Up to fifteen minutes will be made available for questions from members of the public on issues relating to the work of the Committee and to receive any petitions.
Minutes:
The following questions were received and the Chairman responded as below:
Question One – Mrs Pat Petterson, 4 Parkway Close
The proposed parking changes remove 8 to 10 parking spaces (crossovers/hard standings) from AO3. How will this increase parking capacity, particularly for residents in the cul-de-sac? "
Council’s Response
This mitigated by the proposal to merge A03 and part of A04 into one scheme and by further restricting zone A04 to remove all non-resident parking during the day this will benefit the residents of zone A03 by increasing the opportunity to find parking as their pool of parking spaces will grow from 16 to 48
Question Two - Denise Slark, 10 Parkway Close
“Regarding the proposed A03 parking scheme changes, when the initial letter was sent out asking if residents wanted to change the scheme they were asked to express a view around (a) 'do nothing and leave things as they are', (b) 'I am in favour of the proposed changes', or (c) ' I agree with the proposed verge and footway prohibition' (3rd May 2017). It was not until 9th June 2018 (after the responses were submitted) that parking services clarified that verge protection covers the parking on crossovers and that residents were able to fully understand that the question implied the removal of parking capacity. Why was it not made clear to residents from the outset that verge protection encompasses stopping of parking on crossovers/hardstandings?”
Council’s Response
In response to the Council’s initial letter, some residents asked for clarity on what areas the Verge Protection Order would include. Therefore, when the letter with the results of the initial survey was sent to residents, more detail was included:
“This proposal is an extension of the practice recently adopted in Longcroft Lane and surrounding roads. Residents should note that a verge protection order extends from hedgerow to hedgerow and includes vehicle crossovers in addition to footways and grassed verges”
Residents were invited to comment further on these proposals with this in mind.
Question Three – Carole Bloom, 78 Parkway
Are Councillors aware of the support being provided to the residents of the Parkway Close scheme (A03) by Grant Shapps MP, and have they been given the opportunity to review the letter he wrote to Councillor Stephen Boulton that he requested be circulated to all Panel members?
Council’s Response
The letter received by Grant Shapps MP was circulated to all Panel members in advance of the meeting.
Question Four – Question Two – Susan Busse, 11 Parkway Close
Regarding the proposed parking scheme changes, how will the rights and needs of the disabled and elderly residents who currently park on the concrete crossovers/hardstandings be protected with the proposed single advisory disabled parking space and existing cobbled parking island which is unsuitable for wheelchairs and crutches?
Councils Response
The Council would consider any specific requirements from residents and try and find a solution. When the Council were notified by a particular resident concerning their disability, provision was then made for the inclusion of an advisory disabled bay. The Council will work with the resident to ensure the surfacing of the bay is compatible to their requirements.
Question Five - Martin Souter, 8 Parkway Close
“As part of the consultation process, residents submitted a petition signed by 19 of the 20 households in the A03 cul-de-sac, and a consolidated objections letter signed by all 20 of the households in the A03 cul-de-sac, in opposition to the planned changes. Why has this evidence of unanimous opposition, which would usually be a strong consideration for such proposed changes, been omitted from the Agenda Reports Pack?”
Council’s Response
The petition was received by the Council and the total number of
signatories to the petition was 27. To be presented before a
meeting petitions must be signed by at least 50 people. This advice
is contained in the Council website 'Having your say at meetings.
The petition was considered as additional information and the
points raised in the cover letter did not raise any new issues or
concerns which had not been covered within the objections received,
which are all included within the report.
Question Six – Alex Souter, 8 Parkway Close
“The A03 parking scheme was put into place in 2011 and includes a parking plan and map that covers parking in front of the houses of Parkway close on hardstandings and crossovers. This map can be viewed today on the Welwyn and Hatfield website under our current parking permit scheme (A03). So why do Parking Services continue to dismiss this plan calling it a previous map when it is in fact the current A03 scheme which went through statutory consultation and governance back in 2011 and clearly gives residents the right to park in front of their houses on the hardstandings and crossovers?”
Council’s Response:
The Council have the right to review and amend any parking restriction or mapping schedules. This particular map contained errors and was in need of correction. The map incorrectly displays certain areas which were never intended for vehicles to park on including large areas of grass, pedestrian walkways and vehicle crossovers.
Hertfordshire County Council’s application form for a dropped kerb/crossover states clearly that vehicle crossovers are not be used as additional parking.
Question Seven - Jodi Weston, 76 Parkway
"Given the overwhelming opposition to the proposed A03 parking scheme changes from the residents within the A03 parking scheme area and the lack of evidence of any negative consequences of the existing parking scheme to either residents or the wider community, can it be explained why the proposals for this area are still being pursued and who it is anticipated will benefit?"
Council’s Response:
The Council sent out a general parking questionnaire to all residents in Handside in September 2015. Within the returned forms, some residents indicated that there was not sufficient parking available within Parkway Close. Verbal conversations since have re-iterated this, particularly when the trees were removed. By merging A03 and part of A04 into one scheme and by further restricting zone A04 to remove all non-resident parking during the day this will benefit the residents of zone A03 by increasing the opportunity to find parking as their pool of parking spaces will grow from 16 to 48.