Agenda and minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on 10 November 2017 (attached).

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 10 November 2017 be signed as a correct record.

Item 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 Chair had decided that the Committee should consider this item as a matter of urgency to appraise Members of the recently agreed highways maintenance and capital budgets for the area.

Members’ discussion points with the Neighbourhood Highway Manager included:

·         the patching revenue budget for the area of £500,000 together with an additional Pot Hole Action Fund and Resilience Funding (on which more information about the allocation for the area would be provided) based on local priorities; and Members could liaise with their neighbourhood teams about these priorities and any local concerns;

·         that the Countywide maintenance programme was available on-line at https://new.devon.gov.uk/roadsandtransport/activeschemes-map/;

·         the Cabinet report of 11 April 2018 (Minute 161 refers)  http://democracy.devon.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=133&MId=2135&Ver=4

detailed the county-wide allocations for example £1.6 m for drainage of which £400,000 had been allocated for this area; and £900,000 for verge maintenance;

·         the specification for pothole repairs which would be carried out by the contractor if safety criteria had been met, irrespective of weather conditions;

·         local farmers’ responsibilities to help ensure effective land drainage to keep flooding off the highway; and

·         highways flood damage at Metcombe farms on the road to Ilfracombe.  

It was MOVED by Councillor Yabsley, SECONDED by Councillor Greenslade and

RESOLVED that a report be submitted to the next meeting on the specifications for pothole repairs, contractor performance and insurance claims arising from defective highways (including pavements) and the extent and costs of drainage/blockages and flood damage.

Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment to report.

It was MOVED by Councillor Biederman, SECONDED by Councillor Yabsley and

RESOLVED

(a) that a briefing paper on capacity issues and options to alleviate the position at the Cedars roundabout (and at the Wrey Arms roundabout) be sent to Members of the Committee, with reference to the decision made at the last meeting asking for a 6 - 8 week trial using temporary traffic lights; and

(b) that an informal meeting be arranged on 24 May at 11.00 am between Members, the Head of Service and other Officers to discuss the matter further with the benefit of the briefing note.

(In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor J Yabsley has asked that the

Committee considers this item)

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Yabsley had asked that the Committee

consider this matter.

The Chair reported on the publication of the Barnstaple Car Parking Strategy commissioned by North Devon District Council which was subject to public consultation.

It was MOVED by Councillor Yabsley, SECONDED by Councillor Greenslade and

RESOLVED that a report be submitted to the next meeting on 28 June 2018 on the County Council views as the Highway Authority in respect of the Strategy and proposed recommendations.

Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/18/22), attached

The Committee considered the Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/18/22) on hazards for partially sighted pedestrians within  Barnstaple Town Centre. Following a walking tour with a representative from the Royal National Institute for the Blind which had taken place on 2 November 2017, six highway related issues had been identified, as listed below:

•  Taxis parking on the pavement at the junction of Butchers Row and Boutport Street.

•  Pavement sunken at the Junction of Queen Street and Boutport Street, as well as the junction of Butchers Row and Boutport Street.

•  Street Furniture in The Square causing an obstruction.

•  Badly positioned advertising boards.

•  The mixing of pedestrians and cyclists on pedestrian crossing from The Square to Boutport Street – therefore a request to divide the crossing; and

•  cyclists riding the wrong way up Boutport Street from The Square.

The Committee noted that the concerns and contraventions of the Highways Code which had been raised with the Police, and the actions by the County Council in terms of unauthorised signs and obstructions to help address the problems identified. 

Members referred to the scope for additional pedestrianisation in the Butchers Row/High Street area, for example during the hours of 10.00 am – to 2.00 pm to include clearer markings or rumble strips to assist partially sighted pedestrians at the point where pedestrianisation ended.

It was MOVED by Councillor Biederman, SECONDED by Councillor Yabsley and

RESOLVED that a report be submitted to the next meeting on the scope and available options for additional pedestrianisation in the Butchers Row/High Street area.

(In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor G Lane has asked that the

Committee considers this item)

Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste to report

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor G Lane had asked that the Committee

consider this matter.

The Neighbourhood Highways Manager reported on the programme of repairs for Variable Activated Signage, the costs involved and priorities within the limited resource available with a County-wide budget of £20,000. Repairs to signs at Ashford would be undertaken, and an update on the feasibility of repairs at St Johns was awaited and would be reported to the next meeting. Local concerns about the sign at Bishops Tawton should be reported to the Neighbourhood team for investigation. He also outlined the full use and deployment of the mobile Vehicle Activated Signs at locations identified by the SCARF process.   

[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 http://democracy.devon.gov.uk/documents/s7626/Part%2004%20-%20Rules%20of%20Procedure%20for%20Meetings%20of%20the%20Council%20Cabinet%20and%20Committees.pdf

There was no petition from a member of the public or the Council relating to the North Devon District.

Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/18/23), attached

The Committee noted the report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/18/23) on actions taken by the Chief Officer under delegated powers.  

28 June and 13 November 2018 and 5 March 2019

All meetings will be held at Taw View, Barnstaple at 10.30 am  

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

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

28 June and 13 November 2018 and 5 March 2019 at Taw View, Barnstaple

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

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