Devon County Council

Councillors Yabsley (Chairman), Biederman, Chugg, Davis, Edgell, Greenslade and Mathews

North Devon District Council

Councillors Cann, Manuel and Spear

Member attending in accordance with Standing Order 25:-

Councillor Lane (North Devon District Council)

. Apologies

Councillor Edmunds

*12 Minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 11 June 2013 be signed as a correct record subject to in minute *4 correction of name Powderham to Pugarm ; and in minute 7 substitute local County Councillor for Chairman .

*13 Devon County Council (Road past Bouchland Farm, Burrington (Prohibition of motor vehicles) Order

The Committee noted the report of the County Solicitor (CS/13/33 - text only | pdf CS/13/33) on the outcome of a High Court challenge by the Trail Riders Fellowship (TRF) against the decision of this Committee to make a Traffic Regulation Order to prohibit motor vehicles on the county road R7124. The challenge had been dismissed by the High Court and it had found that the TRO was appropriate and the TRF had been ordered to pay the legal costs incurred by the County Council.

*14 Highways Virtual Joint Venture - Update

The Committee received and noted a presentation by the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste on the Highways Virtual Joint Venture agreement with South West Highways. Mr Ben Pyle, Managing Director of SW Highways, also attended and spoke at the invitation of the Committee.

The presentation covered: the diminishing proportion of funding for highways capital and revenue; different service delivery models (including the current voluntary agreement to the Virtual Joint Venture with SW Highways); the retendering exercise to be carried out by 2017; on-going initiatives with SW Highways and continuous drivers towards improving efficiency and performance (with an emphasis on prevention) within constrained and reducing resources; the Asset Management Plan principles; policy developments in respect of surface treatments, gully cleaning and grass cutting; and a breakdown of revenue and capital spending for highways.

Mr Pyle referred to the close and transparent working relationships with the County Council to help drive efficiencies and performance and recent reductions in the SW Highways workforce. The Head of Service commented on the need to examine further with the Environment Agency options to meet costly strict environmental requirements it imposed.

It was noted that before any new contract was procured the service delivery models and options, as outlined in the presentation, would be fully investigated and recommendations submitted to Cabinet.

Members referred to the need for effective communication with Town and Parish Councils and the public on the severe pressures on the highways budget and the reasons why under the preventative road surface treatment regime and the associated value for money principles, the worst road surfaces were not always given priority for repair - improved communication should help manage expectations. Reference was also made to the need to promote initiatives to help local councils to carry out local tasks (e.g. snow and weed clearance and grass cutting for example) and the effective and good communication they as members enjoyed with their Neighbourhood Teams and the need for the local teams and county hall staff to work as one team.

In response, the Head of Service drew attention to work taking place on the development of a strategy for better communicating Highways Asset Management policies and programmes to local councils and the public and the involvement of the relevant Cabinet Member in this process. He confirmed that the County Council was working with local councils to encourage self-help and that this matter and associated safety issues had been covered at the recent Parish Conference and that his staff whether at County hall or in the neighbourhood teams should work as one unit with SW Highways, in accordance with policy and processes. The Head also referred to the National Highways and Transport survey which showed positive public perceptions about standards in the County relative to other Highway Authorities.

The Chairman thanked the Head of Service and Mr Pyle for the informative presentation.

*15 Bickington: Road Resurfacing

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Cann had requested that the Committee consider this matter.

The matter and that the circumstances had been fully explained in a press release issued on 19 July 2013 and it was confirmed that remedial action would be taken by SW Highways when conditions allowed.

The local District Member referred to his continued concern about the road.

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

RESOLVED that progress on remedial actions be reported back to the HATOC Members at the appropriate time.

*16 Market and Coastal Towns Rural Foundation Programme/Devon and Torbay Local Transport Plan 2011 to 2026: Proposed Programme 2012/13 to 2014/15

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/13/90 - text only | pdf PTE/13/90) on schemes (detailed in Appendix I) that were expected to be constructed or design progressed in 2013/14 and 2014/15 in addition to those noted in June's report. The Head confirmed that the details (including costings) of the North Devon schemes would be subject to Committee approval in due course.

