Agenda and minutes

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Committee must be a County Councillor.

RESOLVED that Councillors Yabsley and Chugg be elected Chairman and Vice Chairman respectively for the ensuing year.

Minutes of the meeting held on 12 April 2016 (previously circulated).

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 12 April 2016 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, at the request of Councillor Edgell, the Committee should consider the process for and impact upon residents and road users of the closure of Goodleigh Road, Barnstaple.  Concerns had been expressed locally at (i) the total closure of the highway for one week or more to allow utility works by South West Water and other utilities to be undertaken, (ii) the resulting considerable inconvenience for local commuters, including lengthy diversions, (iii) the short notice for residents and the community at large of the  closure, (iv) the need for the road to be closed for 24 hours without apparently having explored the possibility of  it being re-opened ‘out of normal working hours’, and (v) the lack of signing on approach routes to the closure. 

The Neighbourhood Highway Group Manager outlined the procedures involved, the responsibilities of the applicant (South West Water) and the involvement of the County Council (as the Highway Authority). He undertook to investigate the matter further and report back to local Members on the outcome of those investigations, particularly with regard to a similar closure planned in the near future for sewer connection works.

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

(Councillor Brailey, North Devon District Council, attended in accordance with Standing Order 25 (2) and spoke to this item outlining the history of anti-social behaviour in this area)

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Yabsley had requested that the Committee consider a proposed Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) from the District Council to restrict pedestrian access to a route though the Pannier Market at certain times.

The Economic Development Manager (North Devon District Council) spoke at the invitation of the Committee on an application by the District Council for a PSPO to close the public highway between Butchers Row and Market Street (the Pannier Market) between 6 pm and 5 am each day. The Manager outlined the extensive consultation arrangements with all interested parties including the police, local traders and the County Council (as Highways Authority) with a view to its introduction in October 2016 (subject to the 13 week consultation).

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

RESOLVED that the Public Spaces Protection Order proposed by the District Council in respect of the Pannier Market, Barnstaple be supported in principle by this Committee.     

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

The Chairman had decided that the Committee should consider this item to apprise members of developments since the last meeting.

The Economic Development Officer (North Devon District Council) spoke at the invitation of the Committee and reported that in liaison with the Biosphere Reserve Coordinator two boundary locations (co-terminous with the District Council) had been identified for new signs on the A39 and the A361 at Rackenford and the design/content was being drafted with advice from Devon Highways.   

Presentation by the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste

The Committee received a presentation by the Road Warden Project Officer on an update of the Community Road Warden Scheme and Members’ discussion points covered:

·         uptake by Parish and Town Councils since inception of the Scheme in Autumn 2014  with the aim of promoting local resilience with 16 parishes having signed the agreement and a further 16 pending (out of 425 parishes and town councils)

·         uptake of Chapter 8 training (provided by SW Highways) with a total of some 140 local people fully trained and issues relating to training outside of normal working hours, at weekends for example, and noting that Chapter 8 training related to safety only and not instructions on the work itself    

·         new developments relating to pot-hole repairs utilising an easy to apply material on a trial basis which was proving effective, to be rolled out if successful and the County Council was currently identifying funding for the supply of materials for all participating councils  

·         use of Town and Parish (TAP) funding by Barnstaple Town Council for grassing cutting and issues relating to funding of  highways related works

·         re-package of information and promotion of the Scheme for all parishes and towns

·         public liability insurance cover by the Council for work undertaken in accordance with the Scheme’s provisions 

·         the Community Payback scheme, the supervisors of which were Chapter 8 trained

·         noting that the Road Warden Scheme was the first of its kind nationally and this Devon County Council innovation was being assessed by the Department of Transport as possible exemplar of good practice and may lead to additional central government grant funding in the future.

The Chairman thanked the Project Officer for the presentation acknowledging the significant areas discussed, namely the production of clear information for local councils about the scheme; support for councils in the supply of materials, and the question about training out of normal hours.  

Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment to report.

(Councillor Buckley (West Buckland Parish Council) attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item with support from the Bursar of West Buckland School)

The Committee received an update from the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment on deliverable low cost road safety proposals at the junction involving new advanced signage at a cost of approximately £10,200, to include new signage for West Buckland School. The proposed extension of double white lining and merge arrows would cost some £18,000, the cost of which would be reduced if it was undertaken as part of the future highways maintenance programme, which would not be deliverable in the current financial year.

The Committee noted that the Chairman and Councillor Edgell had each agreed to contribute £4,000 from their locality budgets for new signage, subject to a contribution from West Buckland School.

Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment to report

The Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment reported on proposals and options being developed and commensurate funding for a new pedestrian/cycle bridge across the Taw utilising s106 funding from local retail and residential developments and subject to match funding,  including the option for use of The Longbridge, subject to views of Historic England.  Feasibility studies were underway and proposals would be subject to public consultation by North Devon District Council. Members expressed their support for keeping The Longbridge as a viable and cost effective option.   

The Head of Service confirmed that revised road markings for the Halfords Junction were included within the highway improvements associated with the local retail development.  He also confirmed that options for improvement of the Cedars Roundabout would be discussed with Councillors Beiderman, Edgell and Mathews as local County Councillors.

[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.

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

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Mathews had requested that the Committee consider Sticklepath Hill for Residents’ Parking in view of the existing scheme for Sticklepath Terrace.

The Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste reported that a proposal to extend the adjacent residents’ parking zone could be consulted on if a source of local funding could be identified.

To note the following reference from Cabinet for information. Report HCW/16/39 can be

found at:  http://democracy.devon.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=133&MId=160&Ver=4

“(a) that the Highway Safety Policy set out in Appendix A to Report HCW/16/39 be approved and the Head of Highways, Capital Development & Waste be authorised, in

consultation with the County Solicitor and the Cabinet Member for Highway Management and Flood Prevention, to approve further minor amendments to the Highway Safety Inspection Policy prior to the next full review in September 2018;

(b) that Highways & Traffic Order Committees be made aware of the revised operational policy.”

The Committee noted that Cabinet on 14 October had resolved:

“(a) that the Highway Safety Policy set out in Appendix A to Report HCW/16/39 be approved and the Head of Highways, Capital Development & Waste be authorised, in consultation with the County Solicitor and the Cabinet Member for Highway Management and Flood prevention, to approve further minor amendments to the Highway Safety Inspection Policy prior to the next full review in September 2018;

(b) that Highways & Traffic Order Committees be made aware of the revised operational policy.”

The Neighbourhood Highways Group Manager reported that the main change now related to Risk Assessment of potential safety defects to provide a more flexible and coherent evidence-based approach.

Report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HCW/16/66)

The Committee received the report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste

(HCW/16/66) on actions taken by him in respect of Traffic Orders under delegated powers since the last meeting.

24 November and 21 April 2017 at 10 am

Note: Dates of County Council meetings available at:

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

24 November 2016 and 21 April 2017.

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

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