Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Habermel (Substitute: Councillor Folkard) and Ward (no substitute).

No interests were declared at the meeting.

Resolved:-

That the Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 5^th September 2019 be received, confirmed as a correct record and signed.

Further to Minute 294 of its meeting held on Thursday 5^th September 2019, the Sub-Committee received a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) presenting the representations received from Essex Police regarding the proposal to appoint a dual use taxi rank and loading bay on the north kerbline of Warrior Square, west of its junction with Chichester Road.  The proposed hours of the loading bay would be 7.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. Mondays to Fridays and 8.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. Saturdays, the taxi rank being in operation at all other times.  The proposal had been considered by the Traffic Regulations Working Party and Cabinet Committee, at its meeting on Thursday 12^th September 2019 as part of the Town Centre Improvement Project (TRIP) through the National Productivity Investment Fund (NPIF) (Minute 308 refers).

The Police had expressed concerns that the siting of a permanent taxi rank at the proposed times would have a number of negative effects on the night time economy initiatives currently being undertaken at this location and would be inconsistent with the licensing objectives.  A copy of the representation by the Police was attached to the report at Appendix 1.

Resolved:-

That the proposed appointment of taxi rank in the eastbound carriageway of the western stretch of Warrior Square 7.7m west of its junction with Chichester Road in a westerly direction for a distance of 19.8m not be progressed.