Present:-

Devon County Council:-

Councillors S Hughes (Chairman), Bowden, Channon, Diviani, Hone, B Hughes and Randall Johnson.

East Devon District Council:-

Councillors Bond and Stott.

Apologies:-

Devon County Councillors Knight, Moulding, Wragg and Wright.

East Devon District Councillor Buxton.

*11 Minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 24 June 2013 be signed as a correct record.

*12 Highways Virtual Joint Venture (VJV) 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 effectiveness (with an emphasis on prevention) within constrained and reducing resources; the Asset Management Plan principles; and policy developments in respect of surface treatments, gully cleaning and grass cutting.

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 continually examine 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 Head of Service responded to members questions and confirmed that;

communication between Officers and local Members in relation to the costs of locality budget works and procurement procedures would be improved;

the purpose of a VJV was to manage joint resources to provide better value for money and that SW Highways were subject to internal audits, as well as regular auditing by the Devon Highways Board;

for roads which were designated as part of cycle routes, smaller safety defects were repaired to keep them safe for cyclists;

closer working with Parishes and Communities on issues such as gully clearing and sign cleaning was ongoing;

guidance for Members would be provided to enable them communicate the asset management plan in relation to road maintenance to their constituents.

RESOLVED that the Committee formally recognise and give thanks to the South West Highways and the Council s Neighbourhood Teams for their commitment and hard work during the recent extreme weather conditions.

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

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning, Transport and Environment (PTE/13/87 - text only | pdf PTE/13/87) summarising the 2013/14 and 2014/15 transport capital programme schemes relating to the East Devon HATOC area which had been approved by the Cabinet in July 2013.

The programme would be funded through a combination of sources including the Local Transport Plan Integrated Block, Pinch Point and Linking Communities funds secured following successful bids to the Department for Transport and developer contributions.

Schemes in East Devon which were expected to be constructed or design progressed in 2013/14 and 2014/15 included: improvements to the A303; the extension of Dinan Way in Exmouth; additions to the Strategic Cycle Network and the Devon Metro Station Programme. Work was also taking place on several countywide schemes such as the South West bus travel smartcard project which would benefit East Devon.

It was MOVED by Councillor S Hughes, SECONDED by Councillor Diviani and

RESOLVED that the transport capital programme for the East Devon HATOC area agreed by Cabinet on 11 July 2013 be noted.

*14 Advertisment of Traffic Regulation Orders

The Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste reported that further to the Committees recommendation having been approved by Cabinet on 10 July 2013, further verbal representations had been made to the Department for Transport (DfT) regarding the process for making Traffic Regulations Orders. The DfT clarified that the consultation process for this issue had now closed and that the Department is considering its response. A formal decision regarding the matter is expected to be made shortly, at which point the Committee may consider if further action is necessary.

*15 West Hill Road Footway

The Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste reported that the West Hill Road Footway scheme in Ottery St Mary was progressing and distributed draft Proposed Scheme Plans to the Committee, including three alternative options.

It was MOVED by Councillor S Hughes, SECONDED by Councillor B Hughes and

RESOLVED that negotiations continue with local landowners and approval be given to the scheme being determined under Delegated Powers, in consultation with the local Member and the Chairman.

*16 Action Taken Under Delegated Powers

The Committee received and noted the Report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HCW/13/52 - text only | pdf HCW/13/52) setting out action taken by him under delegated powers on advertised Traffic Regulation Orders since the last meeting.

*17 Dates of Future Meetings

Tuesday 18 March 2014

Friday 20 June 2014

Thursday 23 October 2014

Thursday 5 March 2015

All at the Knowle, Sidmouth at 10.00am.

*DENOTES DELEGATED MATTER WITH POWER TO ACT

The meeting started at 10.00am and finished at 11.30pm.

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