Present:

Devon County Council

Councillors Cann, Chugg, Edgell, Fowler, Greenslade, Haywood and Yabsley

District Councils

Councillors Manuel and Spear

Apologies

Councillors Davis (DCC) and Biederman (NDC)

*39 Election of Chairman

On the motion of Councillor Greenslade, seconded by Councilor Fowler, Councillor Cann was elected Chairman for the ensuing year.

*40 Election of Vice-Chairman

On the motion of Councillor Cann, seconded by Councilor Yabsley, Councillor Fowler was elected Vice-Chairman for the ensuing year.

*41 Minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 22 March 2011 be signed as a correct record.

*42 Devon and Torbay Local Transport Plan 2011-26: Implementation Plan for Devon

B3226 South Street, South Molton - Proposed Zebra Crossing

Scheme for Formal Approval

The Committee considered a report by the Head of Highways and Traffic Management (HTM/11/4 - text only | pdf HTM/11/4) on proposals to provide a zebra crossing on the B3226 at South Street, South Molton.

The need for a safer crossing point of South Street had been raised by South Molton Community College and South Molton Town Council.

Two students from South Molton Community College, Leo Braukmann-Pugsley and Joshua John accompanied by Chris Beck (teacher), attended and spoke in support of the proposed zebra crossing under the Council s Public Participation procedures.

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

RESOLVED that the scheme shown on drawing number EATS(N) 464/3/0 be approved at an estimated cost of 33,000.

*43 Options for Alleviating Traffic Congestion on the A39 Roundabout at Roundswell (Minute *37/22 March 2011)

Rhys Davies, Neighbourhood Highway Manager, reported on traffic congestion on the A39 roundabout at Roundswell which had been raised at the last meeting. Mr Davies acknowledged that there were capacity issues at the roundabout but indicated that investigation and implementation of improvement schemes was premature pending decisions on the future development of land in the vicinity. However, some minor, intermediate measures might be possible.

Members felt that action needed to be taken in the short-term in response a growing congestion problem at the A39 roundabout, and at the nearby Cedars roundabout.

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

RESOLVED that local members, the Chairman and officers hold a site meeting to discuss options for improving traffic management in the Roundswell area, including a park ride scheme.

*44 Update on Highway Management Restructure (Minute *36(b)/22 March 2011)

Tony Matthews, Highways Neighbourhood Group Manager, and Rhys Davies, Neighbourhood Highway Manager, updated the Committee on changes in the County Council s highway management arrangements following a recent review in response to budget reductions which had made three key recommendations: centralise key works programmes and processes to increase efficiency and ensure consistency; establish Neighbourhood Highway Teams to support members and meet the new Localism agenda; and move to a virtual joint working arrangement with South West Highways, the County Council s highway maintenance contractors.

Tony Matthews indicated that following work between the County Council and South West Highways to redesign the highway management service, a new pilot structure had been launched with the aim of creating a one team approach re-titled Devon Highways under a virtual joint venture arrangement. The new structure involved the establishment of Neighbourhood Highway Teams for each of the eight District Councils. The role of the Teams was to understand local issues and provide local advice and information on highway and traffic management by:

supporting, consulting and advising local members on highway and traffic management issues, works and programmes

liaising with Parish and Town Councils and community groups, informing them of planned work programmes and identifying local community priorities

consulting on, determining and advising on local priorities for highway and traffic management, and providing input to planned work programmes

undertaking technical investigation and assessment of highway and traffic management enquiries and requests.

Neighbourhood Officers had been allocated to individual members as single points of contact. Tony Matthews indicated that early signs of progress on the pilot arrangements were promising.

Tony Matthews and Rhys Davies responded to queries and comments from members, indicating that:

the new working arrangements should help reduce duplication and improve the targeting of resources;

local members were being asked for their views on a programme of works for North Devon to be funded from the extra 9.3m Government funding for repairing roads affected by the severe winter weather on which implementation was due to commence shortly.

Members welcomed the improved service for local county councillors under the new arrangements.

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

RESOLVED that the present position on the highway management restructure be noted and a further update on progress on the pilot virtual joint venture be made to the next meeting in October.

*45 Future Meetings

The Committee noted the following:

Next Meeting:

25 October 2011

Subsequent Meeting:

20 March 2012

(both Tuesdays at 10.00am)

*DENOTES DELEGATED MATTER WITH POWER TO ACT

The meeting started at 10.00am and finished at 10.55am.

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