Present:-

Devon County Council:-

Councillors Berry, Colthorpe, Radford and Squires

Mid Devon District Council:-

Councillors Chesterton and Coren

Apologies:-

Councillors Hannon and Way (DCC)

*37 Election of Chairman

RESOLVED that Councillor Radford be elected Chairman for the ensuing year.

*38 Election of Vice-Chairman

RESOLVED that Councillor Berry be elected Vice-Chairman for the ensuing year.

*39 Minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 16 March 2015 be signed as a correct record.

*40 Matters of Urgency:

(Items taken under Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972)

The Chairman had decided that the Committee should consider the following items as matters of urgency in order that Members could be apprised of recent developments.

(a) Road Closures in Tiverton

The Committee noted that the roadworks associated with the redevelopment of the former Tiverton and District Hospital site had been completed and that Bampton Street and other streets in Tiverton had been reopened on time after a lengthy closure. While acknowledging that there could have been better communication about the road closures at an earlier stage, particularly in relation to the impact on local businesses, Members welcomed the way in which the developers, local authorities and traders had worked together to mitigate the effects.

(b) Grass Cutting

The Committee noted that funding for a full programme of urban grass cutting this year had been agreed by Mid Devon District Council as a transitional measure following the County Council s Tough Choices decision to reduce funding of grass cutting for road safety purposes only and to facilitate and encourage community self-help. Clarification of the position regarding the use by farmers of red diesel (low tax fuel) when undertaking work under the Community Self-Help/Community Road Warden Schemes would be recirculated.

(c) Traffic Congestion in Cullompton

In response to concerns expressed about the above, the Head of Highways, Capital Development Waste indicated that he would review the operation of current waiting and loading restrictions in Fore Street, Cullompton and report back to the next meeting.

*41 Pedestrian Crossings in Crediton (Minute *34/16 March 2015)

The Head of Highways, Capital Development Waste confirmed that sites for three improved pedestrian crossing points had been identified in Crediton and that funding available under the Section 106 agreement for the Wellparks housing development would make a substantial contribution to the costs. While the design and construction of two of the crossings would be able to be progressed when the Section 106 funding was available, the scheme for the other crossing in Exeter Road, Crediton south of its junction with Mill Street and Charlotte Street would prove more challenging in view of the local topography and land ownership issues. The Head of Service indicated that he would keep Members informed of progress.

*42 West Exe North, Tiverton - Vehicle Speeds

(PC M Goulding, Road Casualty Reduction Officer for North, East and Mid Devon and PCSO R Moss attended and spoke at the invitation of the Committee)

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2), Councillor Colthorpe had asked that the Committee consider introducing a 20mph limit on this street in the light of the vulnerability of pedestrians accessing local shops etc due to the configuration of the road.

The Head of Highways, Capital Development Waste reported on investigations already made into the speed and collision/casualty history for this road which showed that at present there were no overriding factors to support a reduction in the existing 30mph speed limit as a departure from policy.

The Police representatives indicated that non-compliance with the existing speed limit on West Exe North was not an issue and that they were not aware of any collisions on this road within the last five years.

It was MOVED by Councillor Radford, SECONDED by Councillor Berry and

RESOLVED that the request for a 20mph limit on West Exe North, Tiverton be further considered at the next meeting in the light of the information available from continuing monitoring and investigations by the Head of Service.

*43 Petitions/Parking Policy Reviews

[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 current petition for a parking review from a member of the public relating to Mid Devon.

*DENOTES DELEGATED MATTER WITH POWER TO ACT

The meeting started at 10.30am and finished at 11.35am.

The Minutes of this Committee are published on the County Council s Website at: