Agenda item

Report of the Assistant Director (Regeneration and Economic Development)

At this point in the meeting, Councillor Gilbert rejoined the meeting.

The Committee received a report from the Executive Director (Regeneration and Economic Development) on Introduction of Parking Restrictions in Northern Section of Hollybush Ward – Yellow Lines, Permits And Verge And Footway Prohibition.

Hollybush ward (northern section) was initially consulted from 6 March 2023 until 7 May 2023. Due to a low response rate to the initial consultation, a further letter was sent on 30 June 2023 to encourage consultees to submit their view on parking in their area to the council by 30 July 2023. The data from the second survey resulted in 281 responses from a total of 998 properties. 28.2% of consultees had participated which met criteria to progress the scheme to a formal proposal. The data highlighted areas where residents expressed a high level of concern relating to parking issues including footway and verge parking.

The following points were raised during the discussion:

·        It was queried whether the area was an area of concern especially given that the initial consultation did not receive many responses. The area had been included in the works programme and the Council wanted to hear residents views for the area.

·        The threshold for an initial consultation is not fixed. Every two years, the number from each ward is reviewed and ranked. The Executive Member is informed and in consultation with the ward councillors, the information is brought to CPPP for them to set the parking works programme.

·        A member highlighted that this was an area with ample parking.

·        It was asked whether the parking works programme could be implemented more quickly, and problem areas could be added to the programme before they become bigger issues. Officers confirmed that there is a statutory consultation process which would not allow it to be quicker.

·        The Executive Member (Environment) highlighted the importance of ward councillors’ voices in this process.

Resolved:

(unanimous)

1.     THE BOROUGH OF WELWYN HATFIELD (VARIOUS ROADS, HOLLYBUSH NORTH, WELWYN GARDEN CITY) (RESTRICTION OF WAITING AND PERMIT PARKING ZONES) ORDER 202X

That the Panel considers the objections received in Section 5 in addition to the issues raised in Section 16 around equalities and diversity and recommends to Cabinet to proceed with creation of the amended traffic regulation order as set in Section 3.7 of this report; and to note the delegated powers conferred to Executive Member for Environment to sign an executive member decision to proceed with the creation of the traffic regulation order, subject to unanimous recommendation of the Panel.

(unanimous)

2. THE BOROUGH OF WELWYN HATFIELD (VARIOUS ROADS, HOLLYBUSH NORTH, WELWYN GARDEN CITY) (PROHIBITION OF STOPPING AND WAITING ON VERGE OR FOOTWAY) ORDER 202X

That the Panel considers the objections received in addition to the issues raised in Section 16 around equalities and diversity and recommends to Cabinet to proceed with the creation of the amended traffic regulation order as set in Section 3.7 and in Appendix D; and to note the delegated powers conferred to Executive Member for Environment to sign an executive member decision to proceed with the creation of the traffic regulation order, subject to unanimous recommendation of the Panel.