Agenda and minutes

There were no disclosable pecuniary interests.

(a)  To agree the minutes of the meeting held on 15^th April 2026

(b)  Matters Arising

The minutes of the meeting held on 15 April 2026 were agreed and signed as a true record.

There were no matters arising.

Report of the Interim Director of Economic Growth.

To consider the above petition bearing 134 signatures.  The Petition Organiser has been invited to the meeting for the consideration of this item.

The Cabinet Member for City Services considered a report of the Interim Director of Economic Growth, that responded to a petition requesting that the Council introduce a zebra crossing on Nod Rise, adjacent to the bridge over the brook.

The petition contained 134 signatures and in accordance with the City Council’s procedure for dealing with petitions, those related to road safety were heard by the Cabinet Member for City Services. The Cabinet Member had considered the petition in advance of the meeting and requested that the petition be dealt with by Determination Letter rather than a formal report being submitted to a meeting of Cabinet Member for City Services. The Petition Organiser subsequently requested that a report be submitted to a meeting.

Since the issue was first assessed, officers had submitted a bid for external funding for the first phase of a wider active travel and greenspace scheme along Guphill-Brookstray corridor.  This proposal included the relocation of the existing pedestrian path away from the river and bridge structure, which had the potential to improve pedestrian visibility at this location.

The Petition Organiser, who was unable to attend the meeting, had provided a statement which the Place Team Leader, Legal Services read out.

In response, officers advised Belisha beacons would provide adequate conspicuity however, they would not make a difference at the requested location as there were several constraints which would mean a zebra crossing would be unsafe. Officers advised a further funding opportunity had arisen for schemes related to the National Cycle Network, which may bring improvements to the area.  It was hoped the outcome of the funding streams would be known by late summer/early autumn.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet Member for City Services:

1.  Note the petitioners’ concerns regarding the request for a controlled crossing facility on Nod Rise.

2.  Note that, based on current highway conditions, a controlled crossing facility is not considered appropriate at the requested location due to restricted visibility.

3.  Note the submission of a funding bid for the first phase of a wider Guphill-Brookstray corridor scheme, which includes the potential to improve pedestrian visibility at this location through the realignment of the existing path.

4.  Agree that the petition be considered concluded at this stage, subject to any future opportunities that may arise through the progression of the wider scheme.

Report of the Interim Director of Economic Growth.

To consider the above petition bearing 97 signatures.  The Petition Organiser has been invited to the meeting for the consideration of this item.

The Cabinet Member for City Services considered a report of the Interim Director of Economic Growth, requesting the provision of a new footway along Pickford Green Lane to improve pedestrian access between new housing developments and Eastern Green, citing safety concerns arising from the absence of a dedicated footway. 

The petition contained 97 signatures and in accordance with the City Council’s procedure for dealing with petitions, those related to road safety were heard by the Cabinet Member for City Services. The Cabinet Member had considered the petition in advance of the meeting and requested that the petition be dealt with by Determination Letter rather than a formal report being submitted to a meeting of Cabinet Member for City Services. The Petition Organiser subsequently requested that a report be submitted to a meeting.

Following investigation, the Council confirmed that extending the existing footway was not feasible due to significant physical and environmental constraints, including the need for land acquisition.  Instead, enhanced pedestrian and cycle links would be delivered through the Eastern Green Sustainable Urban Extension (SUE), although the delivery timescale was not yet defined.

In the interim, public rights of way M226 and M226a provided an alternative walking route.  A survey had identified minor remedial works required on these paths, which were scheduled for delivery in summer 2026.  Additional measures to improve safety on Pickford Green Lane were being progressed, including a proposed reduction to a 30mph speed limit and new signal-controlled junction, both expected to be implemented within the 2026/27 financial year.

Public transport options had also been reviewed.  While no bus services currently operate along Pickford Green Lane, future opportunities would be supported by a proposed bus gate linking the SUE to the Lane.  Discussions with Transport for West Midlands and National Express were ongoing to explore future service enhancements.  Demand responsive transport through the West Midlands On Demand service may offer interim flexibility for some residents.

Whilst a new footway on Pickford Green Lane could not be delivered at this time, a programme of interim measures, including enhancements to existing public rights of way, planned road safety improvements, and continued engagement with public transport partners would support safer and more accessible travel for residents until the full Eastern Green SUE infrastructure was implemented.

The Petition Organiser, who was unable to attend the meeting, provided a statement which the Place Team Leader, Legal Services read out.

In response to the Cabinet Members’ concerns, officers undertook to investigate the possibility of reducing the speed limit to 20mph in the Church Lane/St Andrews School areas. 

It was noted that a review into the use of 20mph speed limits had been commissioned across the city, details of which would be brought to a future meeting.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet Member for City Services:

1. Note the petitioners’ concerns

2. Approve the phased approach set out within the report to address the concerns raised.

Report of the Interim Director of Economic Growth.

