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Agenda and minutes

Venue: This will be a Virtual Meeting. For the joining instructions please contact the Clerk for further details on public participation.

Contact: Gerry Rufolo, 01392 382299  Email: gerry.rufolo@devon.gov.uk

Note: To be conducted in line with The Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority and Police and Crime Panel Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020: To see the live stream, copy and paste this link into your browser: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_Yjg5M2NiOGMtMmI1Mi00OTFmLThiOTktNDg0ZjdiOWIxODJi%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%228da13783-cb68-443f-bb4b-997f77fd5bfb%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%223d9c340a-0429-4b53-a982-1317fcf719c1%22%2c%22IsBroadcastMeeting%22%3atrue%7d 

Items
Note No. Item

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154.

Standards Committee

Minutes:

The Chair welcomed Mr I Hipkin who was attending the meeting in his capacity as a Co-opted Member of the Council's Standards Committee to observe and monitor compliance with the Council’s ethical governance framework.

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155.

Minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on 27 July 2020 and the special meeting held on 11 September 2020  (both sets previously circulated).

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting held on 27 July 2020 and the special meeting on 11 September 2020 be signed as correct records.

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156.

Matter of Urgency: Temporary Closure of Church Hill Road, Pinhoe

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

Minutes:

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

 

The Chair had decided that the Committee should consider this as a matter of urgency, at the request of Councillor H Ackland, to apprise the Committee of the current position with impending temporary closure of Church Hill, Pinhoe, Exeter.

 

With the imminent road closure of Church Hill and given the difficulties of the previous road closures, the local Member asked whether residents’ concerns been considered. 

 

The Neighbourhood Highway Group Manager reported on the current. The formal road closure application and consultation process would be followed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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157.

Bus Services in Exeter

Bus and Coach Operators to answer Members’ questions

Minutes:

Mr M Watson, Managing Director, Stagecoach South West, attended the virtual meeting and spoke at the invitation of the Committee on developments affecting bus services and the network in and around Exeter. 

 

Mr Watson in discussions with Members referred to:

 

  the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on service levels in the City: patronage was now up to 60% of the level pre C-19 with additional buses for school pupils; and overall patronage and growth was stifled by social distancing constraints. Face mask requirements were largely being adhered to but some passengers were exempted as a result of ‘hidden’ disabilities; there was government revenue support up to January 2021 even with the new ‘Medium’ risk designation and revenue support beyond then remained uncertain; and

 

  planned improved frequency from 15 minutes to 10 minutes from 1 November 2020 for the Exwick E1 and E2 services; and rather than terminating at Fore Street, these now would serve the High Street and Sidwell Street as a result of a petition and passenger demands. Route 1 would also be increased in frequency. 

 

The Chair thanked Mr Watson for his attendance and answers to Members’ questions.

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158.

Emergency Active Travel Measures- Overview pdf icon PDF 2 MB

Presentation by the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment

 

Minutes:

The Chair was presented virtually, by Ms A Hamm, with a petition organised by local residents calling for the removal of the recent alterations put in place around Exeter (in response to the COVID-19 emergency and Government advice to promote more pedestrian and cycle use). Miss Hamm highlighted the impact on people with mobility difficulties and unintended consequences in Magdalen Road for example.

 

The Petition contained approximately 1500 signatures.

 

The Head of Service would be asked to respond direct to the petitioners on the issues raised, within 15 days.

 

The Committee received a presentation (attached to these minutes) from the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment on the emergency active travel measures in Exeter.

 

Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, local authorities had been required by Government to provide additional pedestrian and cycling facilities

 

The presentation covered: 

 

·         closures undertaken along identified strategic cycle corridors

·         capacity on main radial / strategic A and B routes were not affected by the measures, maintaining good connectivity to the City;

·         cycle speeds in Ludwell Valley and the need for appropriate signage; and

·         the proposed next steps and alignment with the County Council Strategy and summary. 

 

Member discussion points with the Officer included:

 

·         main radial / strategic routes were not affected by the measures to ensure good connectivity to the City;

·         cycle speeds in Ludwell Valley and the need for appropriate signage and flood issues; and

·         support for the E3 cycle route connecting to the E4 route and new cycle Bridge over Summer Lane.

 

More detailed consideration of the measures would be given in the following items (Minutes *159, *160 and *161 refers).  

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159.

E3 Strategic Cycle Route: Emergency Active Travel Measures pdf icon PDF 976 KB

Report by the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/20/27), attached

 

 

Minutes:

(Councillors Y Atkinson, H Ackland, M Asvachin, S Aves, R Hannaford, G Sheldon, C Whitton, O Foggin, D Harvey and T Wardle all declared a  Personal Interest in this item by virtue of being members of the Whipton and Pinhoe Labour Club which was located in a road affected by these proposals).

