Issue - meetings

To consider questions submitted under Procedure Rule 9.2.

The Leader responded to three questions that had been submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 9.2 from Mr D. Newman, Councillor Baker-Price and Councillor Brunner as detailed below.

a)        Parking in Mount Pleasant

Mr D Newman asked the following question:

Can the Council update regarding parking in Mount Pleasant? When the TV cameras were on the estate we were promised a resolution in the next couple of weeks. This has never materialised and we are in the same position.

The residents demand a resolution to the issue and I for one would welcome residents’ parking permits.

It is noted adjoining roads to Mount Pleasant, such as Oakly Road, have double sided parking, and the only assumption for Mount Pleasant not having double sided parking for residents is the amount of traffic we take.

I feel the road would benefit from a trial of becoming a one way road, as the bottom of Mount Pleasant is a no entry for cars anyway.

What can the Council do to canvas opinion of residents about the future of the road going forward, or if required, I would canvas the estate for proposals.

The problem cannot go on indefinitely, and this road was not made for the amount of traffic going up and down it. If a resolution is not forthcoming the residents will have to look to take objection to the Council’s lack of support, by blocking the entrances to the estate.

The Leader replied as follows:

Whilst I sympathise with you and your neighbours, regarding the parking situation in your area, Redditch Borough Council, through our partnership with Wychavon District Council, is only responsible for enforcing the lines and signs that are designated under the traffic regulation order (TRO), which must be done fairly and consistently across the Borough.

Responsibility for making changes to the TRO or carrying out works to the highway sit with the County Council’s Highways Department. However, I have asked Councillor Greg Chance, the Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder who covers transport issues, to arrange to meet with you and other residents in the area, along with the two County Councillors for the area to gain their support and develop a proposal that can be put to the County Council Highways Team.

b)        Business Booster Grant Scheme

Councillor Baker-Price asked the following question:

Would the leader please state the amount of money the Council has given to businesses through the 'businesses booster grants' scheme this year?

The Leader responded as follows:

The ‘Business Booster’ grants scheme and funding is now administered by the North Worcestershire Economic Development and Regeneration (NWEDR) shared service.  I can confirm that for the 2015/16 financial year to date, £19,409 has been awarded to businesses in Redditch through the ‘Booster’ grant scheme and that six businesses from Redditch have benefitted from support.

A supplementary question was raised by Councillor Baker-Price concerning start-up costs for businesses.  He explained that he had checked the British Chamber of Commerce’s website which indicated that start-up costs for new  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44