Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

(a)  To agree the minutes of the meeting held on 14 September, 2016

(b)  Matters Arising

The Minutes of the meeting held on 14 September, 2016 were agreed and signed as a true record.

There were no matters arising.

Briefing Note of the Executive Director of Place

The Scrutiny Board considered a Briefing Note of the Executive Director of Place which outlined proposed revisions to the Residents’ Parking Policy.

The City Council adopted the City Centre Parking Strategy in September, 2016. The Strategy recognised the need to manage on-street parking to protect the needs of residents and the residential environment. Residents’ parking schemes are one of the most effective ways of achieving this. Coventry’s first residents’ parking scheme was introduced over 25 years ago. Since then, numerous other schemes have been implemented, often with differing rules and characteristics. A list of the existing schemes was attached an appendix to the report. The current residents’ parking policy was adopted in 2007 and is now out of date.

The Resident’s Parking Policy has been reviewed and updated. Its sets out a coherent, consistent and best practice framework for the implementation of future schemes. It takes account of several factors including:-

  • The type of parking scheme required

  • Eligibility criteria

  • Permit type available

  • The times of operation

  • The cost and duration of permits

  • The enforcement regime

The report detailed:-

  • Conditions which must be met before a new parking scheme is

     introduced

  • The 4 stage process that parking schemes will be subject to

  • The different types of parking permits that will be available to various

  user groups

The Scrutiny Board noted;-

• Arrangements for blue badge holders

• That permits will normally be issued for a maximum of three years

• Arrangements for schemes funded using Section 106 monies

• The use of new technology and adopting new ways of working to derive

  benefits and efficiencies wherever possible

• Arrangements for existing paper based parking schemes

The Scrutiny Board questioned officers and sought assurances on aspects of the Briefing Note including:-

  • The number of Ward Councillors required to support a scheme

  • How exiting schemes will be migrated to the new scheme

  • Displacement caused by the introduction of parking schemes

  • How outstanding request/petitions for parking schemes will be dealt

    with

  • The enforcement procedure

The Scrutiny Board noted that information would be sent to all Councillors providing information regarding “Councillor’s parking permits”.

RESOLVED that the Scrutiny Board:-

(1)  Notes that all requests for a parking scheme will need to be supported by a minimum of one Ward Councillor

(2)  Requests that the Cabinet Member includes allowing for a level of flexibility and sensitivity in relation to applying the criteria (for example in relation to the length of schemes in different areas and the required percentage of those surveyed supporting the scheme where there is a high level of privately rented properties)

(3)  Notes that all of those outstanding petitions in relation to requests for residents parking schemes will be dealt with appropriately

Briefing Note of the Executive Director of People

The Scrutiny Board considered a Briefing Note of the Executive Director of People which provided an update on progress and lessons learnt to date on the Empowered Citizens Programme.

The Briefing Note detailed work undertaken in four different Neighbourhoods (Foleshill, Hillfields, Wood End/Henley Green/Manor Farm and Cheylesmore) to test different approaches to bringing residents into conversations about decisions affecting their area; to find ways of linking up community networks; and to understand how the City Council can build a different sort of city-wide network for participation.

 For each of the four areas the Briefing Note detailed:-

  • What was set out to be achieved

  • What was undertaken

  • What was learnt

The Scrutiny Board questioned officers on aspects of the Briefing Note including:-

  • The involvement of local schools and places of worship in the

    Programme

  • Community engagement with established clubs, such as sports clubs

    etc

  • Work undertaken to engage older people and social inclusion

  • The correlation between levels of engagement and the availability of    community space and the use of community space for shared services

  • Work undertaken with Partners

  • Democratic engagement

The Scrutiny Board asked about the staffing levels in the Community Development Team and it was noted that this information would be provided for Members.

RESOLVED that the contents of the Briefing Note and the progress made to date be noted.

Briefing Note of the Executive Director of Resources

The Scrutiny Board noted a Briefing Note of the Executive Director of Resources that detailed the approach taken on progress, outcomes and responses to recommendations and substantial actions made by the Scrutiny Board.

Report of the Executive Director of Resources

The Scrutiny Board noted their Work Programme for 2016/17.

Any other item of public business which the chair decides to take as a matter of urgency because of the special circumstances involved.

There were no items of urgent public business.