Agenda item - Response to Petition From Businesses on Upper North Street

Report of the Head of City Infrastructure (copy attached)

30.1    The Committee considered a report of the Head of City Infrastructure responding to the petition received by the Committee at its previous meeting on 18 November 2010. The petition related to the placing of Advertising boards (swing boards) on Western Road advertising businesses in Upper North Street. This was in direct conflict with the highway licensing policy and the principles of managing street access for all users.

30.2    It was noted that the petition had been received and noted at the previous meeting of the Committee and that  officers had  been directed to examine the issue further and to bring a further report back to that meeting of the Committee.

30.3    Councillor Kitcat stated that whilst he understood why it was recommended that the existing policy be upheld he considered that ways in which trade could be supported during current difficult economic times should be, for example by use of shared A boards should be explored.

30.4    Mr Fisher, Senior Highways  Enforcement Officer explained that a multi-sign scheme was due to be trialled in London Road which if successful could then be rolled out to other areas of the city.

30.5    Councillors Kitcat and Hawkes asked whether the petitioners of Upper North Street would be informed and Mr Fisher  responded that they would.

30.6    Councillors Hawkes and Simpson stressed that the results of the trial scheme should be reported back to Committee and Councillor Simson asked when the trial period was due to end. It was explained that the scheme had yet to commence, to date there had been insufficient interest in take up. Members suggested that if there was insufficient interest in that area that perhaps Upper  North Street could be considered instead.

30.7    RESOLVED – That the contents of the petition are noted and the Committee agrees to uphold the existing policy.