Agenda item

JW submitted a report on the intention to make a Gating Order for the public highway between Mildenhall Road and Lerwick Drive.  The Officer advised that following complaints made by residents and Councillors the Community Safety Team undertook an informal consultation of local residents to gauge support for a Gating Order.  The police were consulted and were in favour of the gating.  Members noted the results of the consultation where over 50% of those responding were in favour of the gating.  The Order would stipulate that the gates would be closed at all times and alternative routes along Stoke Poges Lane and Granville Avenue or across Granville playing field, Waterbeach Road and Thurston Road would be used.  The success of the gating would be monitored and would be reviewed if necessary.

Toby Evans was concerned that the average response to the consultation was low and only 24% of residents had replied.  He was concerned that a copy of the questionnaire was not available and that the questions may have been leading.  Councillor Parmar advised that the questions were clear and that there had been many concerns for years in the locality and residents were in favour of the Order.  Ian Houghton was concerned that the Gating Order would prevent people from walking through a popular route.  The Chair suggested that a vote be taken to determine whether the Forum was in favour or against the proposed Gating Order.  The voting was as follows:-

In favour of the Order:    5

Against the Order:  3

Abstentions:  1

It was agreed that this vote was a preliminary one and once the actual notice for the Gating Order was published, JW would circulate this to Members for and official LAF response. Action:  JW