Issue - meetings

The Planning Portfolio Holder AGREED the following amendments to the District Statement by South Cambridgeshire District Council for inclusion within the Cambridgeshire Local Transport Plan 3:

(a)               The first sentence of paragraph 1.3 to read: “In some parts of the district public transport is good, mostly along the main roads or ‘corridors’. However, there are many villages where access to a bus or train service is poor, absent or under threat of cancellation because of subsidy removal.

(b)               The end of paragraph 6.4 was amended to read: “… it is crucial for the Councils to continue to work with partners in order to manage change effectively, including consultation with voluntary transport providers, for example voluntary community car schemes.”

(c)               The last sentence in paragraph 7.3 was amended, so that the sentence reads: “Improvements to this junction will be delivered as part of the Cycle Cambridge programme.”

(d)               The first sentence of paragraph 7.4 was amended to read: “… now largely well developed.”

This decision was taken and published on Monday 28 March 2011.  It is not subject to call-in and can be implemented immediately.  The decision was taken at a Portfolio Holder meeting immediately following the meeting of the Scrutiny and Overview Committee to consider its call-in of the previous decision.

To consider any alternative recommendations made by the Scrutiny and Overview Committee regarding this Plan following the call-in of the decision taken by the Planning Portfolio Holder at his meeting on 8 March 2011. 

The Planning Portfolio Holder AGREED the following amendments to the District Statement by South Cambridgeshire District Council for inclusion within the Cambridgeshire Local Transport Plan 3:

(A)         The first sentence of paragraph 1.3 to read: “In some parts of the district public transport is good, mostly along the main roads or ‘corridors’. However, there are many villages where access to a bus or train service is poor, absent or under threat of cancellation because of subsidy removal.

(B)        The end of paragraph 6.4 was amended to read: “… it is crucial for the Councils to continue to work with partners in order to manage change effectively, including consultation with voluntary transport providers, for example voluntary community car schemes.”

(C)        The last sentence in paragraph 7.3 was amended, so that the sentence reads: “Improvements to this junction will be delivered as part of the Cycle Cambridge programme.”

(D)        The first sentence of paragraph 7.4 was amended to read: “… now largely well developed.”

Following a brief discussion the Planning Portfolio Holder AGREED the following amendments to the District Statement by South Cambridgeshire District Council for inclusion within the Cambridgeshire Local Transport Plan 3:

(A)      The first sentence of paragraph 1.3 to read: “In some parts of the district public transport is good, mostly along the main roads or ‘corridors’. However, there are many villages where access to a bus or train service is poor, absent or under threat of cancellation.

(B)      The end of paragraph 6.4 was amended to read: “… it is crucial for the Councils to continue to work with partners in order to manage change effectively, including consultation with voluntary transport providers, for example voluntary community car schemes.”

(C)      The last sentence in paragraph 7.3 was amended, so that the sentence reads: “Improvements to this junction will be delivered as part of the Cycle Cambridge programme.”

(D)      The first sentence of paragraph 7.4 was amended to read: “… now largely well developed.”

The Committee

AGREED        To refer the decision back to the Planning Portfolio Holder for reconsideration of the issues raised by the Committee regarding his proposed response to the County Council.

The Committee

RECOMMENDED            That decision makers in future take more active steps to consult members and other interested parties on important decisions, rather than relying on them to be aware of agenda items listed for Portfolio Holder meetings.

Councillor James Hockney introduced this item by setting the parameters for the call-in of the decision taken by the Planning Portfolio Holder on 8 March 2011 to endorse the Council’s District Statement for inclusion within Cambridgeshire Local Transport Plan 3 (LTP) and to support the emerging Local Transport Plan 3. He explained that the Committee should look at the process and not discuss the actual merits of the Plan itself. He further explained that the decision had been called in on the following grounds from the Council’s principles of decision-making:

·                      Due consultation and the taking of professional advice from officers

·                      Presumption in favour of openness, helpfulness and consistency

·                      Consideration of available options and giving reasons for decisions

The Chairman stated that he was satisfied that Councillor Wright had taken professional advice from officers and so had decided to restrict discussion on the first ground to “due consultation”. He also decided to combine discussion on consultation with points on presumption in favour of openness, helpfulness and consistency.

