Skip to content

Agenda and minutes

Venue: This will be a virtual meeting, for the online 'location' of the meeting please contact the Clerk for further details on attendance and participation.

Contact: Karen Strahan, 01392 382264  Email: karen.strahan@devon.gov.uk

Note: To be conducted in line with the The Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority and Police and Crime Panel Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020 

Media

Items
Note No. Item

*

483.

Minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on 11 March 2020 (previously circulated).

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 11 March 2020 be signed as a correct record.

*

484.

Items Requiring Urgent Attention

Items which in the opinion of the Chair should be considered at the meeting as matters of urgency.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

(Councillors Biederman, Connett, Dewhirst and Hannaford attended remotely in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and the Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority and Police and Crime Panel Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020 and spoke to this item).

 

The Chair had decided that the Cabinet should consider this item as a matter of urgency, in order that a strong and direct message be recorded in relation to the current COVID-19 position, social distancing requirements, holiday makers, accommodation providers, Air BnB and second home owners.

 

The Council’s Director of Public Health and Chief Executive then updated the Cabinet on a number of COVID-19 related issues including the national work, the trajectory in Devon, how quickly the disease could spread without social distancing measures, the preparedness of Devon, care workers, hospital capacity, contingency plans for additional beds, Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), residential homes, emergency food parcels, the recent action to pay more money to care providers to enable care staff to receive an uplift in salary, the NHS volunteering scheme, the role of schools and the work strand focussing on economic recovery.

 

The Leader and the Chief Executive placed on record their thanks and appreciation to all staff in this difficult time as well the work of the Excess Deaths Management Team in the current contingency planning.

 

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

 

RESOLVED

 

(a) that the County Council place on record that the South West is not open for holiday visitors and records its formal disquiet of persons flouting social distancing instructions or engaging in non-essential travel to the County and any accommodation providers (including Air BnB) currently advertising for people to visit; and

 

(b) that the Council forward this message to the local media and Devon Members of Parliament, stating that Devon is not open as a holiday resort, to formally ask people to not visit the area, but come back when it is safe to do so, instruct accommodation providers to cease any advertising or promotion of their accommodation for holiday purposes and ask those who are accepting visitors to stop immediately for the safety of the County and the wider South West.

*

485.

Announcements

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There was no announcement by the Chair made at the meeting.

*

486.

Petitions

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There was no petition received from a Member of the Public or the Council.

*

487.

Question(s) from Members of the Council

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There was no question from a Member of the Council.

*

488.

Transport Capital Programme 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 - For Approval pdf icon PDF 196 KB

Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/20/8) outlining the proposed allocation for a two-year transport capital programme covering the financial years 2020/21 and 2021/22 (excluding maintenance), attached.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

(Councillors Connett, Dewhirst, Greenslade, Hannaford and Hosking attended remotely in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and the Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority and Police and Crime Panel Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020 and spoke to this item).

 

The Cabinet considered the Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/20/8) outlining the proposed allocation for a two-year transport capital programme covering the financial years 2020/21 and 2021/22 (excluding maintenance), circulated prior to the meeting in accordance with regulation 7(4) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.

 

The Transport Capital Programme continued to support economic development and the delivery of new housing and jobs. It aimed to balance the delivery of infrastructure so that it had a positive impact on reducing carbon emissions (in line with the climate emergency). Appendix II of the Report included an updated Transport Infrastructure Plan (TIP) setting out planned transport infrastructure investment for delivering growth in a low carbon environment.

 

The Integrated Transport Block (ITB) settlement from Government was currently set at an annual level of £3.6 million. The County Council had a strong track record of working with partners to secure significant levels of external funding from a range of different grant opportunities and it was expected that additional external funding would be needed to be added to the transport capital programme over the period 2020/21-2021/22 and also that there might be specific grant funding sources from Government relating to a range of initiatives including bus, rail, cycle and road giving opportunities to enhance the transport capital budget over the period 2020/21 - 2021/22, although the Cabinet Member confirmed these were currently on hold.

