Present:

Devon County Council

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

District Councils

Councillors Manuel, Mathews and P Yabsley

*35 Minutes

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 26 October 2010 be signed as a correct record.

*36 Urgent Business: Items Raised under Standing Order 23(2)

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

The Chairman had decided that the Committee should consider these items as matters of urgency.

(a) Installation of Traffic Lights at Westleigh Junction, Bideford (A39/B3222)

Councillor Cann referred to the following resolution passed by the Torridge Highways and Traffic Orders Committee at its meeting on 7 March 2011:

That in light of the objections received the Cabinet be requested to suspend the proposal for traffic signalling and that further appraisal of a roundabout solution be investigated and any new proposal be subject to further consultation .

He expressed the view that the traffic light scheme was the right solution for the junction and should be implemented as soon as possible.

The Chief Assistant Engineer (North):

reported on the background to the proposed improvement of the junction, referring to the history of collisions, the configuration of the junction and approaches, safety reviews and an analysis of improvement options

explained that while safety enhancements could be achieved by introducing either a roundabout or traffic signals, the traffic signal scheme had been approved by Cabinet on 14 July 2010 for consultation purposes as it would provide the more cost effective solution and had greater capability for achieving enhanced capacity at a later date.

After discussion, it was MOVED by Councillor Cann, SECONDED by Councillor J Yabsley and

RESOLVED that the Cabinet be informed that the North Devon Highways and Traffic Orders Committee fully supports the implementation of the proposed traffic signal scheme for Westleigh Junction, Bideford at the earliest opportunity.

(b) Highway Management Restructure: Virtual Joint Venture with South West Highways/Highway Maintenance

In response to a request by Councillor Cann, the Head of Highway Management reported on proposals for changes in highway management arrangements and the relationship with the County Council s contractors in response to the recent budget reductions agreed by the County Council. At this stage a restructure was not proposed. The proposals entailed staff being asked to work flexibly as part of pilot arrangements under their current job descriptions and other terms and conditions in order to test and develop a detailed proposal during the summer. They also involved the establishment of neighbourhood teams and an improved service for local county councillors. A progress report was due to be considered by the Cabinet on 13 April 2011.

The Committee asked to be updated on the proposed restructure at its next meeting on 28 June 2011.

Discussion also covered highway maintenance issues, with the Head of Highway Management referring to the 100m being made available by the Government nationally for potholes and other road repairs following the recent severe winter, against which the County Council had confirmed its interest in receiving additional resources based on the formula proposed by the Department for Transport.

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

RESOLVED that the Cabinet be asked to ensure that North Devon receives its fair share of any Government allocation to Devon of highway maintenance funds in recognition of the recent severe winter, while being reminded that North Devon, despite its extensive road network and highway maintenance backlog, received none of the 3.6m allocated to the County Council for this purpose last year.

*37 Devon and Torbay Local Transport Plan 2011 - 2026: Implementation Plan for Devon and 2011/12 Programme

(Councillor Greenslade declared a personal interest by virtue of being a non-Executive (unremunerated) Director of Exeter Airport)

The Committee considered a report by the Area Engineer (North) (EEC/11/59/HQ - text only | pdf EEC/11/59/HQ) outlining the proposed programme for the first year of the statutory Local Transport Plan LTP3 for Devon and Torbay 2011 - 2016 in accordance with the local transport capital settlement announced by Government on 13 December 2010.

The 2011 - 2026 Local Transport Plan for Devon and Torbay comprised two main documents: the joint strategy for Devon and Torbay and the implementation plan which had both been approved by the County Council.

The report was illustrated by a powerpoint presentation from Phil Slater, Principal Transportation Planner, Environment, Economy and Culture Directorate covering: key points of Devon s implementation plan; partners; funding; capital programmes; and strategic connections.

The total allocation for North Devon for the various programme elements: Highway Structural Maintenance and Bridge Assessment/Strengthening; Casualty Reduction and Route Management; Market and Coastal Towns and Rural Devon - Targeted Capital Investments and Foundation; Corporate Capital Programme; and Towns, Villages and Rural Communities was 6,162, 000.

The Chief Assistant Engineer (North) responded to queries and comments from members.

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

RESOLVED

(a) that the funding provisions which have been included in Report EEC/11/35/HQ - text only | pdf | supplementary information EEC/11/35/HQ - Devon and Torbay Local Transport Plan 2011 - 2026: Implementation Plan for Devon and Proposed 2011/12 Programme which was presented to Cabinet on 9 March 2011 be noted;

(b) that a report be presented to the next HATOC meeting on options for alleviating traffic congestion on the A39 roundabout at Roundswell.

*38 Future Meetings

The Committee noted the following:

Next Meeting:

28 June 2011

Subsequent Meetings:

25 October 2011

20 March 2012

(all Tuesdays at 10.00am)

*DENOTES DELEGATED MATTER WITH POWER TO ACT

The meeting started at 11.30am and finished at 12.50pm.

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