Local democracy

Agenda item

SUPPORTING ILKLEY TOWN CENTRE

To be moved by Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw

Seconded by Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe

 

Ilkley is a principal town of Bradford district and a jewel in Bradford’s crown. The Lido is one of only four open-air swimming pools in Yorkshire, Ilkley Moor is of international renown and the town is home to successful and nationally renowned Ilkley Literature Festival.

 

Bradford Council has invested to support and develop Ilkley’s economy through:

 

·         Grant funding to support Ilkley Business Improvement District (BID), backing a ‘YES’ vote and offering at-cost accommodation in the Town Hall

·         Launching the District Growth Scheme offering business rate relief to businesses in Ilkley town centre, where the vacancy rate from June to September has fallen

·         Purchasing the mixed use and fully let Moors Centre in the heart of Ilkley as a strategic investment

·         Supported the Community Asset Transfer of Ilkley Manor House and its development as a heritage and arts centre

·         Grant funding for Ilkley Literature Festival, allowing them to unlock further funding from the Arts Council

·         In principle support for designating the river Wharfe as having ‘Bathing Water Status’, which would be the first river in the country to be awarded this status

·         Supported the relocation of the Real Food Ilkley market to a trial home on The Grove, where it is currently proving to be a huge success

·         Planned town centre 20mph zone and electric vehicle charge points to promote road safety and a green economy

Bradford Council notes:

 

·         Ilkley’s success has created huge demand for parking space throughout the town centre and surrounding residential streets dating back many years

·         Going as far back as 2009, an editorial in the Ilkley Gazette referred to the ‘age old problem of parking in Ilkley

·         The 2017 Steer Review was commissioned and implemented by the Council after long-standing requests from local councillors and residents to consider the extent of parking problems in Ilkley and propose recommendations to deal with them

·         The introduction of time limited permits for people working in the town centre was a result of concerns raised throughout the consultation process about the potential impact of the proposals on those who work in the town centre

·         Since the scheme went live a number of businesses have said the roll-out of the scheme was generally smooth and the turnover of cars on-street in the town centre has helped their business, residents have stated previously unsafe junctions are now safer, new disabled parking bays are being well used and residents on a number of streets have found it easier to park closer to their home

·         However, other residents have raised significant concerns about the balance between different types of permits in the permit zones where demand for spaces is outstripping supply, causing issues for people trying to park on their own street and workers trying to find a space to park to go to work. Officers are continuously monitoring the impact of the permits and have made and will continue to make amendments as required which has included reallocating worker permits

Bradford Council resolves:

 

·         To request that officers consider the existing rules around the basis on which the special permits for workers in Ilkley should be issued in the New Year and then consult with residents, ward members and businesses on potential changes which could be made when the current special permits for workers expire on 31 January 2020.

·         To request officers proceed with the next phase in improving transport in Ilkley as previously outlined and bring forward proposals to invest in public transport, road safety and active travel, such as the town centre 20mph zone, and consult with local stakeholders as necessary.

Minutes:

A motion moved by Councillor Ross-Shaw, as set out in the resolution below, was carried.

 

Amendments moved by Councillor Kyle Green and Councillor Hawkesworth were defeated.

 

Resolved –

 

Ilkley is a principal town of Bradford district and a jewel in Bradford’s crown. The Lido is one of only four open-air swimming pools in Yorkshire, Ilkley Moor is of international renown and the town is home to successful and nationally renowned Ilkley Literature Festival.

 

Bradford Council has invested to support and develop Ilkley’s economy through:

 

·         Grant funding to support Ilkley Business Improvement District (BID), backing a ‘YES’ vote and offering at-cost accommodation in the Town Hall

·         Launching the District Growth Scheme offering business rate relief to businesses in Ilkley town centre, where the vacancy rate from June to September has fallen

·         Purchasing the mixed use and fully let Moors Centre in the heart of Ilkley as a strategic investment

·         Supported the Community Asset Transfer of Ilkley Manor House and its development as a heritage and arts centre

·         Grant funding for Ilkley Literature Festival, allowing them to unlock further funding from the Arts Council

·         In principle support for designating the river Wharfe as having ‘Bathing Water Status’, which would be the first river in the country to be awarded this status

·         Supported the relocation of the Real Food Ilkley market to a trial home on The Grove, where it is currently proving to be a huge success

·         Planned town centre 20mph zone and electric vehicle charge points to promote road safety and a green economy

Bradford Council notes:

 

·         Ilkley’s success has created huge demand for parking space throughout the town centre and surrounding residential streets dating back many years

·         Going as far back as 2009, an editorial in the Ilkley Gazette referred to the ‘age old problem of parking in Ilkley

·         The 2017 Steer Review was commissioned and implemented by the Council after long-standing requests from local councillors and residents to consider the extent of parking problems in Ilkley and propose recommendations to deal with them

·         The introduction of time limited permits for people working in the town centre was a result of concerns raised throughout the consultation process about the potential impact of the proposals on those who work in the town centre

·         Since the scheme went live a number of businesses have said the roll-out of the scheme was generally smooth and the turnover of cars on-street in the town centre has helped their business, residents have stated previously unsafe junctions are now safer, new disabled parking bays are being well used and residents on a number of streets have found it easier to park closer to their home

·         However, other residents have raised significant concerns about the balance between different types of permits in the permit zones where demand for spaces is outstripping supply, causing issues for people trying to park on their own street and workers trying to find a space to park to go to work. Officers are continuously monitoring the impact of the permits and have made and will continue to make amendments as required which has included reallocating worker permits

Bradford Council resolves:

 

·         To request that officers consider the existing rules around the basis on which the special permits for workers in Ilkley should be issued in the New Year and then consult with residents, ward members and businesses on potential changes which could be made when the current special permits for workers expire on 31 January 2020.

·         To request officers proceed with the next phase in improving transport in Ilkley as previously outlined and bring forward proposals to invest in public transport, road safety and active travel, such as the town centre 20mph zone, and consult with local stakeholders as necessary.

 

ACTION:       Strategic Director Place