Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Joel (Chair).  Councillor Fonseca assumed the Chair for the meeting as Vice-Chair of the Commission.

Members are asked to declare any interests they may have in the business to be discussed on the agenda.

There were no Declarations of Interest.

The minutes of the meeting of the Commission held on 23 June 2022 are attached and Members are asked to confirm them as correct record.

AGREED:

That the Minutes of the meeting of the Economic Development, Transport and Climate Emergency Scrutiny Commission held on 23 June 2022 be confirmed as a correct record.

The Monitoring Officer to report on any questions, representations and statements of case received in accordance with Council procedures.

The Monitoring Officer reported that no Questions, Representations or Statements of Case had been received, in accordance with Council procedures.

The Monitoring Officer to report on any petitions received in accordance with Council procedures.

The Monitoring Officer reported that no Petitions had been received, in accordance with Council procedures.

The Director for Planning, Development and Transportation submits a report on the Traffic Regulation Order.

Members of the Commission are reccomended to pass any comments to the Director for Planning, Development and Transportation.

The Director for Planning, Development and Transportation Purpose submitted a report which enabled the Commission to give their views to be taken into account when considering whether or not to approve the proposed Traffic Regulation Order.

In summary it was noted that the works were planned to reconstruct the junction of Groby Road/Blackbird Road/Woodgate/Fosse Road North (known as “Five Ways”) for the purpose of enabling development at Waterside, to improve road safety, to improve the amenity of Woodgate, to improve amenity and access for pedestrians, cyclists, and access for public transport and for the strategic management of traffic flow.

It was reported that the scheme was presented to the Commission 23 March 2022 alongside other Transforming Cities Fund projects. The Commission supported the scheme, with some concerns raised regarding flooding.  Due to the changed nature of the roads, it was therefore proposed that a Traffic Regulation Order should be implemented, and the proposed Order was advertised from Monday 11th July 2022 to Monday 1st August 2022. 

It was confirmed that two objections were received within the objection period. One objection was received after the deadline and had been rejected from the formal process although the objectors’ points have been included in the consultation report for the scheme. Written replies were sent to objectors and a meeting was held with two of the objectors on Thursday 11th August 2022. Officers explained to the objectors the reasons for proposing the scheme and asked the objectors to reconsider their objections in light of the information given and it was noted that none of the objections had been withdrawn.

It was noted that objections had been received and officers had engaged with the objectors to explain the purposes of the order and to resolve their concerns.  In relation to the proposed prohibition of the left turn from Blackbird Road into Woodgate. It was also noted Officers had noted this objection but do not agree that while there would be some limited inconvenience to some residents, that this would not be disproportionate when compared to the benefits of the overall scheme.

In discussing the impacts of the scheme, members of the Commission expressed concerns as raised with them by constituents.  It was also clarified that although listed as a single objection, the representation received from the Woodgate Residents Association involved a significant number of residents.

The principal concerns raised related to the scheme potentially creating increased traffic through adjoining terraced streets, and this view was acknowledged, although in response it was considered that these concerns and the concerns of residents were disproportionate to the substantial benefits of the junction improvements.

The Deputy City Mayor (Transport, Clean Air and Climate Emergency) and the Director for Planning, Development and Transportation thanked the Commission for their deliberation on the scheme and confirmed that their comments would be considered when designing the final proposals. 

In conclusion the Chair advised and clarified that through the ongoing process, further adjustments and modifications could be made.

AGREED:

That Director of Planning, Development  ...  view the full minutes text for item 99.

The Director for Planning Development and transportation submits a presentation providing the Commission with an update on the leicester Buses Partnership.

Members of the Commission are recommended to note the presentation and pass any comments to the Director of Planning, Development and Transportation.

Councillor Clarke, the Deputy City Mayor (Transport, Clean Air and Climate Emergency) was invited to open the item.  He referred to the Bus Services Improvement Draft Plan 2022-2030 and the outline DfT additional funding bid for 2022-25.

