Agenda item

(A)      Chantry Area B7 Resident Permit Parking

Richard Owen, a resident of Chantry Road, Bishop’s Stortford, presented a petition comprising 253 signatures in respect of the Chantry Area B7 resident permit parking.  The petition read:

“We the undersigned call upon East Herts Council to move the boundary of the parking bay at the Hadham Road end of Chantry Road to allow traffic to negotiate this junction more safely.”

Mr Owen referred to the concerns of residents and the need to improve safety for road users and pedestrians.  He reminded Members of the outcome of the Mott MacDonald post-implementation review, which had highlighted the access problems caused by the layout of the parking bays and had not been addressed by the Council.

Mr Owen outlined the perceived benefits of relocating the parking bays, namely, improved safety, easier access and the removal of potential obstruction in the evenings at the bottom of Chantry Road caused by visitors to the restaurant on the corner.  Although meeting the petitioners’ request might result in the loss of up to six parking bays, Mr Owen drew attention to Mott MacDonald’s assessment that there was “abundant available on-street parking”.

In response, the Executive Member for Economic Development accepted that there was poor visibility and limited queueing space at the junction in question.  Having received the petition, Officers had visited the site with a representative of Hertfordshire Highways and they were satisfied with the layout.  The Executive Member advised that any changes to the scheme would require a new traffic regulation order at a cost of approximately £5k.  He was aware that some residents at the lower end of Chantry Road had a slightly different view.

Notwithstanding these issues, the Executive Member expressed sympathy for the petition and undertook to address the concerns raised within the next review of the Chantry scheme.  He also commented that the Council’s Resident Permit Parking policy would be reviewed in the Autumn 2015 and that the new policy would provide an opportunity to address the changes sought by the petitioners.

(B)      Save the Southern Maltings – Arts for All

Darren Bender, a resident of Thundridge, had submitted a petition hosted on the change.org website, which had reached over 1000 signatures.  The petition read:

“There is a desperate need for an Arts For All facility in the East Herts area and this unique building in the centre of Ware (a) is perfect for the purpose as it already holds an overwhelmed existing arts centre, (b) has unique historical features that preserve the story of Ware's 400 year malting industry, (c) was bought by the old urban council who were folded into the East Herts District Council who are now trying to sell the building to developers, and (d) has previously had permission from EHDC to be converted into an arts centre going back to the 70s. 

We need more homes in the wider Ware area but we also need community assets like this to provide much needed activities and access to all the arts in the East Herts area. Artists’ studios, workshops, classes, galleries and performance space will all be within one building.

We have Melvyn Bragg's support and local people are pledging money, skills and labour so please sign the petition and help spread the word. We only have a short period of time to make this a reality. Let’s put Ware at the heart of East Herts cultural life and make it an amazing place to live!”

Mr Bender referred to the need for expanding the arts space at the Southern Maltings to reach out to the surrounding area and to inspire young people with the learning opportunities that would be available.  He outlined their business plan, the modest costs and the proposed governance arrangements.  There was huge support from local residents and organisations, the local MPs and Ware Town Council with a provisional grant allocated.  He urged the Council to grant a long lease.

In the absence of the Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing, the Leader acknowledged the enthusiasm of the petitioners and reminded Members of the Council’s support for the arts as exemplified by Hertford Theatre.  She assured the petitioner that the Council would consider their request seriously but that the Council had to take heed of its Asset Management Plan.  She had asked Officers to consider the issues raised and a response would be forthcoming.

Councillor P Ballam, as a local Member, commended the petition and spoke of the important role the Arts centre played within Ware.  She also provided the historical background to the maltings in Ware and the fact that this was the last remaining one still standing.  She believed that this should be protected and that the Arts Centre’s expansion was necessary.