Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Rebecca Harvey, Lisa Homan, Rachel Leighton, Andrew Jones, Sue Macmillan, Patricia Quigley, David Morton, and Victoria Brocklebank-Fowler.

If a Councillor has a disclosable pecuniary interest in a particular item, whether or not it is entered in the Authority’s register of interests, or any other significant interest which they consider should be declared in the public interest, they should declare the existence and, unless it is a sensitive interest as defined in the Member Code of Conduct, the nature of the interest at the commencement of the consideration of that item or as soon as it becomes apparent.

At meetings where members of the public are allowed to be in attendance and speak, any Councillor with a disclosable pecuniary interest or other significant interest may also make representations, give evidence or answer questions about the matter.  The Councillor must then withdraw immediately from the meeting before the matter is discussed and any vote taken.

Where Members of the public are not allowed to be in attendance and speak, then the Councillor with a disclosable pecuniary interest should withdraw from the meeting whilst the matter is under consideration. Councillors who have declared other significant interests should also withdraw from the meeting if they consider their continued participation in the matter would not be reasonable in the circumstances and may give rise to a perception of a conflict of interest.

Councillors are not obliged to withdraw from the meeting where a dispensation to that effect has been obtained from the Standards Committee.

There were no declarations of interest.

Motion proposing the suspension of the rules

In accordance with Standing Order 26(a), Councillor Colin Aherne moved that the rules be suspended to allow an officer presentation on the experimental closure of Harwood Terrace followed by two questions from both the Administration and the Opposition.

The motion was put to the vote:

FOR                            27

AGAINST                   0

NOT VOTING            10

The motion was declared CARRIED.

Presentation on the Experimental Closure of Harwood Terrace

7.09pm – Bram Kainth (Chief Officer – Public Realm) gave a presentation on the experimental closure of Harwood Terrace. Councillors Ben Coleman, Mark Loveday, and Matt Thorley asked questions.

To consider and determine the following Special Motion:

7.32pm – Councillor Mark Loveday moved, seconded by Councillor Matt Thorley, the special motion in their names:

“This Council notes:

1.    The serious problem of traffic experienced in residential parts of South Fulham throughout the Peterborough Estate, Hurlingham and Sands End and in particular along Harwood Terrace.

2.    That on 21 October 2019, the Council closed Harwood Terrace to traffic at the junction with Imperial Road for an experimental period of 6 months.

3.    That the impact of this closure has been enormous and divisive for the local community in South Fulham and has generated over 2,000 complaints.

This Council resolves:

1.    Whilst acknowledging the Council’s efforts to address serious traffic problems in Harwood Terrace, that the current “pilot” scheme is not fit for purpose and has had a disproportionate impact on other parts of the road network in South Fulham.

2.    Agrees to terminate the experimental traffic scheme with immediate effect and reopen Harwood Terrace to vehicles.

3.    Undertakes a proper and comprehensive traffic study in South Fulham.

4.    Implements measures to residential streets in South Fulham which do not simply shift traffic onto other residential streets.”

Speeches on the special motion were made by Councillors Mark Loveday and Matt Thorley (for the Opposition).

Under Standing Order 15(e)(6), Councillor Ben Coleman moved, seconded by Councillor Wesley Harcourt, an amendment to the special motion:

“Delete all after “This Council notes:” and insert:

1.    The serious problem of traffic experienced in residential parts of South Fulham throughout the Peterborough Estate, Hurlingham and Sands End and in particular along Harwood Terrace.

2.    That on 21 October 2019, the Council closed Harwood Terrace to traffic at the junction with Imperial Road for an experimental period of 6 months.

3.    That the Council did this in a genuine attempt to address the challenging traffic issues facing the street.

4.    That the Council is working with residents interested in finding a common solution to the issues raised by the experimental closure.

This Council resolves:

1.    Whilst acknowledging the Council’s efforts to address serious traffic problems in Harwood Terrace, that the current experimental scheme has had a serious impact on private and public transport in South Fulham.

2.    To continue to work with residents to find a common solution to the problem without delay.

3.    To work with residents to create and implement a long-term vision for traffic in the neighbourhood.”

Speeches on the amendment were made by Councillors Ben Coleman, Wesley Harcourt, and Stephen Cowan (for the Administration) – and Councillor Mark Loveday (for the Opposition).

The amendment to the special motion was then put to the vote:

FOR                            27

AGAINST                   10

NOT VOTING            0

The amendment was declared CARRIED.

Speeches on the special motion as amended were made by Councillors Frances Stainton, Andrew Brown, and Alex Karmel (for the Opposition) – and Councillor Ben Coleman (for the Administration).

Councillor Mark Loveday then made a speech winding up the debate before the amended motion was put to the vote. Councillors called for a named  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.1