To receive a presentation from the Performance and Information Officer on bus shelters in King’s Lynn.
Minutes:
The Committee received a presentation from the Performance and Information Officer and Database and Projects Officer.
The Committee was invited to provide input on the following areas outlined by the Performance and Information Officer, details of which had been given in the presentation:
· Advertising.
· Improvements.
· Requests for a New Shelter.
The Committee was invited to ask questions/comment.
Councillor Bambridge commented that it was a good idea to consider solar power lighting and asked if there were any plans to install cameras on Bus Shelters. Councillor Bambridge also asked the amount of officer resource which was allocated to recruiting advertisers.
In response to questions with regard to advertising, the Performance and Information Officer undertook to discuss the issues raised with the Business Development Manager. However, it was highlighted that the Borough Council did not have a marketing department.
With regard to locations of the two new bus shelters that had previously been requested, the Performance and Information Officer provided the Committee with details. The Performance and Information Officer explained the process which was being developed to request a new bus shelter and undertook to bring back a report to a future KLACC meeting.
Councillor Hudson stated that she was surprised that business rates were payable on bus shelters. In response, the Performance and Information Officer explained that the business rates were set by Central Government. Councillor Hudson added that it was worth asking the question as to whether business rates were payable, as bus shelters were not a place of business nor did they offer a facility. The Performance and Information Officer undertook to look further into the issues raised regarding business rates, although did confirm that the Non Domestic Rates Officer had already confirmed that the shelters were subject to rates due to the advertising panels.
Councillor J Collop referred to a previous meeting in 2018 when he had supported the proposal to transfer two bus shelters to South Wootton Parish Council and asked it the Borough Council was able to able to recover any money from the Parish Council. The Performance and Information Officer undertook to look into the matter raised and respond to Councillor Collop.
Councillor Kemp commented that consideration be given to contacting local employers to maximise the niche of local audiences for recruitment in relation to advertising. The Performance and Information Officer undertook to discuss this issue with the Business Development Manager, but added that she felt advertising on bus shelters wasn’t the way that the majority of local employers would wish to recruit.
Following questions on lighting in bus shelters and street lights being in close proximity, the Database and Projects Officer explained that in general terms there were street lights close to bus stops which would provide a form of lighting. The Committee was informed that there would be a cost implication to provide improved lighting.
The general consensus of the Committee was for officers to investigate the proposal for solar lighting.
Councillor Rust highlighted the importance of adequate lighting in bus shelters for lone travellers.
The Committee was invited to forward any proposals for advertising, improvements, requests for a new shelter to Democratic Services to forward to relevant officers.
The Chair, Councillor Tyler thanked officers for the update report and referred to his previous request to move a bus shelter within his Ward. The Performance and Information Officer invited Councillor Tyler to forward details to enable her to investigate.
AGREED: 1) The Performance and Information Officer to investigate the cost and whether cameras could be installed in bus shelters and report back to a future meeting.
2) The Performance and Information Officer to liaise with relevant officers and provide a response on issues raised in relation to business rates.
3) The Performance and Information Officer to look into the points raised in relation to the transfer of two bus shelters to South Wootton Parish Council.
4) The Performance and Information Officer to discuss the issues raised regarding advertising with the Business Development Manager.
5) A copy of the presentation to be circulated to the Committee.
6) The Committee to receive a further update at their September meeting and thereafter on an annual basis.