Patrick Carney – represented by Ian Jones

Councillor N Amil – represented by Councillor M Hytche

Sally Farley – represented by Adam Luscombe.

Patrick Carney – represented by Ian Jones

Councillor Amil – represented by Councillor Hytche

Sally Farley – represented by Adam Luscombe

Agreed as a true and accurate record.

Proposed by: Cllr Cowell

Seconded by: Cllr Addis

In favour: All

Against:

Abstention:

Ian Jones advised the Officer who was due to present this report was not available due to illness and as a result the report has been deferred to bring to the Transport Working Party at a later date.

Ian Jones advised that the report for Preston Down Road/Occombe Farm – Parking Restrictions is to be withdrawn as the report has been produced based on the Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust’s proposition to fund the parking restrictions which has since been revoked.

Ian Jones advised that the Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust are intending to implement pay and display parking charges within Occombe Road and as a result this could lead to displacement of vehicles.  There are concerns regarding road safety and this will be monitored and if necessary brought back to the Transport Working Party in the future if further action is required.

Ian Jones presented the report for the proposed parking restrictions for Tweenaway Cross, Paignton.  Ian Jones advised that an option has been offered to the residents in order to assist with parking in the area, by using the former tile shop site as a residents parking area. 

Ian Jones advised residents were written to in July 2013 in consultation with Ward Councillors and again in October 2013 advising of the parking restriction proposals and copies of the eleven objections received are detailed in the report, which mainly focus on the loss of parking to the frontage of properties.

Ian Jones recommended that the Transport Working Party implement the parking restrictions and transfer the former tile shop site to the Torbay Development Agency.

Andrew Hooper addressed the Transport Working Party advising he does not think the traffic light system is working correctly and does not see the need for double yellow lines to be installed at this location as believes further investigation needs to be undertaken in the first instance to identify all of the issues in the area prior to making any changes.

Caroline Sharrock addressed the Transport Working Party advising she also believes the traffic light system is not working correctly and considers the congestion in the area is being caused by a build up of traffic from Waterleat.  Caroline Sharrock went on to say she was conducting an independent survey with local residents regarding this issue but has yet to complete it due to personal circumstances.

Councillor David Thomas advised that due to a flaw in the administration process the residents were not aware this item was being discussed at the Transport Working Party today and therefore the residents are not prepared and requested for the administration process to be reviewed.  Councillor David Thomas went on to say he recommends not to implement the parking proposals until further evidence has been gained as to what other contributing factors are causing the congestion.

Ian Jones advised the report does state in point 9.3 that the parked vehicles in the section of Kings Ash Road is only one of the contributing factors to the traffic queuing and other factors were detailed in full in the report that was brought to the Transport Working Party on the 6^th June 2013.  Ian Jones advised that residents were advised of the date of the Community Partnership meeting in the July letter in order that the issue could be raised with them in they wished.

Councillor David Thomas advised that the Community Partnerships have never been formally invited to comment on any proposals to implement double yellow lines in the Bay.

Councillor John Thomas advised he agrees with Councillor David Thomas and believes the process to advise the residents of the proposals has been flawed by administration.

Ian Jones advised that Officers do not as a rule write to objectors to advise their objections are being considered at the Transport Working Party although if they are aware of individuals who wish to attend  ...  view the full minutes text for item 151.

Ian Jones presented the Babbacombe Downs Road, Torquay report and advised this report had been produced following a request received from the English Riviera Sight Seeing Tour Bus for the creation of a bus stand facility in Babbacombe Downs Road.

Ian Jones advised that the space opposite Babbacombe Theatre has been identified as a potential area for the bus stand which would operate on a timed basis.  Ian Jones advised that if the bus stand is situated in this position there will be a loss of some vehicle parking which could be replaced opposite The Old Coach House public house. 

Councillor Addis advised that he supports this proposal.

Councillor Cowell advised that he supports the proposal in principle but wanted to know if the operators are contributing to the costs associated with the project.

Ian Jones advised that the funding for the project is being obtained from the Transport Capital budget and is not aware if the operators have been asked to make a contribution.

Recommendation

Advertise the new restrictions, write to all businesses to advise of the

proposals and request for a contribution of costs from the operator.  The

restrictions to be implemented if no objections are received.

Proposed by: Cllr Cowell

Seconded by: Cllr Doggett

In favour: All

Against:

Abstention:

Ian Jones presented the Torbay Council Traffic Sensitive Streets Policy and advised this document has been produced as the current policy was produced in 1993 and is in need of updating.

Ian Jones advised the document details the process of managing street works in traffic sensitive streets and reported that since 1993 there have been changes to guidance and regulations as well as the road network and public transport.  There is also concern that the current document could be challenged by utility companies and therefore this policy has been produced based on current guidance.

Councillor Doggett advised that he is in support of the new policy.

Recommendation

Adopt the new Torbay Council Traffic Sensitive Streets Policy.

Proposed by: Cllr Doggett

Seconded by: Cllr Pountney

In favour:  All

Against:

Abstention:

Councillor Hill relinquished the Chair to Councillor Addis for this item.

Ian Jones presented the Queen Street Torquay – Residents Parking report and advised that the report has been produced as the community has taken the initiative and requested to be included in the Controlled Parking Zone in the area.

