Issue - items at meetings - Permit Scheme Briefing Report

Report of the Strategic Director, Place (copy attached).

1.            That the Cabinet Member authorises officers to draw up a business case considering the need for and impact of a Permit Scheme for Brighton & Hove which will be presented to a Committee Meeting in Autumn 2012.

2.            That the Cabinet Member authorises officers to engage the specialist service of consultants in the creation of the business case and considers funding this from the 2012/13 Local Transport Plan allocation. Estimated cost of this work is £10-£15k.

104.1           Councillor West considered a report of the Strategic Director, Place that outlined actions that the council would have to undertake to introduce a permit scheme in Brighton and Hove following a Notice of Motion agreed at Full Council in October 2011.

104.2           Councillor West stated that he was pleased to present the report which discussed the provision of a Permit Scheme for the city.

There was considerable interest both politically and from all road users where delays due to road works cause disruption and ways to reduce this must be considered. Councillor West said that a permit scheme would give more direct control of road works on the city’s streets; road workers would have to seek permission rather than the current requirement to simply provide notice to the Council of their intention to do work. 

Councillor West added that a permit scheme should be cost neutral and was not an opportunity for the council to raise income from utility companies. Council works would also be “permitted” and parity must be shown between Council and non council highway works.

Councillor West stated that the report recommended creating a full business case which would in turn help the Council to decide if a Permit Scheme was operationally and financially appropriate for the city. Councillor West noted a change to the report recommendation 2.1 which would read ‘presented to a Committee Meeting’ rather than ‘presented to a CMM’ due to changes to the authorities’ governance structure effective from May 2012.

104.3           Councillor Theobald enquired as to the timescale of the scheme.

104.4           The Highway & Traffic Manager estimated that it would take two years to implement if the business case was made. This was due to financial, legal and IT complications and the possibility that permission may need to be sought from the Secretary of State. This would also include a ‘shadow’ system in place for six to eight months.

104.5           RESOLVED-

1.            That the Cabinet Member authorises officers to draw up a business case considering the need for and impact of a Permit Scheme for Brighton & Hove which will be presented to a Committee Meeting in Autumn 2012.

2.            That the Cabinet Member authorises officers to engage the specialist service of consultants in the creation of the business case and considers funding this from the 2012/13 Local Transport Plan allocation. Estimated cost of this work is £10-£15k.