Agenda and minutes

Agenda item 1 Welcome

Councillor Zoe McLeod introduced herself as the LBRuT Cycling Champion which should offer a number of benefits for the local authority, including:

·         Assisting the local authority in meeting a wide range of policy targets and objectives;

·         Facilitating the proper consideration of cycling in the various council meetings and other activities;

·         Improving relations with external stakeholder groups, particularly those involving local cyclists;

·         Enabling the Council to tap into best practice in other authorities and to link into support available from Cycling England (http://www.cyclingengland.co.uk);

·         Encouraging networking between individual councillors with an interest in promoting cycling.

It was agreed that the main objectives of the Cycling Liaison Group are:

·         to get more people cycling, more safely, more often;

·         ensure that the needs and aspirations of cyclists are represented across the Council;

·         ensure that the LBRuT Cycle Action Plan is updated and fit for purpose;

·         encourage innovation and best practice in the promotion and implementation of cycling schemes.

It was agreed that the wider group would be best placed to shape the overall strategy for cycling in the Borough with possibly smaller “working groups” used to undertake more detailed projects that could draw upon members’ knowledge and expertise.

The meeting then broke into 3 working groups to identify the strategic aims and objectives for the CLG and these are summarised in the table appended to the minutes (Appendix 1).

It was agreed that the following should be invited to future meetings:

• Metropolitan Police (Traffic Division) with possibility of local Safer Neighbourhood Teams as required?
• Friends of River Crane Environment (FORCE)
• Friends of the Earth (FOE)
• Representative of Richmond Primary Care Trust (RPCT)
• Thames Landscape Strategy;
• Larger businesses/major employers in Richmond?
• Other local groups and societies on an ad hoc basis when there are issues on the agenda that may be of interest

It was unclear how to engage with people who do not currently cycle – this was considered a priority so that the CLG can be representative of the needs and aspirations of Richmond residents?  Perhaps this an area for Smarter Travel or a CLG working group?

It was agreed that CLG meetings should not be used to review cycle and general highway improvement schemes.  This would be best done by email/internet with feedback directed to individual Project Managers.  RP to discuss with Mark Taplin/Chris Smith to agree procedures.

With the launch of Richmond Smarter Travel on Monday 30^th March 2009 it was agreed that the Smarter Travel Team would make a presentation to CLG on the 3 year project being undertaken to cycling, public transport and reducing private car journeys for local trips.  Further suggestions will be sought at the next CLG meeting.

RP circulated the current cycle scheme list for 2008/9 & proposed schemes for 2009/10. Any questions should be directed to Robert Parsey.

CS distributed a copy of the Transport for London 2009/10 Local Implementation Plan settlement for all transport headings – any comments or questions should be directed to Rob Parsey who will forward to the appropriate Project Manager for a response.

Brian Holder advised that SW Trains are undertaking a pilot project to hire 50 Brompton bicycles to SW Trains season ticket holders to promote integrated sustainable journeys – additional information can be obtained from BH.

It was agreed that all future CLG meetings would be published on the LBRuT calendar of meetings.

Dates of next meetings (subject to room availability and other Council meetings):

Monday 27^th April 2009 (venue Council Chamber) originally set as 20^th April

Monday 1^st June 2009  (venue Council Chamber) originally set as 18^th May