First and Second Grounds: Due consultation and consideration of available options and giving reasons for decisions

Consultation with councillors

In response to questioning Councillor Wright stated that all Councillors had been notified of this issue in the Weekly Bulletin on 4 occasions, Forward Plan and the Planning Portfolio Holder meeting agenda. He therefore considered that Councillors had been consulted. It was suggested that Councillors had not been made aware that the support of the District’s statement was so important and the Executive should review the way in which it advertises the taking of key decisions to the wider membership.

Councillor Wright stated that where the Council is dealing with issues on which there is large Councillor interest, such Gypsies and Travellers, arrangements were already made to involve the wider membership. However, he agreed that the Executive should consider alternative ways in which important issues could be brought to the attention of all Councillors.

Councillor Wright stated that he recognised and valued Councillor Mason’s knowledge on matters such as the guided bus and welcomed his input. He had read the e-mail on the Cambridgeshire LTP that Councillor Mason had sent the afternoon before the meeting and Councillor Mason’s comments had been noted in the draft minutes of his Portfolio Holder meeting. No alternative proposal had been suggested.  Councillor Wright concluded that he had agreed with the officer recommendation.

Councillor Mason stated that he had provided with his email a 2008 article about the Guided Bus and the text of a 2010 email, which Councillor Wright was aware of, and so Councillor Wright had had more than a day’s notice of his views before taking his decision regarding the consultation over the County Council’s LTP. Councillor Wright reiterated that he did take note of Councillor Mason’s views and that this was noted in the minutes.

The Local Development Framework Team Leader explained that the Council had supported the provision of the Guided Bus in 2003 and again in 2008 and that it was key to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 67

The Planning Portfolio Holder:

(a)          supported the emerging Local Transport Plan 3.

(b)          endorsed the District Statement for inclusion within LTP3 (attached at Appendix 3). 

This decision was published on Wednesday 9 March. Democratic Services must be notified of any call-in by 5pm on Wednesday 16 March. If not called-in the decision may be implemented on Thursday 17 March.

Appendices 1 and 2 are on CD.  Appendices 1, 2 and 3 are attached to the electronic version of this agenda on the Council’s website.

The Portfolio Holder:

(a)          supported the emerging Local Transport Plan 3.

(b)          endorsed the District Statement for inclusion within LTP3 (attached at Appendix 3).

The Planning Portfolio Holder considered a report on the approach being taken by Cambridgeshire County Council in its review of the Local Transport Plan (LTP).

A Scrutiny and Overview Committee monitor expressed concern that, should the Portfolio Holder endorse without reservation the County Council's Draft LTP3 on behalf of South Cambridgeshire District Council, he would be ignoring the County Council’s difficult financial position, and its inability to deliver the current programme, such failure having severe implications for County and District Council Taxpayers. The County Council had included Integrated Public Transport as a main priority in every LTP since 2001 and in equivalent proposals before that date.  Structure Plan and LDF policies had been based on assumptions that previous transport plans would have delivered the necessary infrastructure to support major development at little cost to the local taxpayer and that block grant funding from government would continue at a sufficient level. The County Council continued to face challenges in delivering the Cambridgeshire Guided Bus scheme.

The Portfolio Holder noted the inferences made and reminded those present that the Guided Bus project was only one part of the LTP that, as a whole, remained within budget.  He considered that, in general, South Cambridgeshire residents were satisfied with the manner in which the District Council, as Local Planning Authority, had dealt with planning conditions connected with the Guided Bus project.

