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 Hughes and Hall be elected Chairman and Vice-Chairman respectively for the ensuring year.

Minutes of the meeting held on 10 March 2017 (previously circulated).

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 24 July 2017 be signed as a correct record.

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

The Chairman had decided that the Committee should consider this item in view of concerns expressed about a Traffic Regulation Order and associated waiting restrictions relating to a housing development on Albion Hill, Exmouth. 

The Committee noted that in the absence of a written report outlining all relevant information, consideration of this matter would necessarily have to be deferred until the next meeting.

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.

Members questions and discussions with the Officers included:

·       notifying local Members regarding Temporary Road Closures;

·       notifying adjoining Parishes of Traffic Orders that may also affect them.

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

A Manager from Skanska attending to discuss issues with Members.

Electoral Divisions(s): All Divisions

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:

·       employment and training opportunities for local people within Devon;

·       blocked drains and the programme of gulley cleaning across Devon; 

·       pothole repair policy and the efficiencies thereof;

·       the Council’s financial constraints.                                         

The Committee thanked Mr Kane for his comprehensive presentation.

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

Report of the Acting Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/17/66), attached.

Electoral Division: All in East Devon

The Committee considered the Report of the Acting Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/17/66) on the annual local waiting programme for the HATOC area for the funding and delivery of waiting restriction schemes for 2017/18.

The Acting Chief Officer reminded Members that all proposals needed to be evaluated and advertised by mid-September and contact would be made with Members appropriately.

Members’ discussion points included:

·       waiting restrictions for the Exmouth area to be included within the Exmouth Traffic Plan;

·       the local Member for Budleigh Salterton advised that the two waiting restrictions listed were no longer necessary as a site inspection had been carried out at East Terrace and issues around the taxi ranks had since been resolved.

It was MOVED by Councillor Hughes, SECONDED by Councillor Twiss 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/17/66) be endorsed and, subject to consultation with local Members on the details, the proposals be advertised;

(c) that the recommendations contained in Appendix II (HIW/17/66) be agreed and, subject to consultation with local Members, the proposals be implemented.

Report of the Acting Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/17/67), attached.

                        Electoral Division: Broadclyst

The Committee considered the Report of the Acting Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/17/67) on the proposed prohibition of vehicles on the link road of the A376 in order to install a new safety barrier system that was fully compliant. The previous barrier had been damaged and was due to be replaced; however new designs that were compliant with safety regulations were longer than the original barrier, meaning that the existing slip road would no longer be accessible.  The Traffic Regulation Order had been advertised in February and received objections.

Members’ discussion points with Officers included:

·       the need to replace the barrier with a new system that met safety regulations;

·       the speed of traffic along the A376 in both directions and the potential hazardous use of the slip road.

It was MOVED by Councillor Bloxham, SECONDED by Councillor Hughes and

RESOLVED

(a)  that the introduction of a compliant road restraint system on the A376 be agreed by the Committee;

(b) that the Traffic Regulation Order is made and sealed as advertised.

Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/17/45), attached.

The Committee received the Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/17/45) on the Green Lodge demolition, road widening and creation of a footway at Stoney Lane in Axminster.  The Officer explained that the Council had acquired the property in 2016 which offered the opportunity to tackle one of the major pinch point areas in Axminster which suffered from extensive traffic delays and difficult pedestrian access to the Community College.  Demolition of the property would allow the widening of the carriage way and creation of a pedestrian footpath to the school.

The Committee noted the revised plan which included the existing footway along the Eastern side of the plot which provided access to No.26 Loretto Road and would remain in place. A new 1.3 m High post and rail fence would follow the boundary of Green Lodge and then along the western side of the footway to tie into the northern fence.

It was MOVED by Councillor Hall, SECONDED by Councillor Twiss and

RESOLVED

(a)  that the scheme shown on plan C16012-5B, included in Appendix A, for highway widening works and construction of a footway at an estimated cost of £85,000 be approved;

(b) that the demolition of Green Lodge at an estimated cost of £85,000 be approved.

 [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-7petition scheme/)

No petition for a parking review from a member of the public relating to East Devon had been received.

Report of the Acting Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/17/68), attached.

Electoral Division: Axminster

The Committee received the Report of the Acting Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure and Waste (HIW/17/68) on action taken by her in consultation with the Chairman and Local Members.