Agenda and minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on 29 July 2016 (previously circulated).

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 29 July 2016 be signed as a correct record.

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

Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/16/17) attached

(Representatives of residents of Chanters Hill and a Governor from Our Lady’s Primary Catholic School, Barnstaple attended and spoke at the invitation of the Committee in respect of the proposals for Chanters Hill)

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/16/17) on objections to the advertised Traffic Regulation Order and sought approval to make and seal the Order in respect of proposals for Littabourne and Beech Grove, Youings Drive, North Road and Chanters Hill.

The Committee noted that further informal consultation meetings had been arranged between  Officers and local Members, residents and School representatives to discuss further the proposals for Chanters Hill.  

It was MOVED by Councillor Davis and SECONDED by Councillor Greenslade and

RESOLVED

(a) that responses to the advertised Traffic Regulation Order be noted;

(b) that the proposals for implementation of No Waiting At Any Time, No Stopping Except Buses and the Exemption for Public Service Buses stopping on North Road be implemented as indicated in Section 5 (a), (b) and (d) of report HIW/16/17 subject to

            (i) approval of the lengths of the restrictions relating to Littabourne and Beech     Grove being delegated to the Head of Service in consultation with the local County   Councillor and Chairman;

            (ii) approval to vary the timings (after examination of new proposed bus services)           relating to restrictions in Youings Drive being delegated to the Head of Service in            consultation with the local County Councillor and Chairman;

(c) that a special meeting of the Committee be held on 20 December at 10 am 2016 regarding  proposals for Chanters Hill Residents Parking and Limited Waiting. 

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

(a) Flooding in North Devon

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

The Chairman had decided that, at the request of Councillor Greenslade, the Committee should consider various recent flooding incidents in the area, notably at Braddiford, Braunton, Ilfracombe, Tawstock Tracy and Fremington (Tarka Trail). The local Neighbourhood Highway Engineer reported on the actions of his team over the weekend of floods and the limited resources available. 

Members, whilst commending the work by highways and local council staff and emergency services, referred to local flood incidents and issues relating to, for example, gully and drain clearing, availability of sandbags, run-off onto the highway and emergency planning by the County Council in conjunction with District and Parish Councils.

It was MOVED by Councillor Davis and SECONDED by Councillor Yabsley and

RESOLVED that a special meeting of the Locality (County) Committee be convened (to meet at the rising of the special meeting of the HATOC on 20 December) to consider flood prevention and Emergency Planning for the North Devon District.

(b) Goodleigh Road

(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. Councillor Edgell referred to local concerns with regard to the recent closure, for two weeks, relating to sewer connection works and in particular signage, the long diversions and access for emergency vehicles.

It was MOVED by Councillor Edgell and SECONDED by Councillor Yabsley and

RESOLVED that a report be submitted to the next ordinary meeting on 31 March 2017 on the management of arrangements for the closure of Goodleigh Road, Barnstaple and process for emergency and planned closures of roads.

(c) Cedars Junction, Barnstaple

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

The Chairman referred to a briefing note prepared by the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment on preliminary option plans for improved capacity at this junction in regard to local concerns and undertook to discuss these options with local District and County Council Members at the rising of the Committee and report back to a future meeting.  

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

(Councillors Chesters (North Devon District), Edmunds and Yabsley each declared a personal interest by virtue of their membership of the North Devon District Council Licensing Committee) 

(North Devon District Council Licensing Officer and local taxi representative spoke at the invitation of the Committee in respect of the temporary loss of the Taxi Rank in Oxford Road, Ilfracombe and proposals for an alternative temporary location). 

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Edmunds had requested that the Committee consider proposals for a temporary Taxi Rank pending building works in Oxford Road, Ilfracombe which would result in the closure of the existing taxi rank).

(North Devon District Council Licensing Officer and local taxi representative spoke at the invitation of the Committee in respect of the temporary loss of the Taxi Rank in Oxford Grove, Ilfracombe and proposals for an alternative temporary location). 

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Edmunds had requested that the Committee consider proposals for a temporary Taxi Rank pending building works in Oxford Grove, Ilfracombe which would result in the temporary closure of the existing taxi rank).

The Committee noted concerns expressed at the potential loss of the taxi rank of up to 16 weeks and the need for an alternative rank. The Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste reported that highway officers had attended a site visit and that alternative options had been identified and could be implemented relatively quickly subject to weather conditions (for road markings changes), and possible compensation for loss of revenue from pay and display meters if an alternative location in the High Street was decided upon.

Presentation by the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste  

The Chief Officer for Highways, Capital Development and Waste reported on the Cabinet’s decision to award the County Council’s Highways Term Maintenance Contract to Skanska Construction UK Limited, as a single lot bid for the County Council (for the period 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2024, with extension options to 2027); and transitional arrangements would be made at the appropriate time.

Report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HCW/16/70) attached.

The Committee received the Report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HCW/16/70) on changes to the Community Road Warden Scheme in light of feedback since the scheme’s introduction 2 years ago. The scheme guidance was being simplified and updated, and its scope widened to include the option to undertake minor carriageway surfacing repairs, and a process to apply for financial grants towards materials, labour and equipment introduced. The scheme had been relaunched through a number of local parish and town council events which had been held during November.

Members’ discussion points with the Head of Service included:

·         the relatively low number of Road Warden Agreements (25 to date, from some 450

Parish and Town Councils), the number of trained volunteers, and the number of parishes undertaking highway maintenance and cleaning works of varying types

·         the relatively low number of Road Warden Agreements (25 to date, from some 450

Parish and Town Councils and approximately 100-150 trained volunteers);

·         availability of the additional funding from the County Council;

·         insurance arrangements for approved Chapter 8 trained volunteers (with third party cover),

·         the need for a simplified published ‘Aide Memoire’ for local parishes;

·         the possibility for evening and or week end training courses for volunteers by the training provider.

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

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Greenslade had requested that the Committee consider the circumstances surrounding a recent fatality of a pedestrian in Butchers Row and proposals for the closure of the road to vehicular traffic.

The Neighbourhood Highway Group Manager reported on the legal process for any further restriction on the use of Cross Street/ Butchers Row, and that the recent fatality was subject to a formal Police investigation and he undertook to inform the local County Councillor of the outcome.

[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.

The Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/16/43)  is attached for information, approved by the Cabinet at its meeting on 14 September 2016 (cabinet minute refers) attached   

The Committee received the Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment

(PTE/16/43) approved by the Cabinet at its meeting on 14 September 2016 (Cabinet Minute

70 refers) on the revised Capital Programme for 2016/17 to reflect changes in scheme costs,

funding sources and timing.

Members discussed the relative risks inherent in carrying out works, which were subject to section 106 contributions and partnership joint funding, in advance of associated major development proposals.  

Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/16/18) attached

The Committee received the Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Capital Development and Waste (HIW/16/18) on actions taken by him in respect of Traffic Orders under delegated

powers since the last meeting.

31 March, 29 June, and 30 October 2017 and 17 April

County Council Committee dates available on the website:

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

31 March, 29 June, and 30 October 2017 and 17 April 2018

County council committee dates available on the website:

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