Agenda and minutes

(N.B. In accordance with the County Council’s Constitution, the Chairman and Vice Chairman must be County Councillors)  

RESOLVED that Councillors Hannaford and Brennan be elected Chairman and Vice-Chairman respectively for the ensuring year.

Minutes of the meeting held on 29 March 2017 (previously circulated).

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 29 March 2017 be signed as a correct record.

Items which in the opinion of the Chairman should be considered at the meeting as matters of urgency.

(An item taken under Setion 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972)

(a)   Ludwell Lane

The Chairman had decided that, at the request of Councillor Asvachin, the Committee should consider, as a matter of urgency, concerns about traffic flow and signage at Ludwell Lane and resulting accidents that had occurred, requesting a site visit with the Police Community Support Officer, Chairman and local Members to review the matter.

The Acting Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste undertook to arrange a visit at the earliest opportunity.

(b)   Bus Station development site at Sidwell Street

The Chairman had decided that, at the request of Councillor Aves, the Committee should consider, as a matter of urgency, concerns at the lack of information local businesses had and were receiving about the timescale for the development and issues with their continuing occupation of the Sidwell Street Market.

The Acting Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste undertook to ascertain the latest position from Exeter City Council as the developer and responsible body for the issue of street licences, and inform Members accordingly.

Presentation by the Acting Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste

The Acting Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste gave a presentation on the work of the Committee covering the Constitution, Terms of Reference and

Scheme of Delegation.

[NB A copy of the presentation is appended to these Minutes.]

Bus and Coach Operators to answer Members questions

Mr Williams, Commercial Director of Stagecoach South West, attended and spoke at the invitation of the Committee on developments affecting bus services and the network in and around Exeter since the last meeting on:

·         the review being undertaken of the local services provided within Exeter taking account of the impact of traffic congestion, changing travel patterns and reliability, and an examination of the passenger ticket machine data and consultation with staff and the general public;

·         planned changes which would be implemented from 3 September 2017 affecting Pinhoe, Cowley Bridge and Digby, together with timetable changes reflecting current travel patterns and traffic congestion, notably on Sundays.

·         the growth in use of the mobile app, offering real time information on bus departure times and the ability to buy tickets to speed up boarding.

Further issues and/or observations identified during the course of discussions included:

·         the work being undertaken with Devon County Council on an appropriate service for Pinhoe/Broadclyst as a result of the new housing developments in the area;

·         the reliability of the ‘H’ bus from St David’s to the hospital;

·         the replacement of the real time information screen in the High Street which had not operated for a number of weeks: the Acting Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste undertook to advise Members when this was to be replaced;

·         the cost of travelling with children and the availability of concessionary tickets;

·         improvement of commuter parking and Park and Ride services to be achieved through partnership working;

·         delays in providing new bus shelters at Rennes House in Vaughan Road, Whipton and the operation of the Councils’ contract with Clear Channel;

·         Innovations in Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans currently being considered with partner agencies through the Greater Exeter Strategic Plan;

·         promotion of ‘Talking buses’ for more vulnerable users.

A manager from Skanska attending to discuss issues with Members

The Committee received a presentation from Mr S Kane (Contract Manager) Skanska UK covering the Company’s origin and ethos, number of employees worldwide and UK and wide ranging infrastructure and engineering activities across local authority and other sectors. Members’ questions and comments related to:

Members’ questions and comments related, inter alia, to:

·         pothole repair policy and criteria;

·         the need for Members to raise any local issues/concerns with their respective Neighbourhood Officer;

The Committee thanked Mr Kane for his comprehensive presentation.

[NB A copy of the presentation is appended to these Minutes.]

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Prowse has requested that the Committee consider this matter.

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Prowse had requested that the Committee consider the impact of speeding and enforcement, and the role of the Speed Compliance Action Review Forum (SCARF) and Councillors.

The Acting Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste presented Members with data showing the different levels of enforcement relevant to 30mph/40mph speed limits, which data would be circulated to Members electronically.

