Decision details

The Committee received a report from the Senior Engineer regarding the Environmental Improvement Programme (EIP). The report requested the Committee determined:

       i.          Whether to proceed with an EIP proposal to restrict the movement of traffic through Canterbury Street.

     ii.          Which of the proposed new EIP schemes were allocated funding as part of the 2016-17 Environmental Improvement Programme, as listed in Appendix A of the Officer’s report.

Existing Schemes: Progress

The Senior Engineer referred to progress on approved schemes as set out in his report.

New Schemes That Require Decisions

Members considered a number of 2016/17 schemes put forward for approval.

Councillors introduced projects listed in Appendix A of the Officer’s report, then spoke in support, with contributions from members of the public.

Action Point: Senior Engineer to investigate funding available for Appendix C project 19 Warwick Road / Windsor Road passageway: Implementing a demarcation line on the pavement to separate cyclists and pedestrians.

Following discussion the Chair decided that the recommendations highlighted in the Officer’s report should be voted on and recorded separately:

       i.                    Resolved (unanimously) to defer until 12 July 2016 WCAC the decision to determine whether to proceed with an EIP proposal to restrict the movement of traffic through Canterbury Street, or reallocate the funding agreed (circa £12,250) to other potential projects. This would give residents an opportunity to undertake a consultation which would feed into WCAC’s deliberation in July.

     ii.                    Resolved (unanimously) to allocate the £36,380 additional EIP budget for 2016-17 to the list of proposed projects in Appendix A of the Officer’s report (except WC4 Jesus Green netball/basket ball hoop pilot [resolved by 5 votes to 1]) subject to:

a.    Action Point: Head of Property Services to investigate funding available to remove redundant phone boxes from Fitzroy/Burleigh Street (WC5). The intention is for WCAC to matchfund the Grafton Centre site owner to undertake work (£5,000 contribution from each party).

b.    Action Point: Senior Engineer to investigate funding available to repair/replace the bench/planter in Jesus Lane (WC6). Also a bin to be sourced from the Operations Manager – Community Engagement and Enforcement.

   iii.                    Resolved (unanimously) to approve those projects for implementation, subject to the schemes being deliverable, obtaining consents necessary, positive consultation where required and final approval by Ward Councillors.

   iv.                    Resolved (unanimously) to note the progress of existing schemes listed in Appendix C of this report.

    v.                    Resolved (unanimously) to consider a second EIP application invitation round during 2016-17 to utilise any funding uncommitted from the present round plus any savings arising from the delivery of previously committed schemes.

Councillors asked the Senior Engineer to specify in a future report how much funding would be available to allocate in a second round of EIP projects.

Suggested second round projects:

       i.          Councillor Holland: Double yellow lines in Halifax Road near Sydenham Terrace.

     ii.          Councillor Holland: Identify who was responsible for the maintenance of red pillar boxes eg in Newnham.

   iii.          Councillor Gillespie: Benches on New Square.

Action Point: Senior Engineer to investigate if s106 funding was more appropriate for benches on New Square.

   iv.          Councillor Nethsinga: City centre drop kerb in the Market Square.

    v.          Projects identified to Ward Councillors from members of the public.