Agenda item

Any other business

To discuss any other business that the Chairman deems significant.

Minutes:

Traffic Restriction Order

 

The Chairman updated the Forum providing some background information on the Traffic Restriction Order (TRO)

  • The previous Spalding Town Forum Chairman had started the discussion involving cars parking in the town centre.
  • The current Chairman along with Councillor Elizabeth Sneath continued to lead on the said issue.
  • A public consultation had now been completed and the outcome was that the public wanted the town centre closed to cars during the times of 10am - 4pm, seven days a week.

 

The Chairman informed the Forum that the TRO was with Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) to be rewritten to make it clearer and easier to enforce.

  • Additional disabled parking would be implemented on the edges of the core of the Town Centre.
  • The next stage would be to consult with town centre businesses, to ensure their deliveries could be maintained. LCC would be liaising with the local businesses, once this consultation was completed the TRO would be signed off.
  • The town centre would then be closed off to cars entering the town centre during the restricted period of 10am – 4pm, Monday to Sunday.

 

The Chairman suggested collaborating with the Chain Bridge Forge, to produce a bespoke gate for the entrance to the town centre.

The Chairman showed a selection of slides with several ideas of how the proposed gate would look and asked the Forum for any feedback and questions.

  • The gate would be connected to the posts that were outside Prezzo.
  • A bi-fold gate was being considered, which would fold in the middle and back out towards Prezzo where it would be secured to a new post.
  • Three options were presented to the Forum, showing a variety of decorative designs.

 

Members raised the following points:

 

  • The tulip design was an apt design, but the issue was raised that the gate should be functional in the first instance and vandal proof.
    • The Chairman responded that the gate would be the entrance to our town centre, the design would need to be practical and functional, as well as an attractive feature.

 

  • How would the gate be opened and closed at the start and end of the day? Who would be responsible for this?
    • The logistics had not been confirmed, but the Forum would be updated at a future meeting.

 

  • When the new post for the gate was erected, would there be enough room for prams and mobility scooters to access the town centre on the pavement?
    • The pavement was wide enough to accommodate the above.

 

  • Members raised concerns about the gate becoming damaged by motorists, could the CCTV be positioned to capture any vandalism.
    • It was suggested  having a “monitored by CCTV” sign on the gate to deter vandals.
    • It was suggested that some traffic cones be placed in front of the gate to  alert motorists that there was no through road.
    • Initially some drivers may be disgruntled but would soon become used to the new arrangement.
    • It was noted that many of the cars parked were not necessarily shoppers’ cars but perhaps public parking to go to work or catching a train.

 

  • Would drivers be able to access the town centre from the opposite direction.
    • If any vehicle was to enter the town from the opposite direction, they would be breaking the law and the highway code, which would be dealt with by the Police.

 

  • Had the safety aspect and risk assessment been considered for the proposed gate.
    • The Chairman would liaise with the Chain Bridge Forge to design the gate to be child friendly, without sharp edges. As with all council property it would be covered by  indemnity insurance should anyone be injured.

 

The Chairman mentioned that LCC had visited the town centre to review the current signage, and would be investing in bigger, clearer No Entry signs and No Entry road markings.

 

The Chairman concluded that all points would be considered and taken on board.

 

Grammar School students - update

 

The Chairman noted that they would like to invite the Grammar School students back to the Spalding Town Forum so members could update the students on developments since their presentation to the Forum on 27 March 2024.

  • The Chairman put the idea forward to the Forum that he would like to set up a Youth Council, which  could be a member of the Town Board  This would enable the students to express and present their ideas and be a part of the decision-making process.
  • The Chairman asked for the setting up of a Youth Council to be added as an agenda  item for the next meeting.
  • The Chairman informed the Forum that since the students’ presentation an open cinema event had been organised in conjunction with Spalding Round Table and the Chairman of SHDC.

 

St George’s Day celebrations

 

Councillor James Le Sage mentioned that he had been approached by some local residents to enquire if the Town Centre could do more to celebrate St George’s Day.

  • The Chairman responded that he would be happy to discuss celebrating St George Day for 2025.

 

 

Planters in Spalding town centre

 

Councillor James Le Sage enquired when the new planters would be installed in the Town Centre and requested that an update be provided   by the Portfolio Holder for Community Development at the next Spalding Town Forum meeting.

 

CCTV data update

 

Councillor I Sheard requested that a CCTV data update  be  added as an agenda item  for the next meeting. Councillor Sheard added;

  • Graffiti was an ever-increasing blight on the town.
  • Could the CCTV be viewed and to enable those responsible for the graffiti to be identified and held  accountable.
  • What Benefits was the current CCTV providing.

 

The Chairman responded he would request a data update from the Portfolio Holder for Community Development.

 

Summer Fair in memory of the late Councillor Angela Newton

 

Christine Lawton from the Johnson Hospital League of Friends informed the Forum of a Summer Fair event, in memory of the late Councillor Angela Newton, at the Johnson Hospital on 13 July 2024 at 2pm.