Present

Devon County Council

Councillors Mrs Foggin, Hannan, Hill, Morse, Owen, Prowse and Westlake

Exeter City Council

Councillors Wardle and Winterbottom

Member attending in accordance with Standing Order 25:-

Councillor Bull

Apologies

Councillor Crew (Exeter City Council),

Councillors Hannaford and Leadbetter (Devon County Council).

*63 Election of Chairman and Vice Chairman

RESOLVED

(a) that Councillor Owen be elected Chairman

(b) that Councillor Morse be elected Vice Chairman.

*64 Announcements

The Chairman welcomed Mrs A C Mayes MBE who was attending the meeting in her capacity as a Co-opted Member of the County Council's Standards Committee to observe and monitor compliance with the Council s ethical governance framework.

*65 Minutes

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 22 April 2014 be signed as a correct record

*66 Matter of Urgency: Weed Clearing Programme

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

The Chairman had decided that the Committee should consider this matter at the request of Councillor Hannan as a matter of urgency in order to apprise members of the current position.

The Neighbourhood Highway Manager reported that a commitment had been in place with Exeter City Council to undertake weed spraying in the city in line with the treatment undertaken last year. Unfortunately, the advice which had been received from the City Council is that it would not be cost effective to spray due to the level of growth this year. In light of this advice, the budget had now been made available to undertake a programme of targeted weed pulling on strategic routes and key areas of the city and would also fund a mechanical sweeper to clear weeds from kerb edges. Funding was already in place for approximately 15-20 days of work from Community Payback Teams in Exeter and would be starting shortly.

It was noted that the issue had been discussed at the Exeter Board on 17 July 2014 and officers had been requested to report back to the Board about future arrangements.

*67 Bus Services in Exeter

Mr G Bailey, Commercial Manager of Stagecoach South West, attended and spoke at the invitation of the Committee on developments affecting bus services and the network in Exeter since the last meeting as follows:

the B service had been changed to address and resolve overloading and reliability issues

following concerns expressed at the last meeting about bus vehicle excessive speeding, notices had been sent to all drivers in the city network and speed was being monitored (via sample sets of GPS data and the Company s speed gun) and matters were being addressed with errant drivers

Stagecoach had purchased 12 new buses, operational from end of July to primarily serve the B and S routes.

Additionally issues and/or observations identified during the course of discussions requiring action included:

the need to improve co-ordination of buses arriving and leaving the High Street particularly during less busy periods for example on Sundays; Mr Bailey agreed to investigate and report back

Mr Bailey agreed to monitor concerns about the P service stop at Rosebarn Lane/Rosebarn Crescent and difficulties for passengers to access/alight in respect of the high kerb when the bus was not close enough

Mr Bailey would monitor the A service in Heavitree following concerns about buses stacking at stops, which should be avoided with use of radio control.

The Chairman thanked Mr Bailey for his presentation and responses to Members questions.

*68 Proposed Waiting Restrictions: Barnfield Residents Parking Scheme

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HCW/14/67 - text only | pdf HCW/14/67) on the results of informal consultation for proposed changes to the residents parking scheme within the Barnfield area.

It was MOVED by Councillor Westlake, SECONDED by Councillor Morse and

RESOLVED

(a) that the proposed Traffic Regulation Order, as detailed on plan no. TE/EX/67/2014/1, be approved for advertising; and

(b) that if no objections are received the Traffic Regulation Order be made and sealed as advertised.

*69 Chancel Lane Bridge Safety Improvements

(Councillor Owen declared a personal interest by virtue of being a member of the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority)

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HCW/14/68 - text only | pdf HCW/14/68) on a response from the Fire and Rescue Service to an advertised Traffic Regulation Order proposing to improve pedestrian safety and accessibility on Chancel Lane.

It was MOVED by Councillor Owen, SECONDED by Councillor Westlake and

RESOLVED

(a) that the objection from the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority in response to the statutory consultation for the proposed Traffic Regulation Order required as part of a pedestrian safety scheme on Chancel Lane, Pinhoe be noted;

(b) that the revised scheme shown on displayed drawing, which is able to accommodate emergency vehicles up to 2.75m width be approved; and

(c) that the modifications to the Traffic Regulation Orders be advertised as detailed in this report and the Orders be made and sealed if no objections are received.

*70 Exeter Cathedral Yard

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Owen had requested that the Committee consider this matter, following the recent Order to prohibit unregulated parking, with a view to further restricting most or all parking and vehicular access to create a vehicle free environment.

The Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste reported on the current exemptions for access including provision for parking for disabled drivers.

It was MOVED by Councillor Owen, SECONDED by Councillor Prowse and

RESOLVED that the Chairman and Vice Chairman meet with officers, the City Council, Cathedral Authorities and other interested parties to discuss the proposal for a vehicle free area in Cathedral Yard.

*71 Parking on Pavements

(Councillor Bull attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Owen had requested that the Committee consider what action could be taken to reduce parking on pavements.

The Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste reported that following consultation with the Department for Transport he was developing proposals and options, in consultation with other local authorities and industry associations, to enable enforcement of parking on pavement restrictions whilst still maintaining, as appropriate, exemptions in respect of the more narrow and congested urban roads.

It was MOVED by Councillor Owen, SECONDED by Councillor Prowse and

RESOLVED that a report on proposals relating to enforcement of parking on pavements restrictions be presented to the next meeting of this Committee.

*72 Alphington Road/Sydney Road: Junction

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Hill had requested that the Committee consider action to alleviate safety concerns for pedestrians at this junction.

The Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste reported on current difficulties for pedestrians to cross at the Sydney Road/Alphington Road junction and the congestion and air quality implications of possible options to mitigate safety issues.

It was MOVED by Councillor Owen, SECONDED by Councillor Hill and

RESOLVED that the Chairman and local members and officers meet on site to identify options to be evaluated for a future report to this Committee.

*73 Actions Taken Under Delegated Powers

The Committee received the report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HCW/14/69 - text only | pdf HCW/14/69) on actions taken by him in respect of Traffic Orders under delegated powers since the last meeting.

*74 Exe Bridge Retail Park

(Councillor Bull attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HCW/14/66 - text only | pdf HCW/14/66) on bus stop arrangements at St Thomas Station, Cowick Street following concerns that the existing arrangements caused passengers to alight at inappropriate locations when arriving at the Retail Park.

It was MOVED by Councillor Owen, SECONDED by Councillor Morse and

RESOLVED that a further report on options to improve the situation at the entrance to Exe Bridge Retail Park from Cowick Street be brought to a future meeting of this Committee.

*75 Dates of Meetings

10 November 2014, 13 January and 16 April 2015 at 2.15 pm.

*DENOTES DELEGATED MATTER WITH POWER TO ACT

The meeting started at 2.15 pm and finished at 3. 40 pm

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