Minutes for Strategic Planning and Transportation Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting, Jun 9 2010, 7.30PM official page

To confirm and sign as a correct record the minutes of the former Planning and Transportation Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 22nd February 2010.     

On item 1, it was

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting of the Planning and Transportation Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 22nd February 2010 be confirmed and signed as correct.

The minutes were thereupon signed by the Chairman.

To receive any declarations of personal and prejudicial interests in any of the matters to be considered at the meeting.   

On item 2, no declarations of interest were made.

To note that the General Purposes Committee, at their meeting on 26th May 2010, agreed to recommend the Council (at its special meeting on 1st June 2010) to approve the following terms of reference for the Strategic Planning and Transportation Overview and Scrutiny Committee:-

(a)  transportation, including public transport, traffic and parking policies, together with related facilities and services for disabled people; concessionary fares;

  (b)  highways; footpaths; street naming and numbering; accident prevention; the Council’s depots and mechanical workshops;

  (c)  the general policy and control of work undertaken by the Council’s building, civil engineering and transport direct services organisations;

  (d)  regeneration and economic development; the training strategy and access to jobs and the generation of increased employment opportunities; the Council’s relations with local businesses and economic development related organisations;

  (e)  any matters within the terms of reference of the Planning Applications Committee (but not individual routine planning applications);

  (f)  preparation of supplementary planning guidance; designation of conservation areas, areas of archaeological interest and nature reserves; removal of permitted development rights through Article 4 Directions; compulsory purchase orders under planning legislation; building control and any other planning functions that are the responsibility of the Executive; and

(g)  financial assistance to organisations, and performance and governance arrangements for all significant partnerships, with activities related to those of this Committee.

Item 3 was received as information.

The Committee agreed to consider items 31 and 17 before item 4.

To consider report of the Chief Executive and Director of Administration on a request for a deputation.

On item 31, the Chairman stated that as provided for under Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, he was of the opinion that this report should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency, by reason of the special circumstances which were that the request for a deputation to be heard by the Committee was received subsequent to the despatch of the agenda and that the views of the deputation would have to be heard at this meeting.

It was then

RESOLVED – That the deputation be received.

The Chairman then asked Mr. Chamberlin to enter the committee room and Mr. Chamberlin outlined his concerns relating to the Queenstown Road cycle and pedestrian scheme and presented a further petition, signed by 46 residents, in following terms:-

“We, the undersigned, residents and businesses on the Queenstown Road call upon the Council to stop the proposed works on the ‘pedestrian and cycle scheme’ between Stanley Grove and Prairie Street until agreement is reached between the residents and Council.”

The Committee then asked questions of Mr. Chamberlin before Mr. Chamberlin left the committee room and returned to the public gallery.

To consider report of the Director of Technical Services on a petition by residents of Queenstown Road, SW8 (Queenstown) opposing the implementation of the cycle and pedestrian improvement scheme on that road between Prairie Street and Stanley Grove. (Attached)

On item 17, the Committee then considered the report of the Director of Technical Services on the Queenstown Road scheme. During discussion, the Director of Technical Services undertook to write to Councillor Locker to clarify the position on the number of accidents in the vicinity. 

After the Director of Technical Services had answered questions on the scheme, and having considered the details of the deputation submission and further petition, it was 

RESOLVED - (by 8 votes to 0) That the Executive be informed that the Committee supports the recommendations in paragraph 3.

To receive, as information, report by the Chief Executive and Director of Administration on the Committee’s capital expenditure and progress of major schemes, the implementation of agreed policies in relation to the Committee’s remit, and the results of top-line indicators and front-line service performance indicators for 2009/10.  (Attached)   

On item 4, the Committee had before them the report of the Chief Executive and Director of Administration on the latest situation on the Committee’s capital expenditure, progress on major schemes, implementation of agreed policies and results of topline indicators and frontline service performance indicators.

During discussion, the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transportation undertook to speak to the Leader of the Council in relation to the withdrawal of additional funding for improvements at Clapham Junction Station.

