Apologies for absence were received from Councillors D Garston (substitute: Councillor Walker) and Habermel (substitute: Councillor Folkard).

The following interests were declared at the meeting:-

(i) Councillor Collins – Agenda Item No. 3 (Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 13th September 2021) – Non-pecuniary interest: Lives in Green Lane which was mentioned in the debate; and

(ii) Councillor Buck – Agenda Item No. 5 (Petition Report – Esplanade Gardens proposal to replace Paving Slabs with Tarmacadam) – Non-pecuniary interest: Contractor at the former Havens Hospice site, which was mentioned in the debate, is a contractor of his.

The Cabinet Committee received the Minutes of its meeting held on Monday 13th September 2021. It had been explained at that meeting that there had been no objections to the proposals in Green Lane and accordingly this had been agreed to be implemented as advertised although this was not reflected in the Minutes under resolution 4(i) of Minute 4.

Resolved:-

That, subject to the inclusion of the following under resolution 4(i) of Minute 4, the Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 13th September 2021 be received, and confirmed as a correct record:

Green Lane – no waiting at any time on both sides on bend outside No. 2.

Resolved:-

That the Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday, 21st September 2021 be received and confirmed as a correct record.

The Working Party received a report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment) concerning a petition containing 26 signatures requesting the Council to not use tarmacadam when undertaking highways improvement resurfacing work in Esplanade Gardens. The petition had been referred to the Cabinet Committee for consideration by Council at its meeting held on Thursday 25th November 2021 (Minute 468 refers).

In response to questions regarding the conflicting information received in respect of the implementation of the new resurfacing policy in Chalkwell Avenue, Acacia Drive and Thorpedene Gardens, Council’s Head of Traffic & Highways undertook to investigate the matter and respond to the respective Ward Councillors directly.

The Head of Traffic & Highways also gave assurances to respond to the issues highlighted by Councillors relating to the re-instatement works being undertaken by City Fibre.

Resolved:-

That Cabinet Committee be recommended:-

1. That the footway resurfacing programme continue to be implemented in accordance with the current resurfacing policy.

2. That the petition be noted but that the request that footway resurfacing in Esplanade Gardens in concrete slabs be refused.

3. That the lead petitioner be informed of the Councils decision.

The Working Party received an oral report of the Head of Traffic and Highways that presented the new procedures following the constitutional change and amendments to delegations to officers approved by Council at its meeting on 9^th September 2021 (Minute 309 refers).

Resolved:-

That the report be noted.

Reference back of Minute 323 of Cabinet Committee regarding Thorpe Bay Gardens (Minute 477 of Council held on Thursday 25^th November 2021 refers)

The Working Party received a report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment) that provided background information of the draft traffic regulation order in Thorpe Bay Gardens. The matter had been referred back by the Place Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 4th October 2021 (Minutes 364 and 477 of Council refer) for reconsideration by the Traffic Regulations Working Party and Cabinet Committee.

The Working Party discussed the matter in some detail and questioned whether there was sufficient relevant evidence to justify the introduction of the proposed traffic regulation order and/or possible inclusion in the review of the existing PSPO (Public Spaces Protection Order). 

In response to questions regarding vehicles being driven on the green area, the Council’s Head of Traffic & Highways undertook to investigate whether there were any existing byelaws that prohibited this.

Resolved:-

That Cabinet Committee be recommended that a full report be prepared setting out a detailed evaluation of all the evidence and relevant facts, including the details and extent of any alleged anti-social behaviour, in relation to the issues relating to draft traffic regulation order in Thorpe Bay Gardens and/or possible inclusion in the review of the existing PSPO (Public Spaces Protection Order), for consideration by the Traffic Regulation Working Party and Cabinet Committee at a future meeting, the content and details of which to be agreed by the Cabinet Member for Transport, Asset Management and Inward Investment.

Reference back of Minute 323 of Cabinet Committee regarding Crosby Road (Minute 477 of Council held on Thursday 25th November 2021 refers)

The Working Party received a report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment) that provided background information of the draft traffic regulation order for part-time waiting restrictions in Crosby Road. The matter had been referred back by the Place Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 4th October 2021 (Minutes 364 and 477 of Council refer) for reconsideration by the Traffic Regulations Working Party and Cabinet Committee.

In response to a request for the costs incurred in respect of the Crosby Road scheme, the Head of Traffic & Highways undertook to email the details to the Ward Councillors and the Traffic Regulations Working Party.  She also gave assurances that any traffic surveys undertaken would include periods during the summer months and no further mistakes would be repeated.

Resolved:-

That Cabinet Committee be recommended:

1. That the current proposed draft traffic regulation order for the introduction of part-time waiting restrictions in Crosby Road not be progressed.

2. That the Head of Traffic & Highways be authorised to undertake the necessary surveys and research of the issues occurring in Crosby Road, including during the summer months, the timing of which surveys to be agreed in consultation with the relevant Ward Councillors, and prepare any necessary and appropriate proposals/scheme designed to combat/address them and carry out community consultation to establish the level of support, subject to appropriate funding being made available for the scheme.