Issue - meetings

At its meeting on 25 June 2019, the Corporate Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee considered the Report of the Traffic Speed Task Group (Minute *132 refers) and the recommendations contained therein.

The Corporate Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee expressed their thanks to those involved in the production of the Report and commented on the positive effect of 20mph on climate change, the importance of culture change and educating communities in relation to 20mph and the role of the planning process in designing housing and communities that supported 20mph zones. It was further considered that some budget lines were already committed, therefore it was recognised that some works might need to be deferred and / or re-organised to accommodate the recommendations.

The Corporate Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee RESOLVED that the Task Group Report and recommendations be commended to the Cabinet.

Recommendation

A proposed recommendation will be made available at the meeting.

(Councillors Biederman, Connett, Dewhirst, Greenslade, J Hook and Whitton attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

The Cabinet noted that the Corporate Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee, at its meeting on 25 June 2019, considered the Report of the Traffic Speed Task Group (Minute *132 refers) and the recommendations contained therein.

The Scrutiny Committee had thanked those involved in the production of the Report and commented on the positive effect of 20mph on climate change, the importance of culture change and educating communities in relation to 20mph and the role of the planning process in designing housing and communities that supported 20mph zones. It was further considered that some budget lines were already committed, therefore it was recognised that some works might need to be deferred and / or re-organised to accommodate the recommendations.

The Scrutiny Committee subsequently RESOLVED that the Task Group Report and recommendations be commended to the Cabinet with a report on progress in nine months’ time.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management recognised and acknowledged the hard work carried out by the Task Group. He outlined that he supported the recommendations but highlighted to the Cabinet that some of the recommendations required a significant investment by the Authority.

He proposed that efforts were initially focused on a review of road safety strategy, speed policy, and the SCARF process which would provide a solid base on which to develop some of the other recommendations.

The Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste also commented that the recommendations would be looked at in their entirety and they would focus on working in partnership, particularly with public health to look at the wider societal benefits.

It was MOVED by Councillor Hughes, SECONDED by Councillor Hart and

RESOLVED

(a) that the Corporate Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee be thanked for its Task Group Report and the recommendations be, in principle, endorsed; and

(b) that the relevant Cabinet Member and Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste be asked to take forward and progress / co-ordinate the recommendations contained therein, subject to available resources.

Report of the Task Group, attached.

The Committee considered the Report of the Traffic Speed Task Group and the recommendations contained therein.  Members expressed their thanks to all those involved in the production of the Report.

Members further commented on the positive effect of 20mph on climate change, the importance of culture change and educating communities in relation to 20mph and the role of the planning process in designing housing and communities that supported 20mph zones. It was further highlighted that some budget lines were already committed, therefore it was recognised that some works might need to be deferred and / or re-organised to accommodate the recommendations.

It was MOVED by Councillor Hook, SECONDED by Councillor Dewhirst and

RESOLVED that the Task Group Report and recommendations be commended to the Cabinet with a report on progress requested in nine months.