Agenda and minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on 20 June 2017, attached

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 20 June 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 Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972)

(Councillor H Brading (Northam Town Council) attended and spoke to this item at the invitation of the Committee)

The Chair had decided that the Committee should consider, as a matter of urgency, the Town Council’s concerns about the operation of traffic lights on Churchill Way,  Northam, near the swimming pool which appeared not to allow sufficient time for school children to cross safely.

The Neighbourhood Highways Manager (South and West) undertook to investigate and report back to the local County Councillor.  He also agreed to investigate the position with provision of warning signs for the crossing.

Members were reminded that any local issues should initially be discussed with the local Highways Neighbourhood Team or reported on-line at https://new.devon.gov.uk/roadsandtransport/report-a-problem/ or reported to the ‘My Devon’ Customer Services Centre, Tiverton  (telephone 0345 155 1004 or 0845 155 1004).

Report of the Acting Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste  (HIW/17/69) attached

(Councillors D Berryman, H Brading, M Durkin (Northam Town Council) and J Whitaker (Torridge District Council))  attended and spoke to this item at the invitation of the Committee)

The Committee considered the Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/17/69) on the Annual Local Waiting Restriction Programme for each HATOC area for the funding and delivery of waiting restriction schemes and advertised proposals listed in Appendix 1 of the Report.

Within the Specific Aids to Movement proposals Members referred to financial contributions towards a proposed pedestrian crossing near St Margaret’s School, Northam.  The Neighbourhood Highway Group Manager reported that the Chief Officer had written to  Northam Town Council on 21 September 2017, following a meeting with the Mayor,  in response to their concerns indicating that a scheme was being designed (to include a safety audit). Members noted that financial support had been offered by the  Town Council and local member via his locality budget.  However the final estimated cost was not known at this stage and the Neighbourhood Highways Manager (South and West) undertook to provide more information, when available, to the Town Council and local County Councillor relating to cost estimates and timings.   

Members were reminded that local issues should initially be discussed with the local Highways Neighbourhood Team or reported on-line at https://new.devon.gov.uk/roadsandtransport/report-a-problem/ or reported to the ‘My Devon’ Customer Services Centre, Tiverton  (telephone 0345 155 1004 or 0845 155 1004).

It was MOVED by Councillor Saywell, SECONDED by Councillor Inch and

RESOLVED

(a) that the work on the annual waiting restrictions programme process for 2017/2018 be  noted;

(b) that the recommendations contained in Section 3 of Report (HIW/17/69) be agreed;

(c) that  the proposals detailed in Appendix I of Report (HIW/17/69) which received no objections be implemented as advertised.

Report of the Acting Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/17/70), attached

The Committee noted the Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/17/70) on the process for a full review of the traffic sensitive streets network across the county to be completed by 1 April 2018. When a street was designated ‘Traffic Sensitive’, timings of street works could be better regulated to ensure free flow of traffic so far as reasonably practicable (i.e. no works on major roads during peak morning and afternoon traffic flows) under powers conferred by the Traffic Management Act 2004/Section 59 New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 to co-ordinate works activities on the road network.

Members noted that their views on proposed designations could be discussed with the Highways Neighbourhood Team prior to public consultation.

The Cabinet at its meeting on 12 July 2017 in approving the Governing Body’s proposal to convert from Termly to Weekly residential boarding provision at Marland School resolved:  

“that the Torridge HATOC be asked to explore the Parish Council’s suggestion for a passing place to be provided between Broomhill Farm and Beacon Hill.”

The Committee considered a referral from County Council’s Cabinet on 12 July 2017 which had asked that the Committee explore the local Parish Council’s suggestion for a passing place to be provided between Broomhill Farm and Beacon Hill.

The Neighbourhood Highway Group Manager reported that a proposed scheme was being designed and if necessary (subject to cost) the detailed proposals would be submitted  to a future meeting of this Committee for approval.

It was MOVED by Councillor Saywell, SECONDED by Councillor Eastman and

RESOLVED that the proposal for a passing place be supported in principle.

