Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director of City Development which seeks approval to accept the revised Leeds City Council protocol on actions to be taken when high winds are forecast in relation to Bridgewater Place in light of the Assistant Coroner’s recommendation to the Council. In addition, the report seeks approval to the basis of a response to the Assistant Coroner.

Further to Minute No. 124 (6^th November 2013), the Director of City Development submitted a report which sought approval to accept the revised Leeds City Council protocol on actions to be taken when high winds were forecast in relation to Bridgewater Place in light of the Assistant Coroner’s recommendation to the Council. In addition, the report also sought approval to the basis of a response to the Assistant Coroner.

Members noted the details within the submitted report in respect of the expert advice which had been received in 2001 and 2008 respectively regarding the development’s impact upon existing wind conditions.

Responding to a Member’s enquiry, officers informed the Board that the responsibility for maintenance of the remedial works proposed was yet to be determined.  

In conclusion, on behalf of the Council, the Board offered its deepest condolences to the family of the late Dr Slaney, and it was emphasised that the Council was working extremely hard to ensure that the Assistant Coroner’s recommendations to the Local Authority were being adhered to. In addition, it was noted that the Council had been encouraged by the approach which was being taken by the building’s owners with regard to the actions required to ameliorate the wind effect caused by Bridgewater Place.  

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the Assistant Coroner’s recommendation from the Inquest which concluded on 3rd December 2013 be noted; and that the decision as to what action should be taken in response to the concern that a future death may occur remains solely that of the Council, also be noted.

(b)  That it be noted that the Council is subject to both statutory and practical constraints in the exercise of its highway management functions and in actions that it can in fact take to improve conditions for pedestrians accessing this area.

(c)  That the proposed revisions to Leeds City Council’s High Winds Protocol in relation to Bridgewater Place, as detailed within section 3.15 of the submitted report, be approved.

(d)  That Appendix A to the submitted report be approved as the basis of a response to the Assistant Coroner to be returned by 7th March 2014.

(e)  That the Director of City Development and the Chief Officer (Highways and Transportation) be delegated the necessary authority to amend the High Winds Protocol in consultation with the Executive Member for Development and the Economy should circumstances and experiences on site deem it necessary, and to also expedite the work to provide pedestrian shelters and the appropriate Traffic Regulation Order(s) in order to facilitate the recommendations as contained within the submitted report and within existing financial approvals.

(f)   That the following be noted:-

(i) that the revised protocol will be implemented when approval is granted by the Executive Board;

(ii) that this decision will take immediate effect;

(iii) that the Chief Officer (Highways and Transportation) will be responsible for implementing the protocol in consultation with the Peace and Emergency Planning Unit (PEPU) and the Police;

(iv) that the installation of the pedestrian shelter will be expedited subject to any mandatory planning, highways and procurement issues with delivery expected March/April 2014.