In discussion, Members’ explored, inter alia,

·         the criteria for imposing a 20mph zone and how 20mph zones in Exeter were enforceable;

·         locations to be reviewed at the next SCARF meeting;

·         the practicality of contacts being made initially with Neighbourhood Officers who would put forward locations for a SCARF review.

Report of the Acting Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/17/55) attached

The Committee considered the Report of the Acting Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/17/55) on the annual local waiting programme for the HATOC area for the funding and delivery of waiting restriction schemes for 2017/18 to include minor aids to movement improvements such as drop crossing, footway improvements and bollards.

The Committee noted that the Cabinet had allocated an amount of £100,000 countywide from the On Street Parking Account to this process in 2017/18 which equated to £12,500 to each HATOC area.

Members queried the enforcement of parking on double yellow lines and asked whether or not any data was available for such instances.  The Acting Chief Officer confirmed that detailed data was already available on the Council’s website and undertook to provide Members with the relevant link thereto.

It was MOVED by Councillor Prowse, SECONDED by Councillor Aves and

RESOLVED

(a)   that work on the annual waiting restrictions programme process for 2017/18 be noted;

(b)   that the recommendations contained in Appendix I to Report HIW/17/55 be endorsed and, subject to consultation with local County Councillors on the details, the proposals be advertised;

(c)   that the recommendations contained in Appendix II to Report HIW/17/55 be endorsed and, subject to consultation with local County Councillors on the details, the proposals be implemented.

Report of the Acting Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/17/57) attached

(Councillor P Holland attended in accordance with Standing Order 25, as an Exeter City Councillor, and spoke in support of proposals relating to parking restrictions in the Rosebarn Lane area.)

The Committee considered the Report of the Acting Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/17/57) on the results of a consultation carried out on the residents in the Rosebarn Lane area following the presentation of a petition to the Committee in November 2016.

The Acting Chief Officer stated that the University at Exeter had agreed the sum of £20,000 to be made available as part of a section 106 agreement for the adjacent University development.

It was MOVED by Councillor Prowse, SECONDED by Councillor Newby and

RESOLVED

(a)   that the results of the consultation be noted and, subject to the County Council securing the £20,000 funding from the University of Exeter to be used for Traffic Regulation Orders around the East Park development, the detailed proposals outlined in Report HIW/17/57 be approved and designed for the extended area detailed in the Report; and

(b)   that the detailed proposals be subject to further public consultation before a decision was made on advertising a Traffic Regulation Order.

Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/17/34) attached

The Committee considered the Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/17/34) on the possibility of providing bus shelters on both sides of the road adjacent to the Mount Pleasant Health Centre and identifying the options available.

It was MOVED by Councillor Leadbetter, SECONDED by Councillor Newby and

RESOLVED

(a)   that the Head of Service be asked to:

       (i)     circulate the schedule of replacement bus shelters to Members direct, electronically;

       (ii)    consider the possibility of utilising the Off-street Parking Account to fund the cost of purchasing and re-using old bus shelters; and

(b)   that the relevant Scrutiny Committee be invited to establish a Task Group to look at the operation and effectiveness of the Councils’ contract with Clear Channel for the provision of bus shelters in Exeter.

Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment to report

The Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment reported on the outcome of a recent site visit at the double roundabouts in Pinhoe where the principles surrounding the development and subsequent improvements had been endorsed.

Members nonetheless expressed a need for a toucan crossing further north on that stretch of the highway to provide for most vulnerable users.  Officers undertook to explore the potential for the aforementioned toucan crossing alongside the Safety Audit review taking place shortly and report back to the Chairman and local Members.

Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/17/35) attached

The Committee received the Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/17/35) seeking approval to a scheme for a new staggered, signal controlled pedestrian crossing on Alphington Road on the northern arm (city side) of the Alphington Road/Sydney Road signalised junction.  It was acknowledged that the scheme would unfortunately involve the loss of a short stretch of cycleway to facilitate this larger scheme; and that efforts would be made to avoid conflict between these works and the completion of works on Bridge Road.

