Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The key message is that Stockport Council wants to explain to residents what the new access control policy entails and to look for feedback from residents about how the policy could be improved or altered to ensure it is ‘best practice’.

The consultation will be online via the “have your say” page on the council website and with hard copies of the documents and the questionnaires in the libraries between the 10th of January and the 11th February.

The Area Committee is recommended to note that the consultation is in progress and utilise their own contacts to encourage people to respond.

Officer contact: Emily Brough on 0161 474 4592 or email: emily.brough@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining what the proposed new access control policy entailed and seeking feedback from residents about how the policy could be improved or altered to ensure it was ‘best practice’.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Members requested a list of places that may be affected in each ward, in order to target these areas to encourage engagement with the consultation. In response it was commented that asking residents to propose areas to be looked at under the policy was itself an aspect of the consultation, so a broader approach to the consultation was requested in the first instance.

·         It was suggested that Members could further feedback their views by participating in the consultation with either an individual or group response.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The key message is that Stockport Council wants to explain to residents what the new access control policy entails and to look for feedback from residents about how the policy could be improved or altered to ensure it is ‘best practice’.

The consultation will be online via the “have your say” page on the council website and with hard copies of the documents and the questionnaires in the libraries between 10 January - 11 February.

The area committee is recommended to note that the consultation is in progress and utilise their own contacts to encourage people to respond.

Officer contact: Emily Brough 0161 474 4592 or email: emily.brough@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining what the proposed new access control policy entailed and seeking feedback from residents about how the policy could be improved or altered to ensure it was best practice.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         Disability Stockport had been consulted on the document through ongoing monthly conversations with the council. Further, officers had been out in the local area and trialled different access options with disabled people, including disabled cyclists, as part of the development of the document.

·         In response to a question as to whether the police had been consulted on the document, it was noted that officers had not yet consulted the police. However, the views of the police were welcomed and officers would work with the police going forward.

·         Members stressed the importance of making footpaths as accessible as possible, and understood that in some cases this was difficult due to the nature of the path.

·         The Strategy Growth and Improvement Manager assured members that the decision-making process on proposed access would be clear.

·         Members were also assured that Friends of Parks would be made aware of the consultation.

·         To support answering queries from residents on routes, work was in progress to map accessible areas.

RESOLVED – That the report and consultation be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The key message is that Stockport Council wants to explain to residents what the new access control policy entails and to look for feedback from residents about how the policy could be improved or altered to ensure it is ‘best practice’.

The consultation will be online via the “have your say” page on the council website and with hard copies of the documents and the questionnaires in the libraries between the 10th of January and the 11th February.

The Area Committee is recommended to note that the consultation is in progress and utilise their own contacts to encourage people to respond.

Officer contact: Emily Brough on 0161 474 4592 or email: emily.brough@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining what the proposed new access control policy entailed and seeking feedback from residents about how the policy could be improved or altered to ensure it was ‘best practice’.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Members questioned whether complaints may unduly impact access for people with disabilities, as barriers may be put in place even if the legitimacy of a complaint is in doubt. In response it was commented that complaints would be reviewed on a case by case basis to ensure that this wasn’t the case.

·         It was noted that the accessibility needs of disabled people would be emphasised throughout the process and that tests were being undertaken to ensure that bollard placements would not prevent access for mobility scooters.

·         Members highlighted that electronic scooters were becoming an increasing concern for residents and questioned whether the policy would put anything in place to specifically deal with this issue. It was commented that, regrettably, barriers could not prevent access for scooters without severely limiting accessibility due to their small size.

·         It was suggested that concerned residents should be shown that the 1.2 metre gap between bollards would not restrict disabled access prior to the implementation of the policy, to ease residents’ concerns and thus assist in the smooth implementation of the policy.

RESOLVED – That Nick Whelan be thanked for his attendance.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The key message is that Stockport Council wants to explain to residents what the new access control policy entails and to look for feedback from residents about how the policy could be improved or altered to ensure it is ‘best practice’.

The consultation will be online via the “have your say” page on the council website and with hard copies of the documents and the questionnaires in the libraries between the 10th of January and the 11th February.

The Area Committee is recommended to note that the consultation is in progress and utilise their own contacts to encourage people to respond.

Officer contact: Emily Brough on 0161 474 4592 or email: emily.brough@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining what the proposed new access control policy entailed and seeking feedback from residents about how the policy could be improved or altered to ensure it was ‘best practice’.

