Membership 2003/2004

Chairman:     Councillor A R Green
Vice-Chairman:     Councillor P J Cartwright

Councillors L Ali, P J Cartwright, Mrs L M Clarke, R B Colomb, A Ditta, Mrs K J Dix, Mrs K M Draper, D G Fieldhouse, G Galbraith, A R Green, D J Hayday, A E Hill, M Hussain JP, R A Hussein, M A Karim, Mrs C C Martens, P Morris, R M Raja, Mrs V A Razzaq, Mrs A M Stenner, Ms J D Wassell, Mrs J White and M Yasin.

5.     PEDESTRIAN CROSSING FACILITY - JOHN HALL WAY

Contact Officer: Mike Fish, DDI HW 421444,  Email: mike_fish@wycombe.gov.uk

A request has been received for support from the Committee for a pedestrian crossing facility in John Hall Way in the vicinity of Nancy Hall Court.

What is the Committee being asked to do?

To note the current situation and consider support for the request that a crossing facility be provided in John Hall Way, thus enabling the proposal to be placed before the Wycombe Local Committee.

Summary

5.1     Requests from Parish Councils for small-scale highway improvement schemes of this nature are dealt with through the County Council’s Local Committee process. John Hall Way is located within the Town of High Wycombe and therefore the Town Committee/Charter Trustees is the appropriate contact in this instance.

5.2   The A4010 John Hall Way forms part of the strategic highway network linking the M40 Junction 4 Handy Cross with Aylesbury. The road carries high volumes of traffic and there are no safe crossing points within easy reach of Nancy Hall Court. It has been suggested that the provision of the crossing facility should be supplementary to the proposals for the Cressex Link Road. The public consultation for this Local Transport Plan scheme has recently been completed. Should this major scheme go ahead this would result in even higher traffic flows on John Hall Way.

5.3   However the County Council has given an indication that the crossing facility could be considered independently of the Link Road as a delegated budget scheme, in view of the benefits to safety that would be gained from this measure. The support of the Town Committee is therefore requested to enable the proposal to be nominated on the County Council’s Wycombe Local Committee list of delegated budget schemes.

Corporate Governance Financial and Legal Implications

5.4   The Local Committee controls a delegated budget of £125,000 to enable such schemes to be progressed that would not otherwise gain a place in any other programme of works. The schemes should satisfy certain criteria, in particular member support, partner involvement including possible joint funding and community or environmental benefit.

5.5   Under Section 1 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, the traffic authority (in this District, Buckinghamshire County Council) may, in order to avoid danger or damage, and preserving the character of a road, or the amenities of an area, make traffic regulation orders prohibiting, restricting or regulating the use of a road by vehicular traffic or certain classes of vehicular traffic. In making such orders, there is a general duty on the traffic authority under section 122 of the Act to secure the expeditious, convenient and safe movement of traffic and the provision of adequate parking facilities on and off the highway, taking into account matters such as the need to secure reasonable access to premises, to preserve or improve local amenities, and to facilitate the passage of public transport.  

Background Papers

5.6  Exchanges of correspondence between the Member for Booker and Cressex and Buckinghamshire County Council Members and Officers. Working papers held in Planning and Major Projects Directorate.

6.      CONTROL OF ROOSTING PIGEONS

Officer Contact: Julian Smith  DDI: 01494 421702  Email: julian_smith@wycombe.gov.uk

At its meeting on 16 March 2004, the Committee reviewed the continuing efforts to control the numbers of roosting pigeons in the town centre. Members resolved to look again at the problem after 6 months to consider whether any further action warranted recommendation.

What is the Committee being asked to do?

To note the current situation and consider the following recommendations:

ii)   That the Cabinet Member for Environment be invited to support the Service Pressure Bid for the control of pigeons in the town centre.

Executive Summary

Policy/Community Plan Implications

Background

6.3   Members of the public and Members have expressed concern about the population of feral pigeons in the Town Centre for some years now. Much of this concern relates to the fouling by the birds, which occurs on both buildings and pavements. Many landowners have invested in proofing for their buildings to protect them from the damage caused by droppings and the building of nests. There is little direct evidence that feral pigeons are transmitters of disease but they have been shown to carry salmonellosis and their public health significance cannot be ignored.

