Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the last meeting held on 26 October 2016 were agreed as a correct record.

The Chairman revised the running order, as reflected in these minutes.

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The Chairman confirmed that item 5 on Public Comments and Questions would be heard first, followed by item 7 and 8 combined as both items included Chase Way petitions.  Item 6 on the Walksafe Design Review (Chase Way Zebra Crossing) would then follow.  The agenda would then proceed in the order given in the published agenda.

Public Questions and Comments

Details of the questions asked and the published answers were provided at the meeting with the agenda papers, and were published on the Council website.

Verbal responses were given to supplementary questions asked by Mr Niall Mitchell (who spoke on his own behalf, on behalf of Mr Petros Georgiou who sent his apologies and on behalf of his wife Mrs Bronwyn Mitchell). Mrs Olga Chrisostomou, also spoke and was given the opportunity to receive a verbal response to her written question.

The Chairman commented that many of Mr Mitchell’s supplementary questions were the same as his written questions and as such Highways Officers referred back to the answers already provided in writing.

A verbal response was also given to Mrs Cait O’Riordan in reply to her question on agenda item 6 – the Walksafe Design Review.  The response was that a 20mph limit on Cecil Road was dependent on the outcome of the Walksafe Design Review report to be considered later.  If the report recommendations go forward, an advisory speed limit would be implemented.

Mr Has Mahir made comments on agenda item 6 – the Walksafe Design Review, outlining his support for the report recommendation. As Chair of Governors of Osidge Primary School he wants pupils to be able to walk to school safely, however there is parental concern regarding peak flows of traffic on the school walking routes and many accidents and near misses.

Mrs Cait O’Riordan also provided a comment on the Walksafe Design Review Report and reminded Committee that she started the Walksafe petition and has overwhelming support from parents. The flashing 20mph signs are still awaited and 11 year old children still have to walk to school with their parents because of concerns over road safety

Councillor Lisa Rutter also made comments on the Walksafe Design Review, outlining her support for a re-examination of where to site the zebra crossing. In addition, Councillor Rutter expressed concern that on further analysis of the Walksafe petition signatures, only 416 people out of 2,365 people were from directly affected local roads.

The Chairman thanked the speakers and moved onto agenda item 7 and 8 combined.

Discussion and decisions on referred petition items, are located under the Petitions item (item 7) and were decided following the Walksafe Design Review.

Referred Item – Accidents occurring when vehicles turn left out of Southway into Totteridge lane and out of Hill Crescent into Totteridge Lane referred from Chipping Barnet Residents Forum

Councillor Stock commented that  there are safety problems at both junctions that need reviewing.  Dean Cronk, Highways Officer, proposed a meeting on site to assess the problem and consider whether funding was needed to take the matter forward.  If this was considered the best option, the issue can be brought back to committee for consideration.

For Action: Dean Cronk.

The Chairman introduced combined items 7, on matters referred from the Chipping Barnet Residents Forum, and item 8 on petitions and invited speakers as follows:-

1.     Petition - Chase Way Zebra Crossing at the SW of the raised Tabledeferred from the October 2016 Area Committee pending the findings of the Officer report on the Walksafe petition.

Mr Mitchell presented the petition drawing attention to concerns relating to the siting of the proposed Zebra crossing. This petition had 110 signatures and was a merger between an online petition and a paper petition. Mr Mitchell confirmed that he was not objecting to the 20mph speed signs and reminded people present that there had been no pedestrian accidents in the vicinity of the proposed zebra crossing and was unclear how a zero accident rate could be improved upon as a result of the location of the zebra installation. Instead, risks are increased.

Mr Mitchell commented on the need to create a desire line and that only 33% of pupils use SW direction as desire line is north of Cecil Road. Two schools have their entrances and exits on the north east side and the officer report does not provide any justification for the chosen location. 2.5 children cross for each adult - clearly pedestrian safety and desire lines should take pedestrian activity and habits into account within road safety designs.

Concern was also expressed that visibility was poor for drivers as thet would be unable to see pedestrians as they stepped out into the road which undermined the whole understanding of what constitutes pedestrian safety.

2.    Petition - No to a zebra at the Chase Way/Cecil Road Crossroads  N14, referred from Chipping Barnet residents forum in January 2017. 

Mr Mitchell presented the petition on behalf of Mr Petros Georgiou stating that there had been no accidents/incidents in Chase Way for over 10 years. In his view the residents consultation as seriously flawed.  There has not been an independent review or additional analysis. Locating the zebra on a downward slope would pose a hazard in winter.  In his view, an unintended consequence of the proposal would lead to more traffic in Arlington and other roads where children walk to school, thereby making them less safe. 

It was agreed that a decision on this item would follow a decision on the Design Review officer report for the Walksafe proposals for Chase Way.

Discussion and questions

The chairman invited questions from Members.

Councillor Edwards commented that the responses to the questions raised under item 5 on the agenda, should have been circulated much earlier to give speakers a chance to consider their responses and draw up suitable follow-up questions.  The Chairman confirmed that the responses had been published and were available on the Council’s website. However, he agreed that that it was unfortunate Mr Mitchell had not been made aware of the publication of the answers prior to the meeting.

Mr Mitchell said that the difference between the two locations for a zebra crossing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

Following the public questions and comments (item 5) and presentation and discussion about the Chase Way petitions (items 7 and 8), the Chairman introduced the Officer report on the Walksafe Design Review.

The Chairman asked Committee for further questions and invited the vote.

It was RESOLVED

1. That the Committee noted the contents of the Design Review Document at Appendix A

2. That the Committee confirmed that a zebra crossing should be installed on Chase Way on the south-west side of the junction with Cecil Road, subject to agreement by the Council of the 2017/18 Budget and agreement by the Environment Committee of elements of Local Implementation Plan (LIP) funded work programmes.

