Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Executive Councillor (Supporting Places)

Permission is required from the Council for a dropped kerb or vehicle crossing access. The Council needs an agreed policy to ensure consistency in its approach for the public, Members and officers. The policy has been drafted around current ‘informal’ practices and, as written, has no financial implications.

The Executive is invited to approve the Vehicle Drop Crossing Policy attached at Appendix 1 to the report.

Officer contact: Sue Stevenson, 0161 474 4351, sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

The Executive Councillor (Supporting Places) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) regarding a draft Vehicle Dropped Crossing Policy which was needed to ensure consistency in the Council’s approach for members of the public, Councillors and Officers and had been drafted around current ‘informal’ practices. The draft policy, as written, had no financial implications, was consistent with other Councils’ standards, met legal and planning requirements, and ensured construction quality and safety of vehicle dropped crossings.

The draft policy recommended that the approach to charging for the installation of a dropped crossing was changed from that set out in the current Council charges to a full cost recovery model.

RESOLVED – That the draft Vehicle Dropped Crossing Policy, attached as Appendix 1 to the report, be approved.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to consider the Council’s proposed Vehicle Dropped Crossing Policy.

The Scrutiny Committee is requested to comment on the draft policy, prior to its consideration by the Executive.

Officer Contact: Sue Stevenson on 0161 474 4351 or email:sue.stevenson@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director for Place Management and Regeneration submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) requesting the Scrutiny Committee to consider the Council’s proposed Vehicle Dropped Crossing Policy.

The Deputy Executive Leader and Portfolio holder for Support and Governance (Councillor Iain Roberts), deputising for the Executive Councillor (Supporting Places (Martin Candler) attended the meeting to respond to Members’ questions. With regard to paragraph 1.4 of the proposed policy he clarified that although there was currently a fixed price for dropped crossings, the proposal was to move to a situation where they would be cost neutral. The more complex schemes were more expensive.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         If the proposed new policy was adopted it would still be enforced as the current policy was, primarily by the Police.

·         There was the option for residents to use another contractor other than the Council’s Alliance contractor providing the contractor had the necessary experience and public liability insurance and paid the relevant fee.

·         An appeals process to the Head of Service built in an element of flexibility to the policy.

·         Planning permission, if required, could be refused on similar grounds as currently.

·         Close communication would be required between the relevant Planning and Highway Officers.

RESOLVED – (1) That no objections be raised to the draft Vehicle Dropped Crossing Policy.

(2) That Members of the Scrutiny Committee be advised now many vehicle dropped crossings were carried out in 2014/15.