Agenda and minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on 14 November (previously circulated).

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 14 November 2016 be signed as a correct record. 

The Chairman welcomed Mrs A Mayes MBE who was attending the meeting in his capacity as a Co-opted Member of the County Council's Standards Committee to observe and monitor compliance with the Council s ethical governance framework.

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/].

[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]

The Chairman was presented by Ms K Martin with a petition containing 118 signatures, seeking the introduction of a residents‘ parking scheme in Wardrew Road and surrounding Roads in view of excessive non-residents’ parking in the area including alleged unregulated Exeter airport passenger parking.

The request would also be added to a revised proposed list of Priorities for Residents’ Parking in Exeter (Minute 57 refers).

[N.B. The Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste would be asked to respond direct to the organiser on the issues raised, within 15 days, in line with the Council’s Petition Scheme http://democracy.devon.gov.uk/documents/s4822/Part%2004%20-%20Rules%20of%20Procedure%20for%20Meetings%20of%20the%20Council%20Cabinet%20and%20Committees.pdf)].

Bus and Coach Operators to answer Members’ questions

Mr Williams, Commercial Director Stagecoach (Exeter) 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:

·         the new cross-city link which was proving to be popular and reliable with positive feedback;

·         the introduction from 5 January 2017 of a new mobile phone ‘app’ enabling quick and efficient payment of fares;

·         the congestion over the Christmas period which it was suggested had been the worst experienced to date with knock-on effects for service timings and reliability;

·         work by Stagecoach with the City and County Councils in regard to the bus station relocation from Paris Street to Sidwell Street from 25 March 2017;   

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

·         difficulties relating to the H service due to congestions on which there had been correspondence with the local MP and on which action was being taken by Stagecoach noting that the issues did not relate wholly to staffing which was now at its full complement;

·         bunching of bus services largely as a result of congestion and on actions by Stagecoach to mitigate problems with layovers and driver rest periods or review of timetables with additional buses as necessary (additional buses would however have significant cost implications);

·         location of shelters in the High Street serving Heavitree Road and Pinhoe which Mr Williams undertook to review with the County Councillor; 

·         ongoing dialogue between Stagecoach and Trade Unions relating to proposed industrial action which was not related to the Bus Depot move to Matford;

·         development of new sustainable bus services linked with residential development which was largely dependent, in the early stages, on S106 funding and local authority priorities and negotiations with developers.

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

Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/17/14) attached

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/17/4) on the replacement programme and provision of bus shelters in Exeter, provided by Clearchannel under a joint agreement with Devon County Council and Exeter City Council at no cost to either authority.  The ongoing costs of provision and maintenance were covered by the sale of advertising.

Members’  discussion points with the Head of Service included:

·         the cost of additional shelters (over and above the current programme) on which the Head of Service undertook to provide further information (including ongoing maintenance costs);

·         current criteria for additional shelters largely based on passenger use and frequency of services and work by officers to ensure fairness in the determination of new shelters

·         requests from Members for additional shelters would be added to the current list and any issues relating to current shelters should be reported to the Head of Service;  

·         ongoing discussion with the current contractor in relation to the potential for additional revenue from digital advertising.    

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

RESOLVED

(a) that progress with the bus shelter replacement be noted and that Officers be requested to develop revised criteria for a replacement programme; and

(b) that the ongoing discussions with the contractor regarding the potential for digital advertising on shelters in the High Street be noted.

Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste to report.

Councillor Pearson (Exeter City Council) attended in accordance with 25(2) and spoke to this item relating to the break-up of the path and remedial action)

The Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste reported on the closure of the path for safety reasons, and that at this stage there was no clear evidence as to the  original causes of the collapse and that this was currently under investigation by SWW. The subsidence was a matter for the residents concerned (15 properties) and SWW and their respective insurers to resolve. It was confirmed that if the affected residents were unable to find out the results of SWW investigations, the County Council would approach SWW and advise the residents accordingly. 

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

Committee consider this matter.

The current list of priorities agreed by the Committee in January 2014 is attached.  

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

The Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste reported on the current list of priorities agreed by the Committee in January 2014 much of which had been completed or was progressing (Items 1 to 4). The Priority List would be reported to a future Committee for consideration once the current schemes and subsequent reviews were completed. Members were asked to discuss any requests for future schemes with their Neighbourhood Officer or the Traffic Management Team so that they may be considered.  

29 March, 4 July and 20 November 2017 and 16 January and 26 April 2018

County Council Committee dates available on the website:

http://democracy.devon.gov.uk/mgCalendarMonthView.aspx?GL=1&bcr=1

29 March, 4 July, 20 November; and 16 January 2018 and 26 April 2018.

Note: The County Council calendar of meetings is available at:

 http://democracy.devon.gov.uk/mgCalendarMonthView.aspx?GL=1&bcr=1