Cabinet received a report of the Head of Parks, Open Spaces and Projects, which sought approval for a phased approach in advancing the project and appointing a design team for Phase 1. 

Councillor Williams introduced the report.  He commented on the good work carried out by the cricket and boxing clubs.  Both clubs had been consulted on the plans and officers had tried to incorporate as many of their wishes as possible.

Following comments from the Mayor and Councillor Collett, the Group Head of Community and Environmental Services and Project Manager responded.  It was noted that the focus would now be on the delivery of Phase 1, which was estimated to be completed by early 2022.  It was confirmed that a stakeholder group would be created during the development phase.

RESOLVED –

1.      that the contents of the Cabinet report, specifically the phased approach to executing the programme be noted.

2.      that the masterplan be approved.

3.      that the next stages and moving to the appointment of a design team for Phase 1 be approved.

Cabinet received a report of the Group Head of Transformation which set out an exemption to the Contract Procedure Rules that had been approved by the Managing Director.

Councillor Watkin introduced the report.  He confirmed that the contracts were below the Public Procurement Regulations threshold.  Following a question from the Head of Legal, the Group Head of Transformation confirmed that there were two separate contracts, one for the service desk and out of hours and the second for the network services.

RESOLVED –

that Cabinet notes the exemption has been given.

Cabinet received a report of the Planning Policy Officer setting out the requirement for the local authority to prepare and maintain a Statement of Community Involvement.  It outlined the issues, benefits and implications of adopting the Statement of Community Involvement.

Councillor Sharpe introduced the report and highlighted key elements contained in it.  It showed the council’s commitment to consult local people, which had been highlighted in the previous report.

The Mayor commented that the council went above and beyond the legal requirements when consulting the local community.

It was noted that the list of consultees included on the consultation statement were those organisations who were part of the planning policy consultation group.  If members were aware of additional groups to add to the list they could forward details to the Planning Policy Officer.

RESOLVED –

1.      that the Statement of Community Involvement, to supersede the 2017 version of the document, be adopted.

2.      that the Group Head of Place Shaping, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Development, be delegated the authority to make any minor changes to the document which may be required in the future.

Cabinet received a report of the Group Head of Corporate Strategy and Communications, which included details of the improvements for Cassiobury Footpath 30, the options for consideration and results of the stakeholder engagement.

Councillor Williams introduced the report.  It was noted that there was broad support for the scheme but concerns had also been raised by the Friends of Cassiobury Park, particularly in relation to the widening of the path.  It was proposed that a ‘cycling protocol’ or code of practice would be drawn up and a ‘share with care’ approach taken to Footpath 30.  Further discussions would take place with Friends of Cassiobury Park to discuss their concerns.  Councillor Williams proposed that recommendation 3.3 was amended to include reference to the discussions with Friends of Cassiobury Park. 

Following Councillor Sharpe’s comments, the Mayor invited Mr Peter Jenkins, a representative from Friends of Cassiobury Park, to speak to Cabinet.

Mr Jenkins stated that he appreciated the council was trying to regularise cycling in the park.  Cycling had been disallowed in the park except on a few of the paths.  Some people wanted this to continue.  Generally he was in favour of mixed use paths and he regularly walked or cycled through the park.  He congratulated the Group Head of Corporate Strategy and Communications on the engagement carried out on the proposals.

Mr Jenkins advised that there were some reservations about making the main path a cycling route and did not want it to become part of the national cycle network and turned into a ‘cycling highway’.  Most cyclists tended to keep to the edge of shared paths.  Feedback from users was that they did not want the path widened and that the current width was sufficient.  He welcomed the suggested code of practice.  He was still concerned about the pinch points along the route and would welcome some form of control.

The Mayor thanked Mr Jenkins.  He added that at the cycling forum meetings the cyclists had been concerned about creating a hierarchy of users.  All users should be considerate of others and they had accepted the shared space.

The Managing Director suggested that following the further discussions the final outcome should be delegated to the Mayor.  This was agreed.

RESOLVED –

1.      that the engagement feedback having been considered, the concerns raised as well as the broad support for the proposals, be noted.

2.      that Option 4: Resurface and widen Footpath 30 with an asphalt surfacing solution be approved subject to further consultation with regard to the widening of Footpath 30.

3.      that permissive rights be granted for cyclists to use Footpath 30.

4.      that the path be made a non-segregated, shared surface, with the promotion of considerate use by all users (supported by better signage and information within the park).

5.      that the procurement of contractors to undertake detailed design and build of the scheme be approved.

6.      that an important element of the improvements will include better signage on the path and an information campaign on the safe shared use of Footpath 30 and other shared paths within the park be noted.  The information campaign will be informed by best practice, including advice from Sustrans, the cycling and walking charity.

7.      that, once implemented, the project team will keep the path under review to monitor how effectively the improved shared surface is balancing the various user needs within Cassiobury Park.

8.      that the final decision on widening Footpath 30, following further engagement, be delegated to the Elected Mayor.