6.4    The Council has for a number of years carried out a trapping programme to reduce the size of the pigeon flock. However this programme was reviewed recently and the programme was stopped. This was on the basis of advice and evidence provided by the Pigeon Control Advisory Service (PICAS) who have demonstrated that lethal bird control does not have the desired effect of reducing the numbers of pigeons in a flock. Indeed it can result in an increase in numbers. They refer to research carried out by the University of Basel in Switzerland following the failure of a killing programme over many years. The research team looked at restricting feeding and providing pigeon lofts where the birds were encouraged to nest and roost. These lofts were cleaned on a weekly basis and any eggs laid during the previous week removed. Over a four-year period his had the effect of reducing the pigeon population by 50% and had the benefit of removing droppings in a controlled way to be appropriately disposed of. Much of these droppings would otherwise have been deposited on the City’s buildings. Such a scheme is also more acceptable to the public as it is more humane and does not involve the killing of birds.

6.5    In view of the evidence supplied by PICAS it was decided that the appropriate way forward for High Wycombe was to embark on a nesting box scheme, whereby facilities are provided for pigeons to nest and from which eggs are then removed. It was decided that a pilot scheme would be undertaken at All Saints’ Parish Church where pigeon roosting is a particular problem. Negotiations took place between our then Town Centre Manager and the Churchwarden but the scheme did not progress as repairs to the Church roof were imminent which would have disrupted the trial. These works are still underway but are due to be completed in the near future so the scheme can now be reconsidered. An approach has been made to the High Wycombe Town Centre Partnership to progress this matter but they feel unable to do this.

6.6     PICAS offer a consultancy service where they will review the pigeon problem in a Town Centre, carry out a survey of suitable nesting box positions and give recommendations as to a suitable programme. They charge for this service but it is considered that their expertise would be of benefit. The capital costs of their recommendations would then need to be calculated. An investigation would also need to be made into the ongoing revenue costs. A local animal welfare group has expressed an interest in assisting in egg removal/nest box cleaning but further investigation needs to be made on this offer. The ongoing revenue costs of a scheme costs can then be the subject of a Service Pressure Bid for the funding of a pigeon control programme.

Corporate Governance and other Legal and Financial Implications

6.7     A survey and report from PICAS would cost in the region of £450 and this could be met from existing budgets. Any further cost implications of this project would be considered in the Service Pressure Bid process. It is thought that the capital cost of such a project would be in the region of £4,000 and annual servicing costs in the order of £6,000, although this might reduce if voluntary help is engaged to assist in the matter. These costs are only estimates at this stage, prior to receipt of the PICAS report.

Background Papers

6.8    Files held in Customer Services Directorate

7.      UPDATE REPORTS

7.1 FURTHER PEDESTRIANISATION IN HIGH WYCOMBE TOWN CENTRE  

Contact Officer:  Mike Fish   DDI: HW 421444

At the meeting on 16 March 2004 the Committee recommended that a request should be made to Bucks County Council to:

The Committee is invited to note the following progress on this matter:

Summary

Following the endorsement of the recommendation by Cabinet on 5 April, the request was considered at a joint meeting of the Cabinet Members for Transportation of both Bucks County Council and Wycombe District Council. The Cabinet Members suggested that the Wycombe Partnership should be made aware of proposals in order to establish the degree of support for the measures.

Consequently the views of the Wycombe Partnership were sought. General support was given to the proposals and practical suggestions made included:

In order to create a dialogue with the business sector at an early stage a meeting has recently been held with the new Town Centre Manager. The outcome of the meeting was very positive and it was felt that increasing pedestrianisation would further improve conditions in the town centre and ultimately gain the full support of the Town Centre Partnership.

The issue of increasing pedestrian priority in Frogmoor was also discussed. Unfortunately, owing to the absence of a suitable alternative site for taxi ranks in the immediate vicinity, it was agreed that extending pedestrian priority to this area would not be feasible. An Update Report on taxi access in the town centre is presented below.

As a result of the clear support for 24-hour pedestrianisation in the town centre, Bucks County Council will now be instructed to make the necessary Traffic Orders. Consultation with stakeholders including Shopmobility and the Police will also commence shortly.

7.2    TAXI ACCESS IN HIGH WYCOMBE

Contact Officer:     Rod Marshall     Ext 3703     DDI: HW 421703

At the meeting of the High Wycombe Town Committee of 16 March 2004 it was resolved that the provision of additional taxi waiting areas in Frogmoor be examined and that Buckinghamshire County Council be requested to adopt a more zealous approach to the role of the Parking Wardens in the town centre, in particular between 11pm and 6am, and that these issues be put to Cabinet.  Additionally it has been proposed that licensed taxis should be enabled to go into the pedestrianised area of the town centre, following the routes that the buses use, in order to avoid the very wide detours that are currently required.

