An apology for absence was received from County Councillor Castle and Councillor Connell.

There were no Declarations of Interest declared at the meeting.

The Minutes of the meeting held on the 28 February 2017 were confirmed subject to the following amendments :-

(1) That Mrs J Langley be noted as a Member of the Joint Community Resilience not PnNY.

(2) That it be noted in relation to item 7 that PoNY had been awarded £10,000 not donated £7,500 and that donations had been received from Councillors Hammond and Jones. 

Mr Fitzgerald asked in relation to the question that he had raised at the previous Committee meeting in relation to the oxygenation of the water at the Venetian Waterways and Boating Lake and the Business Plan he stated that he had hoped this matter would have been brought back to the Committee for discussion. 

Mr Ferrari, Stafford Road Neighbourhood Watch advised the Committee that a petition had been undertaken by the Neighbourhood Watch Group to raise awareness of the traffic and parking issues on Stafford Road, he reported that the group had hoped that the road could be turned into a one way street to prevent traffic issues. Mr Ferrari advised that representation had been made to Norfolk County Council to sought a solution for the ongoing issues.

The Chairman pointed out that the Borough Council had no control over road traffic issues but he suggested that the matter be taken to the Great Yarmouth Transport and Infrastructure Steering Group for discussion.

RESOLVED :

That the matter detailed above be taken to the Great Yarmouth Transport and Infrastructure Steering Group for discussion.

The Chairman advised that the Reverend Jemma Sander-Heys had been unable to attend the meeting therefore no update could be provided on this matter.

(a) Discussion in relation to lorries and exhaust fumes on the Beach Coach Station Car Park 

Mr Bond, advised the Committee that he was representing 11 residents of Wellesley Road who had all made numerous telephone calls to the Council, in relation to the levels of noise and exhaust fumes from coaches parking on the Beach Coach Station Car Park.

The Committee considered the Environmental Health Officer's report which advised Members on the monitoring that had been undertaken near to the Beach Coach Station.

In discussing the report the following issues were discussed :-

• Whether there were opportunities for other diffusion tubes to be installed on other properties where complaints had been received.

• Where the mean figures were monitored - it was advised that the mean stations were based at the main traffic route sites into the Town Centre.

• Councillor Waters-Bunn asked Mr Bond whether he had brought the property prior to the Beach Coach Station car park being used by Coaches, Mr Bond advised that he had brought the property in January this year, he pointed out that January was a particularly quiet month at the car park.

Councillor Davis stated that she had previously sent a letter to the bus companies that had used the Coach Station Car Park to ask whether drivers who use the car park could switch their engines off once parked.

Mrs Auger, resident stated that she felt if the coaches that used the car park could park facing towards North Denes Road the level and noise and fumes would be reduced. Stephen Cornell, Operations Manager, Parking advised that this matter could be looked in to.

Stephen Cornell, Operations Manager, Parking advised the Committee that a sign which was visible to drivers at the Coach Station Car Park stated to drivers that they must not have their engines running for a longer period than 10 minutes, however VOSA had advised that that certain coaches are required to run their engines for a specific period. He also advised that a Civil Parking Enforcement Officer once recruited would be in situe at the Coach Station.

Mr Fitzpatrick asked whether it would be possible to have one lane of coaches instead of the current two lanes, he was advised that this could be possible, but that should more than 40 coaches attend the car park a further lane would be required.

Some concern was raised in respect of Enforcement hours, as it was felt that the car park should be enforced for a 24 hour period.

(b) Discussion in relation to the car park behind the Beach Coach Station Car Park 

Mr Coleclough of the Seamore Guest House, advised Members that he had spoken with Councillor Walch in respect of the car park behind the the Beach Coach Station. Councillor Walch reported that he had discussed this matter with the Group Manager, Customer Services who had provided a price of £600 per parking space. Members raised some concern in respect of the price given and suggested that the Group Manager, Customer Services be asked for an a break down of the costings.

The Committee suggested to Mr Coleclough that he provide a proposal to the Committee in respect of the number of parking spaces he required for the Sea Shore Guest House.

Following the discussion it was :-

RESOLVED :-

(1) That the Chairman arrange a visit to Mr Bonds property.

(2) That the Committee recommend to the Environment Committee that diffusion tubes be installed at the six properties where complaints had been received.

(3) That the Committee recommend to the Economic Development Committee that the coaches using the Beach Coach Station Car Park be turned around with the engines facing towards North Denes Road and that the 10 minute rule as detailed above be enforced.

(4) That this matter be brought back to the next meeting of the Yarmouth Area Committee.

(5) That Councillor Walch contact the Group Manager, Customer Services to ask for a break down of the costs provided in respect of parking spaces.

(6) That Mr Coleclough provide a proposal to the Committee in respect of the number of car parking spaces required by the Sea Shore Guest House.

The Operations Manager, Parking summarised an email that had been received from Ian Parkes at Norfolk County Council in respect of Roman Place. The Chairman stated of his disappointment that an Officer from Norfolk County Council had not been able to attend the meeting as he advised that this matter had been ongoing.

Councillor Robinson-Payne stated that she felt disappointed that the issues were still ongoing in respect of the Roman Place Car Park. She advised that there had been numerous cases of fly tipping at the site. The Environmental Health Officer advised that any fly tipping concerns could be raised via the 'Report it app' and that he would discuss the concerns raised with the Environmental Health Team. The Chairman 

Councillor Hammond asked for confirmation as to whether the businesses on Regent Road had rights to park within specific bays, he was advised that as Roman Place remained part of the highway no businesses would have rights to any parking bays.

Mr Fitzgerald stated that he felt there was a lack of capacity within the Borough Council to maintain a 24 hour out of hours service to enforce, he suggested that there was a need to look at the potential for a private company to cover the out of hours enforcement. The Chairman advised that there had been occasions where Civil Parking Enforcement Officers had been allowed to work out of hours.

Mrs Petit made reference to the email that had been circulated in that no reference had been made in relation to Roman Place being an area of improvement.

RESOLVED :

That the Committee's concerns be raised at the Great Yarmouth Transport and Infrastructure Steering Group meeting.

The Member Services Officer opened the meeting and asked for nominations for the position of Chair.

Councillors Jeal and Walch were duly proposed and seconded.

RESOLVED :

That Councillor Jeal be elected as Chair of the Yarmouth Area Committee for the 2017/18 Municipal Year. 

Nominations were invited for the position of Vice-Chair.

Councillor Walch was duly proposed and seconded.

The Co-opted Members who had served on the Committee for the 2016/17 Municipal Year were reaffirmed en bloc as co-opted to the Committee for the 2017/18 Municipal Year.

RESOLVED :

(1) That Councillor Walch be elected as Vice-Chair of the Yarmouth Area Committee for the 2017/18 Municipal Year.

(2) That the Co-opted Members who had served on the Committee for the 2016/17 Municipal Year be reaffirmed en bloc as co-opted to the Committee for the 2017/18 Municipal Year.