Agenda, decisions and minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on 12 April 2023 (previously circulated).

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 12 April 2023 be signed as a correct record.

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

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 12 April 2023 be signed as a correct record.

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

There was no item raised as a matter of urgency.

There was no announcement by the Chair at this meeting.

The Leader was presented, with a petition organised by Bideford Link Centre Users containing in the region of 4000 signatures seeking to save the link centres in Bideford, Barnstaple and Ilfracombe.

An online petition on the same matter had also been received, containing in the region of 500 signatures, although not all the signatures could be verified as being resident in Devon.

The Director for Integrated Adult Social Care would be asked to respond direct to the petitioners on the issues raised, within 15 days.

There was no question from a Member of the Council.

Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport, (CET/23/35) seeking approval for construction of the Rifford Road two-way cycle track in Exeter, attached.

An Impact Assessment has been prepared which is attached to this agenda and is also is available on the Council’s website at https://www.devon.gov.uk/impact/rifford-road-two-way-cycle-track-impact-assessment-december-2022/

Following approval of the relevant Traffic Regulation Orders by the Exeter Highways and Traffic Orders Committee (HATOC) on 16 January 2023, approval is sought from Cabinet to construct a two-way cycle track.

RESOLVED

(a) that approval is given to construct the Rifford Road two-way cycle track in Exeter, as shown in Appendix 1 of the Report, at an estimated cost of £1,700,000; and

(b) that the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highway Management and Local Member be given delegated power to approve minor changes to the scheme.

Councillors Biederman, Brazil and Whitton attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

The Cabinet considered the Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport, (CET/23/35) which sought approval for construction of the Rifford Road two-way cycle track in Exeter, 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 new two-way (bidirectional) cycle track along Rifford Road in Exeter would form a crucial part of the north/south strategic cycle route E12.  The scheme would further complement aspirations to boost physical activity in one of the city’s highest areas for inactivity and poor health by enabling more people to walk, wheel, scoot, and cycle for everyday journeys in the city.

Route E12 was illustrated in Fig 1 of the Report. The proposed route intersected with strategic route E9 which was an east – west cycle route that ran from Pynes Hill via Ludwell Lane and Dryden Road to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital and on to the city centre.

The proposal was for a new 700 metre two-way cycle path along the east side of Rifford Road between its junction with Honiton Road and Ludwell Lane as well as measures that made easier and more comfortable for people to walk or use wheelchairs on Rifford Road.  A full scheme drawing was shown in Appendix 1 and the Report detailed the various sections of the route and the proposals for these (Honiton Road to Quarry Lane, Quarry Lane to Ludwell Lane and Ludwell Lane Roundabout).

A public consultation on the scheme proposal had been held during March and April 2022 and the full consultation report was available to view here – https://www.devon.gov.uk/haveyoursay/consultations/rifford-road-cycle-track/

The headline outcomes of the consultation were outlined in the Report at section 5.

The scheme was well aligned with a range of the Strategic Plan priorities by improving the environment to enable more walking, cycling and encourage more sustainable lifestyles. The table in the Report summarised how the proposals would impact achievement of relevant Strategic Plan actions according to a seven-point scale.

The overall cost of the scheme was estimated to be £1,700,000 which formed part of Active Travel Fund Tranche 3 from the Department for Transport, which had funded a number of other sections of route E12, E9 and E3 over the last 2 years. The financial year profile and funding sources were set out at section 7.

An Impact Assessment had been prepared which was attached to the Report and was also available on the Council’s website at https://www.devon.gov.uk/impact/rifford-road-two-way-cycle-track-impact-assessment-december-2022/

The Impact Assessment noted the potential to advance equality of opportunity for those without access to a car, by enabling and giving enhanced priority to people walking, cycling, and wheeling. 

In summary, the scheme would enable a scheme that would segregate pedestrians from cyclists, and cyclists from vehicles, on a busy transport corridor.  It further focussed on the Council’s progress with enabling more active travel  ...  view the full minutes text for item 326.

The South Hams Highways and Traffic Orders Committee at its meeting on 3 February 2023 considered the matter of the A3121 in Ermington (request for reduction in speed limit to 30mph), as had been requested by Councillor Thomas under Standing Order 23 (minute 29 refers). The Committee had RESOLVED ‘That Cabinet be requested to consider a departure from policy, to revoke the existing 40mph Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) on the A3121 in Ermington, thus lowering the majority of the stretch to 30mph by virtue of an existing system of street lighting, with the remaining stretch (currently TRO 40mph) requiring a new 30mph TRO’.

The Cabinet considered this matter at its meeting on 8 March 2023 and RESOLVED that the matter be deferred pending a site visit with the Cabinet Member for Highway Management to meet the Local Member and officers including the Police and Road Safety Team.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management to report on the site visit held on 20 April 2023.

Recommendation

That a departure from Policy is not agreed.

RESOLVED that the matter be deferred and officers be asked to develop proposals or consider alternative solutions for the route to address the concerns raised.

(Councillors Biederman, Brazil, Thomas and Whitton attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

The Cabinet noted that the South Hams Highways and Traffic Orders Committee at its meeting on 3 February 2023 had considered the matter of the A3121 in Ermington (request for reduction in speed limit to 30mph), as had been requested by Councillor Thomas under Standing Order 23 (minute 29 referred). The Committee had RESOLVED ‘That Cabinet be requested to consider a departure from policy, to revoke the existing 40mph Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) on the A3121 in Ermington, thus lowering the majority of the stretch to 30mph by virtue of an existing system of street lighting, with the remaining stretch (currently TRO 40mph) requiring a new 30mph TRO’.

