Opposition councillors call for a public referendum on the Academy Street proposals
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Highland Council’s Academy Street proposals face a major opposition challenge after opposition councillors called for the public to decide in an “advisory style referendum.”
The Inverness city is currently in session and set for a crunch debate on whether to proceed with the plans or to ditch them entirely and remove the bollards on the street.
The amendment from the Liberal Democrat opposition calls for a five stage process that includes an economic impact assessment followed by a trial period concluding with an advisory referendum.
That would place the SNP-led council administration in the enviable position of refusing a referendum and potentially leave councillors and officers open to accusations that they are not open to the views of the public.
- Secret Thinker wonders who should decide the future of Inverness's Academy Street: Highland councillors or the public?
- EXPLAINED: Highland Council's Academy Street plans and how we got here
Stage 1 would see an independent economic impact assessment commissioned and when complete the findings would be reported to a special meeting of the Inverness city committee – simultaneously “meaningful” consultation would be conducted.
Then stage 2 the Inverness committee would consider the economic impact assessment and outcomes of the further consultation and research before deciding on “a preferred option for making Academy Street a place for everyone.”
The third stage will see the arrangements made for a two month trial period of that preferred option agreed at the committee while stage 4 would determine the method or process for a “whereby local people can vote in an advisory style referendum to endorse or not the preferred option.”
Finally, council officers would receive the go-ahead to finalise the design of the preferred option and commence consultation on the required Traffic Regulation Order.
The amendment in full
Stage 1 : That an independent economic impact assessment be commissioned and when complete the findings reported to a special meeting of this committee. Whilst this is underway consultation should take place with businesses, groups, individuals and other interested parties. Additionally further modelling on displaced traffic and its impact upon areas especially the Crown, Longman and Castle Street be carried out and shared with all stakeholders. This will all allow time for further dialogue and meaningful consultation.
Stage 2: This Committee will consider the economic impact assessment and outcomes of the further consultation and research and decide upon a preferred option for making Academy Street a place for everyone.
Stage 3: That arrangements and actions be initiated to allow a two month trial period of the preferred option.
Stage 4: The Committee will consider and implement a method/process whereby local people can vote in an advisory style referendum to endorse or not the preferred option.
Stage 5: That officers proceed with finalising the design of the preferred option and commence consultation on the required Traffic Regulation Order.