The Portfolio Holder:

(a)           supported the emerging Local Transport Plan 3; and

(b)           endorsed the District Statement for inclusion within LTP3 (attached at Appendix 3 to the report from the Corporate Manager (Planning and New Communities)).

Redelivery of the Local Transport Plan3 leaflet commenced on 28 June and will be completed by 9 July. To assist Cambridgeshire County Council in monitoring delivery of the leaflet I would be grateful if you could let me know if you have had a copy of the leaflet posted through your letterbox. It would be useful to have the postcode for those that have received a copy of the leaflet. The County Council are also consulting with the distribution company on the distribution of the leaflets and are undertaking their own in house monitoring.

I would like to thank you all in advance for your assistance with this exercise.

Claire Spencer

Senior Planning Officer (Transport)

claire.spencer@scambs.gov.uk

Following concerns about Local Transport Plan consultation leaflet delivery earlier this year, Cambridgeshire County Council can confirm that the areas not marked in black on the attached map will have leaflets redelivered in late June / early July. Some households in areas where redelivery will take place will have previously received leaflets.

A copy of the revised consultation leaflet is also attached. The front page has been amended to explain why the leaflets are being redistributed. The section that related to the Transport Innovation Fund (page 6) has also been amended to reflect the current position following the previous Government's decision to end the Congestion TIF programme.

Further information is available at www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/ltp where there is a link to the online questionnaire. If you have a particular question, please contact Transport Policy & Strategy directly by email at transport.plan@cambridgeshire.gov.uk or by phone on 01223 715490.

In response to concerns about the leaflet delivery to households, Cambridgeshire County Council has extended the public consultation period for the Cambridgeshire Local Transport Plan 3 to 30 July 2010. 

Full details are available on the Local Transport Plan pages on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website.

The Planning and New Communities Portfolio Holders AGREED that the Council make the following representation to Cambridgeshire County Council in response to the LTP3 consultation:

“The Council supports the overarching objectives of LTP3 and prioritises non-car modes as these will provide travel choice and best achieve the objectives with limited resources.  The strategy areas should be prioritised as follows:

(1)               Public Transport

(2)               Cycling

(3)               Walking

(4)               Smarter Choices

(5)               Road Safety

(6)               Traffic Management

“It is important to ensure the needs of all sectors of community are addressed, including the most vulnerable – the young, elderly and disabled.  At present many residents experience social isolation as they are unable to access essential services, shopping, leisure or simply meet with friends, due to a lack of bus or community transport service and/or the prohibitive cost of using it. 

“The Council would urge the County Council not to forget linkages to market towns outside the county as many of the remoter parts of the district look to these areas for their services.

“The Council would also ask the County Council to take in to consideration the outcomes of plans and strategies produced by other organisations, including the South Cambridgeshire Local Development Framework, Community Transport Strategy and Air Quality Action Plan, Parish Plans, the Children and Young People’s Plan (BigPlan2), and Cambridgeshire Horizon’s Green Infrastructure Strategy, to name a few.  These may provide an extensive evidence base of transport provision and need, highlight issues concerning specific groups of people, and many contain an action plan including issues that can be addressed through LTP3.

“The Council would like to continue to work closely with the County Council and the other Cambridgeshire districts on drafting LTP3.”

Decision taken 2 March 2010 and published 3 March 2010.  Call-in expires at 5 pm on 10 March 2010.  Decision can be implemented from 11 March 2010 if not called-in.

Cambridgeshire County Council’s leaflet called Consultation on Cambridgeshire’s Local Transport Plan is attached to the electronic version of the agenda on the Council’s website. 

The Planning and New Communities Portfolio Holders AGREED that the Council make the following representation to Cambridgeshire County Council in response to the LTP3 consultation:

“The Council supports the overarching objectives of LTP3 and prioritises non-car modes as these will provide travel choice and best achieve the objectives with limited resources.  The strategy areas should be prioritised as follows:

(1)               Public Transport

(2)               Cycling

(3)               Walking

(4)               Smarter Choices

(5)               Road Safety

(6)               Traffic Management

“It is important to ensure the needs of all sectors of community are addressed, including the most vulnerable – the young, elderly and disabled.  At present many residents experience social isolation as they are unable to access essential services, shopping, leisure or simply meet with friends, due to a lack of bus or community transport service and/or the prohibitive cost of using it. 

