Bognor Regis Home and Low Speed Zone Project Community Participation Group. Meeting No.2 21 August 2002
Written 28/08/02
Notes of Community Participation Meeting No.2, Held on 21 August, 6 – 8 pm in the The Arena Leisure Centre, Bognor Regis
The following notes reflect the main points arising during the above meeting.
Those Present:
Name | Organisation (if any) |
Jennie Leggatt | SoRA |
Maxine Beuret, Francine Ross | SoRA |
Kirsty Routledge | West Sussex County Council |
Vince McCabe | Resident |
Peter and Katherine Dye | Residents |
| Ian Robinson | Resident |
| C. Haitt | Resident |
| Mr. Williams | Resident |
| Diane Rogers | Resident |
| Jeremy Rogers | Resident |
| Nikki Spencer | Resident |
| M.Diggens | Resident |
| Susan Apps | Resident |
| Adam Latus | Resident |
| Mary Lofthouse | Resident |
| Mr J. Clark | Resident |
| J. Linnard | Resident |
| Mr and Mrs Robinson | Residents |
| Mrs R Monk | Resident |
| Ann Widdis | Resident |
| Diana Wilson | Resident |
| B J Hale | Resident |
| Mark Beaucroft | Resident |
| Mr and Mrs Clark | Residents |
| Mr Lewis | Resident |
| S Endacott | Resident |
| R Nash | Resident |
| M Lawrence | Resident |
| J Todd | Resident |
| S Ridler | Resident |
| Mrs Lewis | Resident |
| Mr Ockwell | Resident (elected Secretary) |
| Mr M Hughes | Resident |
| Mr and Mrs LeGrand | Residents |
| Mr and Mrs Harvey | Residents |
| John H Woods | Resident |
| Catherine Morrish | Orchard District Councillor |
| Mr and Mrs Trent | Resident |
| P Rickman | Resident |
| J White | Resident |
| Mrs L Molyneux | Resident |
| Mr R Orford | Resident |
Agenda Item Action
At the start of the meeting the following documents were circulated:
Notes of the introductory CPG meeting held on 24th July, 2002 in the Community Hall, Westloats lane.
An Agenda for this evening’s meeting
A flyer publicising a forthcoming event on 31st August.
A contact list to obtain details of those present who wished to continue to be involved in the CPG.
1. Introduction
Jennie Leggatt (JL) introduced herself, Maxine Beuret and Francine Ross from SoRA to the meeting. SoRA is managing the consultation process for the project on behalf of WSCC.Also present was Kirsty Routledge (KR) of West Sussex County Council (WSCC), and with whom SoRA is working very closely.
Immediate questions and comments coming from the floor made it clear that there were different levels of understanding amongst those present about both the project and the purpose of this meeting. This needed to be addressed so that the meeting could proceed.
In summary, the following points of information were provided by JL:
A leaflet had recently been prepared and distributed by WSCC that was intended to give background information about the project.The information in it should be read as examples only.
As could be seen from the circulated notes of the previous meeting on 24th July, the design of Home Zones is unique to each area and actively involves local people.
A Home Zone should not be confused with a Low Speed Zone.
It was accepted that the map shown on the WSCC leaflet may create an erroneous impression that Hillsboro Road was not included in either scheme (Home Zone or Low Speed Zone).
Another map was shown to the meeting, and copies available distributed, that clearly indicated Hillsboro Road and its residents are included and will be consulted.
Today’s meeting was not intended to be a formal ‘public meeting’ and people should not be overly concerned if they had not been present at the previous one.There would be many more events and many opportunities for all those who wished to, to be involved and to have their say.
Apologies were extended to those who believed they had not received the original leaflet. However, the raising of awareness about the project would be incremental and SoRA and WSCC welcomed input from those present – and indeed all those living and working in the area – to continuously improve communication.
Key to this would be the formation of a committee to lead the Community Participation Group – and one purpose of this evening’s meeting was to make people aware of the Group and invite them to nominate themselves for inclusion.
As soon as was practicable, it was proposed to have officers and members elected to the CPG and this would then be the principle means of ensuring that all local residents were kept fully informed of progress. The CPG would include representatives from every road in the proposed Home Zone and Low Speed Zone area.
In the meantime, notices in local shops, articles in local newspapers, the delivery of flyers (through local volunteers) would continue to be ways of publicising events.
JL stressed that the project is still in its very earliest stages and that nothing is yet totally defined – including which roads will form the HomeZone.