 

The Committee considered the Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/20/27) on the E3 strategic cycle route from the Redhayes Bridge heading west through Whipton, Heavitree and towards the City Centre which was part of Exeter’s strategic cycle network. 

 

Several ‘pop-up’ (temporary) changes had been implemented along the E3 route, providing a safer corridor for cycling and to attempt to ‘lock in’ increases in active travel observed during the period of lockdown.  These included point closures on Homefield Road, Chard Road and Vaughan Road and the relaxation of one-way restrictions for cyclists on Park Place, Heavitree. 

 

Members’ discussion points with the Officer included:

 

·         general support by local Members of the proposals;

·         possible impacts of people with mobility problems and mitigations in place;

·         the high level of consultation responses to date;

·         improved safety for cyclists and pedestrians; and

·         impact of the closure of Vaughan Road on staff from Ellen Tinkham School and others.

 

It was MOVED by Councillor G Sheldon, and SECONDED by Councillor D Harvey and

 

RESOLVED

 

(a) that in relation to Homefield Road and Park Place:

 

(i) a Traffic Regulation Order for prohibition of motor vehicles on Homefield Road and the adjacent service road, be advertised, and, if no significant objections received, be made and sealed;

 

(ii) a Traffic Regulation Order for contraflow cycling on Park Place, Heavitree be advertised, and, if no objections received, be made and sealed;

 

(iii) the proposed changes to Homefield Road and Park Place, indicatively shown in Appendix I and Appendix II, be approved for construction at a combined estimated cost of £45,000, subject to the outcome of the traffic order consultation; and

 

(iv)       the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment be given delegated powers, in consultation with the Committee Chair and the local County Councillor, to make minor amendments to the scheme details;

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(b) that for Chard Road, Vaughan Road and the Heavitree/Whipton Area:

 

(i) the current point closure on Vaughan Road in vicinity of the railway bridge be removed, and

 

(ii) further consultation be carried out with the local community to determine next steps for Chard Road, and

 

(iii) up to £50,000 be allocated from Tranche 2 of the Emergency Active Travel Fund to support further consultation with the local community to determine alternative solutions to support strategic walking and cycling aspirations for Whipton and Heavitree Areas and to trial access changes and monitoring of measures; and

 

(iv) the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment be given delegated powers, in consultation with the Committee Chair and the local County Councillor, to approve measures for implementation.

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160.

E9 Strategic Cycle Route: Emergency Active Travel Measures pdf icon PDF 721 KB

Report by the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/20/28), attached

 

 

 

 

 

Minutes:

(Councillor P Holland attended in accordance with Standing Order 25 and spoke to this item and referred to his concerns about the proposals relating to Ludwell Lane and the impact on the residents and access by emergency and delivery vehicles)

 

(Mr N Fitzhugh, Mr I Irvin, Ms A Oxlade, Ms C McAnespie, Mr J Roberts and Mr D Taylor attended under the Council’s Public Participation and spoke to this item. The first speaker referred to a survey undertaken by the neighbourhood association. This showed views on the current arrangements were mixed, but that there was support to consider long term changes to traffic flow and pedestrian environment on Magdalen Road. Speakers two, three and four referred to their concerns about the Magdalen Road measures and the impact on local businesses, concerns expressed by traders detailed in a petition, the past consultation, safety implications, access by emergency and delivery vehicles, and the need for a review. The fifth  speaker referred to his concerns relating to the Ludwell Lane proposals and impact on residents. The sixth speaker referred to his support of the measures in Magdalen Road and the need to encourage active travel and some concerns about aspects of the petition).

 

The Committee considered the Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/20/28) on a ‘pop-up’ quiet corridor suitable for cycling recently created along the E9 route through the closure of Wonford Road, Dryden Road and Ludwell Lane and a change to make Magdalen Road one-way with a contraflow cycle lane. 

 

An overview of the E9 strategic route and the location of the 4 ‘pop up’ changes was detailed in the Report.  An extension of the route to Sowton was also shown.

 

The 4km quiet route proposed route connected over 50,000 jobs at City Centre, County Hall, Hospital, Pynes Hill and Sowton.

 

Members’ discussion points with the Officer included:

·         the impact of the proposals on Magdalen Road traders and mitigation in place; and

·         the proposals for Ludwell Lane and access issues for residents; and alternative cycle routes which had been investigated.

