On a motion by Councillor Mitchell, seconded by Councillor Stapleton, it was –

Resolved – That Councillor S Williams take the Chair for this meeting.

Members of the Committee are asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non pecuniary interests, in connection with any items on the agenda and state the nature of the interest.

No declarations of interest were received.

The Deputy Director of Technical Services reported upon a 30 signature petition that had been submitted by a resident of Ferndale Avenue requesting the installation of a ‘blind spot’ mirror at the junction of Hillbark Road with Ferndale Avenue, Frankby.

The report concluded that this road was already subject to a 30mph speed limit; the location currently had a very good accident record and that the erection of a mirror had the potential to contribute towards a traffic collision for the reasons set out within the report. The report recommended the Panel note the petition and that the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee be informed that no further action should be taken to pursue the erection of a highway blind spot mirror on the highway at this location.

Mr P Barton, Technical Services, outlined the report and responded to questions from Members of the Panel.

Mr B Thompson, local resident made representations to Members of the Panel regarding his request for the installation of a highway “Blind Spot” mirror at the junction of Hillbark Road with Ferndale Avenue, Frankby.

Members considered all representations made orally and in writing.

Resolved- That:

(1)  the petitioners’ request for the installation of a highway “ Blind Spot” mirror at the junction of Hillbark Road with Ferndale Avenue, Frankby be noted; and

(2)  it be recommended to the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee that no further action is taken to pursue the erection of a highway blind spot mirror on the highway at this location.

Following consideration of this item Councillor S Williams declared a personal interest in respect of this item, by virtue of him being a former colleague of Mr Thompson through a previous employment.

Further to Minute No.2 of the meeting held 13 September 2012. The Deputy Director of Technical Services reported upon objections received to the proposal to introduce a pedestrian refuge island on King’s Road, Bebington near to it’s junction with Bentfield Gardens.

Prior to consideration of that item in September 2012, the Deputy Director of Technical Services circulated a letter received that day from Cannon A Samuels, Vicar, Christ Church, Bebington raising concerns regarding the impact the proposals would have on traffic and parking. The Panel agreed that consideration of this item be deferred to allow Officers to investigate the points raised by Cannon Samuels.

The Deputy Director of Technical Services indicated that Officers had met with representatives of Christ Church on site to discuss the proposals in detail and as a result the Church representatives had provided written confirmation of their withdrawal of their objection. However, the two original objections received remained unresolved, details of which were detailed within the report along with the detailed responses.

Members considered all representations made in writing.

Resolved – That:

(1)  the objections be noted; and

(2)  the proposed scheme consisting of a pedestrian refuge island with associated tactile crossing points as shown on attached Drawing No. 3576 be recommended to the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee for approval and implementation.