Agenda and minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on 11 January 2016 (previously circulated).

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 11 January 2016 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 raised as a matter of urgency.

[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 (https://new.devon.gov.uk/democracy/guide/constitutionparts2-4/part-4-section-7-patition-scheme/].

There was no petition for a parking review from a Member of the public or Council.

Bus and Coach Operators to answer Members’ questions

Mr Bailey, Commercial Manager, Stagecoach attended and spoke at the invitation of the Committee on developments affecting bus services and the network in Exeter and environs since the last meeting and, in particular on:

·       upgrading of the 52A and B services  from May with an increase in frequency and  extension of routes to include Sidmouth, Seaton,  Honiton and Lyme Regis

·       improvement to the 56 Service to the Airport from end of May. 

Additionally issues and/or observations identified during the course of discussions, included:

·       residents’ concerns about the location of the bus stop near the Marlborough Road/Magdalen Road junction and buses idling at this location, which Mr Bailey undertook to investigate;

·       passenger concerns about the lack of signage (to indicate a bus stop and route information) at the top of South Street following the removal of the former shelter, which Mr Bailey undertook to investigate with County Council officers;

·       the need for voice/visual information on buses serving routes to and from the special schools on Topsham Road, in particular, which Mr Bailey would discuss further with his colleagues;  

·       residents’ concerns about the lack of a direct bus service from St Thomas to St David’s Station (avoiding the High Street);

·       progress of Stagecoach’s Working Party on reliability and punctuality, on which Mr Bailey undertook to provide more information for members;

·       development of the smart card which was progressing through purchases on-line and directly on buses and future proposals for cashless payment via smart phones for example

·       discussions between developers of the Paris Street proposals and Stagecoach in terms of bus routing;

·       local City and County members’ support of the good level of bus services (J service) for the Newcourt development;   

·       local residents’ concerns about the size of buses in the Countess Wear area and  Mr Bailey indicated that there was no spare capacity to replace these with smaller ones. 

The Chairman thanked Mr Bailey on the updates and responses to Members’ questions.

Presentation by the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste

The Committee received a presentation by the Head of Highways, Capital Development & Waste and Nigel Card of South West Highways who also attended and spoke at the invitation of the Committee updating Members on Devon Highways issues. The presentation and discussions covered:

(a) The Incentive Fund: this was Government ‘Top Up’ funding to the needs based highway maintenance capital allocation designed to encourage highway authorities to adopt good practice with an emphasis on collaboration with suppliers and other authorities. There were three bands of funding over 6 years from 2015/16 (with maximum funding in Band 3). The County Council was currently on course for Band 2 in 2016/17 and striving for Band 3 with its planned changes working with other local authorities and other efficiency savings and service improvements.

(b) Drainage Maintenance Strategy: relating to measures to mitigate drainage issues in respect of the highway and the role and responsibilities of adjacent landowners, the programmed works for rural and urban gullies for example and budgetary constraints and challenges and the work of the County Council with its contractor to develop valid data sources and information to better target limited resources.

(c) Footway Maintenance Programme: the programme to maintain a condition which was safe and commensurate with use with analysis of survey condition and budget allocations. Members referred to the need to recycling and re-use of materials which should be programmed within the planning stage in respect of remedial and replacement schemes. 

Members referred to maintenance issues in respect of slabs/flagstones in the High Street and other locations in the City and the Head confirmed that where there were safety defects identified in line with policy based on national standards these would be rectified; and where there were recurring problems identified (through data analysis) other permanent and cost-effective solutions would be considered in consultation with local members and communities.

Arising from the above the Head of Service undertook to investigate drainage issues in Lancelot Road, Exeter following concerns raised by the local County Councillor and confirmed that a report on the High Street and footway maintenance would be submitted to the next meeting.

.

Report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HCW/16/35) attached

(Councillors Westlake and Bull each declared a disclosable pecuniary interest by virtue of being residents in roads affected by the proposals for residents’ parking charges and withdrew from the meeting for consideration and vote on this item).

The Committee considered the Report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development & Waste (HCW/16/35) on areas identified for residents’ parking schemes for which there was identified funding to progress proposals in a number of these areas at the same time.

The Head of Service confirmed that following discussions with local relevant members, proposals had been developed for the Burnthouse Lane, Rifford Road, Heavitree, Polsloe and Elizabeth Avenue Areas.  These formed the basis of two rounds of public consultations and the Report detailed the responses to both consultations. The Head of Service outlined the statutory consultation methodology including press notices, press releases and on-site notices.  The Committee noted that the original proposals had been amended following the initial informal consultations in May and June 2015.   

It was MOVED by Councillor Owen, SECONDED by Councillor Hannan and

RESOLVED

(a) that the results of the public consultations be noted;

(b) that  authority be given to advertise the necessary Traffic Regulation Orders detailed in section 3 of report HCW/16/36 subject to inclusion of details of proposed Disabled Parking Bays (in consultation with local County Councillors); and 

(c) that, as well as the statutory notices, further consideration be given to advising each household affected of the statutory consultation on the detailed proposals, by way of letter (with detailed maps, if practicable) and arranging public displays in local community buildings and use of social media as appropriate; 

(d) that  the results of the statutory consultation be reported to a future Committee to determine which restrictions are to be implemented.

Report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HCW/16/34) attached

(Cllr Morse declared a disclosable pecuniary interest by virtue of being a resident in a road subject to the proposals under and withdrew from the meeting for consideration of this item item)

Councillor Sutton (Exeter City Council) attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item in support of additional waiting restrictions at Exwick Villas, to be added to the proposed programme.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HCW/16/34) setting out proposals for the delivery of an annual local Waiting Restrictions Programme. 

