Present:

Devon County Council

Councillors J Yabsley (Chairman), Cann, Chugg, Davis, Edgell, Fowler and Greenslade

District Councils

Councillors Mathews and P Yabsley

Apologies for Absence

Councillors Haywood (DCC) and Manuel (NDC)

*26 Minutes

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 29 June 2010 be signed as a correct record.

*27 Devon on the Move Devon Local Transport Plan (DLTP) - Fair View, Barnstaple, Proposed Zebra Pedestrian Crossing - Scheme for Formal Approval

The Committee considered a report by the Area Engineer (North) (EEC/10/192/HQEEC/10/192/HQ) detailing proposals to introduce a Zebra controlled pedestrian crossing on Fair View, Barnstaple to improve road safety on the main walking route to the four schools in the Pilton area and enhance school and pedestrian links within the town.

It was MOVED by Councillor Greenslade, SECONDED by Councillor Davis and

RESOLVED that the Zebra pedestrian crossing as shown on drawing no. EATS(N)487-09-02 be approved at an estimated cost of 39,000.

*28 Scheme for Formal Approval - Lynton Old Town Queen Street Environmental Enhancement

(Councillors Davis, Edgell and J Yabsley declared personal interests by virtue of being members of the Exmoor National Park Authority)

The Committee considered a report by the Area Engineer (North) (EEC/10/193/HQEEC/10/193/HQ) seeking approval for an environmental enhancement scheme at Queen Street, Lynton. The scheme entailed the creation of a shared pedestrian/vehicle surface over the top end of Queen Street for approximately 60 metres from the junction with Lee Road to enhance the appearance of the streetscene at an estimated cost of 64,000.

The Area Engineer (North) indicated that since the agenda had been circulated the Exmoor National Park Authority had offered to make a contribution to enable the scheme to be increased in its scope.

It was MOVED by Councillor Davis, SECONDED by Councillor Cann and

RESOLVED that the amended scheme shown on drawing no. EATS(N)501-02-01 displayed at the meeting be approved.

*29 Scheme for Formal Approval - Cleave Point to Tarka Trail Off Road Cycleway, Barnstaple

The Committee considered a report by the Area Engineer (North) (EEC/10/194/HQEEC/10/194/HQ) seeking approval for a new cycleway/footway scheme at Cleave Point, Sticklepath, Barnstaple to provide a link to the National Cycle Network Tarka Trail from the A3125 Sticklepath Hill.

It was proposed that the scheme would be funded from 21,770 available from Section 106 developer contributions and 98,230 from the Finding New Solutions Government grant.

It was MOVED by Councillor Greenslade, SECONDED by Councillor Davis and

RESOLVED

(a) that the scheme shown on drawing no. EATS(N) 41-04-00 be approved at an estimated cost of 120,000;

(b) that a planning application be made in respect of the scheme as a County Matter.

*30 Devon on the Move Devon Local Transport Plan (DLTP) - Public Realm Enhancement, Fore Street/Broad Street Ilfracombe - Scheme for Approval

(Councillor Chugg declared a personal interest by virtue of being a Director of North Devon Plus. Councillor Fowler declared a personal interest by virtue of being a member of Ilfracombe Town Council)

The Committee considered a report by the Area Engineer (North) (EEC/10/195/HQ - text only | pdf EEC/10/195/HQ) on a proposed scheme developed by North Devon Plus in consultation with the local community for an environmental enhancement of the end of Fore Street, Ilfracombe at the junction with Broad Street. The scheme entailed the creation of a focal point to attract people from the harbour area into the town.

The scheme was not yet sufficiently developed to gain detailed approval and, in order to enable it to be procured in the current financial year, delegated authority for scheme approval was being sought. The final design would evolve through local consultation and would be subject to safety and environmental audits prior to commissioning. The cost of the scheme would be capped at 40,000.

It was MOVED by Councillor Fowler, SECONDED by Councillor Cann and

RESOLVED that the Public Realm improvement layout shown on drawing no. 780/14 be approved for consultation with North Devon Council and Ilfracombe Town Council and that delegated authority be given to the Chairman/Vice-Chairman, in consultation with the Area Engineer (North) and the local County Councillor, for final scheme approval, providing there are no materially significant objections at the consultation stage.

*31 Update on Highway Management Review (Minute 24(a)/29 June 2010)

The Area Engineer (North) reported that as part of the usual cycle of business planning, officers had identified what they considered to be the likely impacts in relation to business continuity, should funding for highway services be reduced as a result of the Comprehensive Spending Review. The Head of Highway Management had identified possible options for how the County Council might be able to respond to reduced budgets. This work was ongoing and it was intended that it would help the County Council to make difficult decisions on providing Council services in the future.

The Committee noted the position and asked to be kept informed of developments on the highway management review.

*32 Highway Maintenance Backlog in North Devon (Minute 24(b)/29 June 2010)

Further to the request at the last meeting for more information, the Area Engineer (North) referred to survey data which showed that the condition of the road network in North Devon was broadly comparable with that throughout the rest of the county. In response to concern expressed by members about North Devon not receiving a fair share of highway maintenance funds given its extensive road network, the Area Engineer (North) gave an overview of the criteria for the allocation of funds, including the 3.6million allocated to Devon by the Government following the severe winter last year.

The Committee noted the position and asked to be kept informed of developments on the highway maintenance backlog and funding.

*33 Policy for Highway Winter Service

The Committee noted the report of the Executive Director of Environment, Economy Culture (EEC/10/168/Q) submitted to the Cabinet on 8 September 2010:

on measures taken to improve winter service following the last two years severe weather and on consequential proposed changes to winter service arrangements to enhance the service whilst maintaining, as far as was practicable, appropriate budgetary discipline

outlining progress with addressing the recommendations of the Environment, Economy Culture Scrutiny Committee s Winter Task Group and the Children Young People's Services Scrutiny Committee s School Transport Task Group concerning the impact of winter weather on services.

The recommendations in the report had been approved (with slight modification). The Cabinet had agreed that the report should be circulated to all HATOCs to increase awareness of the new arrangements

The report highlighted the key policy changes to: the criteria for the primary (precautionary) and secondary salting networks; resilience network; self-help; and the provision of salt as a mutual aid to other authorities.

In response to queries and comments from members, the Area Engineer (North) explained the policy on providing grit bins and referred to the route for a member to request a bin.

*34 Future Meetings

The Committee noted the following:

Next Meeting:

22 March 2011

Subsequent Meetings:

28 June 2011

25 October 2011

(all Tuesdays at 10.00am)

*DENOTES DELEGATED MATTER WITH POWER TO ACT

The meeting started at 10.00am and finished at 11.20am.

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