Agenda, decisions and minutes

None declared

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.

Councillor John Howson

“Will the Cabinet member consider reviewing with coach operators and the City Council where tourist coaches could be encouraged to drop passengers once such services restart, and specifically away from St Giles with its proximity to a large number of bus stops, perhaps to Speedwell Street with its easy access to Christ Church Meadow and the 'dreaming spires' of Oxford?”

Cabinet Member for Environment

.       “A joint Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford City Council working group was established in 2019 to look holistically at coach strategy for Oxford. A strand of this work focussing on immediate needs reviewed the coach drop off/pick up in Oxford and the pressures placed on St. Giles. A comprehensive survey of alternative pick up and drop off locations for coaches was completed and in consultation with bus operators it was identified that stop S4 on Speedwell Street could be used as an alternative drop off/pick up location in order to relieve pressure on the St. Giles area. Officers are currently in the final stages investigating the appropriate legal means by which to implement this proposal with the aim to have the work completed in time for late summer should tourist numbers increase later in the season

As part of work to support shops and business to start re-opening, the St. Giles area improvements for cycling and pedestrian facilities may also help encourage coaches away from this area.”

          Councillor Howson

          “Thank you for the response.  Might it now be possible to open up a dialogue with the City Council to explore the possibility of using the car park in Oxpens if the Speedwell Street change does go ahead for layovers for bus drivers with access through the bus gates if required?”

          Cabinet Member for Environment

          “That seems an eminently sensible suggestion pending any development of the site and I will take that issue up with the City Council.”

  Councillor John Sanders

“The Government is providing funds for fast tracking safe travel in response to the Covid-19 Pandemic.   Will the Cabinet Member please advise to what extent the plans to spend this money have been updated since she published the document  "Tranche 1 Priorities for Inclusion in DFT Submission", and in particular the proposed £50,000 for the introduction of modal filters in residential streets in my division?”

Cabinet Member for Environment

Oxfordshire has been allocated £597,000 as tranche 1 of the Government’s Emergency Active Travel Fund.  Our plans for spending that have been set out in correspondence provided to councillors and also in recent press releases.  Officers continue to work very hard to bring forward those measures within the timescales outlined by Government; work is required to have started within four weeks and have been completed within eight weeks.  Councillors will be kept updated on works that impact on their division, including the measures in Councillor Sanders’ division.  In addition a dedicated webpage has been established which will include regular updates on progress; https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/roads-and-transport/active-travel

We are currently awaiting further information regarding tranche  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19/20

This Cabinet Member for Environment Delegated Decisions meeting will be held remotely in order to conform with current guidelines regarding social distancing.  Normally requests to speak at this public meeting are required by 9 am on the day preceding the published date of the meeting.  However, during the current situation and to facilitate these new arrangements we are asking that requests to speak are submitted by no later than 9am four working days before the meeting i.e. 9 am on Friday 12^th June. Requests to speak should be sent to graham.warrington@oxfordshire.gov.uk together with a written statement of your presentation to ensure that if the technology fails then your views can still be taken into account. A written copy of your statement can be provided no later than 9 am 2 working days before the meeting (16^th June).

Where a meeting is held remotely and the addressee is unable to participate remotely their written submission will be accepted.

Written submissions should be no longer than 1 A4 sheet.

Forward Plan Ref: 2020/014

Contact: Hugh Potter, Group Manager – Area Operations Hub Tel: 07766 998704

Report by the Interim Director for Community Operations (CMDE4).

The report presents responses to a formal consultation on a new CPZ in the Lamarsh Road.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment is RECOMMENDED not to approve  proposals for a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) in Lamarsh Road, with a future  scheme being kept under review  by officers and the local member taking account of local parking pressures and the views of residents.

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered (CMDE4) responses to a formal consultation on a new CPZ in the Lamarsh Road.

County Councillor Susanna Pressell officers for the report and for all their hard work, especially Anthony Kirkwood. She agreed that in view of all the objections and the apparent lack of parking problems at present, it would be better not to bring in the scheme just yet. I do hope we can get a car club to take up a space here and in many other parts of the City as soon as possible. Is this being actively pursued?”

The Cabinet Member advised that options for car clubs were not being pursued at the moment.

Having regard to the report before her and the representations made to her at the meeting the Cabinet Member was satisfied that the level of objections received justified the recommendation to keep these proposals under review and, therefore, confirmed her decision as follows:

not to approve  proposals for a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) in Lamarsh Road, with a future  scheme being kept under review  by officers and the local member taking account of local parking pressures and the views of residents.

Signed…………………………………..

Cabinet Member for Environment

Date of signing…………………………

Forward Plan Ref: 2020/017

Contact: Hugh Potter, Group Manager – Area Operations Hub Tel: 07766 998704

Report by the Interim Director for Community Operations (CMDE5).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce a humped zebra crossing and traffic calming measures comprising a flat-topped road hump, speed cushion and raised over-run areas on the Oxford Road at Littlemore.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve withdrawing proposals for the introduction of a zebra crossing and to investigate alternative calming including consideration of suggestions made during consultation.

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered (CMDE5) responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce a humped zebra crossing and traffic calming measures comprising a flat-topped road hump, speed cushion and raised over-run areas on the Oxford Road at Littlemore.

Paul Lodge spoke on behalf of a group of 28 local residents, 26 of whom lived on Oxford Road itself and 2 on Dudgeon Drive, which adjoined Oxford Road,  all of whom strongly supported both elements of the recommendation and were eager to see some kind of traffic calming introduced. Many of those had campaigned for this for many years. However, they were also keen to stress their desire that particular attention be given to keeping to an absolute minimum the impact of any proposed scheme on the availability of parking for residents of Oxford Road.  Whilst members of the group differed over just which elements they would like to see in a future proposal, along with the desire to see the removal of the zebra crossing, this was a point of unanimous agreement. The members of the group would also like to highlight a number of other elements of the recommendation. Whilst the recent consultation had resulted in some support for the introduction of a zebra crossing, there were fewer submissions in favour than against, and crucially, the submissions from those objecting to the proposal were much longer and carefully considered, as well as being far more impassioned. Furthermore, many of those supporting the proposal, were not people who would be affected by loss of parking.     He concurred with the Parish Council in asking for the permanent introduction of flashing speed warnings to replace the ones removed. These had been introduced temporarily in 2019 to very good effect.

Mr Barrell undertook to revisit the site again with the parish Council adding that he had not been aware that the speed signs had gone. He confirmed that to a degree they had been effective and respected by drivers.

City Councillor John Tanner advised thatOxford Road in Littlemore suffered from heavy levels of traffic and he along with the people of Littlemore sought an assurance that the much needed and supported calming elements of the scheme will be put in place in this financial year 2020/21?   He had been delighted when development funding was made available to increase traffic calming in Oxford Road, which suffered from rat-running, speeding traffic and was difficult for pedestrians to cross. Once we emerged from lockdown he was sure Oxford Road would soon return to its high traffic levels.  The officer scheme as proposed had been well considered and had his support as one of the City councillors elected to represent Littlemore ward but he recognised that some had objected to the proposed position of the pedestrian crossing because it reduced the number of on-street car parking spaces. However, there was agreement among local residents and the Littlemore Parish Council for the introduction of the traffic calming elements of the County Council scheme, without the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22/20

Forward Plan Ref: 2020/012

Contact: Hugh Potter, Group Manager – Area Operations Hub Tel: 07766 998704

Report by Director for Community Operations (Interim) (CMDE6).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce a toucan crossing on the A4130 at Didcot put forward as a result of the development of adjacent land and funded by the developers of that land.

The Cabinet Member for Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve the proposed introduction of a toucan crossing (a signalled crossing for pedestrians & pedal cyclists) on the A4130 Northern Perimeter Road at Didcot

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered (CMDE6) responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce a toucan crossing on the A4130 at Didcot put forward as a result of the development of adjacent land and funded by the developers of that land.

Addressing some of the objections officers advised that there could be delays but it was not expected that that would materially detract from the popularity of the Northern Perimeter Road as a direct route.

Having regard to the information set out in the report before her and representations received from officers at the meeting the Cabinet Member confirmed her decision as follows:

to approve the proposed introduction of a toucan crossing (a signalled crossing for pedestrians & pedal cyclists) on the A4130 Northern Perimeter Road at Didcot

Signed………………………………………

Cabinet Member for Environment

Date of signing……………………………..

