Agenda, decisions and minutes

To elect the Chair for the ensuing year.

NB: In accordance with the County Council’s Constitution, The Chair and Vice Chair must be County Councillors. County and District Councillors may vote.

RESOLVED: that Councillor Chesterton be elected Chair for the ensuing year. 

RESOLVED: that Councillor Chesterton be elected Chair for the ensuing year. 

To elect the Vice Chair for the ensuing year.

NB: In accordance with the County Council’s Constitution, The Chair and Vice Chair must be County Councillors. County and District Councillors may vote.

RESOLVED: that Councillor Slade be elected Vice Chair for the ensuing year. 

RESOLVED: that Councillor Slade be elected Vice Chair for the ensuing year. 

Members of the Council will declare any interests they may have in any item to be considered at this meeting, prior to any discussion taking place on that item.

The other registrable interests of Councillors of Devon County Council, arising from membership of City, Town or Parish Councils and other Local Authorities will automatically be recorded in the minutes.

For details of District and or Town and Parish Twin Hatters – please see here -

 A list of county councillors who are also district, borough, city, parish or town councillors

Members of the Committee were reminded to declare any interests they may have had in any item to be considered at the meeting, prior to any discussion taking place on that item. 

District and/or Town and Parish Twin Hatters are detailed here: County councillors who are also district, borough, city, parish or town councillors 

Minutes of the meeting held on 24 October 2023, attached.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on the 24 October 2023 be signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on the 24 October 2023 be signed as a correct record.

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

There was no item requiring urgent attention.

Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/24/71) attached.

Electoral Divisions:  Cullompton & Bradninch, Tiverton East,

Tiverton West, Willand & Uffculme

RESOLVED:

(a)  that the Cullompton and Tiverton Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), as amended following consultation, prior to formal adoption of the LCWIP at Cabinet in due course be endorsed;

(b)  that the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport be given delegated powers, in consultation with the Chair of HATOC and the local County Councillors, to make minor alterations to the Plan.

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/24/71)  which outlined Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs). 

The Committee were reminded that the plans:

·       were strategic documents identifying cycling and walking improvement priorities at a local level

·       form an important part of the Government’s strategy to increase the number of active travel trips.

·       contribute as  an important tool in realising the Government’s Gear Change and Transport Decarbonisation Plan aims and objectives.

·       expects local authorities to deliver high quality cycling and walking infrastructure which represent a step-change in the level of service for active travel.

The Committee also noted that the LCWIP framework was set out in the Government’s Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy LCWIPs and an important part of local authorities making the case for future active travel funding.

During general discussion, Members noted:

·       that outside the LCWIP, other active travel solutions could be considered and constructed with the right consultation and agreement;

·       the priority list, as detailed within the updated LCWIP document, cannot be added to, that list is now concluded at this stage;

·       that the bridge remains within the LCWIP area; 

·       the importance of use of alternative modes;

·       that the road network within the plan area was currently correctly compliant to acceptable vehicular speed

·       that alternative funding sources could be accessed through Section 106 agreements;

·       the  County Council would be in a stronger position to apply for various Government grants. 

The Committee expressed their gratitude to Officers for the work undertaken to date with the plan.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Berry, SECONDED by Councillor Slade   and RESOLVED

(a)  that the Cullompton and Tiverton Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), as amended following consultation, prior to formal adoption of the LCWIP at Cabinet in due course be endorsed;

(b)  that the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport be given delegated powers, in consultation with the Chair of HATOC and the local County Councillors, to make minor alterations to the Plan.

Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/24/72) attached.

Electoral Divisions:  All

The Committee NOTED the report of the Director of Climate Change Environment and Transport (CET/24/72) on the approach to the inclusive design of walking and cycling infrastructure.

The Committee considered the Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/24/72) on inclusive design. The Report outlined the Council’s responsibility to consider the needs of disabled people in the design and development of transport and pedestrian infrastructure.

The report referred to a number of mechanisms by which the Local Authority aimed to ensure that infrastructure was developed in an inclusive way including through public engagement (including with stakeholders from the Voluntary and Community Sector), impact assessments, and requirements under the Equality Act 2010.

Key discussion points between members and officers included:

·       Many hedges grow on the edge of the highway and mark its boundary with private property. It is the responsibility of the adjacent landowner or occupier to properly maintain them and any trees or other vegetation the hedge contains. Hedges that were considered as overgrown should be reported to Devon County Council in order that the authority serve legal notice for maintenance. 

·       Consideration be given by local members to discuss with landowners the importance of hedge maintenance for greater use of pathways and the effects this may have on the community;

·       Although within the Wildlife and Countryside Act no dates are legally stated between which hedges cannot be trimmed, cut, laid or coppiced, the main bird breeding season is recognised as being between 1 March and 31 July.

The Committee NOTED the report of the Director of Climate Change Environment and Transport (CET/24/72) on the approach to the inclusive design of walking and cycling infrastructure.

[An item to be taken under s18 of the Traffic Management Act 2004 relating to any reviews of parking policy sought in line with the Council’s Petition Scheme.]

There was no petition from a member of the public or the Council relating to the

Mid Devon district.

Update from committee representative. The notes of the most recent meeting (22 May 2024) are attached.

Members NOTED the  notes  from  the  Bus  Users  and Stakeholders (BUS) Forum meeting held on 22 May 2024, as circulated. 

The Forum Representative confirmed that the BUS forum met on the  7 October 2024 and draft minutes would be circulated to the Committee as soon as available.

The dates of the forthcoming meetings  are:

12 February 2025

29 May 2025

14 October 2025

6 February 2026

5 May 2026

Please use link below forCounty Council Calendar of Meetings:

http://democracy.devon.gov.uk/ieDocHome.aspx?bcr=1

The dates of the forthcoming meetings:

12 February 2025

29 May 2025

14 October 2025

6 February 2026

5 May 2026