Decisions

Resolved

That the Portfolio Holder for Finance & Property (Deputy Leader)

1)    authorises the addition of the B4113 Longford Road Corridor Improvement Scheme - Phase 1 to the Capital Programme for the value of £1.474 million; and

2)    authorises the Executive Director for Communities to procure the necessary construction contract and enter into any such contract and any associated agreements on terms and conditions acceptable to the Executive Director for Resources.

Resolved

That the Portfolio Holder for Transport and Planning

Approves the recommendation to make The Warwickshire County Council (Borough Of North Warwickshire) (Waiting Restrictions And On-Street Parking Places) (Consolidation) (Variation No. 9) Order, as modified to exclude the proposals advertised relating to waiting restrictions on:

(i)              Tamworth Road, Sherwood Close & Smith Street; and

(ii)             Mill Crescent and Hemlingford Road.

(1)      Warwickshire’s Renewed Support For Ukraine

Warwickshire County Council is disturbed by the continuing horrific devastation in Ukraine, and the devastating effect 3 years of war has had on the Country.  In light of this, and as a way of expressing support for members of our communities who are from or who have ties with Ukraine,

This Council:

1.         Continues to stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and their families and friends, including those local to Warwickshire;

2.         Continues to support those families fleeing from conflict recognising that many are now concerned about renewing their permissions to remain in the UK by seeking ways which the Council can support those who may be struggling with applications;

3.         Continues to seek ways in which a thriving Ukrainian culture can be supported during this difficult time and signpost people to existing community support groups including those supporting mental health problems caused by PTSD and other related conditions.

(2)      Climate Resilience and Flooding Support

Warwickshire County Council recognises the important role that Councils play in climate resilience: through their role as place shapers and community leaders at the forefront of adaptation efforts delivering essential services that protect public health, manage roads and infrastructure, and prepare people and places against flooding.

Recognising that climate impacts like warmer and wetter winters, hotter and drier summers, and more intense and frequent weather extremes as a result of climate change (recognised by this Council in its recently published Sustainable Futures Annual Report) are already impacting residents, like those residents affected by recent Storm Henk:

This Council:

1.         Will further encourage affected/eligible residents and businesses to apply for the Property Flood Resilience (PFR) grant, offering up to £5000 (including VAT) to implement measures that will make their properties more resilient in the future;

2.         Help residents and businesses to understand what other opportunities are available to them to forward fund the contribution required for accessing the PFR grant and thus make the grant as accessible as possible.

That Council endorses the 2024 Annual Report of the Director of Public Health and the recommendations within it.

The Portfolio Holder for Transport and Planning, Councillor Jan Matecki, received the report which outlined a number of proposed improvements to the existing St John’s junction, Warwick, as well as the adjacent service road, additional and improved cycle and pedestrian facilities and general enhancement to the area as a key gateway to the town.

The report explained the need for change, outlined the proposed scheme and consultation that had taken place.  A number of objections to the proposals had been received and these were summarised at section 2.11 onwards in the report. 

Councillor Matecki welcomed Councillor John Holland to the meeting along with officers from the Transport Planning department.

Councillor Holland outlined his concerns which related to these proposals being part of a larger scheme for Warwick Town Centre.  He referred to historical planning conditions relating to the Chase Meadow housing development in Warwick involving a series of S106 agreements and an Air Quality Management Zone put in place by Warwick District Council.

Councillor Holland explained that the planning conditions and legal agreements had been imposed to manage the large volumes of traffic in Warwick and this scheme, and future works, would need to comply with those orders and agreements.  He referred to a previous Cabinet decision which had been consulted on widely and supported unanimously by Warwick Town Council.  He asked for assurance that the works proposed for St Johns would unlock the rest of the scheme.

In response, Councillor Matecki explained that he was not in a position to make assurances about future infrastructure works for Warwick Town Centre.  He advised that there were mechanisms in place should Warwick District Council feel this work was contrary to legal agreements or Air Quality Management Zone.  He then asked Councillor Holland to clarify if he had any objection to the proposals outlined in the report for the St John’s area of Warwick.

Councillor Holland reiterated that he wanted assurances that this work would initiate further planned work for Warwick and that all legal agreements and air quality orders would be complied with.

Councillor Matecki advised that he had shared his thoughts on the wider scheme for Warwick Town Centre previously, and the decision being made today related to the proposed scheme as detailed in the report.

He therefore approved the recommendations as written.

Resolved

That the Portfolio Holder for Transport and Planning gives approval to:

1)    the making of the proposed Warwickshire County Council (District of Warwick) (Civil Enforcement Area) (Waiting Restrictions, On Street Parking Places and Residents’ Parking) (Consolidation) (Variation Q) Order as advertised.

2)    the making of the proposed Warwickshire County Council (Cross Street and St Johns Service Road, Warwick) (One Way Traffic) Order as advertised;

3)    the implementation of road humps and traffic calming (carriageway narrowing) as advertised on St Johns Service Road and The Paddocks, Warwick;

4)    the conversion of existing footways to shared use footways / cycle tracks on A445 Coten End, A429 Coventry Road, A445 Priory Road, A429 Smith Street, A429 St Johns and D4169 St Johns Court, Warwick as advertised;

5)     the upgrading of existing puffin crossings to toucan crossings on A429 Coventry Road, Warwick (at its junction with St Johns) and on A429 St Johns, Warwick (at its junction with A429 Coventry Road / St Johns Court) as advertised; and

6)    the felling of 2 no. street trees located between D4129 St Johns (service road) and A429 St Johns as advertised.