The Director of Planning, Development and Transportation gave a presentation, which detailed the Enhanced Buses Partnership Plan which would be implemented over forthcoming years under a registration process.  It was noted that the agreement would be reviewed regularly with an annual variation mechanism being in place.

The Aims were to increase electric vehicles, to ensure frequent, and reliable services which were easy to use and provided good value.

The draft customer charter was being prepared, and recent improvements to the network, including Savoy Street enhancements, the newly refurbished and opened St Margaret’s Bus Station and new real time information totems with text-to-speech facilities were noted.

In response to questions and comments, recent improvements to the network and the upgraded standard of vehicles and services were acknowledged.  Other initiatives such as the ‘green’ roofs to bus shelters where planting had been undertaken were also welcomed, in this regard the maintenance and ongoing upkeep of those shelters was discussed.

The effect of Covid was also noted and it was confirmed that services had operated well during the pandemic, although some contracts could not be extended at the present time.  This included the suggested extension of ‘green’ services to include the Train Station.

In terms of later reviews of the effect of the scheme, it was confirmed that a satisfaction survey would be undertaken in due course to ensure that services were effectively targeted to meet demand.

AGREED:

That the presentation and update be noted.

The Director for Planning development and Transportation submits a report on the Levelling Up fund 2 bid.

Members of the Commission are requested to note the submission of the Connecting St Margaret’s bid to Round 2 of the Levelling Up fund and to pass any comments to the Director for Planning Development and Transportation.

Councillor Clarke, the Deputy City Mayor (Transport, Clean Air and Climate Emergency) was invited to open the item.  He referred to the environmental improvement initiatives to enhance the St Margaret’s area, principally by filling in the underpasses.

The Director for Planning, Development and Transportation submitted a report which enabled the Commission to give their views on the Levelling Up Fund 2 bid which had been made with Vaughan Way/Burleys Way identified as a potentially strong scheme with links to the recent works to St Margaret’s Bus Station and adjacent cycleways/paths.  It was also reported that there was the potential for improved cycle, walking and bus connectivity, and regeneration potential in the area would be unlocked.  Strong stakeholder support for the bid proposal had been received.

It was further noted that the current proposals were only at the concept design stage and that there would be further stakeholder engagement throughout the design process should the bid be successful.

In response to questions concerning crime levels, and the perception of crime in the area, it was clarified that the police had fully supported the filling in of the underpasses to ensure that public safety was improved.  In conclusion and in terms of future programming, it was confirmed that the ongoing design work, consultation with stakeholders, and public engagement was expected to be carried out in the summer of 2023.

AGREED:

That the concept design of the connecting St Margaret’s scheme be supported and that further updates be submitted to the Commission in due course.

Councillor Porter requested that his vote against be recorded.

The Director for Estates and Building Services submits a report on the Carbon Neutral Road Map.

Members of the Commission are recommended to note the report and pass any comments to the Director for Estates and Building Services.

Councillor Clarke, the Deputy City Mayor (Transport, Clean Air and Climate Emergency) opened the item and commented on the content of the Leicester Carbon Neutral Roadmap which included recommendations for achieving carbon neutrality.

The Director for Planning, Development and Transportation gave a presentation to describe the overview and scope of the initiative.

In respect of the ambitions in the Roadmap, it was noted that some 142 actions had been included, and that the allocation of resources and identification of external grant opportunities were currently being investigated.  In that regard, it was expected that the Roadmap would be updated and reviewed/refreshed on an annual basis.

Commission members congratulated the Team involved in producing the documents for their work to date, it being noted that the Council’s ambitions were in excess of the suggested targets set by Government.

AGREED:

That the update be received and noted, and a further report on progress be submitted in due course.

For Members’ consideration, the work programme for the Commission is attached.

The Commission’s Work Programme was submitted for information and comment. 

It was suggested that a paper be prepared to allow a discussion on the effect of the cost of living crisis, and suggestions for a coordinated approach, in terms of energy, food, employment and any other issues relevant to the terms of reference of the Commission.

AGREED:

That the Work Programme be noted.

The meeting closed at 7.55 pm.