Agenda and minutes

An apology of absence was received from Councillor Mrs K K Trott.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Planning and Development Policy Development and Review Panel held on 2 September 2014.

It was AGREED that the minutes of the meeting of the Planning and Development Policy Development and Review Panel meeting held on 2 September 2014 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Chairman welcomed to the meeting; Jessica Rowlatt from Hampshire County Council, James Addicott from Eastern Solent Coastal Partnership and Wesley Jones from the Environment Agency.

To receive any declarations of interest from members in accordance with Standing Orders and the Council’s Code of Conduct and disclosures of advice or directions received from Group Leaders or Political Groups, in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.

There were no declarations of interest made at this meeting.

To receive any deputations of which notice has been lodged.

There were no deputations made at this meeting.

To consider a report by the Director of Planning and Development on an update of the Public Transport Review.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Planning and Development on an update to the Public Transport Review.

The Panel was informed that the purpose of the report was to present interim findings, in particular identifying possible actions that may be taken to improve Bus Services within the Borough. The report reviewed both scheduled and privately-contracted services provided for residents, commercial organisations and educational establishments. The Panel was informed that meetings had taken place with First Bus and Community Action Fareham to discuss the services they provide and to understand how and why operational decisions are made.

The report included a summary of the changes proposed by Hampshire County Council to subsidised bus services in Fareham and Gosport, and the Panel was informed that these proposals were approved by Hampshire County Council’s Executive Member at a Decision Day Meeting on 27 October 2014 and would be effective from early 2015.

As stated in the report, identifying areas in the Borough with a definite need for new or improved bus services had proved challenging and would require more detailed investigation. Examples of successful community bus services operating elsewhere were found to be relatively rare, although reference as a possible exemplar project.

The report also explained that the Borough Council is currently reviewing the way in which bus shelters are procured to ensure they can better meet the needs of residents and the bus companies.

A principal conclusion from the report was that a more formal consultation process for changes proposed by commercial bus operators and/or Hampshire County Council (as public transport authority). A suggested method of achieving this was to develop a protocol for community involvement, and an indicative version of this document was included as an attachment to the report.

Councillor Davies addressed the Panel to inform members that Hampshire County Council has withdrawn funding for Sunday services on Bus Route F1/F2 between Fareham and Highlands. This will leave some wards with no Sunday Services at all. However, there are currently talks with Community Action Fareham who are looking into the feasibility of providing an alternative Sunday bus service. He also informed members that he sits on the First Bus Customer Panel and will circulate minutes of these meetings to all members of the Panel.

The Chairman suggested that a message be put out to all Councillors asking them to put forward suggestions for areas in the Borough are in need of a bus service.

It was AGREED that the Panel:-

(a)  notes the content of the Interim Report relating to the provisional findings from the Public Transport Review, and in particular the proposed changes resulting from Hampshire County Council’s review of subsidised bus and community transport services; and

(b)  concur with the conclusions in the Report including activities identified to provide further outcomes from the Review.

To receive a presentation by the Head of Parking and Enforcement and the Eastern Solent Costal Partnership on Inland Flooding – Roles and Responsibilities and Current Projects.

The Panel received a presentation from the Head of Parking and Enforcement and James Addicott from Eastern Solent Coastal Partnership on Inland Flooding – Roles and Responsibilities and Current Projects.

The presentation outlined which authority was responsible for each type of flooding, the legislation which governs how flooding is dealt with, details of what the Eastern Solent Coastal Partnership is responsible for, details of how the flooding in 2013/14 was managed and what was learnt from it, flooding insurance, permissive powers and multi-agency working and flood plans.

Jessica Rowlatt from Hampshire County Council addressed the Panel and informed them that they are looking at setting up multi agency meetings with communities that are at risk of flooding to provide them with guidance on preventing flooding and assisting them to set up a community plan for the future so that they are able to deal with the flooding issues themselves and not rely on the Local Authorities.

Councillor Englefield enquired about how the electricity companies are involved with this as during the last storms many properties were not flooded but were without electricity for some time as the electricity sub stations were flooded. Jessica Rowlatt explained to the Board that SSE have now set up a specialist team that are responsible for liaising with Hampshire County Council Emergency Planning advising them on where the power cuts are and what is happening with them. This will allow Hampshire County Council to plan and take better action for those communities that are affected.

