Agenda item

Assembly received and noted the terms of a petition presented by Mr Kamram Malik on behalf of the Lead Petitioner, Mrs L Bowden, regarding the charges applied to resident and visitor permits and the decision to implement a scheme in Sutton Road.

Mr Malik advised the Assembly that he was speaking on behalf of all the people who had signed the petition opposing the charges and stated that they were totally opposed to and objected to the implementation of a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ).

He went on to say that the Council had a duty to consider this statement and requested that the charges and CPZ be cancelled.

Referring to the consultation table set out in the report, Mr Malik said that he believed it to be incorrect and inconsistent.

Mr Malik concluded that he would fully support the Lead Petitioner should she refer this matter to the High Court.

Assembly received the response to the petition introduced by the Divisional Director of Environmental Services (DDES), Robin Payne, who referred to the explanation he had provided in the earlier report to Assembly as to the consultation process.

The DDES referred to the consultation table set out in the report stating that an overall response rate of 45% had been received but that the results had been mixed.  He went on to say that all results had been mapped, showing the density and preferences of received responses and that they had been taken to a Ward Members' meeting on 4 May 2012, following which the decision to proceed had been taken based on concerns that Sutton Road would be affected by displaced parking. 

During the formal Traffic Management Order (TMO) stage questions had been received regarding the consultation results and the operating times but the petition had not been received until after the TMO had been sealed.

Assembly noted that the CPZ was implemented on 1 August 2012 and remains live.

Councillor Twomey – Gascoigne Ward Member – confirmed to Assembly that the Ward Members had met with the DDES and made a decision based on the fact that they had not wanted Sutton Road to become a parking area for the rest of the estate.  He stated, however, that in hindsight and having considered the petition carefully, he could not support the recommendations in the report.  He supported the residents and asked Assembly to support the recommendation that the TMO cease, and that there be a re-consultation.

Councillor Ashraf – Gascoigne Ward Member – confirmed her support for Councillor Twomey's recommendation.

At the invitation of the Chair, the DDES responded that should Assembly recommend suspension of the TMO and re-consultation, other roads may be affected and consideration would need to be given to stopping the parking permits and also as to the value on the unexpired part of the permit.

Assembly agreed to:

1.  support the petition;

2.  support the suspension of the TMO; and

3.  support proposals for a re-consultation of Controlled Parking in Sutton Road and surrounding roads.