Agenda and draft minutes

Mr Bob Bailey, Clerk to Heaton with Oxcliffe Parish Council, attended to raise concerns expressed by the Parish council on behalf of residents about pedestrian safety on Ovangle Road during the Link Road works. He advised that there was currently no safe place to cross. He reported that discussions had taken place with the contractors, who had expressed a willingness to extend the box junction markings the full width of the road, but that it had not yet been possible to secure the agreement of the County Council. The Committee agreed that this would be passed on to the appropriate officers at the County Council to investigate.

County Councillor Janice Hanson was proposed and seconded as Chair of the Three Tier Forum for the year 2014-15. On being put to the vote, it was:

Resolved: That County Councillor Janice Hanson be appointed as Chair of the Three Tier Forum for the year 2014-15

Councillor Paul Gardner was proposed and seconded as Deputy Chair of the Three Tier Forum for the year 2014-15. On being put to the vote, it was:

Resolved: That Councillor Paul Gardner be appointed as Deputy Chair of the Three Tier Forum for the year 2014-15

Apologies were received from County Councillor Ken Brown, County Councillor Tony Jones, Councillor Jon Barry, Councillor Jonathan Dixon, Councillor Paul Gardner, Councillor Ian Pattison, and Councillor Margaret Pattison.

Members noted that the notes reported that the Lancaster District Highways and Transport Masterplan would be an item on the agenda for this meeting. It was confirmed that there had been a delay, and that members would be given the opportunity to consider the Masterplan when it was out for consultation.

Resolved: That the note of the meeting held on 10 April 2014 be confirmed as a correct record.

The forum considered the Action sheet from the last meeting.

In relation to Cycle storage at Lancaster station, it was reported that the main racks were the responsibility of Virgin, and that this was the subject of a pending planning application. The lockers were provided by Lancaster City Council and were due to be the subject of a report to cabinet to consider charges and management options.

Some concern was raised that the commitment to pre-consultation on the transport Masterplan would not be met, and that members would only have the chance to feed in views as part of the general consultation.

Resolved: That the Action Sheet be noted.

The attached Dashboard details the performance of the Directorate between April and June 2014 in relation to delivery of the approved Lancaster Commissioning Plan for 2014/15.

The Performance Dashboard was discussed. Members noted that the footways work on Meeting House Lane had been completed, but expressed concern that the priority put forward by the meeting was for work to take place on the crossing, and that nothing further had been heard. It was agreed that Highways officers be asked to provide a response to explain the current position on the crossing.

Members also requested information on when the work on Ambleside Avenue would be undertaken.

The Forum discussed the "Square Routes" work undertaken to the centre of Lancaster. The Forum were extremely positive about the work, and felt that the centre of Lancaster was now looking very good. However, questions were raised about city centre cleaning, particularly the removal of chewing gum. It was confirmed that currently 91 staff hours per day were spent on cleaning in the City Centre, and half a day per week was solely on chewing gum removal. It was confirmed that, once the work was complete, awareness raising and enforcement work would be undertaken. Members agreed that awareness raising should include reference to the cost of the service.

In relation to Square Routes, it was recognised that the work was still ongoing, and that this did mean contractor vehicles needed to access the main shopping areas. It was confirmed that a full clean up would take when the work was complete and handed over.

An additional issue was raised in relation to the ETRO. The Forum requested an update on the current position with the ETRO.

The Forum also discussed the traffic issues in the district on the morning of the meeting. It was recognised that the main cause was the new phase of work being undertaken by United Utilities. Whilst the level of disruption and the serious impact on the public was noted, it was generally felt that the work was necessary, that UU had considered the options for diverting traffic, and that, as people became familiar with the arrangements, traffic problems would ease.

Resolved: That

  i.  the Performance Dashboard be noted.

  ii.  An update on the Meeting House Lane crossing proposal be provided

  iii.  An update on the work on Ambleside Road be provided

  iv.  An update on the ETRO in Lancaster City Centre be provided

A briefing paper on the County Council's Transport Asset Management Plan which sets out the County Council's investment strategy in respect ofmaintenance of its transport assets for the period 2015-2030 and defines  investment priorities for maintenance during the life of the plan.

The Forum was provided with a presentation on the Transport Asset Management Plan, setting out the principles behind it and the implications of taking the approach set out.

The Forum welcomed the approach, and noted that effective communication to the public would be important in delivering the aims of the TAMP. Some queries were raised about the level of influence of local councillors. It was confirmed that members would be fully engaged with discussions and explanations.

Resolved:  That the TAMP be noted and welcomed.

As part of the consultation process, Forum members are asked to express their views on the draft policy and procedure document which will then be considered prior to the final document being agreed by the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport.

The forum noted the report on the consultation on the management of events on the highway, and agreed that any comments should be provided to the Localities officer outside of the meeting/

Resolved: That the report be noted and that members' comments be directed to the Localities officer.

The following items were raised by forum Members:

(County Councillor Penney)

County Councillor Niki Penney introduced the Domestic Abuse Commissioning Strategy. It was noted that the Lancashire County Council Scrutiny Committee had met with officers of the County Council, Lancashire Constabulary and the Crown Prosecution Service, and would be scrutinising the Health Service response to the issue shortly.

It was noted that previously councillors had been provided with ward level analysis of domestic Abuse incidents, and that this would be useful in future. Members were also informed about an organisation called "Broken Rainbow", which worked with victims of abuse in same-sex relationships.

The Forum asked for further information on the actual level of funding available to support the strategy presented.

Resolved: That the report be noted.

(County Councillor Dowding)

The Forum welcomed the update on provision for the Gypsy and Traveller community in the district. It was noted that a report had recently been considered on children missing from education by the Education Scrutiny Committee at Lancashire County Council, and that this would be circulated.

Resolved: That the update be noted.

(County Councillor Hanson)

Members noted that this item had been dealt with under "questions from members of the public" at the beginning of the meeting.

Any suggestions for themes to be discussed at future meetings should be forwarded to the Chair and Jane Johnson, Localities Officer, Environment Directorate, Strategy and Policy, Lancashire County Council on 01772 534374 or by email to jane.johnson@lancashire.gov.uk

Members requested that the issue of education and enforcement of 20mph zones by considered at a future meeting.

An item of urgent business may only be considered under this heading where, by reason of special circumstances to be recorded in the minutes, the Chair of the meeting is of the opinion that the item should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency.  

There was no urgent business.

The next scheduled meeting will be held at 6.15pm, Monday 24^th November 2014 at Morecambe Town Hall.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Forum would take place at 6.15pm on Monday 24 November 2014.