Agenda and minutes

Venue: Hendon Town Hall, The Burroughs, London NW4 4BQ

Contact: Paul Frost 020 8359 2205 Email: paul.frost@barnet.gov.uk 

Items
No. Item

1.

Minutes of the previous meeting pdf icon PDF 94 KB

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Environment Committee held on 13 July 2017 be approved.

2.

Absence of Members

Minutes:

None.

3.

Declarations of Members' Disclosable Pecuniary Interests and Non-Pecuniary Interests

Minutes:

None.

4.

Report of the Monitoring Officer (if any)

Minutes:

None.

5.

Public Questions and Comments (if any) pdf icon PDF 99 KB

Minutes:

The Environment Committee noted the details of public questions that had been submitted by residents.  They were given the opportunity to ask a supplementary question.

 

The Committee heard public comments from Mr Dennis Pepper on agenda item 12 - Local Implementation Plan. The Chairman noted that Mr Robin Bishop, Chair of the Barnet Society, had intended to make oral comments but was unable to attend the meeting. His written comments were read out during the consideration of item 8 - Draft Barnet Tree Policy.

 

 

6.

Members' Items

Minutes:

None.

7.

Barnet Public Realm Management Forum pdf icon PDF 254 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 aThe Strategic Director for Environment introduced the item and the intentions of the report. The Committee noted that recommendation 2 of the report should read ‘two elected members of the Council’ and not ‘2 elected members of the Committee’.

 

Following consideration of the report the Committee requested that an annual update on the Forum’s work be provided to the Committee and that this be incorporated in the terms of reference of the Forum as contained in Appendix A. This was duly agreed by the Strategic Director for Environment.

 

Councillor Gabriel Rozenberg moved that the Administration’s nominations to the Forum be Councillor Stephen Sowerby as Member, and Councillor Rohit Grover as substitute Member.

 

Councillor Alan Schneiderman moved that the Opposition’s nominations to the Forum be Councillor Devra Kay as member and Councillor Phil Cohen as substitute Member.

 

The nominations were duly seconded and unanimously agreed by the Committee.

 

RESOLVED –

 

1.    That the Environment Committee note the draft terms of reference for the Barnet Public Realm Management Forum set out at Appendix A and recommend to the Forum that the terms of reference be adopted.

 

2.    That the Environment Committee nominated elected Members of the Barnet Public Realm Management Forum be Councillor Stephen Sowerby and Councillor Devra Kay, with Councillor Rohit Grover and Councillor Phil Cohen as substitute Members.

8.

Draft Barnet Tree Policy pdf icon PDF 274 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Strategic Director for Environment introduced the item and the intentions of the report.

 

Following consideration of the report the Committee requested that the following amendments be made to the draft Tree Policy:

·         Add “and in consultation with ward Members” at the end of paragraph 2.6 of the policy.

·         Include 14 days’ (10 working days) notice for public consultation on a proposal to remove a tree not posing an immediate risk to public safety.

The Committee also provided general comments to inform the development of future iterations of the policy, including consideration of more detailed KPIs, benchmarking with other councils and incorporating seeking the views of stakeholder groups in the wider community. It was also requested that the policy more clearly set out that the council is open to new planting schemes, and note a preference to use bound rubber crumb where possible for repair work on street trees. This was duly agreed by the Strategic Director for Environment.

 

Subject to the above the Committee:

 

RESOLVED –

 

1.    That the Environment Committee notes the progress to date, approves the draft Tree Policy for Barnet and authorises the Strategic Director Environment to finalise the Tree Policy.

 

2.    That the Environment Committee notes and approves the 5 year Tree Investment Programme and the making of bids for CIL and Mayor of London funding to finance the programme and refers the funding of the programme to the Policy and Resources Committee for consideration as part of the Council’s capital investment programme within the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy.

 

3.    Subject to the approval of recommendation 1 and 2, that Environment Committee notes that the Strategic Director of Environment will finalise the Tree Policy which will then be designed and published online. The progression of the Tree Policy action plan will be reported back to Environment Committee as part of the Annual Report on the Parks and Open Spaces Strategy.

9.

Draft Mayor’s Transport Strategy pdf icon PDF 253 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chairman introduced the item, and drew Committee Members’ attention to the letter he had previously sent to the Mayor on behalf of the committee, as tabled.

 

The Strategic Director for Environment provided an overview and invited comment from the Committee.

 

Committee Members requested that the last sentence on page 3 of the council’s draft response, referencing the importance of private car for orbital travel routes be re-phrased, to instead emphasise the importance of having a robust orbital bus service with effective routes, frequency of service and capacity to encourage usage by more people. It was also noted that the section on walking and cycling should note the importance of joined up thinking with Health sectors.