 

It was MOVED by Councillor C Whitton and SECONDED by Councillor Y Atkinson and

 

RESOLVED

 

(a) that on Magdalen Road:

 

(i) the current temporary traffic arrangements on Magdalen Road remain in place until review at a future HATOC meeting;

 

(ii) proposals to mitigate the impact on Denmark Road and neighbouring streets be identified urgently in consultation with the local County Councillor; and

 

(iii)  consultation with local residents and stakeholders on options for Magdalen Road be undertaken in Autumn/Winter 2020/21;

 

(b) that on Wonford Road:

 

(i) a Traffic Regulation Order be progressed to prohibit vehicles on Wonford Road, as shown indicatively in Appendix I, progressed under delegated powers in consultation local member and the Committee Chair; and

 

(ii) a decision on the implementation of an Order and construction of a permanent scheme be presented at a future meeting of this Committee;

 

(c) that on Dryden Road:

 

(i) the current temporary traffic arrangements remain in place until review at a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 160.

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161.

Proposed Bi-Directional Cycle Facility: Sweetbrier Lane (E12) pdf icon PDF 393 KB

Report by the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/20/29), attached

 

Minutes:

The Committee considered the Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/20/29) on the E12 Cycle Route (green) connecting to E9 (red), E3 (blue) and the NCN along the river (as detailed on the plans incorporated in the Report) and a proposed new two-way (bidirectional) cycle facility, along the western side of Sweetbrier Lane from Sycamore Close to north of the junction of Vaughan Road and Sweetbrier Lane (as shown in the Consultation Plan in Appendix I of the Report). The Head of Service reported on further representations received since publication of the Report.

 

It was MOVED by Councillor G Sheldon, SECONDED by Councillor Y Atkinson and

 

RESOLVED

 

(a) that subject to consultation feedback, a proposed bi-directional cycle facility on Sweetbrier Lane, shown indicatively in Appendix I, is approved for construction at an estimated cost of £250,000; and

 

(b) that the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment be given delegated powers, in consultation with the Committee and the local County Councillor, to make amendments to the scheme details.

 

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162.

Residents Parking Working Group: Recommendations pdf icon PDF 154 KB

Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/20/33), attached

Minutes:

The Committee considered the Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/20/33) on a Residents Parking Policy Working Group examining Exeter’s residents’ parking strategy, policy, design and these were working for residents, businesses and commuters.  The aim was to improve the system for residents, businesses and commuters whilst continuing to support the County Council’s work to reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality and reduce the impact on climate change.

 

The Report set out the recommendations from the Working Group (as set out in Appendix II of the Report).

 

In addition to recommendations Officers would also undertake a review and update of online information here: 

 

https://www.devon.gov.uk/roadsandtransport/factsheet/residents-parking-permits/ 

 

Additionally, in response to continued concerns relating to information provided to students attending the University of Exeter additional information was published here:

 

https://www.devon.gov.uk/roadsandtransport/factsheet/residents-parking-permits/who-can-have-a-permit/

 

The proposals aimed to ensure that permits were provided in a way that was proportionate and provided a best balance for the needs of the community. 

 

As part of the review the Working Group also considered whether the current charges for permits were appropriate and concluded that several changes were required.  One key recommendation was that a differential charge should be adopted to discourage multiple car ownership and encourage uptake of EV and lower emission vehicles (these recommendations were also detailed in Appendix II).

 

It was MOVED by Councillor Y Atkinson, SECONDED by Councillor C Whitton and

 

RESOLVED 

 

(a) that the recommendations of the Working Group as detailed in the Appendix II of the Report be commended to the Cabinet to be considered as County Policy; and 

 

(b) that the Working Group be asked to review the setting of pay and display charges in Exeter.

 

 

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163.

Drainage Policy and Budget Provision in Exeter pdf icon PDF 138 KB

Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/20/32), attached

Minutes:

The Committee considered the Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/20/32) on drainage policy, budget provision. The Report also requested that Members identify any flooding issues.

 

A Report had been taken to the Cabinet meeting of 13 May 2020 setting out the revenue funding by maintenance function for highway reactive repairs, routine and cyclic maintenance for 2020/21.

 

Details of the budget allocations were listed in Section 6. of the Report.

 

It was MOVED by Councillor Y Atkinson, SECONDED by Councillor M Asvachin and

 

RESOLVED that the position regarding the drainage policy, budget provision, and drainage be noted.

 

 

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164.

Dates of Meetings

18 January and 15 March 2021 at 10.30 am

 

Minutes:

18 January 2021, 15 March 2021 (all Virtual meetings to start at 10.30 am)

 

Dates of future meetings available at: https://democracy.devon.gov.uk/mgCalendarMonthView.aspx?GL=1&bcr=1

 

 

 

 


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