A managed process had now been developed whereby existing requests from Local Members and local communities had been collated and a prioritisation tool developed.

The Committee noted, that all the schemes identified could be progressed within the current budget and that Members could request consideration of further schemes under the programme (in consultation with local Highways Neighbourhood Officers).

The local County Councillor  (Exwick & St Thomas) referred to continued problems at Exwick Villas and the need for a further review in view of non-residents’ parking in the area and problems faced by local residents, noting that the Police had objected to any proposed removal of current restrictions. 

It was MOVED by Councillor Owen, SECONDED by Councillor Hannaford and

RESOLVED

(a) that work to date on the annual waiting restrictions programme and the prioritisation process applied be noted;

(b) that waiting restriction schemes be progressed through advertising and sealing of subsequent Orders in priority order as presented in Appendix 1 to the Report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HCW/16/34), subject to any further requests from Members of this Committee and to funding being agreed;

(c) that the detail of individual schemes be developed with the relevant local County Councillor prior to advertising;

(d) that a meeting involving the Chairman, the County Councillor and City Councillors  be arranged to review the need to add waiting restrictions at Exwick Villas and options be discussed with the Police and reported back to the Committee.

Report of the Head of Highways, capital Development and Waste (HCW/16/36) attached

(Councillor Packham (Exeter City Council) attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item in support of the proposals).

The Committee considered the Report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HCW/16/36) on proposed waiting restrictions to prevent obstructive parking in Chieftain Way/Sanford Place (County Ground). Proposals for double yellow lines at junctions along Sydney Road, Ferndale Road and Old Vicarage Road and restrictions on Cowick Street had also been reviewed in light of road safety and bus priority concerns. A summary of the responses received to the consultation was shown in Appendix I to the Report. 

After consideration of the comments submitted and discussions with the local County Councillors it had been recommended that 2 amendments be made: (i) the proposed No Waiting At Any Time in Sanford Place be relaxed opposite numbers 22 to 26 and 30 to 34 and (ii) the proposal to remove the limited waiting on the south side of Cowick Street be not progressed at this time.

It was MOVED by Councillor Hannaford, SECONDED by Councillor Bull and

RESOLVED that the Report be noted and approval be given to make and seal the Traffic Regulation Order, as amended in section 2 of report  HCW/16/36.

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Owen has requested that the

Committee consider this matter.

Report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HCW16/37) attached

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Owen had requested that the Committee consider this matter.

The Committee noted the report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HCW/16/37) on the situation regarding management of vegetation within the City which had been agreed for the next two years. The Committee also noted that the weed clearing work would be augmented by the Community Payback Schemes in the City.  

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2), Councillor Hannaford has requested that the Committee consider matter.

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Hannaford had requested that the Committee consider the difficulties for residents during the winter period in the Exwick Heights area on surrounding roads with steep gradients.

The Neighbourhood Group Manager confirmed that there had been no changes to gritting policy on roads in the City and undertook to investigate further and advise the local County Councillor of the gritting routes. 

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Prowse has requested that     the Committee consider this matter

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Prowse had requested that the Committee consider the restrictions on this road.

The Committee noted that a site visit had been arranged recently to look at proposals for improved parking and cycling routes to the School which would be the subject of a further report to the Committee. 

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Prowse has requested that     the Committee consider this matter

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Prowse had requested that the Committee consider this matter in light of concerns expressed by local residents about non-residents’ parking in Rosebarn Lane and Argyle Road and requests for Access Protection Marking (APMs).

The Committee noted that the matter would be considered as part of the Annual Local Waiting restrictions Programme (Minute 6 Refers).

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Hannan has requested that    the Committee consider this matter

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Hannan had requested that the Committee consider this matter following a petition to the Cabinet on 13 April 2016 by the Earl Richards Road North Residents Association (Exeter) containing the signatures of residents of the area seeking action to secure the reinstatement of the highway and the repair of damage resulting from construction traffic accessing an adjacent housing development. 

The Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste had responded to the petitioners and the Council had agreed with the developers to repair the lower section of the Road and had offered to work with the residents and the developers to determine the scope for further improvements to the road surface. 

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Leadbetter has requested that the Committee consider this matter

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Leadbetter had requested that the Committee consider parking and speeding issues in this Road. 

Councillor D Henson (Exeter City Council) attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to speed of traffic and provision of waiting restrictions to prevent excessive parking from non-residents.

Requests for localised waiting restrictions would be considered as part of the Annual Local Waiting restrictions Programme (Minute 6 Refers).

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Leadbetter had requested that the Committee consider parking issues for residents. 

Councillor D Henson (Exeter City Council) attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item relating to provision of waiting restrictions to prevent excessive parking from non-residents.

The Committee noted that a request for residents’ parking could be considered when it next considered future schemes. However, requests for localised restrictions could be considered as part of the Annual Local Waiting restrictions Programme (Minute 6 Refers).

Report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HCW/16/38) attached

The Committee received the report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HCW/16/38) on actions taken by him in respect of Traffic Orders under delegated powers since the last meeting.  

Please use link below for County Council Calendar of Meetings:

https://devonintranet.moderngov.co.uk/ieDocHome.aspx?Categories=

12 July and 14 November 2016

17 January 2017 and 25 April 2017

The Committee noted dates of future meetings of the Committee were available in the County Council Calendar of Meetings at:

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