Those present were asked to provide contact details if they wished to do so on the list circulated.
- Other Matters Arising
2.1 Some other issues raised by those present were of immediate relevance to WSCC generally, including any plans for dropped kerbs outside individual homes. These were noted by KR who will convey them to the relevant departments in WSCC. Action: KR
2.2 Child Safety. In discussion about how to promote the safety of children in particular, traffic calming measures were widely approved as desirable. JL advised that although one aspect that had secured funding for this Home Zone was the child accident rate and potential for accidents, part of the approach would be to achieve “integrated safety” for all. Traffic calming measures were more relevant to the Low Speed Zone and whilst important, this is not the only issue to be addressed. Whilst a very few roads would form the actual Home Zone, a key part of its aims is that all residents will feel the benefit. It is therefore essential that they help to design the future of their area.
2.3 Decision making and consultation. The consultation process will include
residents, schools and businesses every step of the way towards construction of the final scheme; the consultation process will run throughout the life of the project. No decisions at all have been made. Therefore residents’ concerns (for example those raised about youth and anti-social behaviour, and which may affect design-related issues such as street seating) will be included in the pool of information being gathered. That pool of information will be used to aid draft designs that will eventually be put to local people. However, it should be kept in mind that as with most things dealt with in a democratic way, in practical terms it will not be possible to meet all the requests of every single person. Action: JL
2.4 General standards of maintenance and cleansing. As with all other points raised at this and any other meetings, comments made by those present concerning the standard of maintenance and cleansing, and the positioning of street furniture such as litter bins would be added to the project database Action: JL
2.4 Enforcement issues. One concern raised was that, as things stand, a perception exists that police and the local authorities do not ensure speed and other limits are enforced. How might this change in the future? It was suggested that the CPG will provide an appropriate way to raise these and other issues.In addition, as such concerns emerge through the consultation process, they will be conveyed (with local involvement) to appropriate contact points. One example of this is that the police have a representative on the Steering Group and such matters will be raised for his attention at SG meetings. However, speed limits can be controlled by other methods such as clever use of road design. Action: JL to Steering Group
3. Election of Temporary CPG Meetings Secretary
Mr R Ockwell (Hillsboro Road) volunteered to act as temporary Meetings Secretary and was duly elected. It was universally accepted that Mr. Ockwell will capture future meetings on a recording device as he has a hearing disability.
4. Progress on ‘At Home Day’, 31st August
JL introduced and explained the concept of the “At Home Day” on August 31st.
The event was being organised at the request of local people to provide further information about Home and Low Speed Zones, and to encourage as many people as possible to come together and begin to exchange ideas and views.
JL: advised that this part of the consultation process in terms of taking forward the idea of helping to restore vitality to the neighbourhood. Its aim is to contribute to establishing a creative and friendly atmosphere conducive to generating ideas for the project. It is also about continuing to provide information to help formulate ideas.
Maxine Beuret explained what will happen on the day:
We will give examples of how other Home Zones have been devised and designed. Once again this is for information only and in no way meant to dictate how the Bognor Regis Home Zone will develop.
There will be exhibition boards including an ideas board for residents to post suggestions;
There will be a demonstration of how a combination of changes to street furniture, lighting and greenery can positively influence the environment;
Food will be available;
Children will be included. Specific activities are a painting competition and a logo designing competition for the project;
An opportunity will exist for residents not previously involved to sign up for participation.
6. Other Forthcoming Consultation Events
6.1 ‘Baseline Data Collection’. From and between 25th – 28th September SoRA will carry out household and on-street surveys locally which will gain information on many aspects of quality of life in the neighbourhood. (Note: local residents cannot carry out their own market research for reasons of confidentiality and potential bias).
6.2 Next CPG Meeting. The next CPG meeting will be between 6.00 and 8.00 pm at the Community Hall, Westloats Lane. All are welcome for what should be a more informal opportunity for local people to get together with project team members. In particular, this meeting will look to form a first-stage CPG Committee.
6.3 Fun Bus Events. On 27th September, the FunBus will be out and about in the area with more chances for the young to enter the Home Zone logo competition.
6.4 At the Arena. On 28th September, SoRA will have a stand at the Arena. This is ‘open house’ for people to visit, gain further information talk to the project team.
7. Any Other Business
There was no further business
8. Date of Next Meeting
This was agreed 25 September (as above). Venue: The Community Centre, Westloats Lane, 6.00 to 8.00 p.m.
The meeting closed at 8.30 p.m.