The Chairman addressed the Panel and reminded members that the purpose of requesting this information was so members we aware of who to contact in the event of flooding. It was explained to members that whilst there are various different agencies who could be involved with a flood situation, the first point of contact for any issues in the Borough is Kevin Wright, Head of Parking and Enforcement.

The Panel AGREED to:-

(a)  thank the Head of Parking and Enforcement, James Addicott, Jessica Rowlatt and Wesley Jones on their informative presentation; and

(b)  note that Kevin Wright is the first point of contact for all flood issues.

To receive a presentation by the Principal Transport Planner on a review of Titchfield Village parking.

The Panel received a presentation from the Principal Transport Planner and the Head of Parking and Enforcement on the Titchfield Village Parking Review.

At the Invitation of the Chairman, Councillor K D Evans, Executive Member for Planning and Development addressed the Panel on this item.

The Panel was informed that the presentation was given to the Titchfield CAT’s meeting on 8 October 2014, and is also being presented by Councillor Mrs Hockley at the Titchfield Village Trust which is also taking place this evening.

The presentation explained the purpose of the survey that was conducted over four days in May 2014, which was to gain a better understanding of the use of the 3 main parking areas within the Village, these being The Square, Barry’s Meadow Car Park and Titchfield Community Centre Car Park.

Each area was surveyed to determine the usage and length of stay in each area, and as a result of this review the following proposals have been put forward:

The Square -  To change 8 additional spaces that are currently unrestricted to 30-minute parking, which would increase the total number of 30-minute spaces to 13.

Barry’s Meadow Car Park (3-hour limit) – To remove the business permits currently issued for this car park which would free up extra spaces for visitor use.

Community Centre Car park (24-hour limit) – To change the internal layout of the car park which would create an additional 25-30 spaces.

The presentation also gave information on the experimental Traffic Regulation Order which has been in place in South Street since 13 June 2014, during the experimental phase adjustments to the TRO have already been made, this was to remove the underused disabled parking bay, introduced a 20 minute waiting limited for all in the remaining parking area and to move the bollards back at the end of South Street where it enters the Square to ease passage for larger vehicles.

The deadline for comments/objections to the experimental order is 12 December 2014, and after that time the Council will either make the order permanent, withdraw the order or introduce a new order.

Councillor Walker asked what effect the removal of the business permits would have on those users if they were removed. The Head of Parking and Enforcement explained that this would increase the availability of parking spaces in Barry’s Meadow Car Park, which is used principally for short term visits and is characterised by a high turnover. Under the proposals business users would be able to park instead in the Community Centre Car Park which is designated for longer term (24-hour) parking.

Questions were asked regarding the parking spaces in South Street. The Panel were informed that these were also monitored as part of the survey and it showed a heavy use of these spaces throughout the day.

Members commented on the proposal for the changes to the 3 parking areas agreeing that whilst it will not solve all of the problems it is a fair compromise.

It was AGREED that the Panel:-

(a)  thanked the Principal Transport Planner and the Head of Parking and Enforcement for their presentation; and

(b)  the Executive note the Panel’s comments above in considering the proposed changes to the 3 main parking areas in Titchfield.

To consider a report by the Director of Planning and Development which reviews the Panel’s Work Programme for 2014/15.

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Planning and Development which reviewed the Panel’s Work Programme for 2014/15.

Councillor Davies enquired as to whether an item on the opportunities to improve north-south pedestrian routes across the central Fareham town centre area (Civic Area, Fareham Shopping Centre, and Market Quay) could be included onto the Work Programme. The Director of Planning and Development addressed the Panel and explained that this issue is highlighted in policies and proposals for Fareham town centre development set out in the emerging Development sites and Polices Plan. He suggested that as Officers progress work on the delivery of such development opportunities it would be appropriate to provide an update to the Panel on these issues, including the pedestrian access issue highlighted, during the next calendar year.

It was AGREED that the Work Programme, as set out in Appendix A to the report, be approved.