Agenda

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the General Public Services, Community Safety & Infrastructure Committee held on 15 October 2024.

Items of other business notified under Council Procedure Rule 30 to be announced, together with the special circumstances that justify their consideration as a matter of urgency. The Chair to rule on the admission of such items.

To receive any declarations of interest.

The Committee is asked to receive a petition which requests a review of the issue of parked cars at the top of Kindersley Way and the top northern side of Gallows Hill Lane to manage parking demands in the area.  The petition has been signed by 41 residents.

“We, the undersigned, petition Three Rivers District Council to review the issue of parked cars at the top of Kindersley Way and the top northern side of Gallows Hill Lane to manage parking demands in the area.  The issue of cars parking in this area arose when new parking charges were introduced in the Manor House Gardens Car Park which incentivized vehicle owners to find parking on nearby residential roads.  This resulted in access issues for residents at the top of Gallows Hill Lane.  It has also created visibility issues at the top of Kindersley Way and reduced the flow of vehicle movements.  In particular, residents request a stretch of double yellow lines between the top of Kindersley Way and 108 Kindersley Way to create a passing place for vehicles.”

The District Council as the statutory Local Parking Authority (and as agent to the local Highway Authority, Hertfordshire County Council) manages the provision of on- and off-street parking in the Three Rivers District through the Parking Management Programme.

Three Rivers District Council has a specific role in creating parking schemes which help manage parking demand. Hertfordshire County Council is responsible for maintaining and managing public roads as the local Highway Authority and is responsible for parking schemes to address road danger and traffic flow.

This report reviews the success of the programme and proposes additions to the programme for the financial years 2025/26.

Recommendation

That:

i)          Members note the report and approve the proposed additions, as detailed in 4.7 of this report, to the Parking Management Programme;

ii)        Officers continue to develop the Parking Management Programme as outlined in this report for 24 months before bringing the next report in 2027, unless an interim report is required as outlined in 4.5;

iii)       Once the programme has been set it shall be adhered to as the current Parking Management Programme, with any significant additions being limited to exceptions to the prioritisation procedure requested by the Lead Member, to be delegated to the Director of Finance;

iv)       The programme will be progressed in line with all relevant current practice, policy and standards; and that decisions on scheme details and programme, including the consideration of objections to Traffic Regulation Orders developed through this programme of works and to any items remaining from earlier programmes of works, be delegated to the Director of Finance in consultation with the Lead Member and relevant Ward Councillors.

Officers have been exploring opportunities to install Electric Vehicle Charge Points (EVCP) in council owned car parks using external government grants and/or Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding and a decision was made at the General Public Services and Economic Development Committee in March 2024 to progress a scheme.  The Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy sits alongside and develops these proposals further for the provision of a publicly available electric vehicle charging network and details the Council’s future rollout of EV charging infrastructure.

This report provides an update on the development of the Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy including the key findings from the public consultation on the draft Strategy and proposes a final Strategy for adoption.

Recommendation

That:

i)        Members agree the Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy for adoption; and

ii)       Members agree that the Strategy is progressed to Policy and Resources Committee and Full Council for final adoption.

This report updates Members on the new powers conveyed by The Animals (Penalty Notices) (England) Regulations 2023 and the accompanying Statutory Guidance which officers must consider when using these powers and seeks authority from Members to consider and as appropriate make use of fixed penalty notices.

Recommendation

That:

i)        the Committee agrees delegation to officers to consider and, as appropriate, make use of, fixed penalty notices when determining the appropriate level of enforcement action to be taken against any person/body corporate whom they are satisfied has committed a relevant offence as listed in the schedules of the Animals (Penalty Notices) Act 2022.

This report covers this Committees financial position over the medium term (2024 – 2027) as at Period 6 (end of September).

The Period 6 comprehensive Budget Management report has already been presented to the Policy & Resources Committee at its meeting on 11 November 2024 which sought approval to a change in the Council’s 2024 - 2027 medium-term financial plan.

Recommendation

That:

i)        Members note and comment on the contents of the report.

To comment on the Committee’s work programme.