Issue - meetings

The Committee received a report from the Senior Engineer regarding the Environmental Improvement Programme (EIP). The report outlined progress of existing schemes and decisions needed around future spending priorities.

 

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 2017/18 schemes put forward for approval.

 

WCAC and members of the public made the following comments in response to the report:

       i.                    Expressed concern about the time taken to deliver EIP projects.

     ii.                    Took issue with details in para 5.3 of the Officer’s report: “It has become clear that, moving forward, environmental improvements might be better focused towards achieving broader corporate and service objectives”. WCAC felt EIP should be bottom up not top down in its approach.

   iii.                    Supported the abandonment of the Newnham parking consultation and Elm Street / Prospect Row access restriction projects.

   iv.                    Supported continuing with the project to introduce further traffic calming in Grantchester Road, since traffic speeds remained a concern to residents.

    v.                    Supported the investigation alongside the County Council of alternative options to lessen the impact of traffic using King Street.

   vi.                    Supported the intention of projects marked red/amber. Requested further information regarding their viability at the 8 March 2018 WCAC to ascertain if they could go ahead to use unallocated funding.

 vii.                    Supported in particular projects that provided drinking water in public places.

·       Councillor Gillespie signposted a mobile phone app called ‘Refill’ that gave a map of where free water refills could be accessed from drink fountains, shops etc.

 

Members requested a change to the recommendations. Councillor Nethsingha formally proposed deleting the original recommendations and replacing them as listed below:

 

The West Central Area Committee is recommended to:

          1.       Note progress, and delays where experienced, in delivering the identified programme of projects since 2011-12

2.       Determine whether to continue to pursue those projects that have proven problematic (as listed in paragraph 5.2)

3.       Consider the allocation of EIP funding available in 2017-18 to further project applications

4.       Approve those projects selected for implementation, subject to them being viable, obtaining consents as necessary, positive consultation and final approval by Capital Programme Board and Ward Councillors where required

5.       Support a further project application invitation round early in 2018.

 

1.    Note progress, and delays where experienced, in delivering the identified programme of projects since 2011-12.

2.    Resolve to continue to pursue 2 projects as listed in paragraph 5.4 of the Officer’s report:

·       (2) – Grantchester Road traffic calming (second phase - £7,000).

·       (38) - King Street weight limit (£500 plus LHI £4,500) – further investigation of alternatives to lessen the impact of traffic.

3.    Resolve not to pursue 2 projects as listed in paragraph 5.4 of the Officer’s report:

·       (32) - Newnham parking consultation (£2,000) - no longer needed in light of developing County residents parking proposals.

·       (36) - Elm Street / Prospect Row access restriction (£300 plus LHI £2,700) – no longer needed given low level of local public support.

4.    Approve projects selected for implementation (report P43), subject to them being viable, obtaining consents as necessary, positive consultation and final approval by Capital Programme Board and Ward Councillors where required:

·       City Centre open spaces enhanced biodiversity.

·       City Road tree and tree pit.

·       Gough Way to Cranmer Road path way-finding.

·       Merton Street / Derby Street corner bollard.

5.    Support a further project application invitation round early in 2018.

6.    Require a further report to a future WCAC meeting (ideally 08/03/18) regarding:

·       Remit of EIP.

·       Further details on feasibility of projects marked red/amber in 06/12/17 EIP report.

 

The amendments were agreed (unanimously).

 

Members resolved (unanimously) to agree the amended recommendations as set out above.

 

ACTION: Senior Engineer to report to 8 March 2017 WCAC, with Executive Councillor in attendance if possible, regarding:

      i.          Remit of EIP.

    ii.          Further details on feasibility of projects marked red/amber in 06/12/17 EIP report.