Issue - meetings

Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support

Consideration was given to a report presenting the findings of a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) and Community Engagement Review which had been progressed following the revocation of the Argyll and Bute Council (Off-Street Parking Places and Charges) (Isle of Mull) Order 2019 by the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee in September 2019.  The revocation arising from a potential legal challenge to the Order relating to the statutory compliance of the Council’s process in the establishment of, and process for, determining the Order.  The Procurement and Commissioning Manager circulated a summary of recommendations for ease of reference, which is appended to this Minute. 

Discussion took place in respect of the development of best practice in TROs, with Members expressing concern in relation to the suggestion that a similar approach be taken to the decision making process for planning applications and that consideration be given to utilising the Planning Protective Services and Licensing Committee to make decisions on TROs, with reports going to the relevant Area Committee for information.  Members advised that while they could see the benefit of dealing with TROs centrally, they felt that it is ultimately a local issue and the decision making power should remain with the Area Committee. 

Decision:

The Audit and Scrutiny Committee:

1.    agreed to the findings and recommendations set out in the report and summarised at Appendix 2 with the exception of the officer recommendation that the delegation to Area Committees should remain in terms of decision making on TROs and should not be passed to the PPSL Committee; and

2.    requested that the points raised during discussion are taken on board by officers and fed into the process to ensure that the concerns of the Committee are addressed.

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support, dated 17 March 2020, submitted.)