“The Council would urge the County Council not to forget linkages to market towns outside the county as many of the remoter parts of the district look to these areas for their services.

“The Council would also ask the County Council to take in to consideration the outcomes of plans and strategies produced by other organisations, including the South Cambridgeshire Local Development Framework, Community Transport Strategy and Air Quality Action Plan, Parish Plans, the Children and Young People’s Plan (BigPlan2), and Cambridgeshire Horizon’s Green Infrastructure Strategy, to name a few.  These may provide an extensive evidence base of transport provision and need, highlight issues concerning specific groups of people, and many contain an action plan including issues that can be addressed through LTP3.

“The Council would like to continue to work closely with the County Council and the other Cambridgeshire districts on drafting LTP3.”

The Planning Portfolio Holder and New Communities Portfolio Holder considered a report seeking agreement to a proposed response by South Cambridgeshire District Council to Cambridgeshire County Council about the latter’s consultation on the third Local Transport Plan (LTP).

The Planning Portfolio Holder emphasised the District Council’s opposition to a congestion charge for the city of Cambridge.

The New Communities Portfolio Holder stated that the Cambridge Park and Ride service did nothing to help South Cambridgeshire in terms of reducing carbon emissions.

The Planning and New Communities Portfolio Holders agreed that the Council make the following representation to Cambridgeshire County Council in response to the LTP3 consultation:

“The Council supports the overarching objectives of LTP3 and prioritises non-car modes as these will provide travel choice and best achieve the objectives with limited resources.  The strategy areas should be prioritised as follows:

·           Public Transport

·           Cycling

·           Walking

·           Smarter Choices

·           Road Safety

·           Traffic Management

“It is important to ensure the needs of all sectors of community are addressed, including the most vulnerable – the young, elderly and disabled.  At present many residents experience social isolation as they are unable to access essential services, shopping, leisure or simply meet with friends, due to a lack of bus or community transport service and/or the prohibitive cost of using it. 

“The Council would urge the County Council not to forget linkages to market towns outside the county as many of the remoter parts of the district look to these areas for their services.

“The Council would also ask the County Council to take in to consideration the outcomes of plans and strategies produced by other organisations, including the South Cambridgeshire Local Development Framework, Community Transport Strategy and Air Quality Action Plan, Parish Plans, the Children and Young People’s Plan (BigPlan2), and Cambridgeshire Horizon’s Green Infrastructure Strategy, to name a few.  These may provide an extensive evidence base of transport provision and need, highlight issues concerning specific groups of people, and many contain an action plan including issues that can be addressed through LTP3.

“The Council would like to continue to work closely with the County Council and the other Cambridgeshire districts on drafting LTP3.

“The Council would like to remind the County Council that it remains opposed to any form of congestion charging in Cambridge.”

Jeremy Smith, Transport Strategy Manager at Cambridgeshire County Council, gave a presentation on the Local Transport Plan and the impact that Government cuts were likely to have on the service provided. He explained that the Government had not made it clear what the level of cuts would be, but it was likely that the Highways Authority would have to choose between repairing existing roads or building new infrastructure.

The hope was expressed that more resources would be provided for improving alternative to car transport than into measures such as traffic calming, which made it more difficult for residents to use their cars. Jeremy explained that traffic-calming measures were introduced if there were clear safety concerns and that small schemes such as improving local cycle routes were more likely to receive funding than larger ones.

It was understood that this issue was being discussed at the LSP Boards first and then at Cambridgeshire Together.

The Chairman thanked Jeremy Smith for his presentation.