Agenda and minutes

·              Cabinet Member for Town Centres, Economic Growth and Prosperity held 17^th October, 2011.

·              Cabinet Member for Town Centres, Economic Growth and Prosperity held 2^nd November, 2011.

·              Cabinet Member for Town Centres, Economic Growth and Prosperity held 14^th November, 2011

·              Cabinet Member for Town Centres, Economic Growth and Prosperity held 28^th November, 2011

For signature by the Cabinet Member.

(See White Book – Minutes presented to Council on 14^th December, 2011)

Consideration was given to the minutes of the previous meetings held on 17^th October, 14th and 28th November, 2011.

Resolved:-  That the content of the minutes be noted and they be signed as a correct record.

Consideration was given to attendance at the Association of Public Service Excellence – Full Association Meeting on the 20th January, 2012 in Edinburgh.

Resolved:-  That the attendance of Councillor R. S. Russell at the Conference be approved.

Resolved:-  That the action of the Cabinet Member be noted in opening offers on 9th December, 2011 for Former Cemetery Lodge, Workshop and Garages, 22 Boston Castle Grove, Moorgate.

-        Tom Finnegan-Smith, Transportation and Highways Projects Group Manager, to report.

Consideration was given to a report presented by Tom Finnegan-Smith, Transportation and Highways Projects Group Manager, which set out details of a proposed accessibility improvement scheme on Doncaster Road, East Dene and the receipt of two objections from residents.

The third phase of the scheme aimed to improve sustainable access for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users to local facilities and services and to reduce the segregation between neighbouring communities.

The Phase 3 proposals included:-

·              A zebra crossing between Cranworth Road and Oxford Street with a footway build out to narrow the kerb to kerb width of the carriageway. This required the removal of a refuge.

·              A zebra crossing adjacent to East Dene Junior and Infant School. The footway would also be built out on the northern side of the road to narrow the width carriageway and a nearby bus stop would be moved to accommodate the zebra crossing.

·              A pedestrian refuge near Vulcan House, Eastleigh and Bishopstoke Court residential care homes.

·              Junction entry treatments to continue the footway across the accesses to Vulcan House, Eastleigh and Bishopstoke Court residential care homes.

·              The continuation of the westbound uphill cycle lane from the end of the Phase 1 Accessibility Improvement scheme to the proposed zebra crossing at Oxford Street. This would include lining amendments to narrow the carriageway and encourage lower traffic speeds in both directions between the junction with Far Lane and the zebra crossing.

·              A new eastbound uphill cycle lane from Selwood flats to the Oxford Street zebra crossing

·              Bus stops within the extent of the scheme were proposed to be made accessible to those less mobile by the use of raised kerbs and identifiable to the visually impaired by the use of textured paving.

·              Tactile crossing points on side roads and at existing refuges within the extents of the scheme.

Consultation and information for affected frontages and other properties was undertaken in November, 2011. This resulted in several comments on the scheme and the elements it contained. Two objections have been received, one for each of the proposed zebra crossings, from residents whose frontage would directly be affected and cited concerns about the specific location of these crossings and potential safety implications, potential for anti-social type behaviour, the loss of on-street parking capacity and their perceived negative impact on property values. The proposed zebra crossing located between Cranworth Road and Oxford Street would be sited in the only suitable space without affecting driveway accesses. This section of Doncaster Road was a regular crossing point for school children walking between Clifton Comprehensive School Campuses. The proposed zebra crossing outside East Dene Junior and Infant School would also be located where it would have greatest benefit. More pedestrians cross Doncaster Road in the section outside the school than in the section outside East Dene Social Club. If the crossing were to be placed further east or west of the proposed site it would likely be less well used as pedestrians would not walk out of their way to use  ...  view the full minutes text for item 80.

The following item is likely to be considered in the absence of the press and public as being exempt under Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended March 2006) (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular individual (including the Council)).

Resolved, that under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act (as amended March, 2006 (information relates to finance and business affairs).

-        Bernadette Rushton, Retail Investment Manager to report.

Consideration was given to a report presented by Bernadette Rushton, Retail Investment Manager, which related to an application under the Town Centre Business Vitality Scheme for the expansion of an existing business located in All Saints’ Square into additional occupation of an adjacent vacant unit.

Details of the application and reason for the request were provided in detail at the meeting.

Resolved:-  (1)  That a rental contribution to provide 50% of annual rent (ex VAT) in Year 1 and 25% of annual rent (ex VAT) in Year 2 be approved, the grant to be paid quarterly in arrears on submission by the applicant of proof of payment of rent.

(2)  That a capital improvement grant, to cover 75% of total cost of eligible works, be approved.

(3)  That any grant offer be subject to the Business Vitality Grants Scheme’s standard terms and conditions and the additional terms as detailed in the submitted report.