Agenda and minutes

Bob Stock, Network Principal Highway Engineer, to report.

-  to outline proposed changes to the standard conditions attached to licences for businesses to place tables and chairs on the highway to obtain improved amenity within the street scene by ensuring that high quality furniture is used and that the seating areas are kept clean and well managed.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Network Principal Highway Engineer, outlining proposed changes to the standard conditions attached to licences, granted under Section 115E of the Highways Act 1980, for businesses to place tables and chairs on the highway.

It was explained that the purpose of the proposal was to obtain improved amenity within the street scene by ensuring that high quality furniture is used and that the seating areas are kept clean and well managed.

Details of the revised conditions were appended to the submitted report.  It was pointed out that the proposals included the enclosing of seating areas by use of stable lightweight barriers.

It was also explained that it was proposed that conditions be effective from 1^st April, 2011, and that businesses whose licence did not run out until summer 2011 would be issued with a credit for the unexpired part of the current licence.

It was pointed out that Council grants were available to business in the Town Centre under the Street Café Grant Scheme to help towards the purchase of high quality furniture with a one-off contribution to cover the costs.  Details were set out in the submitted report. 

Reference was also made to the current trading conditions.

Those presented discussed:-

-          the specific conditions as set out in the Appendix to the submitted report

-          the improved access

-          use of ‘A’ boards

-          empty shop window displays

-          enforcement of stall areas within the indoor market

Resolved:-  (1)  That, subject to the addition of the word “promptly” into Condition No. 9 to read:-  “the licence holder shall ensure that all vacated tables are cleared ‘promptly’ of all uneaten food, crockery, cutler and associated debris” - the revised conditions, attached to the report now submitted, be incorporated within all licences for street cafes in town centres with effect from 1st April, 2011.

(2)  That a report on the use of ‘A’ boards be submitted to a future meeting of the Cabinet Member for Town Centres.

Martin Beard, Parking Services Manager, to report.

-  to report details of statistics and income and expenditure for Parking Services for the financial year 2009 / 2010.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Parking Services Manager, detailing statistics, income and expenditure for Parking Services for the financial year 2009/2010.

It was explained that the Council, under the Traffic Management Act 2008, was required to publish this information.

Reference was made to:-

-          the “Free After 3” scheme

-          Free Saturday parking

-          Parkgate Shopping Centre Enforcement

-          Blue Badge Fraud Initiative

-          income and expenditure

-          statistical information re:  PCN’s; vehicles wheel clamped;  number of vehicles removed

-          partnership working with Total Parking Solutions

-          cashless parking

Members’ attention was drawn to the particular success of the Blue Badge Fraud Initiative and to prosecutions for misuse.

It was also pointed out that income from penalty charges was wholly off-set by the cost of employing the team of Civil Enforcement Officers.

Members’ present raised and discussed the following:-

-          double yellow line enforcement, particular in areas around schools

-          success of the Keep Clear TRO’s trial in the Maltby and Brampton Bierlow/Wath/Swinton areas and extension of this to cover the whole of the Borough

-          issuing of penalty charge notices via the post

Resolved:-  (1)  That the contents of the report be approved and be made available on the Council’s website.

(2)  That an appropriate press release be issued.

(3)  That a briefing note be prepared for the Cabinet Member in respect of cashless parking.

(4)  That a report be submitted to a future meeting regarding enforcement activity in the districts over a 3 months period.

(5)  That a report be submitted to a future meeting regarding the possible purchase and use of a roving automatic number plate recognition vehicle.