The vote was unanimously in favour.

The Chairman introduced his Member’s Item which was to ‘relocate the two VAS devices on Manor Drive, N20’. Following discussion, it was agreed to allocate a maximum of £1,000 to move the signs and notify residents that there are no plans for further action beyond this.

It was RESOLVED:

1.    That Committee approved £1,000 CIL funding to relocate the two VAS devices on Manor Drive N20.

Members voted unanimously in favour of the proposal.

The Chairman introduced the Highway update report and invited Members input.

The Ridgeway, N11 – Speed Survey - Councillor Coakley-Webb commented that councillors were not consulted on the new Walksafe which proposed a new 20mph limit in the roads surrounding The Ridgeway; however local residents are on-board with including The Ridgeway within the 20mph proposal.  The Commissioning Director, Environment said that as consultation has now completed and it is proposed to consult separately on the extension of the 20mph limit into The Ridgeway and introduce the measure separately dependent on the consultation outcome. Members are to be notified of the timescales.

It was RESOLVED:

1. That Committee approved £5,000 CIL funding to pay for the consultation and    implementation cost depending on the outcome of the consultation.

Barnet Hospital Parking Review – Councillor Edwards commented that he has received conflicting emails from local residents on the scheme and requested an update.  Also some residents claim not to have been consulted and asked if councillors and officers can look again at the proposals.  The Commissioning Director for Environment informed Committee that the proposal will come back to the Environment Committee and highlighted the progress report included in the agenda pack. There was discussion on looking at ways to improve the consultation documentation so that it is clearly identifiable to residents.

In relation to this matter the Chairman reminded Mr Blake that the Environment Commissioning Team had committed to providing funding for a new pedestrian crossing opposite The Arkley pub on Barnet Road.  

Halton Close, Balmoral Close and 8 Surrounding Roads – Councillor Coakley-Webb requested an update. The Commissioning Director for Environment   commented that if the Environment Committee agreed footway parking in this location then the proposal will proceed. – this is on hold until the  outcome of the footway parking review.

Victoria Road – Phase 2  - Proposed Zebra Crossing – Councillor Cohen asked whether there is still an intention  to find a solution to the need for a crossing as S106 funding is committed for this purpose. Officers confirmed that investigations are still ongoing.

Totteridge Lane/Waitrose Entrance, N20   - Councillor Stock commented that the Police teams are constantly changing and so reporting back has been delayed. Dean Cronk confirmed that the proposals put forward were not legal and he would be happy to give an update to Ward Councillors.

Summary

The Commissioning Director for Environment confirmed that from April 2017 updates like this will be incorporated into the Network Update Report circulated to Ward Members. Plans are also taking place to work closely with Re to set out timescales for the work programme and establish realistic schedules which bear in mind consultations and other regulatory matters that need to be factored into plans.  A traffic light system may be adopted.

The Chairman introduced the item sponsored by Councillor Laurie Williams, with ongoing support from Councillor Phil Cohen, and reminded Committee that a decision was deferred from the July meeting pending receipt of additional information from East Barnet Improvement Committee on the provision and upkeep of Hanging Baskets and required approvals. 

The Chairman invited the co-ordinator of the proposal James Westrope, to speak, following his request.

The Chairman thanked all involved for providing a comprehensive response to the queries raised and commented that a big effort had been made to engage and involve local businesses in the proposal.

Following discussion and questions from the Committee, all members confirmed their support. The Chairman sought advice from the Commissioning Director for Environment on the options available for taking the proposal forward.  It was clarified that approval in principal could be given subject to discussions with, and approvals from, the street lighting providers on the individual installations as this would be an essential requirement. In addition to ensure there is adequate cover for insurances, Committee were advised to allow for this within the budget.  On this basis, the Chairman recommended approving spend of £9,999 as opposed to the £7,725 applied for.

It was RESOLVED:

1. That Committee approved non CIL funding of £9,999 ensuring adequate cover for insurance within that budget.

2. That the necessary approvals from the Lighting Provider are secured before funding is released.

All Members present at the time of the vote, voted unanimously in favour of the proposal (Cllr Cohen was not present at the start of the discussion and did not participate).  

The Chairman introduced the two remaining Funding Applications.

Westwood Park Gate Project

Councillor Lisa Rutter, sponsor of the Westwood Park Gate Project, welcomed Mr Hawke to discuss the proposal as he represented 54 freeholders who supported the bid to tackle anti-social behaviour affecting their properties. The residents experience break-ins, graffiti, dumping of rubbish and drug taking activities occuring in the alley-way at the rear of their properties. They were keen to have the added protection that a gate would provide to control and restrict use of the alley way from criminal activity.

It was RESOVED:

1. That Committee approved £1,830.00 (CIL funding) for the Westwood Park Gate Project.

Members Voted unanimously in favour of the proposal.

Barnet Furniture Centre

Councillor Barry Rawlings, spoke about his sponsored funding application to purchase a van for the Barnet Furniture Centre project, which had successfully bid for Big Lottery funding, the award of which was dependent on some match funding to sure the grant.

The project provides affordable good quality second hand furniture and had a number of benefits including reducing fly-tipping and working with people referred from Mental Health Services.  The Area Funding grant would fund a van which would have 10-12 years of life.

It was RESOLVED:

1. That Comimittee approved £9,999 (non-CIL funding) for the Barnet Furniture Centre to purchase a new van.

Members voted unanimously in favour of the proposal.

Committee noted the work programme.

The Chairman introduced the item and drew attention to the amount left in the budget for the Chipping Barnet Area Committee.

It was RESOLVED that Members noted the report.