Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies from members unable to attend the meeting

There were no apologies.

Members to declare any personal/personal prejudicial interests in any items on this agenda

There were no declarations of interest.

Approve the minutes of the meeting held on 16 December 2009

Minutes of the meeting held on 16 December 2009 were approved.

The Chairman invited questions from attendees in relation to the ‘You Said, We Did’ and other display boards.

The following questions were raised and answers given:

• Concerns regarding the reliability of the bus services were expressed.  The numbers on the bus stops were not clear enough.  The Team Manager, Passenger Transport Contracts and Planning agreed to feed this through to Stagecoach.
• Concerns were raised regarding the bus stops on Lincoln Road having been changed from layby stops to road stops and the decision for this move was queried. The Team Manager, Passenger Transport Contracts and Planning informed the meeting that the stops were changed as busses were having difficulty moving back in to the road from the laybys.  Works to raise curbs had also undertaken to improve access for wheelchair users and others with impaired mobility.
• The Team Manager, Passenger Transport Contracts and Planning agreed to investigate the issue around poor visibility in the dark at the bus stops, and the issues around Millfield being completely blocked during 5.30pm – 6.00pm in the evening due to the volume of busses turning in to the depot.
• Concern and frustration was expressed at the lack of reliable service, with three busses turning up at the same time instead of one every ten minutes as is meant to occur.  The Team Manager, Passenger Transport Contracts and Planning informed the meeting that PCC was working with Stagecoach to assist them in addressing these issues.  The Team Manager, Passenger Transport Contracts and Planning also agreed to take up the matter of rudeness from the company bus driver on behalf of the gentleman concerned.

ACTION:

The Team Manager, Passenger Transport Contracts and Planning agreed to:

1.      Provide feedback to Stagecoach on concerns regarding reliability of bus services and the numbers on the bus stops not being clear enough;

2.      to investigate the issue around poor visibility in the dark at the bus stops, and the issues around Millfield being completely blocked during 5.30pm – 6.00pm in the evening due to the volume of busses turning in to the depot; and

3.      agreed to take up the matter of rudeness from the company bus driver on behalf of the gentleman concerned.

With the agreement of the Chairman, the next item of business to be considered was Agenda Item 5. Annual Scheme of Works.

Presentation on the plans for The Triangle

The Engineer, Infrastructure Delivery Team gave a presentation outlining the safety improvement scheme planned for the Triangle area which had recorded 32 accidents in the last 5 years.  The main points of the presentation were as follows:

• Funding been made available through the safety improvement scheme and the scheme sought to improve safety generally for all road users, including pedestrians and cyclists.
• The approximate value of the scheme is £500k.  While this ultimately is a safety scheme, regeneration of the area is acknowledged as a desirable outcome and additional funds were being sought to achieve better finishes for the area.
• The main features of the scheme included the deletion of the current zebra crossings, and the installation of two sets of signals which would incorporate pedestrian crossings.  A cycle link on Lincoln Road would also be included, along with traffic calming features in Bourges Boulevard and the bus stop being raised to current standard.
• The scheme would be subject to further consultation, with a view to works starting in January 2011 and the works being completed by summer 2011.

During discussion, the following questions were raised and answers given:

• The requirements of HGVs had been taken in to account; the software programme used to design the scheme had been designed by freight transport.
• The widening of the pathway along Lincoln Road for cyclists would be achieved by pushing the curb line out and taking space out of the carriageway to facilitate the extra parking and the cycleway.
• The scheme cannot be extended without additional funding being sought.
• Council officers were aware of the traffic congestion issues associated with the junction on Bourges Boulevard, however it was not to be addressed as part of this scheme.  Matalan have approval to change the entrance to the car parking area; the Transportation and Development Group Manager undertook to investigate reasons for the delay in works.
• The option of making Lincoln Road a two way carriageway was considered briefly, however while the option would work well, the cost was higher than that in the proposed scheme, and didn’t provide increased benefit in the reduction of accidents.
• Concern was raised that with little prospect of extra funding being secured, the proposals set out in the Neighbourhood Investment Plan for the area were effectively being ruled out.  The Engineer, Infrastructure Delivery Team assured the meeting that the Council would like to deliver an improved centre, and nothing in the scheme prejudices a future scheme of that nature.
• The £500,000 in capital funding will come from the Local Transport Plan funding and will be spent over two financial years.  £250,000 is in the budget for the scheme for this year.
• The plan is still in draft form and will be on public exhibition; the comments from this evening’s meeting will definitely be taken on board.
• Frustration was expressed that this area always struggled to receive the funding it needed when compared with other areas of Peterborough.

ACTION:

The Transportation and Development Group Manager to investigate  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

The Chairman read a statement regarding the Site Allocations Document, highlighting that there were not many areas identified for inclusion in the document in this area.  Maps showing identified areas were available to view, with the full documents available from the Council web site and libraries.  A report on the consultation will be made at the next round of NC meetings to give an update on the progress.

Cllr Khan left the meeting at 8.04pm and did not return.

Presentation on the Licensing Scheme

Officers from the Neighbourhood Management Team gave a presentation on Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).  The main points of the presentation were as follows:

• HMOs were subject to mandatory licensing across the country, however Peterborough was one of the first councils in the country to get a specific licensing scheme for an area.
• The scheme came into force on 1 July 2009 and will run for a period of 5 years, with an estimated 350 HMOs in the licensing district.  A license costs £80 per bedroom, and lasted for 5 years.  It was explained that a license may last longer than the scheme.
• The maximum fine for anyone operating a HMO without a licence is £20k.

Officers also briefly explained the licensing process and enforcement.

During discussion, the following questions were raised and answers given:

• If the court ordered the repayment of rent collected over the last 12 months, it would be repaid to the tenant or to housing benefit, depending on how it was paid in the first instance.
• Officers relied on the public to report any households which may be operating as HMOs.

Peterborough City Council was commended on securing the licensing program.

An opportunity for any member of the public, elected and co-opted members of the Neighbourhood Council to raise anything that affects your area and to suggest items for future meetings and the annual work programme. 

Health Care in Central Ward

Joan Tiplady, Senior Manager at Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals, explained that she was on loan to the PCT to work with other agencies in exploring how to delivery health services differently and more effectively, particularly in Central Ward.  Mrs Tiplady can be contacted at the PCT.

Traffic Issues

• The road closure has pushed more traffic down Portland Avenue, which wasn’t designed to take the traffic.  The most worrying time is when kids come out of school.
• The new car parking bays in Crown Street have created a race track. 
• Lincoln Road, Bourges Boulevard - numerous people knocked off their bikes.  Have previously asked for lights on the crossings.  LED lights are bright but don’t highlight the person crossing the road.  Amber lights don’t do much either.
• Junction of Taverners & Lincoln Roads – traffic lights but no phase for pedestrians to get across. 

ACTION:

The Transportation and Development Group Manager agreed to investigate:

1.      the issue of traffic down Portland Avenue; and

the lack of a pedestrian phase at the traffic lights on the junction of Taverners & Lincoln Roads.

The date of the next meeting will be confirmed once agreed after full Council on 14 April 2010

The Chairman advised attendees that the date of the next meeting would be publicised after it was agreed at the full Peterborough City Council meeting on 14 April 2010.