Agenda and minutes

There were no disclosable pecuniary interests declared.

The minutes of the Communities and Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Board (4) meeting held on 17^th September 2014 were signed as a true record.  There were no matters arising from the minutes.

Briefing Note of the Executive Director, Place

The Scrutiny Board considered a briefing note and presentation of the Cycle Coventry Programme Manager, setting out plans for a cycling programme after March 2015.

The funding for Cycle Coventry was due to expire on 31^st March 2015 and the Scrutiny Board received an over view of the work completed to date and funding arrangements and further opportunities for funding cycle and pedestrian provision across the City from April 2015.

The Scrutiny Board discussed monitoring cycle routes across the City and noted that 15 sites were currently monitored, which included Hearsall Common, the Railway Station and both Coventry and Warwick University.  No aspirational targets had been set by the City Council, but the Scrutiny Board considered this to be a good way of monitoring further usage.

Children’s cycle training was currently running in a number of schools in Coventry, mainly in priority neighbourhoods.  Members were requested to forward any requests for specific Schools, who would benefit from cycle training, to the Cycle Coventry Programme Manager.

The Scrutiny Board noted the number of large employers, secondary schools, colleges and universities who were currently engaged with Cycle Coventry.  Members noted that a leaflet had been produced to raise safety awareness for cycling, called “Light Fabulous”, and requested that the leaflet be sent to Members of the Board.

RESOLVED, that the Scrutiny Board: -

1.  Support the continuation of the Cycle Coventry programme, seeking additional funding where possible.

2.  Support the improvements and route provision on the network as set out in the proposed Cycling Strategy.

3.  Support the provision of cycle training and bike maintenance courses to the population of Coventry, in particular focussing on those areas of the City in greatest need.

4.  Requested that Officers explore setting aspirational targets for cycle route usage through regular monitoring.

5.  Requested Officers to send the “Light Fabulous” leaflet to Members of the Board.

Briefing Note of the Executive Director, Place

The Scrutiny Board considered a briefing note and presentation of the Team Manager (Traffic and Road Safety), which provided an overview of Coventry’s use of civil enforcement and other associated techniques in an effective management of the City’s road network.

Members spoke in support of the Community Speed Watch initiative, which enabled members of the community to become actively involved in road safety by monitoring speeds at safe locations with speed detection equipment.

The Scrutiny Board supported the use of the ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) enforcement and noted that it was due to become operational early in 2015.  Members requested that a communication be sent to all Members when the ANPR system becomes active.

Members drew attention to a number of ward specific issues relating to bus lanes and traffic congestion near to the Railway Station on Stoney Road, Binley Road and Cromwell Lane, and requested that Ward Members receive an update on each. 

RESOLVED, that the Scrutiny Board –

1.  Noted the contents of the briefing note.

2.  Requested that further details relating to the Community Speed Watch scheme be sent to Members of the Board.

3.  Requested that a communication be sent to all Members when the ANRP system becomes active.

4.  Requested that the Cabinet Member (Public Services) considers the use of bus lanes in Coventry. 

Report of the Scrutiny Co-ordinator

The Scrutiny Board noted the contents of the briefing note and noted that Bus Lanes would be an item for consideration early in 2015.

The Scrutiny Board evaluated the meeting and suggested that Survey Monkey be used as method of evaluation for future meetings.

Any other items of public business which the Chair decides to take as matters of urgency because of the special circumstances involved.

There were no additional items of public business.