 

The Report outlined the various proposals and funding streams and the projects that had been delivered or were due to be delivered. In relation to the Growth Deal, the majority of projects had been completed, but the remaining projects to be delivered were the A382-A383 Houghton Barton Link Road at Newton Abbot, Marsh Barton Rail Station and the A39 Heywood Road junction improvement at Bideford.

 

In relation to the Large Local Majors Fund (LLM) and Major Road Network Fund (MRN), the Council was preparing a full business case for the delivery of Phase 1 of the A361\A39 North Devon Link Road project, with construction planned to commence in November 2020.

 

Other schemes included the Local Enterprise Partnership Growth Deal Construction works for delivering Phase 1 of the A382 Widening project between the A38 and Newton Abbot and a new Rail Station at Marsh Barton.

 

The Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) offered funding to local authorities for infrastructure to support the delivery of new homes across the Country. The Council had been successful in a Forward Fund bid for £55 million of grant funding to deliver key infrastructure that would support major development to the south west of Exeter. Marginal Viability HIF bids had also been awarded to five District authorities so the Council had been working  ...  view the full minutes text for item 488.

*

489.

Department for Transport’s Safer Roads Fund – Scheme for approval A3123 (North Devon) pdf icon PDF 5 MB

Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/20/9) seeking approval to implement road safety improvements on the A3123 following the award of £2,200,000 as part of the Department for Transport’s (DfT) “Safer Roads Fund” project, attached.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

(Councillors Dewhirst and Hannaford attended remotely in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and the Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority and Police and Crime Panel Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020 and spoke to this item).

 

The Cabinet considered the Report of the Head of Planning Transportation and Environment (PTE/20/9) which sought approval to implement road safety improvements on the A3123 following the award of £2,200,000 as part of the Department for Transport’s (DfT) “Safer Roads Fund” project, circulated prior to the meeting in accordance with regulation 7(4) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.

 

The Cabinet noted that the A3123, in North Devon, which stretched from south of Ilfracombe to the south of Lynton, had a poor safety record with a number of accidents at three junctions on the route. In addition, there were ongoing concerns regarding the safety of the Oxenpark Lane junction on the road to Ilfracombe.

 

The Report proposed four improvements as part of the scheme which included:

 

1.     an upgrade to the crossroads at Lynton Cross to an unlit four arm rural roundabout which would minimise the ecological impact on the adjacent English meadow and take account of the dark skies in the rural area. Research and evidence, produced the road safety team, regarding rural unlit rural roundabouts was provided in Appendix II of the Report;

 

2.     minor works to be carried out at Hore Down Gate to improve the alignment of the junction;

 

3.     the closure of Oxenpark Lane up to its connection with the B3230 to overcome safety concerns at the Oxenpark Lane junction with B3230, however, this would be subject to a future consultation; and

 

4.     at Berry Down Cross the junction would be improved with a number of measures including white lining, vehicle actuated signs and chevrons, new high friction surfacing, illuminated cat’s eyes and a new 40mph speed limit.

 

The Scheme plans for the three junction improvements were shown in Appendix III of the Report.

 

The Cabinet further noted that the scheme had the support of the local Member and the relevant local Parish Councils.

 

As part of the grant application bid an impact assessment had been carried out and could be found at https://www.devon.gov.uk/roadsandtransport/safe-travel/road-safety/saferroads/capital-schemes/. The Scheme would require some earthworks and construction at Lynton Cross. Early discussions regarding Ecology and Landscape had taken place so that schemes were designed and built in compliance with the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 and fitted as closely as possible into the natural landscape.

 

Some trees would need to be felled at Lynton Cross, but enhanced planting would be undertaken to compensate for these losses.

 

Road safety schemes of this kind were expected to be of general benefit across the road using demographic. Cumulatively, the proposed measures would offer a positive social impact by decreasing risk of injury, and injury severity, arising from road travel. Road Safety Audits would be carried out, paying particular attention to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 489.

490.

Notice of Motion - Support to Town and Parish Councils and Speed Awareness Signs pdf icon PDF 94 KB

The following Notice of Motion submitted to the County Council by Councillor Connett in accordance with Standing Order 8(2) has been referred to the Cabinet for consideration, to refer it to another committee or make a recommendation back to the Council:

 

(a)   Support to Town and Parish Councils and Speed Awareness Signs (Councillor Connett)

 

A briefing paper is attached to the agenda.

