Issue - meetings

Matter for Decision:  

The Executive Councillor was asked to agree the project scope, initiation, and programme. Also for spending to be authorised on initial project costs.

 

Decision of Executive Councillor for Planning and Climate Change:

The Executive Councillor resolved to:

 

              i.      Approve initiation of the project and initial project costs in accordance with the project documentation referenced in the Officer’s report, with implementation subject to further scrutiny, and approval of project appraisals.

            ii.      Approve the Programme as detailed in  Appendix A of the Officer’s report.

          iii.      Approve the Governance/Decision making process as set out in section 4 of the Officer’s report.

         iv.      Approve the Board terms of reference as detailed in Appendix B of the Officer’s report.

           v.      Approve the phasing as detailed in Appendix C of the Officer’s report.

         vi.      Approve the Engagement/Consultation to commence for the first phase as detailed in Appendix D of the Officer’s report.

 

Approve the following estimated initial project spending:

       vii.      Automatic Traffic Counts (ATCs) for project baseline data collection – < £12,000

     viii.      Project wide Engagement/Consultation Activities – < £50,000

 

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 Cambridge 20mph Project Officer regarding the Cambridge 20mph project.

 

The Committee made the following comments in response to the report.

 

              i.      The Police needed to be fully consulted at an early stage of the project.

            ii.      Could short-term street closures of some streets be considered for community events and play days?

          iii.      As there has been no public consultation to-date can members be assured that the questions are open and neutral?

         iv.      A skewed consultation would not result in public buy in and the project would fail.

           v.      Members did not feel that a PR firm could add value to the project. However, a pro-active approach to the local paper would be welcomed.

         vi.      The Committee suggested that there were omissions to the consultee list. The final consultee list would be agreed by the Project Board.

 

In response to members’ questions the Officers present confirmed the following:

              i.      The consultation process would be phased along area committee lines. However, no individual area committee could opt out.

            ii.      If the consultation demonstrates a lack of public support, the project would not go ahead.

          iii.      If the public had strong views that a particular A or B road be included in the project, the County Council would be consulted.

         iv.      The County Council was contributing officer time and equipment but was not contributing financially.

           v.      The Police had agreed to enforce the limit once adequate signage was in place.

         vi.      The Project Board would have the role of project management. They would not be empowered to make decision.

       vii.      Area Committee Chairs would be members of the Project Management in rotation.

 

The Committee resolved unanimously to endorse the recommendations.

 

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendation.

 

Conflicts of interest declared by the Executive Councillor (and any dispensations granted)

Not applicable.