents & visitor permits;

(c)   Girdlestone Road - exclude No. 2 Everard Close from eligibility to apply for residents & visitor permits;

(d)  Lye Valley - exclude No. 3 Bulan Road and No. 4 Cinnaminta Road from eligibility to apply for residents & visitor permits; and

(e)  North Summertown - exclude i) Nos. 26 & 26A Davenant Road from eligibility to apply for residents & visitor permits, ii) No. 43A Davenant Road from eligibility to apply for residents permits only, and ii) No. 327 Woodstock Road from eligibility to apply for residents & visitor permits.

Noting that there was nothing controversial in the recommendations, Councillor Gant stated he would approve the recommendations.

DECISION: To approve the report’s recommendations.

Signed: ………………………………………………………………………….

Dated: ……………………………………………………………………………

Report by Corporate Director, Environment and Place

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management is RECOMMENDED to approve as advertised the proposed zebra crossing at Wellington Street, Thame.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management, Councillor Gant, considered a report by the Corporate Director, Environment and Place, which recommended approval, as advertised, the proposed zebra crossing at Wellington Street, Thame.

Having heard oral presentations by local residents, Councillor Gant made the following observations –

(a)  He thanked the presenters for contributing their local knowledge to the scheme’s proposals. However, in considering the proposals, he had to rely on the judgement of officers and the responses to the consultation.

(b)  In so doing, he noted that the points that had been raised in the presentations had been addressed in the officer’s report and that he had considered several written representations both for and against the proposals, and representations that were confined to making observations on the proposals.

(c)   In conclusion, he was satisfied that all the points that had been made in the oral and written representations, along with alternative proposals, had been considered and addressed by officers in the report.

DECISION: To approve the report’s recommendations.

Signed: ………………………………………………………………………….

Dated: ……………………………………………………………………………

Report by Corporate Director, Environment and Place

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management is RECOMMENDED to approve as advertised the proposed extension of the 30mph speed limit on the B4437 Forest Road.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management, Councillor Gant, considered a report by the Corporate Director, Environment and Place, which recommended approval, as advertised, of the proposed extension of the 30mph speed limit on the B4437 Forest Road.

Councillor Gant noted that both this item and the next item on the agenda concerned proposals to reduce speed limits, which was a key part of Oxfordshire County Council’s policy programme.

Regarding the proposals set out in this report, he stated they were in response to a new development and that the reduction in the speed limit had been agreed when granting consent to the scheme. In addition, the proposals covered an existing turning to a hamlet. He also noted that the proposals created a buffer into a 20mph zone further along the road.

Councillor Gant stated there had been some written representations in response to the proposals but that he was satisfied that the officers had made a case for introducing the proposals

DECISION: To approve the report’s recommendations.

Signed: ………………………………………………………………………….

Dated: ……………………………………………………………………………

Report by Corporate Director, Environment and Place

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management is RECOMMENDED to approve as advertised the proposed extension of the 30mph speed limit and bus stop clearways on Reading Road as advertised.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management, Councillor Gant, considered a report by the Corporate Director, Environment and Place, which recommended approval, as advertised, of the proposed extension of the 30mph speed limit and bus stop clearways on Reading Road as advertised.

Councillor Gant noted that, similar to the previous report, this report made proposals to reduce the speed limit as a result of an adjacent development. He stated that there had been a lot of support for the proposal from the residents of village of Woodcote. He also noted that the proposals tidied up the speed limits in relation to Tidmore Lane.

By way of general comment, Councillor Gant asked that officers factor in the reduced speed limit with speed limits in the village, noting that the Reading Road went through a residential area, past a primary school and a secondary school, public library, and a convenience store with parking on one side of the road which was also a bus route, giving rise to traffic problems, notably at the beginning and at the end of the school day. In addition, Woodcote was registered for the Council’s 20 mph scheme.

Accordingly, the proposals were a welcome first step to possible wider traffic proposals for the village.

DECISION: To approve the report’s recommendations.

Signed: ………………………………………………………………………….

Dated: ……………………………………………………………………………

Report by Corporate Director, Environment and Place

The Cabinet Member for the Highway Management is RECOMMENDED to approve the proposed ‘Bus Gate’ restriction on Elder Way (eastern access to Crab Hill) between the junctions with the A417 Reading Road & Appletons and associated turning prohibitions for vehicles travelling on the A417 Reading Road to prevent them from entering Elder Way, and then on Elder Way to prevent them accessing the A417.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management, Councillor Gant, considered a report by the Corporate Director, Environment and Place, which recommended approval of the proposed “Bus Gate” restriction on Elder Way (eastern access to Crab Hill) between the junctions with the A417 Reading Road & Appletons and associated turning prohibitions for vehicles travelling on the A417 Reading Road to prevent them from entering Elder Way, and then on Elder Way to prevent them accessing the A417.

Councillor Gant heard a presentation by Councillor Jane Hannah, Oxfordshire County Council, in support of concerns expressed by Wantage District Council and residents. Councillor Hannah asked that there be further consultation on the proposals, including how the proposals would accord with wider plans for the area.

Councillor Gant stated the proposals were an example of an opportunity to promote active travel as well as the practical difficulties of introducing such schemes, as illustrated by Paragraphs 13 of the report. Therefore, it was important that the Council “get it right” when considering such proposals.

Councillor Gant noted that Wantage was a beautiful historic Oxfordshire market town experiencing large growth around its edges with an east-west link road. Therefore, consideration had to be given to how residents and people who use the town could do so in a way that kept through traffic out of the historic town square. That could only be done if there was an integrated plan as noted by the Oxfordshire Cycling Network in Paragraph 15 of the report, notably having cycle routes from new developments that stop short of town centres.

He went on to say that there had been a lot of carefully worded and well-argued comments in response to the consultation and that the proposals could have been better timed. Therefore, he agreed with Councillor Hannah that it would be appropriate to defer implementation of the proposals until such time as further consultation could take place on the proposals within the wider context of plans for the area.

DECISION: To defer consideration of the proposals to allow further consideration to be given to how the proposals might be aligned with the wider development issues, including coherent active travel links between the development and the town centre.

Signed: ………………………………………………………………………….

Dated: ……………………………………………………………………………

The meeting ended at 11:45 AM.

Signed ………………………………………………………………………….

Cabinet Member for Highway Management

Date of Signing ……………………………………………………………......