Agenda and minutes

The Chairman drew attention to the list of notices published on the back of the agenda.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors A M Beale and M F L Durham.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 22 May 2018, (copy enclosed).

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 22 May 2018 be approved and confirmed.

To disclose the existence and nature of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests, other Pecuniary Interests or Non-Pecuniary Interests relating to items of business on the agenda having regard to paragraphs 6-8 inclusive of the Code of Conduct for Members.

(Members are reminded that they are also required to disclose any such interests as soon as they become aware should the need arise throughout the meeting).

There were none.

To receive the views of members of the public on items of business to be considered by the Committee (please see below):

1.               A period of ten minutes will be set aside.

2.               An individual may speak for no more than two minutes and will not be allowed to distribute or display papers, plans, photographs or other materials.

3.               Anyone wishing to speak must notify the Committee Clerk between 7.00pm and 7.20pm prior to the start of the meeting.

No requests had been received.

The Chairman took the Committee through a presentation and referred in more detail to the following items:

•          That a student from St Francis’ School had reached the final of the National Express’s nationwide art competition (East of England category);

•           That the Armed Forces Day celebrations, supported by Stow Maries and

Colchester Garrison, had been a remarkable event with six Chelsea pensioners in attendance, received by the Council Chairman, Councillor Bass:

•           That Maldon Car Show had been a successful, busy and positive day for

Maldon and the district as a whole with1,700 classic cars on display, and,

•           Cabbies Day, a wonderful annual event working alongside motivated partners

in the district.

To receive a presentation from Nick Binder, South Essex Parking Partnership Manager

The Committee received a presentation from Nick Binder, South Essex Parking Partnership Manager on the partnership’s annual report.

This comprised an overview of how the parking partnership had progressed, further details on the annual report can be found at: https://www.parkingpartnership.org/south/. The presentation covered key performance factors from the financial year including a substantial surplus, initiatives around signs and lines, new traffic regulation orders and an update on the 3PR School Parking Initiative. Further details on this are available at: [email protected]. 

In response to a number of questions the following information was provided:

·                 That South Essex Parking Partnership was working with Councillor Kevin Bentley, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Infrastructure (which includes Highways) and the British Parking Association to increase the powers of enforcement officers around obstruction regulations.

·                 That whilst there was considerable income from issuing PCNs this was re-invested in local initiatives.

·                 That ‘School Keep Clear’ markings were in place, however, they were advisory only therefore officers cannot legally issue PCNs.

·                 That Nick Binder will circulate to the Committee the list of Schools signed-up to the School Parking Initiative.

Members commended the work of the partnership, the success in positively engaging with pupils through the 3PR initiative and in particular the surplus that had been achieved. A discussion ensued around potential uses for the surplus. Mr Binder reminded the Committee that the Joint Committee determines how the surplus was reinvested and that the money was ring-fenced to fund parking and transport initiatives only.

Councillor A S Fluker proposed that the South Essex Parking Partnership, supported by two members from the Community Services Committee, consider using some of the surplus to explore the possibility of either using byelaws or other traffic regulations to enforce against people who park illegally. He further suggested that this work include investigating the parking ambiguities outside Schools in the district. This was unanimously agreed by the Committee.

The Chairman thanked Mr Binder for his presentation.

RESOLVED that the Council representative on the South Essex Parking Partnership formally ask the partnership to consider using part of the operating surplus to fund the possibility of either using byelaws or other traffic regulations to enforce against people who park illegally

To consider the report of the Director of Planning and Regulatory Services (copy enclosed).

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Customers and Community providing Members with an update on recent legislative changes regarding Private Sector Housing Enforcement.

Councillor Bass, referring to paragraph 3.15 - Banning Orders - queried if it could be extended to include rogue landlords who allowed people to live in abandoned sheds and outbuildings. He advised the Committee that this was becoming an issue nationwide.  The Director of Customers and Community said he would get a formal response and report back to the Committee.

The Director of Customers and Community, in response to a question on civil penalties (paragraph 3.10 of the report), said he would check with colleagues and seek clarification for the Committee on what basis the Council will apply penalties.

