Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration.

The Council have reviewed the procedures it uses to ensure that the design and maintenance of different routes in the borough support the current legislation and guidance for that type of route in terms of access controls which are ways of controlling who can enter a path or area normally by physical measures.. The procedures will also support current Council policy.

The policy addresses a range of locations and path types. These are:

·         Pedestrian only routes including concessionary routes in green space

·         Public Right of Way Footpaths as identified on the definitive map

·         Cycle Paths

·         Shared Pedestrians and Cycle Paths

·         Segregated Pedestrians and Cycle Paths

·         Public Right of Way Bridleways as identified on the definitive map

·         Multi-User Trails on Council Land or maintained by the Council due to Legal Agreement.

The Cabinet is recommended to give approval to the adoption of the Access Control Measures Policy Statement.

Officer Contact: Mark Glynn on 0161 474 3700 or email: mark.glynn@stockport.gov.uk.

The Cabinet Member for Economy & Regeneration (Councillor Colin MacAlister) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining a review of the council’s procedures to ensure that the design and

maintenance of different routes in the borough supported current legislation and guidance for that type of route in terms of access controls, which were ways of controlling who could enter a path or area normally through the use of physical measures.

This policy statement proposed an approach which balanced issues that had been raised regarding accessibility for legitimate users with the need to protect all path users and local residents from the negative impact of illegitimate usage of routes.

It was commented that many access controls had been put in place to prevent or deter anti-social behaviour, however in a number of cases offenders were able to readily bypass the measures, while legitimate users had been prevented from accessing the route.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to the adoption of the Access Control Measures Policy Statement.

To consider a report of the Director of Place Management.

The report and appendices set out the draft Access Control Measures Policy Statement, consultation outcomes and next steps.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked to consider and endorse the report for Cabinet approval.

Officer contact: Mark Glynn  0161 474 3700 | mark.glynn@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Director of Place Management submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which set out the draft Access Control Measures Policy Statement, consultation outcomes and next steps.

The Cabinet Member for Climate Change & Environment (Councillor Mark Roberts) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:

·         Members were advised that spacing between bollards were standards set for for Greater Manchester.

·         Gates with radar keys to gain access had a number of issues which included but were not limited to, vandalism (gluing gates open), opening of gates and waiting for gates to open.

·         Members were pleased to see that LTN1/20 was proposed to be adopted as part of the policy.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the report be endorsed for Cabinet approval.