Agenda and minutes

Election of Chair and Vice Chair

(N.B. In accordance with the County Council’s Constitution, the Chair and ViceChair must be County Councillors)

RESOLVED that Councillors Yabsley and Mathews be elected Chair and Vice-Chair respectively for the ensuing year.

Minutes of the meeting held on 31 October 2019, (previously circulated).

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 31 October 2019 be signed as a correct record.

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

(Items taken under Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972.)

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

The Chair had decided that the Committee should consider this item as a matter of urgency due to concerns raised by Local Members.

Councillors Mathews, Biederman and Greenslade expressed their concern and disappointment at the lack of consultation and information afforded to the Committee and Local Members regarding the temporary traffic restrictions imposed by the Council affecting in particular the Queen Street and Boutport Street area, which was having an adverse impact on local businesses and blue badge holders.  Members felt they had been left completely in the dark as to what was happening in their areas.

Officers explained that the temporary traffic restrictions had been put in place quickly to support the coronavirus social distancing. They would be in place for a maximum period of up to 18 months and monitored closely.  Officers explained that different legislation requirements for consultation applied for the implementation of temporary traffic restrictions to that required for permanent restrictions.  Nonetheless, Officers acknowledged that Local Members should have been kept fully informed and apologised that this did not happen.

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

RESOLVED that the Chair and Vice-Chair write to the responsible Chief Officer (and copied to all Members) to express their concern and disappointment at the lack of consultation and information afforded to the Committee and Local Members regarding the implementation of the temporary traffic restrictions in Barnstaple.

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Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/20/27), attached

The Committee considered the Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/20/27) proposing the stopping up of Lane past Blakewell Mill Farm, Muddiford.

It was noted that Shirwell Parish Council and Pilton West Parish Council were both fully in support of the proposal.

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

RESOLVED

(a)      that the extent of the highway known as Lane past Blakewell Mill Farm as detailed in Appendix I to the Report be considered unnecessary for public use; and

(b)      that the Council make an application to the Magistrates’ Court for an Order under Section 118 of the Highways Act 1980 that the said highway land be stopped up.

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

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Greenslade had asked that the Committee consider this matter and attended under Standing Order 25 to speak this item.)

Councillor Greenslade spoke about the safety of pedestrians at Pilton Bridge and Abbey Road particularly during the school drop off and pick up times. The safety problems in Abbey Road were in part caused by the school transport vehicles parked there.  Although a capital scheme of £200,000 had been made available in the 2020/21 budget to deal with improvements at Pilton Bridge and design plans made, Local Members had not been informed of these plans nor given an opportunity for comment and requested sight before any final decisions were made.

Officers undertook to recirculate to Members the design plans for the Pilton Bridge scheme.

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

RESOLVED that Officers send an email report to the Committee detailing the proposed scheme at Pilton Bridge.

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Spear has asked that the Committee consider this matter.      

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Spear had asked that the Committee consider this matter.

The Committee and Officers discussed funding requirements and ongoing land acquisition for the missing Tarka Trail cycle links.  Members asked to be brought up-to-date.

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

RESOLVED that a progress report be brought to the next Committee meeting (or earlier, if required, by email).

Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/20/28), attached

The Committee noted the Report of the Chief Officer for Highways Infrastructure, Development and Waste (HIW/20/28) on delegated decisions taken since the last meeting.