To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 26 July 2010.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 26 July 2010 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies had been received from Mrs P. Quadling and Mrs P. Spencer.

Report of the Director of Corporate Resources.

The SO suggested that the Group work through his report section by section.   The first part covered some new issues and priorities which had surfaced at the public meeting held in Watton on 26 July.  He felt it was important that the Group consider these concerns, along with previously discussed issues, as they worked towards their final report and recommendations for car parking in Watton.   However, he acknowledged that some of the matters raised at the public meeting fell outside the remit of the Group.

He also drew the Group’s attention to the appended survey by children from Ashill VCP school.  Whilst this was a simple survey, it had nonetheless proved to be an interesting reflection of the extent of traffic problems in Watton, particularly along the High Street, and bore out the impressions gained by Members.

Key points from the discussion are listed below, with the Agreed points collected together at the end of this section. 

Issues Arising from the Public Meeting

3.2.1 : On-Street Parking Near the School

The Group acknowledged the sense of real local frustration about inappropriate or illegal parking in the vicinity of the school, accompanied by lack of proper enforcement.  There was apparently also a problem in a private car park at William Close.    One solution might be to introduce residents’ parking permits but, aside from the fact that this was outside the Council’s immediate sphere of influence, it was acknowledged that this had not been a popular idea in Attleborough.  

It was clear that police enforcement was the key to resolving or alleviating the problem.   However this was perceived as poor, or only half-hearted at best, with anecdotal evidence that they were not really taking much active interest even when on site.   

The Chairman suggested that a letter be written to Val Jenkins at Norfolk County Council, copied to relevant stakeholders, describing the breadth and depth of the problems; the sense of local disappointment and frustration that so little had been done; and asking the Authority to produce some form of action plan for Watton. 

It was also felt that the school itself should perhaps be more conscious of parking problems in its vicinity.  Whilst they should have some form of travel or parking plan in place, Members questioned how frequently this was reviewed, or any appropriate action taken to improve matters.    It was therefore proposed that the Council should write to the Chairman of the School Governors, copied to the Headteacher, asking them to engage more proactively with this problem.  This could prove useful, since the school would not want any adverse publicity.  It  would also show local residents that the Council had taken an active interest in this matter, even though they had no direct responsibility for this area.   

The letter could recommend that the School contact the Town Council as the appropriate next step for pursuing double yellow or zig-zag lines in the vicinity.   

With respect to illegal parking in the privately owned car park, it was the responsibility  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.

To agree a date and time for the next meeting.

The SO suggested that the Group should meet briefly immediately following the Council meeting scheduled for the morning of 23 September.   Hopefully they would be able to sign off the report on parking in Watton, which would then be taken to the Overview & Scrutiny Commission meeting on 7 October. 

Attleborough

In response to a question, the SO said that the figures which had been requested from Finance should soon be ready for presentation to Cabinet.  At that stage final decisions could be taken on implementation of the various recommendations made by this Group.