RESOLVED that the update on recent legislative changes be noted.

To consider the report of the Director of Planning and Regulatory Services (copy enclosed).

The committee considered the report of the Director of Customers and Community providing Members with an update of the latest results of the Air Quality monitoring in the district, advising on the necessity to declare an Air Quality Management Area along Market Hill, Maldon, and requesting funding is made available for the subsequent specialist work required.

Members were advised that the Maldon District Council 2018 Air Quality Management Area Preliminary Report was attached at Appendix 1 to the report and a Proposal to Produce an Air Quality Action Plan for Maldon District Council was attached at Appendix 2 to the report. 

A discussion ensued and the following concerns were raised:

-      that given the fact we already have diffusion monitoring stations collecting data why wsa the AQAP so expensive;

-      that a full breakdown of the costs involved in producing the AQAP be provided as this was taxpayer’s money and a huge expense;

-      that if we cannot mitigate the problem we may be unable to deliver the LDP;

-      that the Policy Manager’s views be sought as this could impact on Planning Policy;

-      that this report should be confidential given the potential negative impact on the

market value of properties in the area;

-      that this was potentially a public health issue and we have a duty of care to alert

residents to the dangers;

-      that the crux of the matter relates to unloading and loading on the High Street,

causing the build-up of traffic on Market Hill;

-      that potentially the issues are across a wider area e.g. the Causeway;

-      that despite being proactive and raising this issue previously with the Highways Panel, to stop parking during the day on the High Street, this authority now has to bear the cost. There should be some recompense by Essex County Council (ECC) toward the cost of the Air Quality Action Plan;

The Director of Customers and Community, in response, advised the Committee that it was a legislative requirement to undertake this specialist work. He said that the Council needed to undertake the research in order to evidence the issues and get relevant partners i.e. Essex County Council engaged as appropriate. Any mitigation may impact upon a number of authorities, quotes have been sought and officers will be working to keeping costs down in connection to the study.

Councillor Miss M R Lewis proposed that a third recommendation be included to afford the Council the opportunity to seek recompense from Essex County Council, if appropriate. This was unanimously agreed.

       Councillor A S Fluker proposed a fourth recommendation be included to submit a summary of the Committee’s concern on this issue to the Finance & Corporate Services Committee. This was agreed unanimously.  

RESOLVED

(i)        that Members approve the production of an Air Quality Action Plan

for the Market Hill Area as detailed within this report subject to   

approval of a supplementary estimate of £20k;

(ii)       that subject to (i) above, the Finance and Corporate Services Committee be recommended to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 254.

To consider the report of the Director of Customers and Community (copy enclosed).

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Customers and Community seeking Members’ approval of the contents of the report and approval of the Stray Dogs Policy as outlined in Appendix 1.

In response to a question the Director of Customers and Community said he would liaise with Environmental Officers and provide a formal response to the Committee.

RESOLVED that the contents of the report be noted and the Stray Dogs Policy approved

To consider the report of the Director of Customers and Community (copy enclosed)

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Customers and Community updating Members on the work of the Market Task & Finish Working Group in relation to the Maldon town market (Thursday and Saturday). It was noted that Appendix 1 detailed the potential loss of car parking income, Appendix 2 outlined potential market sites and Appendix 3 highlighted key locations across the Town Centre

Members discussed a range of issues relating to the report from locations to frequency and length of contract periods. It was noted that the aforementioned issues would be resolved through the consultation exercise.

RESOLVED

(i)        that the findings of the Markets Task and Finish Working Group be noted;

(ii)       that the officers be authorised to apply for planning permission to make the current market site in Butt Lane Car Park permanent;

(iii)     that officers be authorised to seek tenders for the operation of a market on Thursdays and Saturdays at the Butt Lane car park with the aim of letting a new, five year contract, that will commence in June 2019;

(iv)      that, subject to consultation, an option to include market space at the lower end of the High Street is included as a future tender option; 

(v)       that a further report be prepared detailing the outcomes of the market tender.