Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Shuttleworth.

There were no public questions received.

To Follow

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 5^th February 2025 be approved as a correct record.

The Panel considered a report which advised of objections received to the annual proposed disabled persons parking bay order. A report that recommended the introduction of 29 disabled parking places at various locations in the Borough was approved under delegated powers on 14^th November 2024. The proposal was subsequently advertised, and several representations had been received.

One letter of objection was received to each of the proposed disabled parking places at Hollinhall Street, Colwyn Street, Copster Hill Road, Seville Street, Frederick Street and Raper Street. In summary, the basis of the objections were that parking would be reduced for other residents due to lack of on street parking in the areas.

Options considered:

Option 1: Do not introduce the disabled persons parking places at Hollinhall Street, Colwyn Street, Copster Hill Road, Seville Street, Frederick Street and Raper Street

Option 2: Introduce the disabled persons parking places at Hollinhall Street, Colwyn Street, Copster Hill Road, Seville Street, Frederick Street and Raper Street.

RESOLVED that the proposed disabled persons parking places at Hollinhall Street, Colwyn Street, Copster Hill Road, Seville Street, Frederick Street and Raper Street be introduced as advertised.

Consideration was given to a report which recommended the introduction of prohibition of waiting restrictions on Platt Lane and Lark Hill Road, Docross which had been approved under delegated powers on 19 May 2024. The proposal was subsequently advertised, and two letters of objection had been received.

The basis of the objections was that there was a limited amount of on-street parking in the area and the proposed restrictions would result in some residents and visitors to their property having no convenient place to park. Some residents only had a limited amount of off-street parking space within the curtilage of their property. Visibility issues would still exist even if the restrictions were introduced and may worsen by an increase in vehicle speeds due to lack of parked vehicles.

Following the decision to defer the report from the meeting held on 5^th February 2025, a site visit had taken place, and a revised proposal plan and schedule has been drafted based on the comments received at the meeting. This was shown in Appendix 1. However, Officers did not support this alternative proposal as vehicles parked closer to the junction could still force approaching vehicles into the path of vehicles turning left out of Lark Hill Road. Furthermore, the proposal did not cater for any displacement further away from the junction.

Options considered:

Option 1: Introduce the proposed restrictions as advertised

Option 2. Relax the proposal as shown in Appendix 1

Option 3. Do not introduce the proposed restrictions

RESOLVED that the proposed restrictions not be introduced.

to consider objections or matters relating to gating scheme 012/20, which relates to Hampton Road, Failsworth

Consideration was given to a report which advised of objections to gating scheme 012/20 which related to Hampton Road, Failsworth.

Members were informed that Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO’s) were introduced in the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. In 2017 all existing gating order across the borough automatically transitioned to become PSPO’s. Since 2017, the existing Orders, along with newly introduced ones, have offered protection to over 8000 properties and businesses, within the borough, through the use of gates. PSPO’s could only be made for a maximum 3-year period, with a requirement to carry out a statutory consultation exercise before either extending or amending the terms of an order.

In 2024, the statutory consultation exercise was undertaken on all current PSPO’s. The Council used the consultation as an opportunity to move the 200+ existing PSPO’s, which restricted access over highways, into 5 overarching place PSPO’s, which contain all the individual schemes relevant to the respective place area. During the consultation exercise, objections were raised in relation to scheme 012/20, which related to the highway between Hampton Road and Roman Road, Failsworth. This led to further consultation with residents adjoining the scheme, which resulted in a mixture of objections and support for the scheme.

It was noted that the recommendation had been amended and the objection removed. Residents had done a lot of work in the area however there were still some issues. The cleaning of public right of way would remain with the Council and it was advised that extra keys would be available for the volunteers. When the scheme is due to be reviewed consultation would be extended to properties around and not with just the four adjacent properties.

Options Considered:

Option 1: Do not make the PSPO and remove the gating scheme. This would ensure that the Local Authority complies with its duties under the Equality Act 2010, by ensuring that the resident with protected characteristics is able to utilise the highway, without impediment. However, it would also pose a potential risk that anti-social behaviour and criminality, which has previously occurred at this location may reoccur. The removal of the gates would not exceed £1,000 and an external contractor who was appointed after an earlier procurement process will be utilised.

Option 2: Make a PSPO and retain the scheme, with the gates closed on a 24/7 basis. This would ensure that residents adjoining the scheme remain protected from the anti-social behaviour and criminal behaviour that has occurred at this location previously. This was not recommended as this would have a detrimental impact upon persons with protected characteristics and would mean the Council was not compliant with the provisions of the Equality Act 2010. Furthermore, this would likely elicit objections from nearby residents who used the scheme as a valuable cut through as they would no longer be able to do so.

Option 3: Make a PSPO and retain the scheme with set opening and closing times, with the opening and closing of the scheme being overseen  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.