Discussion continued and the Chief Executive and Director of Administration undertook to write to Councillor Hogg to clarify figures relating to the % gap between the number of black residents aged 16-24 claiming JSA and other residents aged 16-24 claiming JSA (based on 12 month average) (page 24); and the Economic Development Officer undertook to write to Councillor Miss Nickels to clarify the skills gaps in the current workforce reported by employers (biennial survey by the LSC) (page 26). The Committee also noted that 194 Lavender Hill is located in Shaftesbury ward (page 15). 

The report was then received as information.

To consider report of the Chief Executive and Director of Administration on the Council’s Corporate Business Plan 2010.  (Attached)

On item 5, after discussion, it was

RESOLVED -That the Executive be informed that the Committee supports the recommendations in paragraph 3.

To consider report of the Director of Finance on the financial results for the year 2009/10.  (Attached)

On item 6, after discussion, it was

RESOLVED - That the Executive be informed that the Committee supports the recommendations in paragraph 6.

To consider annual report of the Economic Development Officer on the Economic Development Office for 2009/10 and priorities for 201011.  (Attached)

On item 7, members considered the annual report of the Economic Development Officer.

During discussion, the Economic Development Officer undertook to write to Councillor Locker to clarify the timetable for Broadband roll-out in the Borough. It was then

RESOLVED - That the Executive be informed that the Committee supports the recommendations in paragraph 3.

To consider report of the Economic Development Officer on the Business Survey 2009.  (Attached)

Item 8 was received as information.

To consider report of the Economic Development Officer on the Stewarts Road, SW8 (Queenstown) Survey.  (Attached)

On item 9, after discussion, it was

RESOLVED - That the Executive be informed that the Committee supports the recommendations in paragraph 3.

To consider report of the Economic Development Officer on the Federation of Small Businesses Manifesto.  (Attached)

On item 10, the Committee had before them the report of the Economic Development Officer on the Federation of Small Businesses.

 The Committee noted the proposed response to procurement set out below (omitted from the previously circulated appendix)

  “Wandsworth responses to FSB’s suggestion:

(a)  the Council’s code of practise requires advertising for contracts above £25,000 and quotations to be sought for much smaller value orders;

(b)  the Council has a responsibility to achieve best value for the tax payer and this by definition will lead in many areas to larger value aggregation of contracts. However, where possible in areas which are niche markets, separate tenders will be let; and

(c)  through the Economic Development Office, the Council encourages local suppliers to do business with the Council and is developing  the use of its own and other web sites to give the widest range of business opportunities to small businesses.”

It was then

RESOLVED - That the Executive be informed that the Committee supports the recommendations in paragraph 3.

To consider report of the Economic Development Officer on the meeting of the Wandsworth Employment and Skills Partnership in April 2010.  (Attached)

On item 11, after discussion, it was

RESOLVED - That the Executive be informed that the Committee supports the recommendations in paragraph 3.

To consider report of the Economic Development Officer on the meeting of the Nine Elms Opportunity Board in January 2010.  (Attached)

Item 12 was received as information.

To consider report of the Economic Development Officer on the meeting of the Nine Elms Opportunity Board in March 2010.  (Attached)

Item 13 was received as information.

To receive, as information, report by the Chief Executive and Director of Administration on petitions submitted to the Council and referred to the OSC.  (Attached)

Item 14 was received as information.

To consider report of the Director of Technical Services on the latest position on the Mayor of London’s cycle superhighways initiative.  (Attached)

On item 15, the Committee considered the Director of Technical Services’ report on cycle superhighways.

The Director of Technical Services undertook to write to Councillor B. Johnson to clarify the position on bids to Transport for London for workplace cycle parking. It was then

RESOLVED - That the Executive be informed that the Committee supports the recommendations in paragraph 3.

To consider report of the Director of Technical Services on a draft cycling strategy.  (Attached) 

On item 16, after discussion, it was

RESOLVED - That the Executive be informed that the Committee supports the recommendations in paragraph 3.