It was MOVED by Councillor Hannaford, SECONDED by Councillor Atkinson and

RESOLVED that the scheme shown on plan C15008-05 at Appendix I to Report PTE/17/35 be approved for construction at an estimated cost of £110,000, subject to the results of discussions with local residents.

Report of the Acting Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/17/56) attached

The Committee received the Report of the Acting Chief Officer of Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/17/56) on the outcome of widespread consultations on the review of Exeter Residents’ Parking.

It was MOVED by Councillor Aves and SECONDED by Councillor Brennan

RESOLVED

(a)   that the result of the consultation be noted

(b)   that the advertisement of traffic regulation orders for the additional restrictions detailed in Appendix IV to Report HIW/17/56 be endorsed and, if no objections are received, the orders be made and sealed;

(c)   that, following the advertisement and resolution of the additional restrictions in Appendix IV, the restrictions advertised in 2016 be implemented as detailed in section 3 of the Report and the associated traffic regulation orders be made and sealed; and

(d)   that in line with usual practice those areas that have not been progressed following the consultation process would not normally be considered again for residents parking for three years and then only if the Committee considered the area to be of the highest priority as part of the ongoing review of future residents’ parking schemes.

Presentation by the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment

The Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment updated Members on the Construction of the E4 Cycle Route between Cumberland Way and Pilton Lane to be constructed with funding of £1m secured from the Department for Transport National Productivity Investment Fund (NPIF) which was planned to start in October, following consultation and subsequent Cabinet approval.  Additional bids for funding other sections of the route had been submitted.

RESOLVED that a special meeting of the Committee be arranged to consider the outcome of those further consultations, if necessary, to allow Cabinet to consider the final scheme on 13 September 2017.

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Prowse has requested that the Committee consider this matter.

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Prowse had asked that the Committee consider the alleged abuse of the current application process for Residents’ Parking Permits.

RESOLVED that a Working Party comprising Councillors Aves and Prowse be established to review the current application process and make recommendations to the Cabinet, having regard also to the further audit to be undertaken by the Acting Chief Officer of Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste in the Autumn and, if necessary, the views of the Council’s Auditors, the Devon Audit Partnership.

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Hannaford has requested that the Committee consider this matter.

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Hannaford had requested that the Committee consider a petition, when submitted, on parking in that area.

Members were informed that no petition had yet been received but, should one be submitted, it would be considered in the normal way (Minute 17 below refers).

[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 (https://new.devon.gov.uk/democracy/guide/constitutionparts2-4/part-4-section-7-patition-scheme/].

The Chairman was presented, by Councillor Aves, with a petition organised by residents of Priory Road area, containing 79 signatures, seeking a review of parking policy.

In line with normal practice, the relevant Head of Service would be asked to respond direct to the petitioners on the issues raised, within 15 days, letting him/her know how long it would take to undertake the requested review in line with the Council’s Petition Scheme (http://www.devon.gov.uk/petition-scheme.pdf) and when that would be concluded and published and/or considered by the relevant Highways and Traffic Orders Committee thereafter.

RESOLVED that notwithstanding the petition referred to above, which would be dealt with in line with the Council’s Petition Scheme, a Working Party be established to examine the need/desire for future Residents’ Parking Schemes in the city.

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Harvey has requested that the Committee consider this matter.

Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/17/1) to the former Place Scrutiny Committee (attached)

The Committee received for information the Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/17/1 explaining the way in which the County Council secured Section 106 contributions and works; how it engaged in the local planning process and, within the current planning regime, the process involving Section 106 agreements and the use of the Community Infrastructure Levy.

Report of the Acting Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/17/58) attached

The Committee received the report of the Acting Chief Officer for Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HIW/17/58) on actions taken by her in respect of Traffic Orders under delegated powers since the last meeting.