Issue - meetings

Public Question

Ms Steele made the following points:

      i.          Students had campaigned for lighting on Parker’s Piece for circa ten years.

    ii.          Residents also supported installing lighting.

 iii.          The City Council should do what it can to overcome gender based violence (eg rape). The lighting would help women in particular.

 

Matter for Decision

The Officer’s report provided details of the proposed project to install additional lighting columns on the two diagonal footpaths across Parker’s Piece.

 

A consultation took place earlier in 2013, which was responded to by over one thousand members of the public. This informed the lighting measures being proposed.

 

Decision of Executive Councillor for Public Places

       i.          Authorised the procurement of specialist lighting design and  construction services for the Parker’s Piece Lighting Project, in accordance with the City Council Contract Procedure Rules.

     ii.          Agreed to take the decision to approve the final project appraisal and implementation of the Parker’s Piece Lighting project, out of the Environment Scrutiny Committee cycle, in consultation with the Chair and Spokes, subject to the final proposed project cost not exceeding £60,000.

 

Reason for the Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

 

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

 

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Project Delivery & Environment Manager.

 

The Committee expressed support for lighting on Parker’s Piece.

 

In response to Members’ questions the Project Delivery & Environment Manager said the following:

 

       i.          Environmental Improvement Project funding was required to implement the lighting as County Council Highway funding could not be rolled over from a previous financial year.

     ii.          Lux light testing would be undertaken to review if four or six light columns were appropriate.

   iii.          If the light scheme proceeds, the Council would have to make a business case to the County Council to put in an additional power supply sufficient for the skating rink (and may be for similar people who would prefer power to generators). The City Council would need to justify the need for a standing charge as the additional power would not always be required.

   iv.          The Project Delivery & Environment Manager was liaising with the Urban Conservation Team to ensure lighting column designs were appropriate for the area, and reflected consultation comments.

 

The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the recommendations.

 

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendations.

 

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.