The Cabinet considered this matter at its meeting on 8 March 2023 and RESOLVED that the matter be deferred pending a site visit with the Cabinet Member for Highway Management to meet the Local Member and officers including the Police and Road Safety Team.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management reported on the site visit held on 20 April 2023, thanking those that had attended.

Councillor Thomas had shared concerns that the community wished to feel safe whilst using the route on foot. Officers had reported there had been no speed related collisions recorded along the stretch of highway and compliance with current speed limits was good with mean speeds being below the signed 40mph limit. The Police had contributed adding the importance to motorists of being able to understand and read the speed limits of the road, and that changes in speed limit should be reflective of changes in the road layout and characteristics.

Whilst it was recognised that the communities desire to improve the environment and their offer to fund the change in speed limit, he could not support a reduced speed limit after visiting the site and listening to professional opinion. However, he added he remained receptive to other possible changes, which the community were working through.

Members speaking under standing orders and Cabinet Members who were familiar with the route expressed concerns over safety of the road for walkers.

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

RESOLVED that the matter be deferred and officers be asked to develop proposals or consider alternative solutions for the route to address the concerns raised.

At its meeting on 30^th March 2023, the East Devon Highways and Traffic Orders Committee had considered the Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/23/25) on the proposed signalisation of the existing junction of the C832 Honiton Road with the C836 Tithebarn Way (Minute 47 refers). At the meeting, the Members had referred to the need to reduce the speed limit to the approach to the junction from 40 mph to 30 mph in view of the current and proposed residential development in the area, which was would not be compliant with current Department of Transport and local policy guidance. The Committee therefore RESOLVED that (c) that this Committee’s proposal to reduce the speed limit on the Honiton Road from 40 mph to 30 mph be referred to Cabinet for approval as an exception to the Council’s current policy.

Recommendation

That the matter be deferred pending site visit to Honiton Road with the Cabinet Member for Highway Management to meet the Local Member and officers including the Police and Road Safety Team.

RESOLVED that the matter be deferred pending site visit to Honiton Road with the Cabinet Member for Highway Management to meet the Local Member and officers including the Police and Road Safety Team.

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

The Cabinet noted that at its meeting on 30^th March 2023, the East Devon Highways and Traffic Orders Committee had considered the Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/23/25) on the proposed signalisation of the existing junction of the C832 Honiton Road with the C836 Tithebarn Way (Minute 47 refers). At the meeting, the Members had referred to the need to reduce the speed limit to the approach to the junction from 40 mph to 30 mph in view of the current and proposed residential development in the area, which was would not be compliant with current Department of Transport and local policy guidance. The Committee therefore RESOLVED that (c) that this Committee’s proposal to reduce the speed limit on the Honiton Road from 40 mph to 30 mph be referred to Cabinet for approval as an exception to the Council’s current policy.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management commented that he would value a site visit to hear from the Local Member, officers and the police, as to the most appropriate intervention for the location.

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

RESOLVED that the matter be deferred pending site visit to Honiton Road with the Cabinet Member for Highway Management to meet the Local Member and officers including the Police and Road Safety Team.

At its meeting on 30^th March 2023, the East Devon Highways and Traffic Orders Committee had considered a request from Councillor M Hartnell, in accordance with Standing Order 23(2), to extend the 30mph speed limit between Colyford & Colyton on Coly Road (B3161) in response to local concerns regarding the safety of pedestrians and the speed of traffic.

The Committee had RESOLVED that this Committee’s proposal to extend the 30mph speed limit between Colyford and Colyton on Coly Road (B3161) be referred to Cabinet for approval, as an exception to current policy.

Recommendation

That the matter be deferred pending site visits to Colyford and Colyton with the Cabinet Member for Highway Management to meet the Local Member and officers including the Police and Road Safety Team.

RESOLVED that the matter be deferred pending site visits to Colyford and Colyton with the Cabinet Member for Highway Management to meet the Local Member and officers including the Police and Road Safety Team.

(Councillors Brazil, Hartnell and Whitton attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

The Cabinet noted that at its meeting on 30^th March 2023, the East Devon Highways and Traffic Orders Committee had considered a request from Councillor M Hartnell, in accordance with Standing Order 23(2), to extend the 30mph speed limit between Colyford & Colyton on Coly Road (B3161) in response to local concerns regarding the safety of pedestrians and the speed of traffic. The Committee had heard that the road was narrow and winding and there was no pavement and that both Colyton Parish Council and the Colyford Village Residents Association supported the proposal.

The Committee had RESOLVED that this Committee’s proposal to extend the 30mph speed limit between Colyford and Colyton on Coly Road (B3161) be referred to Cabinet for approval, as an exception to current policy.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management commented that, as with the previous item on the agenda, he would welcome a site visit to hear from the Local Member, officers and the police, as to the most appropriate intervention.

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

RESOLVED that the matter be deferred pending site visits to Colyford and Colyton with the Cabinet Member for Highway Management to meet the Local Member and officers including the Police and Road Safety Team.

There was no question from a Member of the public.

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:

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

Farms Estate Committee (Special Meeting - 18 April 2023)

(Councillors Brazil and Whitton attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) 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:

Farms Estate Committee (Special Meeting - 18 April 2023)

The Register of Decisions taken by Members under the urgency provisions or delegated powers is available on the website in line with the Council’s Constitution and Regulation 13 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.  The decisions taken and associated information can be found here.

The Registers of Decisions taken by Members under the urgency provisions or delegated powers were available for inspection, in line with the Council’s Constitution and Regulation 13 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012. 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.

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.

The Forward Plan is available on the Council's website.

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.

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.