Agenda, decisions and minutes

Councillor Heaney had apologised for not being able to attend at the start of the meeting due to lecturing commitments but hoped to join later.

There were no declarations of interest.

Purpose.

To seek approval for a 6 month extension for the disabled concession pass before 0930 pilot. 

Recommendations 

It is recommended that an extension to the trial of the discretionary disabled concession before 0930 pilot until the 31 March 2020 is approved, to enable consultation and a robust evaluation of the trial. 

An extension to the trial of the discretionary disabled concession before 0930 pilot until the 31 March 2020 was approved, to enable consultation and a robust evaluation of the trial. 

Felicity Tidbury, Acting Assistant Director Transport, presented the Director of Regeneration's report, and reported that there was only 3 month's data available on the trial with the bus companies, therefore an extension was being requested to enable robust analysis.

Councillor Stagg queried the statement in paragraph 3.4 of the report which should specify that this concessionary travel related to disabled passengers only, which was confirmed. In response to a question from Councillor Bosher, Simon Bell, Principal Public Transport Officer, clarified that whilst the trial was 5 months in only 3 months' data was available and this had been over the summer period so the full pattern needed to be established.  Councillor Stagg was pleased with how this was helping those attending educational establishments.

DECISION: An extension to the trial of the discretionary disabled concession before 0930 pilot until the 31 March 2020 was approved, to enable consultation and a robust evaluation of the trial. 

Purpose.

To seek approval to pilot a revised Companion Pass entitlement criteria.

It is recommended that:

The 12-month revision to the Companion Pass entitlement criteria be

agreed the requirement to review the scheme after 12 months be noted.

The 12-month revision to the Companion Pass entitlement criteria was

agreed and the requirement to review the scheme after 12 months was noted.

Felicity Tidbury, Acting Assistant Director Transport, presented the Director of Regeneration's report, explaining the premise for the scheme to be revised based on service users' needs for a companion and not their financial status.   This approach was supported by both Councillor Stagg and Councillor Bosher.

DECISION: The 12-month revision to the Companion Pass entitlement criteria was agreed and the requirement to review the scheme after 12 months was noted.

Purpose.

To consider the public response to the proposed extension of the operating times of a limited waiting parking bay in Albert Road (north side between the junctions of Goodwood Road and Oxford Road) and to decide whether to implement the proposal. When objections are received to proposed traffic regulation orders (TROs), a decision by the Traffic & Transportation Cabinet Member is required to be made at a public meeting.

Appendix A: The public proposal notice and plans for TRO 87/2019 (pages 5-7) Appendix B: Objection to the proposal to extend the controlled times on the limited waiting bay in Albert Road (page 8).

Recommendations

It is recommended that:

1.    The operating time of the limited waiting bay is extended as proposed, and its operation is considered as part of the review that is to take place within 6 months of the MD zone commencing;

2.    The remaining proposals under TRO 87/2019 are implemented as advertised.

1.         The operating time of the limited waiting bay be extended as proposed, and its operation is considered as part of the review that is to take place within 6 months of the MD zone commencing;

2.         The remaining proposals under TRO 87/2019 be implemented as advertised.

Councillor Stagg referred to points raised in a written deputation from a resident from Chelsea Road regarding concern of setting a precedent in Albert Road and balancing the business needs with those of residents in the MD parking zone area and noting that it was a request from one business.  Deputations are not minuted in full but the webcast of the meeting can be viewed here:

https://livestream.com/accounts/14063785/Cabinet-TT-26Sep2019

Kevin McKee, Parking Manager, presented the report and responded to points raised.  The intention was to assist businesses which needed to open later than 4pm as currently parking was from 4pm until 8am. He reported that the impact of the MD parking zone implementation would be reviewed. 

Councillor Bosher, Spokesperson, raised questions on what had driven the timings and whether other businesses would seek similar variations.  Councillor Stagg was aware of the problems experienced by customers needing to park near to the Cat Clinic to safely transport their pets, although the parking bay is not designated to this business.  Kevin McKee responded that the impact on businesses would be assessed.

DECISIONS:

1.         The operating time of the limited waiting bay be extended as proposed, and its operation is considered as part of the review that is to take place within 6 months of the MD zone commencing;

2.         The remaining proposals under TRO 87/2019 be implemented as advertised.

Purpose.

To update the Cabinet Member for Traffic & Transportation on the extension of eligibility for the blue badge scheme and to confirm the assessment process for individuals not automatically entitled under the extended eligibility criteria.

Recommendations

It is recommended that: 

It is to be noted, that following the national government decision, the extension of the Blue Badge scheme will include consideration of applicants with hidden and non-physical disabilities; 

The decision making process as detailed in Sections 3.9 to 3.12 in this report is confirmed; 

Appeals against decisions to not issue a Blue Badge continue to be determined by the Parking Office Manager and the Professional Lead for Occupational Therapy as described in paragraph 3.13

1.         It was noted, that following the national government decision, the extension of the Blue Badge scheme will include consideration of applicants with hidden and non-physical disabilities; 

2.         The decision making process as detailed in Sections 3.9 to 3.12 in this report was confirmed; 

3.         Appeals against decisions to not issue a Blue Badge continue will be determined by the Parking Office Manager and the Professional Lead for Occupational Therapy as described in paragraph 3.13 of the report.

(For info - details regarding the scheme will be circulated to all councillors)

Denise Bastow, Parking Office Manager, presented the Director of Regeneration's report, accompanied by Karen Wigley, Professional Lead for Occupational Therapy in Adult Social Care.  The report set out how the national scheme will be implemented and the assessment and appeal processes.  The assessment for hidden disability is different to that for walking disability, with a new application and assessment form design with the assistance of Adult Social Care.

Councillor Bosher, Opposition Spokesperson, supported the proposals and asked that samples of the application form and information about the assessment and appeal process could be sent to all councillors as they could be approached by constituents with queries.  Denise Bastow explained that the 2 ways to apply were either via the national website (which directs the customer to the appropriate region) or via the PCC Parking Section.  The assessment was based on the impact of a person's condition when they are travelling and how a blue badge would make a difference; Karen Wigley stressed that it is the impact that it will make that is considered, with some people always having travelling companions or having coping strategies.

Councillor Stagg asked how many applications had already been received?  It was reported that there had been 99 applications in the first 4 weeks and assessments had started, so far 30% of these had been approved, 50% refused and in 20% of cases more information had been requested.  She was also updated on the relationship to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) points system and criteria.  

DECISIONS:

1.         It was noted, that following the national government decision, the extension of the Blue Badge scheme will include consideration of applicants with hidden and non-physical disabilities; 

2.         The decision making process as detailed in Sections 3.9 to 3.12 in this report was confirmed; 

3.         Appeals against decisions to not issue a Blue Badge continue will be determined by the Parking Office Manager and the Professional Lead for Occupational Therapy as described in paragraph 3.13 of the report.