 

Following consideration the Committee:

 

RESOLVED –

 

1.    That the Environment Committee’s input on additional areas for consideration that they would like to be included in the final response as representing London Borough of Barnet’s position be noted.

 

2.    That the London Borough of Barnet’s draft response to the Mayor’s Transport Strategy is presented to Policy and Resources Committee on 10th October 2017 for agreement ahead of submission to the Mayor’s Office.

 

10.

Commercial Vehicles parking on Residential Roads pdf icon PDF 305 KB

Minutes:

The Chairman introduced the item noting the report followed a Member’s Item from Councillor Devra Kay and invited her to speak to the item. The Committee discussed the item and the options outlined in the report.

 

Councillor Devra Kay highlighted issues concerning the definition of commercial vehicles under the Highways Code and noted it would have been helpful to receive comparative analysis of the issue with other boroughs. The Committee noted that it was not clear whether current residents in Mayfield Gardens NW4 and Rushgrove Avenue NW9 wanted a CPZ as some time had passed since previous engagement. The Strategic Director for Environment updated that there was currently an ongoing consultation for a CPZ in Colindale, and a consultation planned to seek views on a possible CPZ in Brent Cross.

 

Following discussion Councillor Peter Zinkin moved that an amendment be made to recommendation 2 in the report to add “The Committee recognises that option 3 will not solve the problem. Officers are asked to progress discussions regarding a CPZ and consult with other boroughs regarding any possible solutions”. The motion was seconded by Councillor Dean Cohen and unanimously agreed by the Committee.

 

RESOLVED -

 

1.    That the Environment Committee notes the options identified within this report.

 

2.    That the Environment Committee agrees to progress with “Option 3 - Refer potential non-compliance of operator’s licence to Traffic Commissioners” and “Option 4 – Improve awareness of the issue through a publicity campaign”. The Committee recognises that option 3 will not solve the problem. Officers are asked to progress discussions regarding a CPZ and consult with other boroughs regarding any possible solutions.

 

11.

Changes to Winter Gritting Operations pdf icon PDF 273 KB

Minutes:

The Strategic Director for Environment introduced the report. Following consideration the Committee:

 

RESOLVED - That Environment Committee notes the reasons for the changes in the winter gritting operation and how these changes will improve the Council’s ability to meet the Winter Service in line with the Code of Practice for Highway Maintenance. 

 

12.

Local Implementation Plan – Annual Spending Submission 201819 pdf icon PDF 292 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Strategic Director for Environment introduced the item and the intentions of the report.

 

Following consideration and feedback from the Committee the Strategic Director for Environment agreed to make amendments to:

·         Amend the Cycle Infrastructure provision on page 98 of the report to reference support for the extension of the Cycle Hire Scheme to the wider borough, focussing on the area around Golders Green station in the immediate future. 

·         Correct the reference to ‘Golders Green Transport and Public Realm Study (£50k) on page 99.

·         Amend the text on Cycle routes on page 98 to reference that proposed delivery of routes involving bridge design etc be brought back to the relevant Area Committee for consideration.

·         Consider the views of the London Cycle Campaign previously submitted.

·         Consider setting aside budget for a feasibility plan for higher demand cycle routes to help ensure greater safety for cyclists.

 

Subject to the above the Committee:

 

RESOLVED – That the Committee approve the 2018/19 Local Implementation Plan (LIP) Annual Spending Submission proposals detailed at Appendix A for submission to Transport for London.

 

 

 

13.

Parking near Summerside School and Woodhouse Open Space Enhancement pdf icon PDF 288 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chairman introduced the report and invited comment from the Committee.

 

Following consideration of the report the Committee unanimously:

 

RESOLVED –

 

1.    That the Environment Committee note that the Finchley and Golders Area Committee have agreed funding for the kerb re-alignment and double yellow lines and that consultation will be undertaken with the School and residents.

 

2.    That the Environment Committee agree that detail design is completed and consultation be undertaken with the school and local residents on ‘Option 1’ (Grid parking along west side of green).

 

3.    That the Environment Committee delegate authority to the Strategic Director for Environment to consider the consultation results and, in consultation with ward members, decide which option to take forward, with or without amendments.

 

4.    That the Environment Committee approve the additional funding of £57,200 to implement the ‘Option 1’ Grid Parking from the 2017/18 or 2018/19 Network Recovery Plan.

14.

Work Programme pdf icon PDF 91 KB

Minutes:

The Committee noted the work programme.

15.

Any Other Items that the Chairman Decides are Urgent

Minutes:

None.