Members observations on the proposals included requests from local members for details, when available, about

pedestrian and cycle bridge linking the new development at Anchorwoodto the Tarka Trail and the Town Centre

cycle route improvments at Willingcott and Knowle

A39 Roundswell Roundabout

Bus Shelter Wilder Road, Ilfracombe

Borners Bridge junction

A39 West away Plain Junction, Barnstaple

County Wide Bus Real Time Information System in North Devon.

It was agreed that a presentation would be made to the next meeting on progress with studies and design for the longer term schemes in the programme.

The County Council Member (Braunton Rural) reported on local concerns in Braunton about the increasing traffic congestion and the impact on air pollution.

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

RESOLVED

(a) that the transport capital programme for the North Devon HATOC area agreed by Cabinet on 10 July 2013 be noted.

(b) that a report be submitted to the next meeting on proposals resulting from the traffic consultation in Braunton.

*17 Suggested changes in the times of traffic restricted access to The Strand Barnstaple (Minute *9)

The Neighbourhood Highway Manager reported on dialogue with the Town Centre Management Group, the Police and District Council officers and resultant revised public consultation on the Traffic Regulation Order to include proposals to allow taxi only access from 10 pm to 3 am; and all vehicle access prohibited from 10 am to 4 pm (in line with other vehicular restrictions in Barnstaple).

A report of the outcome of the consultations and recommendations would be reported to the next meeting.

*18 C783 Blakes Hill Road Landkey, Proposed Zebra Pedestrian Crossing: Scheme for Formal Approval

(North Devon District Councillor Lane attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HCW/13/49 - text only | pdf HCW/13/49) on a proposed Zebra controlled pedestrian crossing on Blakes Hill Road Landkey.

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

RESOLVED that the scheme layout as shown on drawing number EATS (N) 403-01-00 be approved in principle, at an estimated cost of 40,000, with scheme details to be approved under delegated powers, in consultation with the Chairman and local County Councillor.

*19 Grass Cutting

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Greenslade had requested that the Committee consider this matter in view of the concern about the performance of the contractor in respect of highway verges in particular. The other aspects of the contractor s performance in relation to open spaces were satisfactory.

Members referred to new funding sources (from TAP fund ) resulting in two more cuts for Barnstaple in addition to 4 planned cuts (per annum) and continuing dialogue between Council officers, Barnstaple Town Council and the contractor.

The Neighbourhood Highway Manager confirmed that concerns about performance were being addressed directly with the contractor and that consideration would be given to termination of the contract if necessary.

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

RESOLVED that a report be submitted to the next meeting on the proposed funding and programme of grass cuts for 2014/15.

*20 Objections received to the advertising of mandatory disabled bays in this HATOC area

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HCW/13/50 - text only | pdf HCW/13/50) on objections received following the advertising of mandatory disabled bays.

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

RESOLVED

(a) that the Traffic Regulation Order in respect of the disabled parking bays in Kingsley Avenue, Barnstaple be made and sealed as advertised; and

(b) that the Traffic Regulation Order in respect of a disabled parking bay in Abbey Road, Barnstaple be not progressed and be reviewed at an appropriate time when the situation relating to the applicant is clarified;

(c) that the traffic regulation order in respect of the disabled bay in Yeo Vale Road, Barnstaple be not progressed.

*21 Actions Taken Under Delegated Powers

The Committee noted the report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HCW/13/51 - text only | pdf HCW/13/51) on actions taken under Delegated Powers since the last meeting and, where appropriate, in consultation with the Chairman and Local Members.

*22 Dates of Meetings

25 March, 8 July, 18 November 2014 and 21 April 2015 at 10 am at the Civic Centre Barnstaple.

*DENOTES DELEGATED MATTER WITH POWER TO ACT

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

The meeting started at 10.00am and finished at 12.45 pm