• You are here:  
  • Agenda and minutes

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Chamber 1, District Council Offices, Mill Lane, Wingerworth

Contact: Damon Stanton  01246 217011

Items
No. Item

479.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

No apologies for absence had been received for this meeting.

480.

Declarations of Interest

Members are requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interests and/or other interests, not already on their register of interests, in any item on the agenda and withdraw from the meeting at the appropriate time.

Minutes:

Members were requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interest and/or other interest, not already on their register of interests, in any item on the agenda and withdraw from the meeting at the appropriate time.

Councillor M Foster declared an interest in Item 5 – Scrutiny Review – in his capacity as both a representative of Dronfield Town Council and as a member of the Communities Scrutiny Committee.

 

Councillor R Hall declared an interest as a registered holder of a taxi license issued by a different authority, and indicated that he would not take part in the debate and withdraw from the meeting if it was to be discussed.

481.

Minutes of Last Meeting pdf icon PDF 223 KB

To approve as a correct record and the Chair to sign the Minutes of the Communities Scrutiny Committee held on 22 November 2019 and 10 January 2020 (to follow).

Minutes:

RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the meeting of the Communities Scrutiny Committee held on 22 November 2019 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.   The Minutes of the Special Meeting held on 10 January 2020 were deferred to the next meeting of the Communities Scrutiny Committee to be held on 28 February 2020.

482.

Residential Parking Strategy pdf icon PDF 309 KB

To consider the strategy approved by Cabinet on 7 November 2019 including associated information.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Director of Property Services and Development at Rykneld Homes Ltd was present to discuss the Residential Parking Strategy. 

 

The Committee heard that the Residential Parking Strategy had been agreed by Cabinet at its meeting on 7 November 2019.  It was stated that the Council and Rykneld Homes Ltd would promote parking provisions within the District, and address residents’ concerns. 

 

Members noted a number of trial areas in the District, which included Holymoorside, Apperknowle and Ashover.  The Officer stated that there would be further consultation throughout the trial period, and that a report would be submitted to Cabinet that delivered the findings and conclusions upon completion of the trial. 

 

The Committee discussed the Garage Strategy, as well as how the Strategy could impact carbon reduction.  Members agreed that it was also important to encourage residents to park responsibly and legally, as they had become increasingly aware of dangerous situations at schools within the District. 

 

The Officer assured the Committee that there would be continued dialogue and consultation with both Ward Members and residents, and that so far the feedback from residents had been positive.  It was stated that this feedback would be incorporated into any policy following the trial period. 

 

The Committee agreed that the Council and Rykneld Homes Ltd should proactively seek consultation by making direct contact with residents through means such as posters and leaflets. 

 

The Director of Property Services and Development at Rykneld Homes Ltd informed the Committee that the Chair of the Asset Management Group had requested that the Council explored offering financial support to residents to help create off-street parking. 

 

Members discussed parking provisions for new developments, and information provided by the Joint Head of Planning at a previous meeting. 

 

The Committee also discussed the importance of Police involvement in proposed consultations, and Members expressed concern over some violent incidents which had occurred due to conflict over street parking. 

 

Members thanked the Officer for attending the meeting. 

 

The Officer then left the meeting.

483.

Scrutiny Review

To consider the comments received on Residential Parking from representatives of the Parish/Town Councils.

 

Interviews

 

10.30 am – Killamarsh Parish Council – Councillor S Clough

11.00 am – Eckington Town Council – Councillor C Renwick

11.30 am – Dronfield Town Council – Councillor M Foster

Minutes:

Killamarsh Parish Council - Councillor P Bone  

 

The Committee welcomed Councillor Pat Bone to the meeting as a representative of Killamarsh Parish Council to discuss residential parking in Killamarsh. 

 

Councillor Bone detailed a number of concerning incidents in Killamarsh, which included irresponsible and illegal parking.  The Committee heard that Killamarsh had seen an increasing volume of vehicles, and this, combined with a reduction in the local bus service had contributed to busy traffic.  The traffic was increasingly becoming a problem, especially during rush hour and at school times. 

 

Members agreed that a culture had developed where irresponsible and sometimes illegal parking had become acceptable to some residents.  There was also a consensus that villages like Killamarsh had outgrown itself, and Members were concerned to how continued and future developments would impact on the health and wellbeing of residents. 

 

The Committee discussed enforcement and the use of Civil Enforcement Officers to target problem areas in the District.  Members agreed that the use of Enforcement Officers could be a positive solution to the parking problems in the area. 

 

Members thanked Councillor P Bone for attending the meeting. 

 

Councillor P Bone then left the meeting.

 

Eckington Town Council - Councillor C Renwick

 

The Committee welcomed Councillor Carolyn Renwick to the meeting as a representative of Eckington Parish Council to discuss residential parking in Eckington. 

 

The Committee heard how residential parking was becoming an increasing problem in Eckington, with inconsiderable and sometimes illegal parking becoming normalised.  Councillor Renwick commented that many of the estates in Eckington had not been built for modern car use, and as such the village had become over-whelmed with the increase in traffic. 

 

Members noted that there was little enforcement in Eckington, and that an effective deterrent could improve the situation.  It was stated that there had been a number of near accidents, and that it was only a matter of time before a serious incident was likely to occur. 

 

The Committee heard that there had been concerning incidents involving verbal arguments and violence at schools, and that the Police had been involved at Eckington precinct. 

 

Councillor Renwick informed the Committee that Derbyshire County Council had agreed to a Traffic Enforcement Scheme, and it was hoped that this would make Eckington safer for both road users and pedestrians, especially in areas around the local schools.  The Committee heard that a number of schools had now introduced phased start times for different age groups in order to ease the congestion. 

 

Members had a wide ranging discussion on the merits of offering financial support to residents who wished to create off-street parking themselves.  The Committee agreed that the Council should be looking to make greater use of Civil Enforcement Officers, and that they would like further information on their powers and remit to be presented to the Committee at the next meeting.

 

Members also discussed by-laws, and the potential they had to improve the District’s residential parking issues. 

 

Members thanked Councillor Renwick for attending the meeting. 

 

Councillor Renwick then left the meeting.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 483.

484.

List of Key Decisions - Issue No 91 pdf icon PDF 165 KB

To consider the List of Key Decisions – Issue No 91

Minutes:

The Committee considered Issue No 91 of the List of Key Decisions which set out the major decisions being taken over the next few months. 

 

RESOLVED – That the List of Key Decisions, Issue No 91 be noted.

485.

Scrutiny Work Programme pdf icon PDF 186 KB

To consider the Work Programme for the Communities Scrutiny Committee 2019/20

Minutes:

Members reiterated that they would like information on Civil Enforcement brought to the next meeting. 

 

RESOLVED – That the Communities Scrutiny Work Programme 2019-20 be noted.

486.

Additional Urgent Items (if any)

To consider any other matter which the Chair of the meeting is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency.

Minutes:

There were no additional urgent items to be discussed at this meeting.

487.

Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Communities Scrutiny Committee will be held on Friday 28 February 2020 at 10.00 am in Chamber 1, District Council Offices, Mill Lane, Wingerworth, Chesterfield.

Minutes:

Members noted that, with the agreement of the Chair, the time of the next meeting of the Communities Scrutiny had changed and would now take place on Friday, 28 February 2020 at 1.00 pm in the Executive Meeting Room, District Council Offices, Mill Lane, Wingerworth, Chesterfield.