Issue - meetings

To consider any petitions for which notice has been received in accordance with Standing Order 66.

Cabinet NOTED the comments made by Mr Alastair Balfour (as a local resident in Queens Park and lead petitioner) in support of a petition containing over 1,400 signatures requesting that the Council reconsider the Queen’s Park Healthy Neighbourhood proposals given concerns in relation to their design and the engagement process undertaken by MP Smarter Travel.  In introducing the petition, Mr Balfour informed Cabinet that, whilst the proposals would appear to benefit residents in the area, many had experienced disruption caused by the current traffic restrictions and therefore felt the proposals being consulted upon were ill conceived, unfair and would lead to problems being pushed on to less fortunate neighbours in other parts of the ward creating division and potentially creating a risk to the health and safety to the many children attending schools on the boundary roads as a result of displaced traffic, increasing congestion and pollution.

As a result of the concerns raised on the approach adopted, it was felt damage was being caused to the community and trust in the Council which had resulted (since an MP Smarter Travel engagement event at the start of November 24) in the petition being presented having received over 1,400 signatures, a leaflet being produced and delivered to 2,000 residents, a video objecting to the proposals being circulated on social media, and newspapers picking up the story.

Concerns were also raised in relation to the engagement process being undertaken by MP Smarter Travel, which the petitioners felt to be flawed and unreliable.  In terms of specific issues highlighted, the engagement materials were felt to be confusing and to lack technical analysis, with changes to the online questionnaire mid engagement process not having been effectively communicated.  Outlining widespread opposition to the options, including from those who it appeared would benefit from the scheme, Alastair Balfour also queried the focus of MP Smarter Travel’s role on modal shift rather than as traffic management experts, which it was felt had resulted in a lack of clear objectives and indicators of success or failure.  Whilst recognising that the issue was highly complex the petitioners, as a way forward, felt that if Cabinet wished to improve the situation then there was a need to go back to basics with joined up thinking, taking into account all stakeholders. Recognising the budgetary constraints on the Council, Mr Balfour proposed that officers should look to utilise the skills and resources that existed within the community to assist in developing a project roadmap and identifying solutions to ensure transparent engagement and community support in seeking to deliver a healthy neighbourhood scheme that worked for everybody.  In supporting a process of wider engagement and transparent co-operation it was hoped that the Council would be willing to work with the local community to deliver a successful scheme recognising the balance needing to be achieved.

In summing up, Alastair Balfour thanked Councillor Muhammed Butt for the opportunity to address the Cabinet in relation to the petition and for the confirmation it would be considered  ...  view the full decision text for item 5

5.1     Queen’s Park Healthy Neighbourhood proposals

Councillor Muhammed Butt (as Leader of the Council) welcomed Mr Alastair Balfour (as a local resident in Queens Park and lead petitioner) to the meeting, who had been invited to speak in support of a petition containing over 1,400 signatures requesting that the Council reconsider the Queen’s Park Healthy Neighbourhood proposals which were currently subject to consultation, given concerns in relation to their design and the engagement process undertaken by MP Smarter Travel.  In thanking the Leader of the Council for the opportunity to present the petition, Alastair Balfour began by highlighting that whilst the proposals would appear to benefit residents in the area, many had experienced disruption caused by the current traffic restrictions and therefore felt the proposals being consulted upon were ill conceived, unfair and would lead to problems being experienced in other parts of the ward creating division and potentially creating a risk to the health and safety of many children attending schools on the boundary roads as a result of displaced traffic, increased congestion and pollution.

As a result of the concerns raised in relation to the approach adopted, it was felt damage was being caused to the community and trust in the Council which had resulted (since an MP Smarter Travel engagement event at the start of November 2024) in the creation of the current petition, a leaflet being produced and delivered to 2,000 residents, a video objecting to the proposals being circulated on social media, and local media also picking up the story.

Concerns were also raised in relation to the engagement process being undertaken by MP Smarter Travel, which the petitioners felt to be flawed and unreliable.  In terms of specific issues highlighted, the engagement materials were felt to be confusing and to lack technical analysis, with changes to the online questionnaire mid engagement process not having been effectively communicated.  Outlining widespread opposition to the options, including from those who it appeared would benefit from the scheme, Alastair Balfour also queried the focus of MP Smarter Travel’s role on modal shift rather than as traffic management experts, which it was felt had resulted in a lack of clear objectives and indicators of success or failure being established.  Whilst recognising that the issue was highly complex the petitioners, as a way forward, felt that if Cabinet wished to improve the situation there was a need to go back to basics with joined up thinking, taking into account the views of local stakeholders. Recognising the budgetary constraints on the Council, Mr Balfour proposed that officers should look to utilise the skills and resources that existed within the community to assist in developing a project roadmap and identifying solutions to ensure transparent engagement and community support in seeking to deliver a healthy neighbourhood scheme that worked for everybody.  In supporting a process of wider engagement and transparent co-operation it was hoped that the Council would be willing to work with the local community to deliver a successful scheme, recognising the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5