To consider the above petition bearing 322 signatures. 

The petition is being sponsored by former Councillor Abbott, who has been invited to the meeting for the consideration of this item, along with the Petition Organiser.

A paper petition with 322 signatures was received requesting the removal of the Zone WG residents’ parking scheme on the Gleneagles Road and Norton Hill Drive estate.

In accordance with the City Council's procedure for dealing with petitions, those relating to road safety are heard by the Cabinet Member for City Services. Due to a procedural error, there had been a delay in the petition being considered by the Cabinet Member.

The introduction of a residents’ parking scheme required the support of at least 60% of affected households. Therefore, a request for the removal of a residents’ parking scheme required the same level of support. The level of support on each road ranges from 32% to 58%. Across the zone as a whole, 51% of households signed the petition and it therefore did not meet the above criterion.

Recommendations:

RESOLVED that the Cabinet Member for City Services :

1. Note the petitioners’ request.

2. Defer the decision to a future Cabinet Member for City Services meeting to allow the petitioners to submit a supplementary petition if they are able to secure the support of a minimum of 60% of households within the zone.

Report of the Interim Director of Economic Growth.

To consider the above petition bearing 145 signatures.

The petition is being sponsored by Councillor J Innes, a Whoberley 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 containing 145 signatures titled “Abercorn Road urgent action on speeding and parking issues”, requesting action on concerns regarding vehicle speeds and parking behaviour, particularly in the vicinity of All Souls Primary School.

The issues highlighted were investigated and a determination letter was issued on 23 April 2026 setting out the Council’s initial response.

Following the issue of the determination letter, the petition organisers indicated that they did not accept the outcome and requested that the matter be considered by the Cabinet Member for City Services.

Speed surveys undertaken as part of the investigation and showed that the overall 85 percentile speed in both directions is 24mph which is in the expected region for roads of this function. Higher speeds of up to 32.6mph were recorded around midnight; however, this is based on a very low flow of traffic within that hour period.

There have been no recorded personal injury collisions on Abercorn Road in the last three years. However, the road will continue to be monitored as part of the citywide annual review of personal injury collisions.

Multiple site visits to observe speeds and parking behaviours confirmed that a proportionate, phased approach is appropriate, focusing on improving parking, visibility, and safety in the vicinity of the school.

As a first step, in response to the parking concerns raised, School Keep Clear (SKC) markings have been advertised in May 2026. Objection period ended 11th June, and no objections were received on the proposals.

To complement the SKC markings and signs, while ‘School’ warning signs are already present in the immediate vicinity of the school, additional advance road markings (TSRGD 545) will be considered at appropriate upstream locations to provide earlier awareness to drivers approaching the site. This will allow drivers to adjust speed and behaviour in advance of reaching the school environment, supporting improved safety during peak periods. The precise location of road markings will be determined through site assessment to ensure optimal visibility and effectiveness.

Councillor J Innes attended the meeting and spoke on behalf of the Petition Organiser and the petitioners, expressing concerns around the following:

• The safety of the children, their families and staff at All Souls Primary School and also the residents in the area. 
• Parking for school drop off and pick up was challenging due to the number of dropped kerbs in the vicinity.
• The right angled bend adjacent to All Souls school which greatly visibility.

Councillor Innes welcomed the traffic calming measures detailed in the report, the suggestion of Splitter Islands and called for a 20mph speed limit to be introduced. In addition, Councillor Innes requested 2 post-supported flashing School Warning Signs be introduced on Abercorn Road, one towards the junction with Kingsland Avenue and one towards the junction with Maudslay Road.

In response to the Cabinet Members concerns, officers undertook to investigate increasing the enforcement team attendance in the area if necessary.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet Member for City Services:

1. Note the petitioners’ concerns.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Report of the Interim Director of Economic Growth and the Interim Director of City Services

The Cabinet Member for City Services considered a report of the Director of Regeneration and Economy in respect of petitions received relating to the portfolio of the Cabinet Member.

In June 2015, amendments to the Petitions Scheme, which formed part of the Constitution, were approved in order to provide flexibility and streamline current practice. This change had reduced costs and bureaucracy and improved the service to the public. These amendments allowed for a petition to be dealt with or responded to by letter without being formally presented in a report to a Cabinet Member meeting.

In light of this, at the meeting of the Cabinet Member (formerly Cabinet Member for Public Services) on 15 March 2016, it was approved that a summary of those petitions received which were determined by letter, or where decisions were deferred pending further investigations, be reported to subsequent meetings of the Cabinet Member, where appropriate, for monitoring and transparency purposes.

Appendix A to the report set out petitions received and how officers proposed to respond to them.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet Member for City Services endorsed the actions being taken by officers as set out in Section 2 and Appendix A of the report, in response to the petitions received.

There are no outstanding issues

There were no outstanding issues.

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

There was no other public business.