Agenda and minutes

(NB: In accordance with the County Council’s Constitution, The Chair and Vice Chair must be County Councillors. County and District Councillors may vote).

It was MOVED by Councillor Hart and SECONDED by Councillor Brazil           and

RESOLVED: that Councillor Croad be elected Chair for the ensuing year.

(NB: In accordance with the County Council’s Constitution, The Chair and Vice Chair must be County Councillors. County and District Councillors may vote).

It was MOVED by Councillor Hart and SECONDED by Councillor Gilbert          and

RESOLVED: that Councillor Hawkins be elected Vice-Chair for the ensuing year.

Minutes of the meeting held on 3 February 2023, attached.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 3 February 2023 be signed as a correct record.

Note: Members noted that in relation to minute *29, the Cabinet had considered the matter at their meeting on the 10 May and had RESOLVED that the matter be deferred and officers be asked to develop proposals or consider alternative solutions for the route to address the concerns raised.

Members further expressed a desire for Cabinet to agree to another in-person site meeting to include Local Member, Chair of Hatoc and local representatives (Parish) to explain the concerns to officers.

Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/23/43) and Supplementary Information (Plans), attached.

(Electoral Divisions:  Bickleigh & Wembury; Dartmouth & Marldon; Kingsbridge, South Brent & Yealmpton; Salcombe; and Totnes & Dartington)

The Committee considered the Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CT/23/43) on Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) restrictions proposed to support the priorities in the Strategic Plan, aiming to improve road safety, health and wellbeing and to better manage traffic and parking in the areas to respond to the climate emergency and support sustainable economic recovery, through rationalising on street parking and improving mobility and access within the South Hams area.

Details of the objections received to these proposals, and the County Council’s response were shown in Appendix 2 to the Report.

Following advertisement, the proposals that did not attract objections would be implemented. Proposals that received objections were detailed in Appendix 2 with a recommendation for each location.

Members further expressed concern that in a limited number of cases where TROs were made, highway contractors were unable to complete the marking of the highway due to vehicles that were permanently parked in one place.  Officers advised that legal advice was being sought on four locations within the County, but that there were limited powers available to the County Council.  Whilst the police could take action, they were reluctant to do so except in exceptional circumstances.   A Government consultation was also being undertaken, with local authorities seeking parliamentary legislation to make it a criminal offence to obstruct a footpath or highway, due to concerns including disability, other safety access concerns and operational reasons. 

It was MOVED by Councillor Hart and SECONDED by Councillor Hawkins              and RESOLVED:

*(a) that the work on the local waiting restriction programme be noted;

*(b) that the recommendations contained in Appendix 2 to Report (CT/23/43) be approved, subject to the amendment as follows:-

ENV6035-127 - Elm Tree Close, Yealmpton: that a site meeting be undertaken with the local County Councillor to consider his concerns in relation to the south carriageway and to review objections, with a final decision on the advertised order delegated to the director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport in consultation with the local County Councillor and HATOC Chair; and

(c) that Cabinet be requested to write to Devon’s Chief Constable and MPs, expressing concern at the problems encountered by local highways authorities, seeking their support in lobbying Government to make it a criminal offence to obstruct a footpath or highway at the earliest opportunity and further requesting the police to take action against obstruction on a more regular basis.    

[An item to be taken under s18 of the Traffic Management Act 2004 relating to any reviews of parking policy sought in line with the Council’s Petition Scheme.]

No petition had been received.

Verbal update from this Committee’s representative on meetings/progress (where applicable).

(Electoral Division: All)

This Committee’s representative advised Members there had been no meetings/progress on which to currently update them.

Please use link below for County Council Calendar of Meetings to check meeting arrangements

http://democracy.devon.gov.uk/mgCalendarMonthView.aspx?GL=1&bcr=1

Friday 20 October 2023 at 10.30am

Friday 16 February 2024 at 10.30am.

Please use link below for County Council Calendar of Meetings to check meeting arrangements

http://democracy.devon.gov.uk/mgCalendarMonthView.aspx?GL=1&bcr=1

Meetings normally held at 10.30am:-

Friday 20 October 2023

Friday 16 February 2024.