Agenda item

The following motion was moved by Cllr Ross Patterson and seconded by Cllr Kevin Faulks:-

“The UK Government website states: ‘The historic counties are an important element of English traditions which support the identity and cultures of many of our local communities, giving people a sense of belonging, pride and community spirit. They continue to play an important part in the country’s sporting and cultural life as well as providing a reference point for local tourism and heritage. We should all seek to strengthen the role that they can play.’ Government has inserted a hologram of the historic counties inside the back cover of the blue coloured British Passport.

Paragraph 3.47 of the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 issued by the Department for Transport allows the signing of historic county boundaries on the highway network. However the requirement to install these has been placed on local authorities, but it is only optional. 

The Borough of Stockton on Tees incorporates 6 towns, 3 north of the River Tees in the historic county of Durham and 3 south of the River Tees in the North Riding of Yorkshire. Each of these towns are seeing exciting developments to enhance and improve them. The Council has also taken a keen interest in the last decade to ensure that the Historic County boundary at the River Tees is marked on its highway network, as well as kindly offering guidance and advice to other local councils wishing to do the same. However, progress elsewhere is frustratingly slow, and we risk losing our heritage if nothing is done.

Therefore, please would the Leader of the Council write to the Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government and request:

1.         The Traffic Sign Regulations are amended to make it compulsory that Historic County boundary signs must be installed on all the following categories of roads on the Highway Network: motorways; dual carriageways / trunk roads; Category A, B and C roads, by the relevant highway’s authority, whether it is a local authority, Highways England, or the Department for Transport. 

2.         She visits the Borough of Stockton on Tees, to see the exciting developments which are enhancing and improving our 6 towns, and the work the Council has done in the last decade to mark the Historic County Boundary at the River Tees on its highway network, demonstrating why Stockton Borough Council is an outstanding forward thinking authority which also respects and preserves the heritage of our country.”

A vote took place and the motion was agreed.

The following motion was submitted by Cllr Niall Innes and seconded by Cllr Tony Riordan:-

“Council notes that:

Off Road Bikes are causing Havoc on the streets of Stockton.

The Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 introduced several new tools and powers for use by councils and their partners to address anti-social behaviour (ASB) in their local areas. These tools, which replaced and streamlined a number of previous measures, were brought in as part of a government commitment to put victims at the centre of approaches to tackling ASB, focussing on the impact behaviour can have on both communities and individuals, particularly on the most vulnerable.

For the sake of this motion, Mechanically Propelled Vehicles (MPV's)” includes, but is not limited to:

Motorbikes (road going and off road) including mini “pee-wee” bikes Electrically propelled motor bikes

Scooters

Quad Bikes and mini quad bikes

Vehicles for use by a person with a mobility impairment and being used by someone with a mobility impairment would be exempt under the proposed motion.

Council believes that:

Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPO) are vital tools available to local authorities that seek to tackle anti-social behaviour in public spaces, aiming to ensure everyone can use and enjoy these areas without experiencing nuisance or harm.

Residents in our borough deserve to know that their local council, which they pay handsomely towards, are doing everything they can to tackle the scourge of Off-Road Vehicles in our Borough.

PSPOs, used as part of a wider strategy and by working with key external stakeholders, allow local areas to counter unreasonable and persistent behaviour that affects the quality of life of its residents. They can send a clear message that certain behaviours will not be tolerated and help reassure residents that unreasonable conduct is being addressed.

The use of PSPOs have been successfully rolled out in Rochdale and Rossendale councils, using them to tackle Motorbikes (road going and off road) including mini “pee-wee” bikes Electrically propelled motor bikes Scooters, Quad Bikes and mini quad bikes.

PSPOs can have a powerful impact. Breaching a PSPO is a criminal offence subject to, up to a level three fine on prosecution (up to £1,000).

Council resolves:

Council requests that the Cabinet consider the introduction of a borough-wide Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) enforcing that MPV’s are prohibited from being used on any publicly owned land in the borough, or on any other land without express or implied permission.

A person is prohibited from having a MPV in their possession but not being ridden when in a public space or on a highway or pavement, unless they can produce appropriate insurance for use of the MPV on a public highway. The only exception will be granted for persons wheeling a MPV to a clearly identified van or trailer for onwards transportation.”

A vote took place and the motion was agreed.