Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Bob McShee and Councillor Matthew Sarti.

In accordance with procedure rule 23(j) Councillor Adrian Chandler attended as substitute on behalf of Councillor Sarti.

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Lead Councillor for Infrastructure and Governance, Councillor Matt Furniss was in attendance.

In accordance with the revised local Code of Conduct, a councillor is required to disclose at the meeting any Disclosable Pecuniary Interest (DPI) that they may have in respect of any matter for consideration on this agenda.  Any councillor with a DPI must not participate in any discussion or vote regarding that matter and they must withdraw from the meeting immediately before consideration of the matter.

If that DPI has not been registered, the councillor must notify the Monitoring Officer of the details of the DPI within 28 days of the date of the meeting.

There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests.

To confirm the minutes of the Executive Advisory Board meeting held on 11 July 2016.

The minutes of the Executive Advisory Board held on 11 July 2016 were confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

Suggested points for discussion:  

Parking Strategy

1.    Does the EAB agree with the keys aims of the parking strategy?

(a) To encourage alternative modes of transport

(b) To intercept cars as early as possible on their route into town

(c) To encourage a drive to, not through approach

2.  Does the EAB agree the strategy sets out a clear path to achieving

these aims?       

Electric Vehicles

3.   Does the EAB agree we should adopt the definition of Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (ULEVs) rather than just electric vehicles for our Green Scheme?

4.   How does the EAB consider we can stimulate take up of Electric

      and ULEVs in Guildford?        

The Parking Services Manager delivered a presentation setting out the process, context and ambition of the draft strategy.

The draft strategy had been approved by Guildford Local Committee.  Following consideration by the EAB, the draft strategy would be confirmed by the Executive prior to a period of public consultation. The outcomes of the public consultation would be sent to the members of the EAB for their further consideration and comment.

The Board heard that it was the intention of the strategy to set out the Council’s approach to management of car parking in the borough, and as a tool to assist with tackling traffic congestion particularly in the town centre. The draft strategy had been developed in conjunction with other strategic transportation plans produced by the Borough Council and Surrey Council.

The draft strategy was in two parts. The first part considered a sustainable approach including practical measures and incentives to encourage use of alternative modes of transport, the Car Club and Park and Ride services. There was a proposal to continue to develop ‘interceptor’ car parks that would remove traffic from the roads before reaching the town centre. It was acknowledged that there was currently a shortfall of parking on the south side of the town and this should be addressed. The principal of this approach was described as ‘drive to, not through’ Guildford.

The second part of the draft strategy considered an approach to the increasing number of electric and hybrid cars on our roads. In order to improve air quality the Council would propose to support and incentivise residents and visitors to use such vehicles by such means as issuing a ‘Green Permit’ with preferential terms and providing free electric charging points.

The Board was invited to comment on the draft strategy. It was suggested it might wish to consider the following aspects:

1.    Does the EAB agree with the keys aims of the parking strategy?

                        (a)  To encourage alternative modes of transport

                        (b)  To intercept cars as early as possible on their route into town

                        (c)  To encourage a drive to, not through approach

2.    Does the EAB agree the strategy sets out a clear path to achieving these aims?   

3.    Does the EAB agree we should adopt the definition of Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (ULEVs) rather than just electric vehicles for our Green Scheme?

4.    How does the EAB consider we can stimulate take up of Electric and ULEVs in Guildford?             

The Board generally approved the draft strategy with the following particular comments and observations set out below:

·         Several members considered that there should be a creative and radical approach to closing the town centre to traffic. The potential for an impact on town centre business was acknowledged, but it was argued that this would be short lived in comparison to the long-term gains.

·         Specific measures that would encourage and incentivise the use of Park and Ride (P&R) services should be considered. A seven-day a week service was suggested. Although  ...  view the full minutes text for item BEI29

To explore the potential options for the delivery of Wi-Fi within Guildford Town Centre.

The Local Economy Manager introduced the report. The Board heard that a proposal to introduce a public wifi network into the town centre was being investigated for viability. This agenda item was advisory for members with the intention to canvas their views. There was a timescale to report to the Executive and for a decision to implement by the end of the year.

Mr Michael Snaith from Media Network Solutions delivered a presentation to the Board explaining the benefits a public 5G Wi-Fi network could bring to Guildford town centre. It was explained that the digital economy was the fastest growth area in the UK. The University of Surrey Innovation Centre was at the forefront of developing 5G technology and it was suggested that it could conceivably ‘step out’ into the town with that technology to improve service delivery and business opportunities. Local business, in the form of ‘Experience Guildford’, had shown interest in the proposal, which could provide data concerning the shopper or visitor experience of the town. Mr Snaith had previously worked with other councils to utilise public-owned street furniture to carry the hardware necessary.

The presentation explained the positive benefits of local authority involvement by potentially delivering improved services, new services and stimulating economic growth and investment. It was suggested CCTV, buildings, car parks and streetlights could provide the hardware enabler.

Where implemented elsewhere there had been little or no planning restrictions and systems had been in place within six to nine months of approval.

The Board made the following comments in response:

·         It was generally agreed to be a positive initiative for the town and for the Council to be involved.

·         The Council should be certain to negotiate a sound agreement on the provision and use of data generated by the network.

·         The Council should keep future options open and not be tied to a single company in any agreement. 

The Board agreed that, since this project was at an early stage, the implementation report for this item should be scheduled on the Work Programme to be considered once more before it being submitted to the Executive meeting for a final decision.

The Board was requested to select and nominate four of its members to sit on the Joint EAB Budget Working Group. For reasons of political proportionality, three conservative members and one Liberal Democrat member were required.

Those nominated were as follows:

Councillor Mike Parsons (Cons)

Councillor Matthew Sarti (Cons)

Councillor Caroline Reeves (Lib Dem)

The final member would be nominated by the Conservative Group.

To consider and approve the EAB’s draft work programme.  Details of future Executive decisions are included.  

Due to a delay on the delivery of certain reports, it was agreed to postpone the next meeting of the Board until 31^st October 2016. It was also considered appropriate to move the Integration of Community Care Services to the November meeting and the Multi Use Sports and Entertainment Facility report to the October meeting.

The Board Work Programme would be updated accordingly.

The Board required that the Draft Rural Strategy Economic Strategy be placed back on the Work Programme and an update brought to a future meeting.

The Board were informed that the Draft Guildford Design Guide would be ready for circulation and comment by the end of October. It was further noted that a lead officer for this work would be in post by the end of the year. The Board was mindful that it had previously agreed to establish a working group to examine this document but that this had been postponed due to a lack of resources.