Agenda item

There were two additional items, as previously notified to everyone who was on the Westcotes Community Meeting Distribution List.

RESULTS OF THE RECENT CONSULATION ON THE RESIDENTS’ PARKING SCHEME.

Andrew Thomas, Head of Traffic Management, gave a presentation on the consultation vote on parking in Westcotes, and his presentation is attached.

Residents heard that, of the 1995 properties surveyed in the consultation area, to the west of Narborough Road, the majority of residents who had responded had voted against having a residents’ parking scheme. There would therefore be no residents parking scheme implemented there.  Although within the Harrow Road area, some residents on certain streets were in favour of the scheme, overall the majority indicated they did not want a residents’ parking scheme.

However, in the area to the East of Narborough Road, residents had indicated by 81 votes to 41, that they were in favour of a residents parking scheme. Of 668 properties surveyed, 126 votes were returned. A scheme was therefore viable there.

Residents made the following points:

• By having a residents parking scheme on the East of Narborough Road, the parking problem will be transferred elsewhere. Why does the Council not invest in better bus services?

Andrew explained that a new park and ride service was being provided which would help ease the traffic. The bus services were however de-regulated and therefore the Council were not allowed to invest in the bus services.

• I live on Harrow Road and went from house to house talking to people and they said that they did not want a residents’ parking scheme. You indicate that they do. The Council should knock on doors to do a proper survey and also they should provide people with passes for cheap bus travel.

Councillor Connelly stated that some people in Harrow Road were in favour of the residents parking scheme but overall the majority in the area voted against the scheme. He added that residents were given an opportunity to make the decision and it was important that the Council respected their views.

• On the whole, only a small percentage of the population voted on the parking scheme. You are making a decision on a result where only 19% of the population voted. In Aylestone, I heard that the residents’ parking scheme was cancelled because insufficient people voted.

The Chair responded that the Council had stated that the residents would be given the chance to vote on the parking scheme but they could not make it compulsory to vote.

Andy Thomas also replied that in Aylestone, a large area was surveyed and overall there was no support, which was why the residents parking scheme was not implemented.

• What would the Council’s solution be where a property has two or more vehicles?

Andy Thomas responded that Officers were considering a number of possibilities, which included looking at the design of parking bays and how they were controlled, visitor permits and experimental traffic regulation orders. Officers would work with Councillors Connelly and Russell to find the best way forward.

Councillor Connelly commented that he understood that the parking scheme would allow for people to have two cars.

• We should not have to pay to park outside our house. People from outside the area should pay to park.

The Chair responded that she understood that times were difficult at the moment, but the charge of £25 paid for the administration of the scheme.

• The main problem is parking on match days. Why should residents pay to resolve because of this?

The Chair explained that the Football Club, had, as part of their planning permission, a condition relating to the Park and Ride Scheme to ease the problem of match day parking.

• I am against the residents’ parking scheme. I live just off Narborough Road and am concerned that parking restrictions will result in loss of trade to the shops.

The Chair explained that the needs of local businesses were recognised and the Council would be looking for ways to ensure that that their needs would be met.

• Have you considered introducing diagonal parking?

Andy explained that the Council was bound by the Department of Transport Regulations. Some vehicles such as the large people carriers might protrude from the diagonal parking bay, and this would pose a danger for other road users.

Andrew explained that the parking scheme would commence in approximately June or July 2010 and would initially operate on a trial period for 6 months. During this time the scheme would be monitored and adjustments could be made to the scheme as required. After the trial period, the scheme would be operation for 12 months before the scheme would either be confirmed or cancelled.

STREET PASTORS.

Ann Murphy from Street Pastors gave a presentation to the Community Meeting on the work of the organisation. Ann explained that the Street Pastors consisted of volunteers who worked with the Police and Graham Smith the City Warden, within the Westcotes Ward (and elsewhere in Leicester).  The Street Pastors gave up their free time to work with people on the streets and Ann talked about some of their experiences and the people they had helped as follows:

• Asylum seekers and people of no fixed abode.
• Young people who had fallen out with their parents.
• They had stopped some students having wheely bin races
• Helped someone with diabetes who had fallen over.
• Given first aid.
• Helped two student nurses who were trying to come to terms with their first death at work.

Residents heard that the Street Pastors in Westcotes worked with an organisation called Nite Lite who ran a late night coffee bar in the Robert Hall Memorial Hall.  Ann explained that toilet facilities were also available at the Hall, which helped to prevent anti social behaviour by people who had been drinking.

Ann Murphy explained that the Street Pastors and Nite Lite would be grateful for funding from the Westcotes Community Meeting to decorate the Robert Hall Memorial Hall, where Nite Lite was held and to facilitate the scheme. Residents heard that as the building they used was a listed building, such work incurred additional costs and they would be grateful for £3500.

The Chair explained that the group would need to submit a formal funding application, which could be brought to the next community meeting and that the Community Meeting welcomed bids from community groups. Councillors commented on the excellent work of the Street Pastors and Nite Lite and residents indicated that they supported the funding bid. Ann was informed that Peter could help them to submit a budget application.