Present:

Devon County Council

Councillors Owen (Chairman), Foggin, Hannan, Hannaford, Hill, Morse, Prowse and Westlake

(Councillor Prowse attended up to and including minute *91)

Exeter City Council

Councillors Bull, Wardle and Winterbottom

Member attending in accordance with Standing Order 25:-

Councillor Holland (Exeter City Council)

Apologies

Councillor Leadbetter

*88 Minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 10 November 2014 be signed as a correct record.

*89 Matter of Urgency: Gully Emptying

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

The Chairman had decided that the Committee should consider this as a matter of urgency in order to apprise members of the content of a recent briefing by officers to members of this Committee.

The Head of Highways, Capital Development circulated a paper covering policy and objectives and the programme of work which had been considered at the meeting and Members discussed the scope for closer working with SW Water and Network Rail.

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

RESOLVED that similar briefings for members be arranged annually.

*90 Rosebarn Lane Area Monitoring/After Study

(Councillor Holland (Exeter City Council) attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

(Mr Daniel and Mr Sones attended under the Council s Public Participation Scheme and spoke to this item on current and potential difficulties for residents)

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HCW/15/1 - text only | pdf HCW/15/1) on monitoring of changes to the parking scheme within the Rosebarn Lane and neighbouring streets.

The Head of Service confirmed that the current arrangements would continue to be monitored by Officers and that University of Exeter representatives would be invited to meetings of the Residents Parking Working Group where this issue and the impact on residents parking could be discussed further.

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

RESOLVED

(a) that the content of this report be noted;

(b) that no further action be taken in respect of parking on Rosebarn Lane, Beech Avenue and Pennsylvania Road;

(c) that the impact of the restrictions be reviewed by local Members in 12 months time for report to this Committee.

*91 Bus Services in Exeter

Mr R Williams, Commercial Director 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 County Council s proposed review of the public transport budget in Exeter (and across Devon) and public consultation which would lead to a reduction in services, the full impact of which would need to be analysed by Stagecoach in due course;

the impact of road works and surface repairs on local services;

the introduction of new buses last year which had been well received, resulting in increased patronage and continued investment in new buses;

discussion by Stagecoach with the County Council about a proposed introduction of a replacement service from Exeter to Okehampton and Launceston following the recent announcement by Western Greyhound to discontinue their service;

a new Exeter to Dartmouth link service.

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

a request from Stagecoach to meet with the County Council Officers and partners to discuss ways to mitigate traffic congestion during the Christmas holiday period and the Chairman suggested this would be dealt with by the Committee s Congestion Working Party (to which Stagecoach representatives would be invited) to include also the impact of road works;

with the review of the public transport budget by the County Council it was likely that the some T services (serving Topsham and not supported by the County Council) would remain depending on an analysis of loads; and other options for passengers to use the K service would also remain;

the review of the public transport budget and consultation would also cover other services such as D, P and K and any impact on Stagecoach staffing and recruitment would need to be analysed in due course;

the need for enforcement of yellow box rules by the police at Exebridge to mitigate congestion and delays for buses and the Head of Service undertook to liaise with the police on this matter;

the need for Stagecoach to ensure drivers were aware of the action they could take if a passenger (and or their children) created a disturbance resulting in safety issues including instruction to disembark if necessary.

The Chairman thanked Mr Williams for the updates and responses to Members questions.

*92 Alphington Road/Sydney Road, Exeter (Minute *77b)

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HCW/15/2 - text only | pdf HCW/15/2) on a proposed design for a staggered pedestrian crossing following a member site visit. Members also discussed the potential for developer contributions in view of proposed new residential and commercial developments in the area.

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

RESOLVED that the detailed design of a staggered pedestrian crossing of Alphington Road on the north side of the Sydney Road/Alphington Road Retail Park junction be progressed, for inclusion in the 2016/17 Local Transport Plan programme.

*93 Residents Parking Review (Minute *77 c)

The Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste reported that progress with Traffic Regulation Orders had been and would continue to be circulated to members and that surveys had been completed and were being analysed for report to the next meeting of the Residents Parking Working Party. It was envisaged that schemes would be implemented in the 2015/16 financial year.

*94 Parking Dispensation

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Owen had requested that the Committee consider the progress towards the introduction of a parking dispensation Scheme.

The Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste reported that options for a scheme would be presented to the next Place Scrutiny Committee in March for consideration by the Cabinet in April and if approved for public consultation thereafter with the intention that any scheme would be introduced in July 2015.

*95 Part-time Night Street Lighting in Exeter

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Owen had requested that the Committee consider the progress with the introduction of part-night lighting in Exeter.

The Committee received the report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HCW/15/3 - text only | pdf HCW/15/3) and monthly update reports would continue to be circulated direct to Members. Implementation of the outstanding programme would also be subject to consultation with local members.

*96 Weed Treatment in Exeter

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Owen had requested that the Committee consider on an update on the weed treatment programme.

The Committee received the report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HCW/15/4 - text only | pdf | supplementary information HCW/15/4) on the programme and planned works for the remainder of this financial year and proposals for 2015/16 with the use of contracted services arranged by the City Council for a spray programme.

*97 Rush Hour Traffic and Congestion in the City of Exeter

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Prowse had requested that the Committee consider the impact of traffic congestion in Exeter.

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

RESOLVED that consideration of this matter be deferred until the next meeting.

*98 Actions Taken Under Delegated Powers

The Committee received the report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HCW/15/5 - text only | pdf HCW/15/5) on actions taken by him in respect of Traffic Orders under delegated powers since the last meeting.

*99 Date of Next meetings

16 April, 28 July, 9 November 2015 and 11 January 2016

DENOTES DELEGATED MATTER WITH POWER TO ACT

The meeting started at 2.15 pm and finished at 4.20 pm

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