Decision details

The East Herts Parking Manager submitted a report inviting Members to consider work that Officers had undertaken to date on the preparation of a Transport and Parking Strategy for East Herts.  Members were also requested to establish a Task and Finish Group to shape and guide the development of this Strategy to its conclusion.

The Committee was advised that Councillor M Carver had also attended Town Council meetings as well as a full round of Community Voice meetings.  Hertfordshire County Council had prepared a local transport plan (LTP3). This document had taken into account issues relevant to the East Herts District.

The Parking Manager stated that the County Council had delivered the Local Transport Plan in April 2011.  They had also prepared an Urban Transport Plan for Ware and similar documents for Bishop’s Stortford and Sawbridgeworth.  Officers were now analysing a considerable body of evidence in drafting the strategy.

The Committee was reminded of the need to shape this evidence into a strategy document that was relevant and pertinent to East Herts.  Officers were seeking authority from Members to convene a Task and Finish Group so that this Strategy could be finalised.

The Parking Manager anticipated that member’s participation in the group’s work would involve the reading of the background documents and he expected there to be 4 or 5 meetings during the summer and early autumn.  He stated that he was seeking to draw on the local knowledge of members and this might mean a Member from each of the 5 main towns plus one rural Member to participate in the work of the Group.

Councillor N Poulton commented on whether a Member was required from each of the 5 main towns.  He also queried whether the Chairman of the Task and Finish Group should be a Member of this Committee.

The Committee noted the work undertaken to date in respect of the strategy.  Members also approved the set up of a Task and Finish Group to shape and guide the development of the Strategy.  Members were requested to submit expressions of interest to the Chairman of the Committee by 17 June 2011.

RESOLVED – that (A) the work undertaken to date on the preparation of a Transport and Parking Strategy for East Herts be noted;

(B)   a Task and Finish Group be set up to shape and guide the development of the Strategy to its conclusion; and

(C)   Members should submit expressions of interest to the Chairman of the Committee by 17 June 2011.