Agenda and minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on 27 October 2015 (previously circulated).

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 27 October 2015 be signed as a correct record.  

Item 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.

Presentation by the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment and Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste  

The Committee received a presentation from the Head of Highways, Capital Development & Waste, Nigel Card, South West Highways, 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. Members commented on continuing liaison with Parish Councils, the new role and work of the lengths men and their programmed work which is passed to Parishes, and landowners’ responsibilities.

(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.

(d) Community Road Warden Update: relating to the number of approved Road Warden Agreements, those pending, numbers trained to ‘Chapter 8’ level and booked for or awaiting training. A county-wide Project Officer had been appointed (on a 1 year contract) to promote and develop the scheme. A trial pothole repair pilot using new materials for repairs was also being carried out under the Warden Scheme involving a small number of Parishes, the results of which would inform future developments and plans. The County Council was also planning to make available resources (approximately £10,000 County-wide) for Parish Councils for safety equipment and materials under the Scheme.  

(e) Community Payback Scheme: on the extent of the work in communities across Devon and the positive feedback received from Towns and Parishes and the benefits for the Service Users under the Scheme under the supervision of probation staff working with neighbourhood officers and the overall value for money of the Scheme. Future plans included additional training for the probation service supervisors to facilitate ‘Chapter 8’ work on the highway.  Examples of the variety of work carried out across the County were also presented. A local County Council Member commended the success of the scheme in his area (Fremington) and the benefits for local communities and Service Users. Members were encouraged to liaise with their local Neighbourhood Highways Officer about any further work projects which could be carried out under the Scheme. 

Report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HCW/16/30) on  requests for waiting restrictions.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development Waste (HCW/16/24) 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 members could submit further outstanding proposals for review under the scheme in addition to the current priority list. 

It was MOVED by Councillor Yabsley, SECONDED by Councillor Davis 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/16/24), 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.

Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/16/20) on road safety proposals at the West Buckland Junction on the A361 North Devon Link road. 

(Councillor Buckley (West Buckland Parish Council) attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/16/20) on road safety at the West Buckland Junction on the A361 North Devon Link road. Whilst, noting that there was no record of serious incidents,  there were potential lower cost measures that could be considered in response to local safety concerns. These included new advanced signage and consideration to extending double white lining and merge arrows and similar measures on the westbound approach. These would be considered in conjunction with road maintenance works. 

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

RESOLVED

(a) that Officers be requested to submit, to the Chairman and local County Council member, detailed costings for the suggested safety measures and a timescale for implementation taking note of future detailed design work for this junction as part of the proposals for junctions on the A361; and

(b) that a report be submitted to the next meeting. 

Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste to report

The Economic Development Manager (North Devon District Council) and UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve Co-ordinator attended and spoke at the invitation of the Committee highlighting the international recognition for Biosphere and its importance in relation to local tourism and economic activity and accordingly the need for additional road signage at appropriate points in the District. 

The Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste reported on previous Cabinet consideration of this matter (11 April 2012), current County Council policy and statutory guidance and that, in the light of this, it was not appropriate for additional signage in this instance. He also reported on the scope for reference to the Biosphere within existing Parish and Town entry signs and also within the District Council area signs, subject to identification of funding. 

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

RESOLVED that the Biosphere Reserve Co-ordinator be asked to develop proposals with reference to the Biosphere within existing Town and Parish entry signs and on District Council area signs where appropriate taking advice from the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste and implement subject to identification of funding.   

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

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2), Councillor Biederman had asked that consideration be given to congestion in Huish Lane.

Councillor Biederman reported on congestion on Huish Lane and surrounding minor roads in relation to HGVs in particular using a local waste and whether these vehicles were in contravention of planning conditions for the waste site and consideration to additional signing. 

The Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste reported that he would consult with the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment in respect of any planning conditions relating to HGV movements associated with the waste tip and review whether alternative routes and new signage would be appropriate for HGV’s, for report back to the local County Councillor.   

The Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment to report

(a) Long Bridge, Barnstaple

The Economic Development Manager (North Devon District Council) spoke at the invitation of the Committee outlining proposals for a new cycle/pedestrian bridge over the Taw as part of the Local Plan and Infrastructure Growth deal bid processes, as an alternative to the Long Bridge in view of the capacity and structural issues.

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

RESOLVED that the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment submit a report to the next meeting on the proposals being developed (as an alternative to the Long Bridge) and funding for a pedestrian/cycle bridge and associated facilities.   

(b) Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)

The Head of Planning (North Devon District Council) attended and spoke at the invitation of the Committee and outlined the issues relating to the CIL and Section 106 processes. The draft CIL schedule would be submitted shortly as part of the Local Plan process. The CIL related to funding for the benefit of the wider community whereas Section 106 contributions related to infrastructure improvements associated with specific development proposals. The Head confirmed that there was continued dialogue with the County Council in respect of its services, (including highways and congestion/capacity matters) and undertook to provide a briefing paper on the CIL process and Section 106 funding for members of the Committee.    

The local County Council member (Fremington) also referred to the timescale for the Cedars Roundabout improvement proposals associated with local residential developments and Section 106 funding.

(c) Congestion: Peak Times

Councillor Biederman reported on congestion at peak times during school/college terms causing delays and diminishing air quality and proposals on how this could be alleviated with staggered school start and finish times, noting that schools were responsible for setting their own school days.

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

RESOLVED that the officers be requested to provide further practical steps to alleviate traffic congestions during peak times to include reference to local school opening times and finishing times in the Barnstaple area.

[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-petition-scheme/).

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

*429     References from Committees: North Devon Highways & Traffic Orders Committee

(Councillors Edmunds and Greenslade attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

‘The Cabinet noted that the North Devon HATOC had, at its meeting on 27 October 2015 (Minute *81(b)), expressed concerns at the delay in marking out hackney carriage ranks in Ilfracombe and Barnstaple and the lack of consistency in so doing across the District Council area, notwithstanding the use by some Members of their locality budgets, and had resolved:

‘that this Committee’s concern relating to the marking of hackney carriage ranks not being done in a timely manner across the North Devon District be drawn to the attention of the Cabinet with a request that the work be undertaken more quickly’.

It was MOVED by Councillor Hart, SECONDED by Councillor Hughes, and

RESOLVED that the HATOC’s comments be noted and the Head of Highways, Capital Development & Waste be asked to explore what action may be taken to expedite such works and adopt a more consistent approach and report back to the HATOC.

The Committee noted that the Cabinet at its meeting on 11 November 2015  had resolved ‘that the Head of Highways, Capital Development & Waste be asked to explore what action may be taken to expedite such works and adopt a more consistent approach and report back to the HATOC’.

29 July, 24 November 2016 and 21 April 2017

Please use link below for County Council Calendar of Meetings:

 https://new.devon.gov.uk/democracy/calendar/

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