Agenda item
Petitions (if any)
To consider any petitions for which notice has been received in accordance with Standing Order 66.
Decision:
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 as part of the engagement process, and as a final way forward concluded by seeking a commitment on the following actions:
· To stop what the petitioners felt was the flawed MP Smarter Travel engagement process;
· To halt all hyper local traffic schemes until data-led area impact assessments had been conducted;
· To sit down with local community representatives to define the most pressing traffic issues (focussed on boundary roads and schools) and agree a process roadmap the whole community could support and commit resource behind, based on transparency in terms of data sharing and communication with the petitioners also keen to ensure lessons were learnt from the current experience in seeking to develop a scheme that would support the Council’s objectives for healthy neighbourhoods whilst also prioritising health, safety, equality, prosperity and quality of life across the entire neighbourhood.
In response, Councillor Krupa Sheth (as Cabinet Member for Environment and Enforcement) thanked Mr Balfour for attending Cabinet in order to ensure the views of those supporting the petition were presented. In outlining the Council’s shared commitment to traffic road safety and the promotion of sustainable travel options Councillor Krupa Sheth also acknowledged there were strong views within the community on how best to tackle these issues involving a range of diverse opinions. Pointing out that residents had consistently called for measures to reduce traffic, improve safety and enable more active modes of travel the difficulty in balancing the differing views on how to achieve these objectives effectively and fairly were also highlighted and recognised as requiring an inclusive approach.
On this basis, Councillor Krupa Sheth took the opportunity to reassure the petitioners that no decisions had been made on the proposals at this stage, with the activity undertaken to date purely designed as an engagement exercise in order to better understand the views of all members of the community with the feedback provided playing a central role in shaping any future decisions. In response to concerns raised relating to the role of MP Smarter Travel, the petitioners were advised they had been commissioned to collect evidence through a variety of methods to ensure inclusivity which had included face to face engagement and pop up events designed to reach groups less able to participate through traditional channels such as those digitally excluded or others unable to attend specific sessions.
In concluding her response, Councillor Krupa Sheth acknowledged and welcomed the invaluable contributions from local residents and resident groups who it was recognised had worked hard to provide a wide range of feedback that would be carefully reviewed and reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to listen and engage with the community throughout the process to determine the best path forward, reflecting the needs and aspirations of the community and ensure local neighbourhoods remained safe, healthier and sustainable for everyone.
Councillor Nerva (as local ward councillor) advised he was also keen to endorse the remarks made by Councillor Krupa Sheth and the iterative approach being taken by the Council to deliver this work and continue learning throughout the process.
In bringing the item to close, Councillor Muhammed Butt (as Leader) also took the opportunity to assure the petitioners that the concerns raised would be considered as part of bringing this work forward. He acknowledged that whilst there were many different opinions, these would all be captured and fedback in order to develop a way forward designed to work for all to ensure the delivery of a healthy neighbourhood.