Devon County Council:-

Councillors Bowden, Channon, B Hughes, S Hughes, Knight, Moulding, Randall Johnson Wragg and Wright

East Devon District Council:-

Councillors Bailey, Coppell and Stott

Apologies:-

Councillors Hone, Diviani and Moulding

*58 Minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 27 November 2015 be signed as a correct record.

*59 Devon Highways Update

The Committee received a presentation by the Head of Highways, Capital Development Waste which covered:

(a) The Incentive Fund: this was Government Top Up funding to the needs based highway maintenance capital allocation designed to encourage highway authorities to adopt good practice with an emphasis on collaboration with suppliers and other authorities. There were three bands of funding over 6 years from 2015/16 (with maximum funding in Band 3). The County Council was currently on course for Band 2 in 2016/17 and striving for Band 3 with its planned changes working with other local authorities and other efficiency savings and service improvements.

(b) Drainage Maintenance Strategy: relating to measures to mitigate drainage issues in respect of the highway and the role and responsibilities of adjacent landowners, the programmed works for rural and urban gullies for example and budgetary constraints and challenges and the work of the County Council with its contractor to develop valid data sources and information to better target limited resources.

(c) Footway Maintenance Programme: the programme to maintain a condition which was safe and commensurate with use with analysis of survey condition and budget allocations.

(d) Community Road Warden Update: relating to the number of approved Road Warden Agreements, those pending, numbers trained to Chapter 8 level and booked for or awaiting training. A county-wide Project Officer had been engaged (on secondment) to promote the Scheme and develop a roll out plan. A trial pothole repair pilot using new materials for repairs was also being carried out under the Warden Scheme involving 4 Parishes, the results of which would inform future developments and plans.

(e) Community Payback Scheme: the extent of the work in communities across Devon and the positive feedback received from Towns and Parishes and the benefits for the Service Users under the Scheme under the supervision of probation staff working with neighbourhood officers. Future plans included additional training for the probation service supervisors to facilitate Chapter 8 work on the highway. Examples of the variety of work carried out across the County was also presented.

*60 Annual Local Waiting Restrictions Programme

The Committee considered the Report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HCW/16/22 - text only | pdf HCW/16/22) setting out proposals for the delivery of an annual local Waiting Restrictions Programme.

Members noted that the County Council regularly received requests for waiting restrictions to be introduced or amended which could be difficult to deliver due to resource and funding pressures which, in turn, could have a negative impact on the County Council s relationship with local communities.

A managed process had now been developed whereby existing requests from Local Members and local communities had been collated and a prioritisation tool developed.

It was MOVED by Councillor Hughes SECONDED by Councillor Knight and

RESOLVED

(a) that work to date on the annual waiting restrictions programme and the prioritisation process applied be noted;

` (b) that waiting restriction schemes be progressed through advertising and sealing of subsequent Orders in priority order as presented in Appendix 1 to the Report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HCW/16/22 - text only | pdf HCW/16/22);

(c) that the detail of individual schemes be developed with the relevant local County Councillor prior to advertising.

*61 Pelican Crossing, Withycombe School in Exmouth

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Bailey had requested that the Committee consider introducing a pelican crossing at Withycombe School in Exmouth due to safety concerns over pupils crossing a busy main road.

In line with the Council s Public Participation rules and at the invitation of the Committee, Councillor Steve Gazzard, Ward Member for Withycombe Raleigh, spoke to this item making representations over safety concerns of pupils crossing the road outside of the school following the resignation of the previous School Crossing Patrol Officer and the difficulty experienced in finding a replacement.

Devon County Councils Safer Travel Strategic Officer advised Members that an inspection had been carried out during the peak morning drop off time and estimated that 90% of the road users travelled the route everyday and were aware of the risk of children crossing outside of the school; with the vast majority of the pupils and parents using the previous school crossing point. Vehicles regularly stopped to allow pedestrians to cross the road, and there was positive interaction between motorists and pedestrians. The Officer explained that a Pelican Crossing might not be appropriate as it sometimes resulted in pedestrians failing to look before crossing, relying purely on the traffic system, which could result in accidents.

Following further discussion it was noted, in particular, that:

Members considered a zebra crossing rather than a pelican crossing would be more suitable for this area and enable the flow of traffic to continue outside of the peak school collection times;

School Crossing Patrol Officers could be employed through Devon Norse;

pupils from Exmouth Community College also used this thoroughfare increasing the number of pedestrians at peak times;

funding may be able to be sought from developers for a dedicated zebra crossing;

the implementation of a zebra crossing would include zig zag markings either side resulting in the loss of at least six parking spaces directly outside residents homes;

that Withycombe School met Devon County Council s criteria for providing a school Crossing Patrol Service and would therefore fund a Crossing Patrol Officer.

It was MOVED by Councillor Wragg, SECONDED by Councillor Hughes and

RESOLVED that the Head of Service liaise with Withycombe School and explore the options of employing a School Crossing Patrol Officer through Devon Norse.

*62 Petitions/Parking Policy Reviews

[An item taken under s18 of the Traffic Management Act, 2004 relating to any reviews of parking policy sought in line with the Council s Petition Scheme] (https://new.devon.gov.uk/democracy/guide/constitutionparts2-4/part-4-section-7-petition-scheme/).

There was no current petition for a parking review from a member of the public relating to East Devon.

*63 Action Taken Under Delegated Powers

The Committee received the Report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HCW/16/23 - text only | pdf HCW/16/23) on actions taken in respect of Traffic Regulation Orders under delegated powers, following consultation with the Chairman and local County Councillors.

*DENOTES DELEGATED MATTER WITH POWER TO ACT

The meeting started at 10.00 am and finished at 12.00 pm.

The Minutes of the East Devon Highways Traffic Orders Committee are published on the County Council s Website at:-