Present:-

Devon County Council:-

Councillors S Hughes (Chairman), Channon, Diviani, B Hughes, Moulding, Randall Johnson, Taylor, Wragg and Giles

East Devon Borough Council:-

Councillors Stott and Thomas

Apologies:-

Councillors Bowden and Knight (DCC) and Twiss (EDDC)

*16 Minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 6 November 2012 be signed as a correct record.

*17 Urgent Business:

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

The Chairman had decided that the Committee should take the following item as a matter of urgency because of the need for Members to be updated on recent developments.

Councillor Bernard Hughes asked for an update to developments at the junction of A376 and Gipsy Lane where a pedestrian casualty had recently occurred. The Head of Highways Traffic Management reported that pedestrian surveys and investigations were taking place and that a report would be brought to the next meeting of the Committee.

*18 Local Transport Plan Programme

The Committee noted that the three year Local Transport Plan Integrated Block programme approved by Cabinet in December 2011 was being revised to reflect changing circumstances such as scheme slippage and the need to match fund key bids for new central Government funding. A revised programme for 2013/14 and 2014/15 would be submitted to Cabinet in April 2013 and reported to the next available Highways and Traffic Orders Committee.

*19 Proposals for the Development of the Parking Dispensation Scheme

The Committee considered the Report of the Head of Highways Traffic Management (HTM/13/33 - text only | pdf HTM/13/33) on the development of a simpler and more flexible parking dispensation scheme to that introduced in November 2011 to manage vehicles parked by contractors (and landlords) undertaking works within restricted parking areas (particularly residents parking zones) and options as to the way forward.

The report concluded that Option 4 involving the issue of booklets of scratch cards for display in the vehicle windscreen when parking in restricted areas was the most flexible and cost effective option for the contractor, would enable efficient one stop enforcement, was the least open to abuse and overall was the best way forward.

It was MOVED by Councillor Moulding, SECONDED by Councillor Randall Johnson and

RESOLVED that the Cabinet be informed that the Committee s views are as follows:

(a) that there is a need for management and a desire to continue developing the parking dispensation scheme, particularly in respect of its enhancement to allow greater flexibility for contractors (and landlords) who work reactively or between multiple sites in a single day;

(b) that it supports the introduction of Option 4 (Addition of New Product - Booklet of Scratch Cards);

(c) that scratch card booklets should be available at a cost equal to or more than the charge of using the on street parking;

(d) that where practical the systems used for administering the parking dispensation scheme should embrace the use of new technologies.

*20 Axmouth Village, Improved Pedestrian Facilities

The Head of Highways Traffic Management reported that following discussions with road safety auditors, concerns were raised about the original proposals that could not be overcome. The opportunity has been taken to look at a revised scheme that satisfies the needs of the community and is fit for purpose, with the aim of delivering the scheme in the coming financial year 13/14. The Committee were advised that the revised scheme would be reported to a future meeting for scheme approval

*21 West Hill Road Footway

The Head of Highways Traffic Management reported on the developments to this scheme which was approved by committee in 2006 and funding agreed in 2008. Since that time the owners of the three properties which were needed to reach an agreement, as their frontages would be affected, have all changed and at no time have all three been in agreement at the same time. A further submission for funding has been made and with a meeting set in the next few weeks with the property owners involved, it was hoped that an agreement would be reached soon.

(Mr Beardsall, Chairman of West Hill Residents Association and the Community Speed Watch Co-ordinator attended and spoke to this item in accordance with the Council s public participation procedures)

Mr Beardsall advised the Committee that a short length of missing footway had recently been constructed and that the main part of the project had been the Association s priority for some years. This work had been raised repeatedly by residents at public meetings. Mr Beardsall proposed that if agreement cannot be reached with the property owners that at least the restricted width carriageway should go ahead. This would allow a length of footway to be built and would slow the traffic for the pedestrians on the remaining stretch of road without footway.

Members discussed the issues and agreed that this has taken too long. Full support was given in the hope that an agreement will be reached very soon with the property owners involved. The use of the 20mph zone was discussed and it was felt that as the police no longer enforce these zones, due to lack of resources and the Community Speed Watch Team are not able to operate in these zones, that at least a restricted carriageway would deter excessive speed.

*22 Action Taken Under Delegated Powers

The Committee received and noted the Report of the Head of Highways Traffic Management (HTM/13/34 - text only | pdf HTM/13/34) setting out action taken under delegated powers on advertised Traffic Regulation Orders since the last meeting.

*DENOTES DELEGATED MATTER WITH POWER TO ACT

The meeting started at 9.30am and finished at 11.00am.

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