Agenda item

Report of the Group Director of Services.

The Cabinet Member with the Local Services Portfolio introduced the report of the Group Director of Services (previously circulated) advising Members of three objections received to a proposal for waiting restrictions on Coniscliffe Road and to seek a decision on whether to proceed with the proposal.

The submitted report stated that pavement cafés had been in place on Coniscliffe Road since the Summer of 2020; they were initially implemented as a response to the reopening of hospitality businesses after the first Covid-19 lockdown; Government enacted the Business and Planning Act 2020 on 22 July 2020 to enable local authorities to make provision for outdoor dining due to the restrictions on indoor eating and drinking; Coniscliffe Road was one of the areas identified where outdoor dining could be accommodated and that would be of benefit to the local hospitality businesses; the road was subsequently closed to enable tables and chairs to be placed on the carriageway; an experimental order was put in place to facilitate the closure and associated changes to waiting and loading restrictions; the order was reviewed 12 months later; and that the outcome of the review was that the pavement cafés were well supported, but changes were put in place to enable the road to be partially reopened.

Discussion ensued at the meeting on the objections received and what support or alternatives, if any, that had been considered that may assist the businesses impacted by the proposal.  The Cabinet Member with the Local Services Portfolio and the Group Director of Services responded thereon.

RESOLVED - That the objections, as detailed in the submitted report, be set aside and officers be authorised to make the changes permanent, as shown on the plan appended at Appendix 1 to the submitted report.

REASONS – (a)  To support the provision of pavement cafés in accordance with the Town Centre Strategy and the Council’s pavement café policy.

(b)  It will maintain traffic flow in accordance with our duty under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.?????