Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Carragher and Porter.

Members are requested at a meeting where a disclosable pecuniary interest or personal interest arises, which is not already included in their Register of Members' Interests, todeclare any interests that relate to an item on the agenda.

Where a Member discloses a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, he/she must withdraw from the meeting room, including from the public gallery, during the whole consideration of any item of business in which he/she has an interest, except where he/she is permitted to remain as a result of a grant of a dispensation.

Where a Member discloses a personal interest he/she must seek advice from the Monitoring Officer or staff member representing the Monitoring Officer to determine whether the Member should withdraw from the meeting room, including from the public gallery, during the whole consideration of any item of business in which he/she has an interest or whether the Member can remain in the meeting or remain in the meeting and vote on the relevant decision.

In accordance with Paragraph 9 of the Council’s Code of Conduct, the following declaration of personal interest was made, and the Member concerned remained in the room during the consideration of the item:

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 11 March 2024 be confirmed as a correct record.

Report of the Assistant Director of Place (Highways and Public Protection)

The Committee considered the report of the Assistant Director of Place (Highways and Public Protection) which reported on the progress of the Taxi Licensing service during 2023/24.

The Committee discussed drivers who failed to attend knowledge tests, the reasons for failed / voided knowledge tests and the capacity of the One Stop Shop team.

RESOLVED: That

Report of the Assistant Director of Place (Highways and Public Protection)

The Committee considered the report of the Assistant Director of Place (Highways and Public Protection) which reported on the work carried out during 2023/24 by the Local Licensing Unit.

The Committee discussed the breakdown of licence applications and temporary event notices.

RESOLVED: That

Report of the Assistant Director of Place (Highways and Public Protection)

The Committee considered the report of the Assistant Director of Place (Highways and Public Protection) which reported on the receipt of objections to the progression of a permanent Traffic Regulation Order in relation to the Southport Town Centre cycle route.

Under the terms of the Council's Constitution, the Licensing and Regulatory Committee had three options in dealing with objections, namely to:

·       Accept the recommendations in the report;

·       Accept the recommendations in the report with minor changes; or

·       Refer the matter back to the Cabinet Member – Housing and Highways, giving reasons and recommendations for the referral.

The Committee discussed the objections that had been taken into account as part of the report, the Council’s commitment to enhancing active travel, and expressed concern regarding the cycle lanes on Chapel Street, Southport.

It was moved by Councillor Morris, seconded by Councillor Dodd:

That the Traffic Regulation Orders be progressed as originally advertised, with the exception of Chapel Street, which would be referred back to the Cabinet Member - Housing and Highways for his further consideration due to Members concerns regarding the shared use of the pedestrianised area by both pedestrians and cyclists.

Following a show of hands, the Chair declared the motion was carried by 9 votes to 3 and it was:

RESOLVED: That

Report of the Assistant Director of Place (Highways and Public Protection)

The Committee considered the report of the Assistant Director of Place (Highways and Public Protection) which reported the receipt of objections against the proposal; and requesting a legal order, the effect of which would see the Southport School Street Pilot (Hastings Road and Windy Harbour Road) become permanent.

RESOLVED: That

Report of the Assistant Director of Place (Highways and Public Protection)

The Committee considered the report of the of the Assistant Director of Place (Highways and Public Protection) which sought approval to changes to the highway to deliver accessibility improvements along Weld Road, Birkdale between Lulworth Road and Birkdale Village.

The Committee discussed dropped curbs, road surfacing and bus stops.

RESOLVED:

That the Assistant Director of Place (Highways and Public Protection) be authorised to implement the following modifications to the Highway:

Report of the Assistant Director of Place (Highways and Public Protection)

RESOLVED:

That the item be withdrawn from the agenda.