 

Recommendation

 

That the process by which Parish and Town Councils can fund and install their own VAS (Vehicle Activated Signs) be reviewed as part of the work of the Traffic Speed Project Group.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

(Councillors Dewhirst and Hannaford attended remotely in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and the Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority and Police and Crime Panel Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020 and spoke to this item).

 

Parish and Town Councils across Devon should be supported in providing the popular 'flashing or vehicle activated speed awareness' signs in their communities and the current fog of bureaucracy imposed by Devon County Council is ended.  We call for a simpler system to help and support our local communities tackle concerns about speeding vehicles by giving our local Highways Officers the authority to agree the number and location of the 'vehicle activated speed awareness' signs with Parish and Town Councils." 

 

Members considered the Officer’s factual briefing note on the matter (CSO/19/06) which referred to the Council’s support of those communities interested in funding and operating their own VAS (Vehicle Activated Signs), referring to those Parish Council’s who had purchased their own. VAS could be effective in reducing vehicles speeds when sited appropriately. They were usually considered following a SCARF (Speed Compliance Action Review Forum) assessment and the briefing note further highlighted some of the circumstances where officers may not support such a request.

 

The Cabinet Member for Highways Management added there was a Traffic Speed Project Group already formed to look at how communities had a meaningful and transparent say on proposed local schemes, and therefore felt it was appropriate that this Group reviewed the process as part of their work.

 

The Cabinet considered the recommendation now before them and the actions now proposed and already undertaken.

 

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

 

RESOLVED that Council be recommended to note that the process by which Parish and Town Councils can fund and install their own VAS (Vehicle Activated Signs) be reviewed as part of the work of the Traffic Speed Project Group.

*

491.

Question(s) from Members of the Public

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There was no question from a Member of the public.

*

492.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 106 KB

Minutes of the bodies shown below are circulated herewith for information or endorsement as indicated therein (i.e. any unstarred minutes):

 

[NB: Minutes of County Council Committees are published on the Council’s Website:

Minutes of the Devon Education (Schools) Forum:  

Minutes of the South West Waste Partnership

Minutes of the Devon & Cornwall Police & Crime Panel

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

(Councillor Hannaford attended remotely in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and the Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority and Police and Crime Panel Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020 and spoke to this item).

 

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

 

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the following be endorsed and any recommendations to Cabinet therein be approved:

 

Devon Audit Partnership – 10 March 2020

Devon Education Forum – 18 March 2020

*

493.

Delegated Action/Urgent Matters pdf icon PDF 39 KB

A summary of Decisions taken by Members under delegated powers in line with the Council’s Constitution and Regulation 13 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, is attached.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

(Councillor Hannaford attended remotely in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and the Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority and Police and Crime Panel Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020 and spoke to this item).

 

A summary of the decisions taken since the last meeting by Members under delegated powers, in line with the Council’s Constitution and Regulation 13 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, had been published with the Agenda for this meeting.

 

Decisions taken by Officers under any express authorisation of the Cabinet or other Committee or under any general authorisation within the Council’s Scheme  of Delegation  set out in  Part 3 of the Council’s Constitution may be viewed at  https://new.devon.gov.uk/democracy/officer-decisions/.

*

494.

Forward Plan pdf icon PDF 88 KB

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, the Cabinet is requested to review the list of forthcoming business (previously circulated) and to determine which items are to be defined as key and/or framework decisions and included in the Plan from the date of this meeting.

 

[NB: The Forward Plan is available on the Council's website at:http://democracy.devon.gov.uk/mgListPlans.aspx?RPId=133&RD=0&bcr=1 ]

Additional documents:

Minutes:

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, the Cabinet reviewed the Forward Plan and determined those items of business to be defined as key and framework decisions and included in the Plan from the date of this meeting onwards reflecting the requirements of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 (at http://democracy.devon.gov.uk/mgListPlans.aspx?RPId=133&RD=0).

 

An update on the recent Ofsted Inspection would be included in the Forward Plan for consideration at the May meeting.


Top