Summary

It has been recognised for some time by both the Council as Taxi Licensing Authority and by Thames Valley Police that improvements could be made to rank space and positioning, especially in the Frogmoor area.  This has become all the more important since Council decided on 19 July 2004 to make a significant policy change by ceasing to limit the number of taxi licences it issues, leaving fleet provision to market forces (but still subject to quality and safety controls).  It is likely that the fleet of taxis able to ply for hire and stand on taxi ranks (unlike private hire cars or minicabs) will increase as a result of this policy change when it is implemented.

Members will be aware that Buckinghamshire County Council (BCC), as the Highway Authority, is the agency to consider such proposals. Accordingly, a letter has been sent to Traffic Management and Strategic Transport Services at BCC and to Thames Valley Police requesting them to consider a potential list of sites, with a view to increasing current provision.

The County officers have previously indicated that whilst they would have no objection in principle to taxis using the bus lane on London Road, they would not allow taxi access to Church Street past Marks and Spencer.  No access to restricted areas will be allowed for private hire minibuses, which means that the taxi fleet must be readily identifiable. This is an issue which is currently being agreed with the taxi trade through the usual Trade Forum, on which the Chairman of Regulatory and Appeals Committee is represented.

When the outcome of the proposed meeting with the Highway Authority and the Police has been concluded, a further report will be brought back to this Committee.  In the meantime if Members wish to make any further points about taxi access, these can be raised with BCC.

7.3    DESBOROUGH ROAD RECREATION GROUND

Contact Officer: Charles Brocklehurst, Tel: DDI  HW 421820

Email: charles_brocklehurst@wycombe.gov.uk

An attempt has been made to dispose of the site of the former Mill End Road School Canteen, on the north-eastern corner of the Recreation Ground, for 100% affordable housing.  The objective is to secure a Section 106 contribution towards the cost of a replacement Changing Room facility, plus (if possible) a capital receipt.

Due to the difficulty in securing Housing Corporation funding for affordable housing, only one bid/ scheme was submitted.  This comprised a mix of 11 shared ownership and affordable rented units.  The proposed purchase was ‘subject to funding’.  Negotiations stalled because of a business merger involving the bidding contractor. However, negotiations have now recommenced, with a view to using the Council’s Affordable Housing Programme to ‘gap fund’ the provision of more affordable units.  Whether this still results in the anticipated Section 106 contribution remains to be seen.

In the meantime, a preliminary cost for the replacement Changing Rooms has been produced.  Based on Leisure Services’ ‘wish list’, the estimate places the cost in the order of £350,000.

Leisure Services submitted a capital bid last year to top up the anticipated Section 106 contribution.  It was not prioritised, however, as it was a 2005/06 project and hence was not supported by the Cabinet Member.  Therefore funding of the replacement Changing Rooms remains an issue.

An initial thought to get costs down was to construct the new Changing Rooms either as a replacement of or an extension to the existing former tennis Changing Rooms, in the north east corner of the Recreation Ground (with vehicular access from West Wycombe Road via Friars Lane).  This would require relocation of the ‘Dial-a-Ride’ offices, however, which are currently located in this building.

7.4    TOWN CENTRE RE-DEVELOPMENT

Contact Officer: Charles Brocklehurst, Tel: DDI  HW 421820

Email: charles_brocklehurst@wycombe.gov.uk

Under the terms of the development agreement between the Council and Stannifer Developments Limited signed in October 2003, work has continued on satisfying the pre-conditions in the agreement.  Possession of properties under the Compulsory Purchase Order has been completed, with the exception of Arriva and Iceland, where negotiations are continuing.  Structural survey and archaeological survey work has been completed and contamination survey work is underway.

Stannifer Developments Limited have submitted a fresh outline planning application for an extended scheme, taking in the site of Leyward/Denmark House.  Negotiations are underway to amend the development agreement, to reflect the proposed extended scheme.  The development programme is based on a start on site for the new Bus Depot (at Cressex) in January 2005 and a start on site for Town Centre Re-development in April 2005, with end 2007 completion still being the aim.

R J Cummins
Chief Executive
on behalf of the Strategic Directors’ Board

Lead Officer:      John Piddington, Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Resources, DDI: HW 421303. Email: john_piddington@wycombe.gov.uk

Committee Services:      Diana Davis, Ext 3635, DDI: HW 421635, Email: diana_davis@wycombe.gov.uk