Present

Councillors Edmunds, Chugg, Davis, Edgell, Greenslade, Mathews and Yabsley

North Devon District Council

Councillor Spear

Apologies

Councillors Biederman (Devon County Council) and Manuel (North Devon District Council)

*1 Election of Chairman and Vice Chairman

RESOLVED

(a) that Councillor Yabsley be elected Chairman for the ensuing year;

(b) that Councillor Chugg be elected Vice-Chairman for the ensuing year.

*2 Minutes

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the former North Devon Highways and Traffic Orders Committee meeting held on 19 March 2013 be signed as a correct record.

*3 Matters of Urgency: North Devon Grass Cutting

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

The Chairman had decided that the Committee should consider this following item as a matter of urgency because of the need for Members to be apprised of the current position.

The Chairman indicated that concern had been expressed by Members about grass cutting in North Devon following the recent letting of a joint contract by the County Council, North Devon and Torridge District Councils to a new contractor.

The Neighbourhood Highway Manager reported on the differing frequency of cuts of highway verges in rural and urban areas and the safety aspects which would lead to more frequent cuts to maintain visibility splays etc and the differing criteria relating to the other authorities (for non-highway related grass cutting activities) which were included in the contract. Issues about the initial quality and capacity had been identified and these were being addressed in discussions between highways officers and the new contractor.

It was MOVED by Councillor Greenslade, SECONDED by Councillor Yabsley and

RESOLVED that the Neighbourhood Highway Manager update Members on the outcome of current discussions as appropriate.

*4 Old Torrington Road/Shorelands Road Junction, Barnstaple

(Mr Powderham, a local resident, attended and spoke to this item at the request of the Committee).

(MPC Goulding (Devon and Cornwall Constabulary) attended and spoke to this item at the request of the Committee).

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HCW/13/4 - text only | pdf HCW/13/4) on the introduction of the roundabout, results of a survey undertaken by the previous local County Councillor and proposal for seeking developer funding to improve the current highway layout.

The Local County Councillor expressed concern about the time that had elapsed since identification of outstanding issues highlighted in the County Council s Safety Audit carried out in January 2010 which he felt should be addressed as a matter of priority and suggested that consideration should also be given to removing the roundabout. Local residents and the Police concurred about poor visibility and that the safety issues should be addressed without further delay.

The Committee noted that the cost of improvements was approximately 25,000 for which currently there was no budget provision. The Head of Service was recommending that developer contributions be sought through S106 agreements towards the improvement of the junction when the opportunity arose.

It was MOVED by Councillor Mathews, SECONDED by Councillor Greenslade and

RESOLVED that the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste be requested to report to the Cabinet on the safety issues and local and Police concerns and the request from this Committee that funding be allocated to address these issues as a matter of priority.

*5 Committee Terms of Reference and Responsibilities

The Committee received a presentation by the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste on the Highways and Traffic Orders Committee covering terms of reference, Scheme of Delegation, membership and public participation.

*6 Asset Management Plan

The Committee received a presentation by the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste on the Asset Management Plan approved by the Cabinet on 13 March 2013 (Minute *638) relating to the maintenance of roads in the County covering road condition assessments, the current and projected backlog of costs, performance against national indicators, available resources and the preventative treatment regime adopted by the County Council. The presentation also covered the storm damage legacy from 2012/13 and the Council s application to Government for additional support under the Bellwin Scheme.

The Head of Service was asked by members to give consideration, with the Cabinet Member (Highway Management Flood Prevention) to how the principles contained within the Plan could be further disseminated to the public.

(NB A copy of the Plan may be viewed at: http://www.devon.gov.uk/index/councildemocracy/decision_making/cma/cma_document.htm?cmadoc=minutes_exc_20130313.html)

*7 Market and Coastal Towns Rural 'Foundation' Programme

The Committee considered the joint Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment and the Head of Highways, Capital Development Waste (PTE/13/45 - text only | pdf PTE/13/45) summarising the proposed local schemes programme for the Market and Coastal Towns and Rural Devon Foundation element of the Local Transport Plan Integrated Block for 2013/14 in the North Devon area. A full report on the Programme would be submitted at the next meeting following the outcome of outstanding bids submitted to the Government s Local Pinch Point and Linking Communities Funds.

The local County Councillor requested an update from the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment on the design programme for A361/A39 corridor junction improvements including Borners Bridge junction as part of the report to the next meeting.

It was MOVED by Councillor Yabsley, SECONDED by Councillor Greenslade and

RESOLVED that the funding provisions included in report PTE/12/24 - text only | pdf PTE/12/24 Devon and Torbay Local Transport Plan 2011 to 2026: Proposed Programme 2012/13 to 2014/15 for Devon be noted.

*8 Police Policy for Enforcement of Car Parking on Public Footpaths in North Devon (Minute *93)

The Committee noted briefing documents, previously circulated to Members by the Neighbourhood Highway Group Manager and MPC Goulding on police powers (and their interpretation by Devon and Cornwall Constabulary), civil parking enforcement powers and County Council powers as Highway Authority.

*9 Suggested changes in the times of traffic restricted access to The Strand Barnstaple (Minute *94)

The Neighbourhood Highway Manager reported on current discussions on the implications of varying the times of limited vehicular access to the Strand and that the Barnstaple Town Council was opposed to any proposal to open it to further traffic beyond the current limits. Members referred to the limited success in promoting cultural/economic activity (caf culture) during the day in the Strand and problems relating to the night time economy at the location.

It was MOVED by Councillor Yabsley, SECONDED by Councillor Greenslade and

RESOLVED that a report be submitted to the next meeting of this Committee on the outcome of current discussions and consultations on varying the times of limited traffic access to the Strand.

*10 Delegated Actions/Urgent Item

The Committee noted the report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste Management (HCW/13/5 - text only | pdf HCW/13/5) on actions taken under Delegated Powers since the last meeting and, where appropriate, in consultation with the Chairman and Local Members.

*11 Dates of Future Meetings

Tuesday, 22 October 2013 and Monday, 25 March 2014 at 10 am at the Civic Centre Barnstaple.

*DENOTES DELEGATED MATTER WITH POWER TO ACT

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

The meeting started at 10.00am and finished at 12. 10 pm