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

(Councillors D Berryman,  H Brading, M Durkin and C Leather (Northam Town Council) and D Hurley and J Whittaker (Torridge District Council)  attended and spoke to this item at the invitation of the Committee).

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Eastman had asked that the Committee

consider the roles of Community Wardens and Civic Enforcement Officers (CEO) and options for financing additional CEO/Warden cover.

Members and speakers referred to the lack of enforcement of parking restrictions in Westward Ho! Appledore and Northam and other issues such as dog fouling and littering etc and the need for additional CEO and Community Warden cover especially during the summer months.

In response to concerns from Northam Town Council the Neighbourhood Highways Manager (South and West) reported that the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste had written to the Town Council on 21 September 2017 following a meeting with the Mayor. He outlined the practical/financial factors involved in the Town Council appointing a Community Warden to carry out enforcement on behalf of both the County and District Councils relating to training, management support and equipment and rotation of staff. He also reported on the number of Penalty Notices issued in the Northam and Appledore areas and undertook to provide figures in regard to the Westward Ho! Orchard Hill and Northam areas to the local Parish Councillor and County Councillor.

The Neighbourhood Highway Group Manager also reported that the ‘Problem Reporting’ page on the Council’s website (https://new.devon.gov.uk/roadsandtransport/report-a-problem/) could be used to request parking enforcement, and reminded Members that local issues including requests for parking enforcement could also be reported to My Devon (Customer Services Centre, Tiverton (tel.  0345 155 1004 or 0845 155 1004)). The Committee was also advised that the reporting page was being reviewed to include a facility for an email response to be sent advising on action taken.

The Officers undertook to report to the June 2018 meeting on a review of Civil Enforcement Officer (number of Penalty Notices issued etc), a 6 month review of requests for parking enforcement, number of visits made and Penalty Notices issued and Community Warden coverage in the Northam and Appledore areas and the practical/legal issues involved in combining the two roles and scope for financial support from the Town Council. This report would also cover the scope for an additional parking enforcement officer being provided by the County Council funded by the Town Council and confirming the practical/financial factors involved in the Town Council appointing a Community Warden to carry out enforcement on behalf of both the County and District Councils.

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Eastman has requested that the Committee consider the following matters:

(a) Installation of a crossing in Northam Square, or some form of traffic calming.

(b) Speeding issues particularly in Churchill Way, Fore Street and the Square.

(c) Would the junction at Bayview Road, Buckleigh Road and Cornborough Road be suitable for a much needed roundabout?

(d) Signage is required at the approach to the roundabout at Heywood Road warning “Pedestrians Ahead”.

(e) Signage warning of pedestrians crossing from the top of Raleigh Hill over the link road following the public footpath.

(f) A proposal for a pedestrian central refuge at the widest point for Pedestrians to cross in Chanters Road.

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Eastman had asked that the Committee

consider the following matters which had been raised by Northam Town Council:

“(a) Installation of a crossing in Northam Square, or some form of traffic calming.

(b) Speeding issues particularly in Churchill Way, Fore Street and the Square.

(c) Would the junction at Bayview Road, Buckleigh Road and Cornborough Road be

suitable for a much needed roundabout?

(d) Signage is required at the approach to the roundabout at Heywood Road warning

“Pedestrians Ahead”.

(e) Signage warning of pedestrians crossing from the top of Raleigh Hill over the link

road following the public footpath.

(f) A proposal for a pedestrian central refuge at the widest point for Pedestrians to cross

in Chanters Road.”

The Officers undertook to submit a report on the above issues outlined to the next meeting.

[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-petition-scheme/).

There was no petition from a member of the public or the Council relating to the North Devon

District.

1 March, 19 June and 16 October 2018 and 26 February 2019

Please use link below for the County Council Calendar of Meetings:  http://democracy.devon.gov.uk/mgCalendarMonthView.aspx?GL=1&bcr=1

1 March, 19 June and 16 October 2018 and 26 February 2019

The County Council Calendar of meetings available on the website:

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