Forward Plan Ref: 2020/056

Contact: Hugh Potter, Group Manager – Area Operations Hub Tel: 07766 998704

Report by Director for Community Operations (Interim) (CMDE7).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce a traffic calming buildout and narrow the width of part of Gillotts Lane, Harpsden put forward in conjunction with Harpsden Parish Council, who have undertaken to part fund the project in conjunction with the County Council’s highway maintenance budget subject to approval being given to proceed with the scheme.

The Cabinet Member for Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve the proposed introduction of a traffic calming buildout and carriageway narrowing at Gillotts Lane, Harpsden, as advertised.

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered (CMDE7) presents received to a statutory consultation to introduce a traffic calming buildout and narrow the width of part of Gillotts Lane, Harpsden put forward in conjunction with Harpsden Parish Council, who had undertaken to part fund the project in conjunction with the County Council’s highway maintenance budget subject to approval being given to proceed with the scheme.

County Councillor David Bartholomew advised that the poor state of repair of Gillotts Lane had been of great concern to residents, Harpsden Parish Council and him for many years. The level of concern had risen when planning permission had been granted for almost 200 new houses at Highlands Park near the top of the lane. Gillotts Lane was the natural route for all traffic for the new estate coming from the south, meaning that not only repairs but also traffic calming measures were required. Over the last two and a half years he had been in extended discussions with residents, the parish council and Oxfordshire County Council officers to come up with a solution to the problem that was broadly acceptable to all parties and although there had been some conflict the scheme before you today was that solution and he urged that it be approved.  Also relevant was that Harpsden Parish Council was using CIL monies from the development to make a very significant contribution to the costs of the scheme. He also asked that passing spaces be signed appropriately to protect their integrity as passing spaces.

County Councillor Stefan Gawrysiak had sent in his wholehearted support for this traffic calming scheme which was long overdue. We had a new 170 home housing estate which was contributing the S106 money and the increased traffic down this narrow lane. Traffic calming was required for two reasons. To protect the village of Harpsden from excess traffic and also to slow and calm the speed of cars down this narrow country lane. There had been a number of accidents here and providing safe passing places would go some way towards making this road safe for car drivers, walkers and cyclists. He noted that Henley Town Council is also in favour.

The Cabinet Member asked officers to respond to the point made by the local member regarding signing for passing bays to prevent parking.

Officers advised that there was no real issue with regard to marking the bays and if that was what the parish council wanted then provision of lining or signing that could be looked at.  There would need to be a balance between what was put in and it being a rural setting but that could be discussed with the parish council and local member.

The Cabinet Member thanked Councillor Bartholomew for his work on this scheme in conjunction with officers and the parish council and therefore having regard to the information set out in the report and the representations made to her at the meeting confirmed her decision as follows:

to approve the proposed introduction  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24/20

Forward Plan Ref: 2020/046

Contact: Hugh Potter, Group Manager – Area Operations Hub Tel: 07766 998704/Ralph Green, Officer – Noticing & Scheduling Tel: (01865) 815816

Report by Director for Community Operations (Interim) (CMDE8).

The report presents responses to a statutory consultation to introduce a traffic calming chicane at Sydenham proposed by Sydenham Parish Council, who have undertaken to fund the project subject to approval being given to proceed with the scheme.

The Cabinet Member for Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve the proposed introduction of a traffic calming chicane at Sydenham as advertised.

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered (CMDE8) responses to a statutory consultation to introduce a traffic calming chicane at Sydenham proposed and funded by Sydenham Parish Council.

