Issue - decisions

The Committee received as report for the Project Delivery & Environment Manager regarding the Environmental Improvements Programme. The Chair reminded Members that the budget was limited and there was a need to select realistic projects.

Members agreed that the hanging baskets in Mill Road were valued by the community and that they would continue to support them.

Members discussed the merits of the smaller projects and suggested that Silverwood Close, Oyster Row, Riverside/Stourbridge Common, Tenison Road and Glisson Road proposals could be delivered quickly and efficiently.  It was noted that the proposal for Glisson Road had been amended to a bollard rather than a tree, due to space constraints.

Members expressed support for the Mill Road pinch point work and felt that the safety of cyclists was a high priority. However, concerns were expressed that the full costs of this could be much more than the £40,000. In addition, it could prove to be undeliverable due to the requirement to purchase private front gardens. 

Alan Smith questioned the delays in addressing the pinch point on Mill Road which had been under consideration for some time with no action taken.

The Project Delivery & Environment Manager responded. The feasibility of the Mill Road project is one of a number under consideration. Once agreed, feasible schemes could only then be delivered when funding was available.

The Committee voted on projects considered viable and supported by Ward Councillors as follows:

E4 Mill Road adjacent to Cutlacts Store rejected (by 1 vote to 9)

E1 Oyster Row and E2 Riverside/Stourbridge Common parking scheme agreed (by 9 vote to 0) (officers will investigate economies of scale if these schemes are combined).

E7 Cherry Hinton Road / Perne Road, road sign agreed (by 9 votes to 0)

E18 Tenison Road noticeboard, E19 Glisson Road Tree (bollard option) and E6 Silverwood Close agreed (nem com).

The Chair reminded Members that the other projects still had the support of this Committee and would be retain on the list awaiting funding.

Councillor Whitehead stated that the County Council had a round of funding in the near future and suggested working with the City to identify suitable projects for her to champion.

RESOLVED

To allocate funding of £10,890 for the annual provision and maintenance of 66 hanging baskets along Mill Rd.

To fund the following projects as detailed in the Officer’s report:

E1 Oyster Row road narrowing - £23,500

E2 Riverside/Stourbridge Common parking scheme - £12,500

E7 Cherry Hinton Road / Perne Road road signs - £6,000

E18 Tenison Road noticeboard - £1,750

E19 Glisson Road Tree (bollard option)  - £2,000

E6 Silverwood Close  £500

These approvals lead to an over allocation of £725, which was agreed to be resolved by targeting savings across the Oyster Row Road Narrowing and Riverside/Stourbidge Common Parking Scheme project budgets.