Agenda and minutes

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

Minutes of the meeting held on 20 November 2017 (attached).

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting held on 20 November 2017 be signed as a correct record.

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

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

The Chairman had decided that the Committee should consider, as a matter of urgency, a proposal for the establishment of a new Transport Steering Group with Exeter City Council.  The Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment reported that the relevant portfolio holders from the County (Councillors Barker and Leadbetter) and, City Councils (Denham and Sutton)  were due to meet to discuss the formation of a Steering Group to feed into the Greater Exeter Strategic Plan to help address issues of congestion and pollution. This suggestion had come out of a meeting of the Leaders of the City and County Council in Autumn 2017.  It was explained that the Steering Group would not be a Board with voting powers and would respond to the Sustainability Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP) an EU funded project. Members referred to the need for Exeter City centre local member representation and Councillor Leadbetter (as Cabinet Lead for Exeter Liaison) reported that initial discussions had taken place and the scope, terms of reference and membership had not been finalised.

It was MOVED by Councillor Atkinson, SECONDED by Councillor Aves and

RESOLVED that the current arrangements for consideration of traffic and congestion issues in and around the City be reported to the next meeting incorporating the efficacy and details of the working groups established by this Council and other associated bodies.  

[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 Chair was presented by Councillor Prowse with a petition on behalf of residents from Horseguards, Exeter containing approximately 100 signatures seeking parking restrictions/residents parking in the area.

 [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/s13108/Constitution%20-%20Part%204g%20Rules%20of%20Procedure%20Petition%20Scheme.pdf

.

Bus and Coach Operators to answer Members’ questions

Mr Williams, Commercial Director of Stagecoach South West, attended and spoke at the

invitation of the Committee on developments affecting bus services and the network in and

around Exeter since the last meeting, as follows:

·         issues relating to congestion over the Christmas period and changes to services No.1 and No. 57 to help combat congestion generally in relation to these routes which would result in extended journeys and reduced frequencies at certain times;

·         temporary changes to services J/k and 1 routes because of temporary road works in Pinhoe Road/St Marks Road which end on 26 January;

·         meetings with local members in relation to the service changes (reported at the last meeting) to the H route. There were no obvious solutions but further meetings with local residents would be arranged. A strategy to develop service D with the University was being followed, which would be closely monitored by the Company, and noting a request from the Chair to involve local City Council members in future meetings.

Further issues and/or observations identified during discussions included:

·         the need for improved publicity in relation to no Sunday or other services on New Year’s Day, as it was felt that it had not been clear this year, although the services over the Christmas and new year periods generally had been improved;

·         the University contract service (administered by the County Council) and subsidy of £130,000 which had not increased in real terms over recent years; and the limited impact of service cuts from Digby to St Luke’s introduced by the County Council in 2015 in respect of its contract services; 

·         work with the County Council to promote bus usage as part of the sustainable transport strategy, with other partners;

·         funding from Enterprise Zones to promote strategic transport networks in respect of the growth points in and around the City; 

·         investment by the Company in low polluting diesel vehicles (one bus equivalent to a car of the same age in terms of emissions) and the limited scope for all electric vehicles with the outstanding infra structure requirements; 

·         circumstances when double deckers would be used subject to routes, patronage and costs; and

·         action taken when buses collide with shelters by informing all parties concerned and the special training given to drivers.

The Chair thanked Mr Williams for his update and detailed response to questions.

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

Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/18/2), attached

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillors Hannaford had requested that the Committee consider, in accordance with Standing Order 23(2), the Travel Plan published by the University of Exeter.

The Committee considered the Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/18/2) on the Travel Plan produced by the University of Exeter for the Exeter Campuses 2016-2020.  The University of Exeter was one of the leading organisations in the city for seeking to increase non-car mode share through its Travel Plan.  As part of its sustainable transport fund workplace engagement programme, Devon County Council engaged with several major businesses around the city and cited the University’s Travel Plan as an example of good practice.  The University performed well compared to other higher education ‘leading Travel Plan’ institutions and to the average Travel to Work mode share for Exeter. 24% of staff walked to work; 14% cycled; 9% travelled by bus; 7% by train; 10% car shared and 36% drove.

The Report outlined the progress of The Plan to date noting that the  Sustainable Travel Plan for the Exeter Campuses 2016-2020has been formally adopted by the University and there were no plans to renew/amend this particular document.  There was nevertheless a dynamic action plan that combined the 110 actions highlighted in the plan (p21-36) with many others added on an ongoing basis.  The Report also outlined achievements to date and upcoming activities.

The Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment reported on actions which had been previously suggested by the former HATOC on which the University had progressed in conjunction with the County Council and other partners. These included a Car Parking Policy which would consider limiting parking days (car free days), potential for number plate recognition, parking bands and charges and off-site issues which were being investigated by the County Council, encouraging students not to bring their cars to the City, and access for staff and students with disabilities.

Members suggested that the following ideas could also be raised with the University for consideration as further action points in the Travel Plan:

·         use of car park revenues raised by the University for public transport subsidies for students and staff;

·         broader consultation with local members by the University whilst acknowledging the positive current arrangements; 

·         more bike rack provision on campus;

·         improved information on the University’s website to discourage students from bringing their cars; 

·         more home working and on-line tutorials and flexible working arrangements;

·         review of visitor arrangements to the Northcott for example;

·         reference to Nursery provision;

·         liaison with the Student Union/Body, and 

·         reference to car park policy at other sites, St Luke’s for example.

The local member (Duryard and Pennsylvania) referred to proposals by the University to build a multi storey car park on the campus to alleviate local on-street carparking pressures.

The Head of Service undertook to take these suggested action points to the University for consideration and to circulate to members details of the successful bid to the Access Fund and resulting creation of a three-year programme to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.

Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/18/1), attached

The Committee considered the Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/18/1) on the establishment of a Public Realm Liaison Group which had met at County Hall on 27 November 2017 with officers from Devon County Council and Exeter City Council and the City Council Ward Councillor. 

The meeting had set out the aims of the group, core attendance and frequency of meetings.  Copies of the County Council’s footway programme had also been issued for the 2017/18 footway programme and 2018/19 plus programme for consideration and discussion at future meetings.  The next meeting had been provisionally planned for February 2018.

The Neighbourhood Highways Group Manager reported on current data collection in respect of recorded incidents and safety criteria in respect of urgent repairs and involvement of local members.

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

RESOLVED that the establishment of a Public Realm Liaison Group with Exeter City Council as detailed in Report (HIW/18/1) be welcomed.

Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste and Members to report on the progress of the working group.

The Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste reported on progress and recommendations of the Working Party and circulated a paper on its conclusions.

Members also referred to the need for additional funding from the On-Street Parking account to ensure the delivery of the proposals detailed in the paper. 

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

RESOLVED

(a) that the record of the Working Group and its recommendations as detailed in paragraph 7 of the Paper be approved;

(b) that the proposed funding for 2018/19 to carry out consultations as detailed in the paper be welcomed;

(c) that progress on delivery and consideration of any new requests for residents parking schemes be reported annually to this Committee;

(d) that the Cabinet be requested that sufficient funds are provided from the On-Street Parking account to ensure the delivery of the Residents’ Parking proposals for the City, detailed in the Working Party’s Paper, as approved by this Committee. 

26 April, 30 July and 6 November 2018 and 14 January and 9 April 2019.

The County Council Calendar of meetings is available on the website:

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

26 April, 30 July and 6 November 2018 and 14 January and 9 April 2019

The County Council Calendar of meetings was available on the website:

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