Devon County Council

Councillors Boyd (Chairman), Dezart, Eastman and Julian

Torridge District Council

Councillors Brenton and Tisdale

[NB: Councillor Tisdale present up to and including Minute 17]

Apologies

Councillor Parsons

*16 Minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 14 October 2013 be signed as a correct record

*17 Devon Highways Update

The Committee received a presentation by the Head of Highways, Capital Development Waste on highway maintenance under the Voluntary Joint Venture agreement with South West Highways. Mr B Pyle, Managing Director, South West Highways and Mr G Robinson, Operations Director, South West Highways also attended and spoke at the invitation of the Committee. The presentation covered:

the impacts of the recent winter weather throughout Devon - 1340 fallen trees; 176 bank slips; 4600 reported flooding incidents;

the introduction of a Members Information Pack on: the highways backlog; what s happening in your area?; highways network condition; safety defects and fixing potholes; Bellwin funding; winter damage and maintenance; self-help and community support and other service areas - the pack would also be available online;

building the case for more capital funding - Devon highways budget and road condition index;

pothole repair process - through planning and resource optimisation;

examples of efficiencies - recycling of materials e.g. reed bed treatment of gully waste and surface dressing.

The Committee viewed a DVD on surface dressing by a new combi-unit which was more efficient.

In responding to points raised by Members, the Head of Service and South West Highways representatives indicated that:

all reasonable options would be examined for repairing minor roads closed by storm damage where they served residential properties or businesses, including repairs by the local community;

a scheme was currently being developed by the County Council to support farmers/local communities/parishes to undertake minor highway works where appropriate;

there was an ongoing programme of priority repair work and emphasised the flexibility, efficiency and value of the new system for scheduling pothole repair and the limitations of repairs on the minor road network under water saturated conditions;

there was continued lobbying and discussions with local MPs and Ministers about the case for increased funding for highway maintenance.

*18 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 Joint Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment and of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (PTE/14/26 - text only | pdf PTE/14/26) summarising the proposed Local Transport Plan programme for 2014/15 in the Torridge area.

Officers undertook to provide further information direct to members on:

the breakdown of costs in respect of the footpath at Langrtree School and cycle crossing at Yarde Cottages, Peters Marland;

the need for additional dropped kerbs in Bideford (East), as part of the Aids to Movement budget;

the progress of a continuous cycle track connection from North to South Devon;

progress of the Traffic Review in respect of Northam Town.

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

RESOLVED that the funding provisions for Torridge included report PTE/13/55 - text only | pdf PTE/13/55 Transport Capital Programme 2013/14 - 2014/15: Proposed Allocation considered by the Cabinet on 10 July 2013 be noted.

*19 Actions Taken Under Delegated Powers

The Committee noted the report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HCW/14/28 - text only | pdf HCW/14/28) on actions taken by him under Delegated Powers since the last meeting and, where appropriate, in consultation with the Chairman and Local Members.

*20 Dates of Future Meetings

Monday, 9 June (Town Hall, Bideford)

6 October (Riverbank House)

11 March 2015 (Riverbank House)

*DENOTES DELEGATED MATTER WITH POWER TO ACT

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

The meeting started at 11.00am and finished at 12.16 pm