Agenda and minutes

There were no disclosable pecuniary interests declared.

The minutes of the meeting held on 12^th December 2016 were agreed and signed as a true record. There were no matters arising.

Report of the Executive Director of Place

To consider the above petition, bearing 48 signatures (24 paper signatures and 24 e-signatures) which is being supported by Councillor O’Boyle, a St Michaels Ward Councillor who has been invited to the meeting for the consideration of this item along with the petition organiser

The Cabinet Member for City Services considered a petition bearing a total of 48 signatures (24 paper signatures and 24 e-signatures) which had been supported by Councillor O’Boyle, a St. Michael’s Ward Councillor, who attended the meeting for the consideration of the item along with the Petition Organiser.

The petition advised “The aim of this petition to outlaw the parking of motor vehicles on pavements in Coventry City, such that enforcement may be carried out against those who park on pavements thereby allowing the intended users of pavements to enjoy their unhindered usage. Pavement parking in addition to being socially inconsiderate and unacceptable nuisance, the parking of motor vehicles on pavements presents a hazard and inconvenience to pedestrians and other legitimate users especially those who are disabled, and require access such as emergency services, currently it seems that parking on pavements is not prohibited on a national basis. It is not illegal in Coventry to park on the pavement as long as it is not a danger or obstruction, however it is illegal to drive on a pavement, in order to park you have to drive onto the pavement, make from that what you will. Vehicles do leak oil and diesel, and after rain can cause a greater problem than access, that is slip hazard caused by oil, total ignorance. The Highway Code itself is not law, the Highways Act 1980, which states that an offence has been committed if a person deposits anything whatsoever on a highway to the interruption of any user, of the highway, S148. If anything is so deposited on the highway as to constitute a nuisance including A-boards, the Highway Authority Coventry City Council, by notice require the person who deposited it there to remove it forthwith S149. Personally, I believe that pavement parking often interrupts other users of the highway and often can be shown to cause a nuisance, if that is the case, why is this clause not used by Coventry City Council”.

A petition raising similar issues, detailed in an Appendix to the report, was considered at the former Cabinet Member (Public Services) meeting on 26^th February 2015 (minute 83/15 referred) and the following recommendations were approved:

  i)  Note the petitioners’ request.

  ii)  To the extent that resources permit The Council continues to work with the Police to deal with obstruction of pavement issues using the powers available.

  iii)  Within the resources made available from the Council’s capital programme continue to implement physical measures to remove parking that obstructs a footway as part of the verge parking programme.

  iv)  That where a petition is received requesting a Traffic Regulation Order for a footway or verge parking ban on a specific road the Council will investigate the problem and if action is required the scheduling of any works being based on the priority of the scheme and the funds available.

  v)  That the Council gives its endorsement to the proposed Pavement Parking Bill to overcome the inconsistency of the law within England  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41.

Report of the Executive Director of Place

The Cabinet Member for City Services considered a report of the Executive Director of Place that provided a summary of the recent petitions received that were to be determined by letter, or where decisions had been deferred pending further investigations and holding letters were being circulated. Details of the individual petitions were set out in an appendix attached to the report and included target dates for action. The report was submitted for monitoring and transparency purposes.

The report indicated that each petition had been dealt with on an individual basis, with the Cabinet Member considering advice from officers on appropriate action to respond to the petitioners’ request. Attention was drawn to the fact that if it had been decided to respond to the petition without formal consideration at a Cabinet Member meeting, both the relevant Councillor/petition organiser could still request that their petition be the subject of a Cabinet Member report.

Members were informed that where holding letters were being sent, this was because further investigation work was required. Once matters had been investigated either a follow up letter would be sent or a report submitted to a future Cabinet Member meeting.

RESOLVED that the actions being taken by officers as detailed in the appendix to the report, in response to the petitions received, be endorsed.

Report of the Executive Director of Resources

The Cabinet Member received a report of the Executive Director of Resources that contained a list of outstanding issues and summarised the current position in respect of each item.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet Member for City Services approves the dates for future consideration of matters relating to the outstanding issues listed in the report.

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

There were other items of public business.