To consider report of the Director of Technical Services on the review of the Prince of Wales Drive area, SW11 (Queenstown/Latchmere) 20mph zone.  (Attached)

On item 18, after discussion, it was

RESOLVED - That the Executive be informed that the Committee supports the recommendations in paragraph 3.

To consider report of the Director of Technical Services on the outcome of a local safety scheme investigation for Lower Richmond Road, SW15 (Thamesfield) between Putney High Street and the Borough boundary.  (Attached)

On item 19, after discussion, it was

RESOLVED - That the Executive be informed that the Committee supports the recommendations in paragraph 3.

To consider report of the Director of Technical Services on a local safety study on Lavender Hill, SW11 (Shaftesbury), between Mysore Road and Queenstown Road.  (Attached)

On item 20, after discussion, it was

RESOLVED - That the Executive be informed that the Committee supports the recommendations in paragraph 3.

To consider report of the Director of Technical Services on street parties.  (Attached)

On item 21, after discussion, it was

RESOLVED - That the Executive be informed that the Committee supports the recommendations in paragraph 3.

To consider report of the Director of Technical Services on a petition from residents of Algarve Road, SW18 (Earlsfield) requesting a road closure at the junction of that road with Garratt Lane.  (Attached)

On item 22, after discussion, it was

RESOLVED - That the Executive be informed that the Committee supports the recommendations in paragraph 3.

To consider report of the Director of Technical Services on a petition from some residents of Alma Road, SW18 (Fairfield) and some surrounding roads in the Wandsworth Town controlled parking zone W1 sub-zone, requesting the re-designation of existing controls to operate on Saturday.  (Attached) 

On item 23, after discussion, it was

RESOLVED - That the Executive be informed that the Committee supports the recommendations in paragraph 3.

To consider report of the Director of Technical Services on an investigation of the feasibility of introducing a separate sub-zone in streets closest to Tooting Broadway Underground Station where residents are concerned about ‘intra-zone’ commuting and surveys to measure usage of ‘pay and display only’ or ‘shopper’ bays, in the central parts of the E1 and E2 sub-zones of the Tooting Broadway, SW17 (Tooting/Graveney) controlled parking zone.  (Attached) 

On item 24, after discussion, it was

RESOLVED - That the Executive be informed that the Committee supports the recommendations in paragraph 3.

To consider report of the Director of Technical Services on bus issues in the Borough.  (Attached)

On item 25, members considered the report of the Director of Technical Services on bus issues in the Borough.

During discussion, the Director of Technical Services undertook to look into the matter of a bus service to serve the Knowsley Road / Shellwood Road, SW11 (Latchmere) triangle. It was then

RESOLVED - That the Executive be informed that the Committee supports the recommendations in paragraph 3.

To consider report of the Director of Technical Services on the Mayor’s transport strategy and the Council’s transport plan and programme (Local Implementation Plan)  for 2011/12.  (Attached)

On item 26, after discussion, it was

RESOLVED - That the Executive be informed that the Committee supports the recommendations in paragraph 3.

To consider report of the Borough Planner on the approach to be adopted in relation to applications in the Nine Elms area, prior to the approval of the proposed sumbission version of the Site Specific Allocations Document.  (Attached)

On item27, after discussion, it was

RESOLVED - That the Executive be informed that the Committee supports the recommendations in paragraph 3.

The report on the annual review of the Planning Service is unable to be circulated for this meeting due to technical difficulties with data for the report.

As the review includes information which should be published by the Council at an early stage, it is proposed that the review be circulated to all members for comment as soon as possible and that any observations that members may have on the content will be reported to the appropriate regulatory and other committees for consideration as appropriate. 

Item 28 was received as information.

To receive, as information, report by the Borough Planner on the planning control statistics for 1st January to 31st March 2010.  (Attached)

Item 29 was received as information.

To consider report of the Borough Planner on customer surveys.  (Attached)  

Item 30 was received as information.