Councillor Stocks addressed the Transport Working Party stating she fully supports the proposal and thanked Mr James, who is the resident who put this idea forward, for all of the work he undertook in bringing this to the Transport Working Party.

Mr James addressed the Transport Working Party thanking them for listening to him and expressed thanks to Patrick Carney and Councillor Stocks for meeting with him in order to progress the proposal.  Mr James went on to say that out of the residents of Queen Street he surveyed, only one person voted against the proposal which was to do with the price of the permit - £80 for the first three years.

Ian Jones read out an email of support to extend the Controlled Parking Zone to include Queen Street from Councillor Parrott.

Councillor Cowell congratulated Mr James for all of his efforts he has put into bringing this proposal to the Transport Working Party.

Recommendation

Advertise and implement should no objections be forthcoming.

Proposed by: Cllr Cowell

Seconded by: Cllr Doggett

In favour:  5

Against:

Abstention: 1

Adam Luscombe presented the Smarter Choices and Sustainable Transport report to the Transport Working Party for their information.

There were no questions raised or recommendations made.

Adam Luscombe provided a verbal update in respect of the LSTF – Ferry Tender where he reported the new ferry operator has yet to sign the contract but it is hoped this will be achieved shortly.

Adam Luscombe went on to say that work is continuing with bus stops at Torquay Harbour and Brixham Harbour as well with the cycle lane in Shiphay.

Councillor Excell provided a verbal update in respect of the future use of the camera car where he reported that it was originally bought for road safety reasons and to act as a deterrent to the public.  It has now been deemed by the Mayor due to cost implications and the fact the service is not breaking even, to remove the vehicle from service.  This is going to be added to the Forward Plan for 28 days.  Councillor Excell advised that in order to replace the camera car, Civil Enforcement Officers (CEO) will be deployed in the vulnerable areas (schools).

Councillor Addis advised that the use of the camera car will not break even if it is not going to be used in the manner in which it was originally bought for.

Sue Cheriton advised that the camera car has been programmed with data of certain areas of the Bay, particularly outside schools and bus stops and is linked via satellite and can therefore determine if there is an obstruction in these vicinities.  The use of the camera car was specifically to deal with these problem areas only.

Councillor Cowell advised he is concerned that the camera car is not being utilised and believed it would be better if the vehicle is deployed.

Sue Cheriton advised that educating the public on road safety is the key issue and is the intention.  The Road Safety team will undertake a programme to educate parents and children alike.

Councillor Doggett advised he has concerns that there will not be enough resources available to undertake the training of the staff due to the budget reductions and inevitable cuts that will occur.

Councillor Brooksbank agreed with Councillor Doggett and also raised concerns that the CEO’s being deployed in other areas will create a wider issue in the Bay as will not be enforcing their usual beats.

Sue Cheriton advised that as it stands at the moment the vehicle has temporarily been removed from service subject to a decision being made regarding its future by the Mayor after it has been on the Forward Plan for 28 days.

Councillor Cowell asked, if once the decision has been made will it be subject to calling in.

Sue Cheriton advised it would follow the normal call-in processes.

Councillor Hill advised that owing to the severe budget cuts to Residents and Visitor Services he has produced a briefing note regarding the future of the Transport Working Party and confirmed the Party is not a statutory body, it is advisory only.

Councillor Hill advised that the idea for future issues that would normally be brought to the Transport Working Party would be for Officers to contact Ward Councillors at the early stages who would take any issues forward to communities.

Councillor Hytche advised he is of the belief this would assist Councillors.

Sue Cheriton advised that the budget reductions will have an impact on her service and the preparation work required for the Transport Working Party uses a lot of resources which will not be available in the future.  Sue Cheriton advised to tie up significantly reduced Officer time to write reports etc for the Transport Working Party rather than undertake their statutory duties is not viable.

Councillor Addis advised that it is not just Ward Councillor business discussed at the Transport Working Party and believes the Party has far reaching impact across all parties and Wards.

Councillor Brooksbank advised he has concerns that the public will not have the opportunity to speak on transport issues in their areas.

Sue Cheriton asked if these issues could be dealt with as part of Councillors Surgeries and through Ward Partnerships.  The majority of the Transport Working Party considered that this would not be an appropriate way forward.

Councillor Cowell advised that he believes there will be inconsistency in decision making for Ward Councillors.

Councillor Pountney advised that he agreed with Councillor Cowell and also concerned there would not be the opportunity to challenge proposals by other Members.

Councillor Cowell and Councillor Pountney advised they would like any replacement for the Transport Working Party to be a robust solution.

Councillor Doggett advised that he is not comfortable with the proposals to disband the Transport Working Party.  Councillor Doggett suggested that perhaps the meetings could be held less frequently.

Sue Cheriton advised that on the understanding that resources will be taken from delivering statutory services, the Transport Working Party could meet less frequently.

Councillor Stocks advised that Officers should inform Ward Councillors when works are being undertaken in their Wards and this does not appear to be the case at present so cannot see this will be any better in the future.

Sue Cheriton proposed to change the meetings to occur less frequently and to review the impact this has on the service in due course and add other consultation solutions for the other periods.

Councillor Cowell agreed but also advised that Members need to start to consult via email and other channels.

None.

Thursday 6^th March 2014, 4.00pm.

Thursday 27^th March 2014, 4pm (Meeting date changed from 6^th March 2014).