Issue - meetings

To consider the joint report of the Director Economy and Development and City Centre Manager.

Scrutiny Committee – Economy will consider the report at their meeting on 6 March 2008 and their comments will be reported.

                                                       (Report circulated) 

The joint report of the Director Economy and Development and the City Centre Manager was submitted seeking support for new Bedford Square usage and booking arrangements.

Scrutiny Committee – Economy considered the report at their meeting on 6 March 2008 and the support and comments of members were noted.

Councillor Prowse attended the meting and spoke on this item under Standing Order 44. He was concerned about the legality of traffic signs relating to lorry movement in the City Centre and sought assurance regarding the location of events within Bedford Square. The Director Economy and Development reported that, other than emergency access, Bedford Square was free of traffic between the hours of 10am and 6pm. It was the responsibility of Traffic Wardens to enforce parking restrictions during these hours. He reported that further traffic signs would be erected once the legality of the existing sign at the High Street/Fore Street junction had been confirmed which would then enable effective enforcement to take place.

Members commented on the current abuse by lorries loading and unloading in the High Street and looked forward to the Council’s new powers to enforce parking restrictions.

RESOLVED that the proposed guidelines for the use of Bedford Square be supported.

(Report circulated)

To consider the joint report of the Director Economy and Development and City Centre Manager - report circulated

The City Centre Manager presented a joint report with the Director Economy and Development seeking Members support for new Bedford Square usage and booking arrangements to facilitate a wide range of community group uses and charity events. The nature of the space had now changed since the reopening of Princesshay and it was important to ensure the guidelines could meet the changed dynamics of Bedford Square.

A Member suggested that a small panel of councillors and officers might offer a  quick solution for events that might be refused, rather than the City Council’s complaints procedure. The City Centre Manager suggested that the wide spectrum of users combined with existing Council policies was unlikely to result in many refusals. Existing Council policies on tolerance and equality would help to avoid unnecessary discrimination. The Director added the portfolio holder would also be consulted where there might be a refusal for events, due to public safety implications or due to concerns over events causing unnecessary offence.

Scrutiny Committee – Economy noted and supported the recommendation that the Executive approve the proposed guidelines for use of Bedford Square.

(Report circulated)