Tara Glenof Slade Farm which was located on Sydenham Road objected to the proposed location of the chicane and as a private local resident felt extremely concerned that a decision could be made that would significantly and adversely affect her current situation. The chicane approximately 20m from the only access to her home and on the opposite side of the road to the gate to the farm would create serious access problems into and out of the farm. As a resident of the village she fully supported traffic calming measures on Sydenham Road, just not in the exact location proposed. She advised that contrary to the report she was not operating a business but the equestrian and farming activities undertaken at her home were not run as a business. There had been a farm on this location in excess of 80 years and it had always only had this one access point from Sydenham Road. The proposed location of the chicane would make it impossible for her to access with her horsebox, let alone take receipt of regular feed deliveries or allow access to the necessary farm contractors needed to maintain the farm, from one direction and she had offered to demonstrate this but had not been contacted by anyone.  She did not agree with the officer report that the proposed chicane was far enough away not to be a factor and attempts to turn into the farm with the horse box while trying to avoid the point where the proposed chicane would be located had not been possible. She noted that the report suggested that the chicane could be moved a further 3m away but that was still not far enough away to alleviate the problem of being able to turn into her home. She proposed that the chicane could be moved to the opposite side of the road so as not to cause an obstruction for  lorries or farm vehicles needing to turn into the farm whereas if it was installed in either the proposed location or the alternative location 3m from that, she would be forced when in a horsebox to turn one way out of the farm, adding 13 miles to each journey. Also feed companies could refuse to deliver to the farm with farming contractors also forced to make an additional 13 mile detour (6 ½ miles in one direction) none of which was environmentally beneficial, contributing an additional 12.26kg of CO2 to the atmosphere per journey and, in addition to the significant detour, all that traffic, which would usually travel the 400m from my farm gate to the B4445, would be forced through the heart of the village of Sydenham which was only single track in places. She did not accept that it was right to restrict a resident’s access to their own home in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25/20

Forward Plan Ref: 2020/039

Contact: Hugh Potter, Group Manager – Area Operations Hub Tel: 07766 998704

Report by Director for Community Operations (Interim) (CMDE9).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation to widen or convert sections of existing footpath at Southampton Street and Berners Way, Faringdon to create shared use footpath/cycle tracks put forward by Faringdon Town Council as part of providing an improved and safer cycle route between the Folly View housing estate including Folly Sports Park & The White Horse Medical Practice and the town centre, including Faringdon Junior School.  Funding for the proposed measures has been provided by Faringdon Town Council using Section 106 monies.

The Cabinet Member for Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve the proposed widening of a footpath at Southampton Street and the proposed conversion of a footpath at Berners Way to provide sections of shared use footpath/cycle track.

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered (CMDE9) responses received to a statutory consultation to widen or convert sections of existing footpath at Southampton Street and Berners Way, Faringdon to create shared use footpath/cycle tracks put forward by Faringdon Town Council as part of providing an improved and safer cycle route between the Folly View housing estate including Folly Sports Park & The White Horse Medical Practice and the town centre, including Faringdon Junior School.  Funding for the proposed measures had been provided by Faringdon Town Council using Section 106 monies.

Submissions of support had been received from Faringdon Town Council and County Councillor Judith Heathcoat.

Having regard to the information before her and the expressions of support received at the meeting the Cabinet Member confirmed her decision as follows:

to approve the proposed widening of a footpath at Southampton Street and the proposed conversion of a footpath at Berners Way to provide sections of shared use footpath/cycle track.

Signed.……………………………………

Cabinet Member for Environment

Date of signing…………………………..

Forward Plan Ref: 2020/033

Contact: Hugh Potter, Group Manager – Area Operations Hub Tel: 07766 998704

Report by Director for Community Operations (Interim) (CMDE10).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce a 20mph speed limit and 30mph speed limit on Carswell Lane, Buckland in place of the existing national speed limit requested by St Hugh’s School and, if approved, funded by them.

The Cabinet Member for Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve the 20mph and 30mph speed limits as advertised.

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered (CMDE10) responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce a 20mph speed limit and 30mph speed limit on Carswell Lane, Buckland in place of the existing national speed limit requested by St Hugh’s School and funded by them.

Officers advised that the scheme had been initiated by the school to provide for a safer environment for children. Beyond the school there were a number of residential properties and while recognising that the 30 mph speed limit was not fully consistent with guidance on setting local speed limits there was local support including the local member County Councillor Judith Heathcoat.

Having regard to the information set out in the report and advice given to her at the meeting regarding the objections received and mitigation for proceeding the Cabinet Member confirmed her decision as follows:

to approve the 20mph and 30mph speed limitson Carswell Lane, Buckland in place of the existing national speed limit as advertised.

Signed……………………………………

Cabinet Member for Environment

Date of signing………………………….