Present

Devon County Council

Councillors Boyd (Chairman), Dezart, Eastman, Parsons and Julian

Apologies

Councillor Tisdale (Torridge District Council)

Member attending in accordance with Standing Order 25

Councillor Leather (Torridge District Council)

*9 Minutes

(COUNCILLOR EASTMAN IN THE CHAIR)

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 10 June 2013 be signed as a correct record

*10 Matter of Urgency: Signage

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

The Chairman had decided that the Committee should consider this item a matter of urgency in order that the Committee might consider the concerns raised by Councillor Parsons about the poor state of road signage in the district.

The Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste advised that concerns relating to signs should be reported to the appropriate Local Neighbourhood Teams for action as necessary.

(COUNCILLOR BOYD IN THE CHAIR)

*11 Highways Voluntary Joint Venture - Update

The Committee received a presentation by the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste on the Highways Voluntary Joint Venture agreement with South West Highways. The Managing Director of SW Highways Mr Ben Pyle 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.

Members referred to the need for effective communication with the public and liaison with local Parish Councils via for example the Devon Association of Local Councils and with the SW Highways Parish Lengthsmen and the need to promote initiatives to help Parish Councils to carry out local tasks (snow patrols for example), subject to training and health and safety requirements. Other initiatives included the community payback scheme run by the probation service. Councillor Parsons indicated that as the Cabinet Member for Performance Engagement he would discuss these matters further with the Head of Service.

In respect of any issues raised with Members concerning SW Highways the Head of Service requested that they notify their respective local neighbourhood team contacts or use the reporting form on the Council s website.

Mr Pyle outlined the close and transparent working relationships with the County Council to help drive efficiencies and effectiveness and the on-going impact on the local economy with a reducing work force. The Head of Service also referred to 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.

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

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

(Councillor Leather (Torridge District Council) attended in accordance with Standing Order 25 and spoke to this item)

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/13/86 - text only | pdf PTE/13/86) on schemes (detailed in Appendix I) that were expected to be constructed or design progressed in Torridge in 2013/14 and 2014/15 in addition to those noted in June's report.

Members observations on the proposals included the progress of the new access arrangements to the Holsworthy Agri-Cenre and on-going negotiation in respect of further minor land acquisition; and the need for further improvement to the A361 noting full scale dualling (via government bid funding) was not a viable option in the current economic climate.

It was MOVED by Councillor Boyd, SECONDED by Councillor Eastman and

RESOLVED that the transport capital programme for the Torridge HATOC area agreed by Cabinet on 10 July 2013 be noted.

*13 Broad Street, Black Torrington - Road Surfaces

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Parsons had requested that the Committee consider what action may be taken on the relatively poor state of the road and congestion arising from on-street parking.

The Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste reported that the road was not a priority for resurfacing in accordance with the Asset Management Plan but that he would investigate the parking issues.

*14 Delegated Action/Urgent Matters

The Committee noted the report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HCW/13/44 - text only | pdf HCW/13/44) on actions taken by him under Delegated Powers since the last meeting and, where appropriate, in consultation with the Chairman and Local Members.

*15 Dates of Future Meetings

Monday, 24 March 2014 at 11 am at Riverbank House, Bideford

*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. 25 pm