Members raised concerns in relation to the nature of the consultation given the minimum access control requirements stipulated in the Equality Act 2010 and whether the outcome could result in the Council being open to legal challenge. In response, it was stated that the consultation demonstrated a range of options relating to access control measures and legal would be consulted as required to ensure compliance.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That Members of the Committee utilise their own contacts to encourage people to respond.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The key message is that Stockport Council wants to explain to residents what the new access control policy entails and to look for feedback from residents about how the policy could be improved or altered to ensure it is ‘best practice’.

The consultation will be online via the “have your say” page on the council website and with hard copies of the documents and the questionnaires in the libraries between 10 January - 11 February.

The Area Committee is recommended to note that the consultation is in progress and utilise their own contacts to encourage people to respond.

Officer Contact: Emily Brough 0161 474 4592 or email: emily.brough@stockport.gov.uk

Adam Meadowcroft, Team Leader - Feasibility and Road Safety Team, attended the meeting and provided members with an update on existing guidance and legislation regarding access controls, and were made aware of the current consultation on the proposed access control measures policy statement that would run until 25 February 2022. The area committee were encouraged to promote the consultation so that the council could get as much feedback as possible to inform the work.

Members stressed the importance of accessible network routes for all users in current and future access design. A concern was raised as to the accessibility of sites being weighed up against the risks caused by anti-social behaviour, and it was felt that accessibility of routes should take priority, with subsequent measures put in place to combat anti-social behaviour, including illegitimate use of routes.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The key message is that Stockport Council wants to explain to residents what the new access control policy entails and to look for feedback from residents about how the policy could be improved or altered to ensure it is ‘best practice’.

The consultation will be online via the “have your say” page on the council website and with hard copies of the documents and the questionnaires in the libraries between the 10th of January and the 11th February.

The Area Committee is recommended to note that the consultation is in progress and utilise their own contacts to encourage people to respond.

Officer contact: Emily Brough on 0161 474 4592 or email: emily.brough@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining what the proposed new access control policy entailed and seeking feedback from residents about how the policy could be improved or altered to ensure it was ‘best practice’. 

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The draft policy document was welcomed and residents were encouraged to respond to the forthcoming consultation.

·         Concerns were expressed in relation to the imposition of those measures that restricted access for those with mobility difficulties.

·         There needed to be a more focussed effort on the policing of anti-social behaviour the control of off-road bikes rather than the imposition of physical barriers.

·         The balance needed to lie with creating routes that were accessible for everyone.

·         It was commented that there needed to be provision for dog waste bins on any new routes created.

·         The proposed consultation was being actively marketed among community and interest groups.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The key message is that Stockport Council wants to explain to residents what the new access control policy entails and to look for feedback from residents about how the policy could be improved or altered to ensure it is ‘best practice’.

The consultation will be online via the “have your say” page on the council website and with hard copies of the documents and the questionnaires in the libraries between the 10th of January and the 11th February.

The Area Committee is recommended to note that the consultation is in progress and utilise their own contacts to encourage people to respond.

Officer contact: Emily Brough on 0161 474 4592 or email: emily.brough@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining what the proposed new access control policy entailed and seeking feedback from residents about how the policy could be improved or altered to ensure it was ‘best practice’.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·       The Committee welcomed the draft policy and were of the view that it was a worthwhile project and was pleased with the start of the process.

·       It was noted that until the Council was clear on what was acceptable and not acceptable relating to the draft policy it was difficult to draw any conclusions provide a balanced risk and the needs to different groups.

·       Good to see that the draft policy was being progressed and people could enjoy the green spaces and paths.

·       There was a concern relating to anti-social behaviour and the barriers to prevent the routes being accessed. In response, it was stated that as part of the consultation process comments and feedback would be invited from local residents together.

·       There was a need to look at access for all, but it was noted that it was not a ‘one size fits all’.

·       There should be no barriers to close a route for disabled people, which could be considered ‘discrimination’ and that problems should be dealt with through enforcement and not creating more barriers for the disabled.

·       It was key to consider local knowledge and evidence in respect of the consultation and encouraging the wider communities and groups to respond.

·       There was a need to promote safer cycling and support from Transport for Greater Manchester for the campaign.

·       Concern was expressed regarding creating ‘illegal barriers for legal access’.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.