Minutes:
The Committee were joined by members of the public wishing to speak on the Street Furniture Policy.
Mr Philip Boyer – Representing Save our Seats & Management of Kings Arms, Abergavenny
Mr Boyer welcomed charge removal, but raised concerns on the document;
St John’s Square is sizeable. Tables and chairs on the Square make it a very busy social scene and felt this should continue. There haven’t been complaints to date and there is ample room for access for disabled, no traffic incidents.
It is a shared space, but other there are other means to address traffic concerns. It is not broken, so don’t try to mend it. Only issue is the legal situation, who would be responsible for accidents should they occur. But given there isn’t a problem we don’t want to lose any of the space. It’s arbitrary and you would have to apply for more.
People to keep the space they have and not have to apply for more unless they want more. Let people keep what they have.
David Farnsworth
Cannot understand the rationale to penalise traders. We need to become a creator of places and have vision. Second lesson is communication – MCC needs to rethink its relationship with community participation. Please stop producing hundreds of pages of policy documents that people don’t understand.
How do we even find about what the Council is discussing, the MCC website is hard to navigate and it is virtually impossible to find the information you require.
Anthea Dewhurst
After research this issue dates back to 1419, historical law, problems are identical and unresolved. Each town is different and could make its own solutions.
Currently there is room if people comply with the rules for disability scooters, but accidents do happen in Monmouth with particularly sighted people with random A-boards, but the people who comply are not causing the problem.
It is felt we can improve rather than become rigid in the place of challenge. When the measurements are agreed, it was asked if this could this be self-managing so that MCC has a reduced burden ~ a team of volunteers, perhaps with a visually impaired representative and a town council representative from Monmouth. Church Street could be full of character with hanging signs, other ideas on this.
Lucy Howell, Y-Fenni Business Community
This affects a considerable number of businesses in Abergavenny who are facing a battle and the introduction of the policy is another knock.
The festivals allow independents to trade without adhering to policy. We understand the legal obligation for MCC and we accept some form of licence but there’s no reason the Council cannot work with the community. We feel that we managed before the introduction of the policy. We believe people should have to apply for a licence and conform to points A-G on the policy regarding health and safety, but we do not agree with the charge. We believe businesses should need to apply for 18 square metres or above and to be subject to a risk assessment.
Andrew Powell
Mobility club in Abergavenny was asked regarding any issues and they only highlighted one issue.
The Chair thanked the members of the public for attending the meeting and their comments.
The Chair acknowledged receipt of a petition titled Save Church Street from County Councillor Mat Feakins.