Agenda and minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on 16 October 2918, (previously circulated).

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 16 October 2018 be signed as a correct record.

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

No item was raised as a matter of urgency.

Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment to report.

The Committee received a presentation from the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment covering a Road Safety Status Update 2019 for the period 2013-2017. A new detailed ‘dash board’ was being developed (which would include detail to divisional/ward levels) and would be made available to all Members, District and Parish Councils, as well as other statutory agencies and partners. This would assist with future priorities, planning and policy across the partner bodies.  Data for Torridge was attached.

In addition more detail would be added to the information currently available on the Council’s website at  https://new.devon.gov.uk/roadsandtransport/safe-travel/road-safety/collision-data/

Members commended the availability of sophisticated and detailed data/information to assist the County Council and partners across Devon to inform policy objectives, priorities and local action programmes and plans. 

Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/19/10), attached

The Committee received the Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/19/10) on the annual waiting restrictions programme process for 2019/2020 and update on progress with the 4th year of this countywide project.   

To ensure that proposals could be delivered within the 2019/20 financial year, a closing date of 18 January 2019 for submission of proposals had been agreed with the Cabinet Member for Highway Management.  The Proposals received were listed in Appendix I to the Report.

Individual members would be contacted over the coming weeks regarding proposals within their divisions and it was also intended to gauge the support of Parish and Town Councils prior to advertising.

The Committee noted that following advertisement:

•  proposals which did not attract objections would be implemented without the need to report back to Committee; and

•  proposals attracting significant objections would be reported to the next Committee meeting on 13 June 2019.

(In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Saywell has requested that the

Committee consider this matter)

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

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

Councillor R Julian attended and spoke with the consent of the Committee and referred to road signage issues in the Hartland area as well as low gully covers and poor road conditions.  

The Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste gave a presentation (attached) covering the Pothole Action Fund, Resilience Fund and additional resources for highways maintenance approved by the County Council at its budget meeting on 18 February 2019.

Members were reminded that any highway issues should be referred and discussed with their respective local Neighbourhood Highway Officer and noted the concerns expressed by Councillor Julian.

Issues could also be reported via the Council’s website at https://new.devon.gov.uk/roadsandtransport/maintaining-r

(In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillors Inch and Hellyer has requested that the

Committee consider these matters)

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillors Inch had asked that the Committee consider these matters.

(a) Bideford Taxi Rank: Shelter on the Quay

Councillor Inch asked for a review of the Traffic Orders and parking restrictions at the part time taxi rank, which he felt was confusing. He also reported on a request from Bideford Town Council for a shelter at the permanent taxi rank on the Quay for which the Town Council was prepared to pay a contribution to cover the cost. The Officers would investigate the options available for report to Councillors Inch and Hellyer.   

(b) Provide a Safe Crossing Point at Bucks Cross, across the A39 and Move the existing 40MPH sign back to the new school on the A39 AT Bucks

Councillor S Hamilton (Chair of Woolsery Parish Council) attended and spoke to this item at the invitation of the Committee.

Councillor Hamilton reported on requests from the Woolsery Town Council to provide a safe crossing point at Bucks Cross, across the A39 and move the existing 40mph sign back to the new school on the A39 at Bucks Cross. She referred to previous requests. The Parish Council were asking that a crossing and refuge be funded and provided without delay.

Members concurred that the matter should be reviewed without delay.

Bearing in mind the long history on this issue, and that it had been investigated by various Officers in the past, it was determined that Officers would investigate the options available with the Parish Council and report to the next meeting.

(In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Hellyer has requested that the Committee consider these matters)

In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Hellyer had asked that the Committee consider these matters and referred to the lack of street lighting in these busy roads used by children from the local infant and junior schools.

The Officers would investigate options with colleagues from Development Management and the Street Lighting Team for report to the local member.

(In accordance with Standing Order 23(2) Councillor Eastman has requested that the

Committee consider this matter)

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

The Officers reported that a scheme had been costed at £23,000. Increased costs were due to the need to realign the kerb line to allow refuse vehicle access to the local School.

The current budget available from various sources (including the local Member’s locality budget) was approximately £19,000 which gave a short fall of approximately £4,000.

Members referred to the possibility of additional funding from the District and Northam Town Councils and possibly via the Schools’ Parent Teacher Associations.  The Chair stated that he would investigate further sources of funding to enable the project to proceed.

[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 Torridge District.

Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/19/11), attached

The Committee noted the Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/19/11) on actions taken under delegated powers since the last meeting.

13 June and 8 October 2019 and 24 March 2020

13 June 2019, 8 October 2019 and 24 March 2020 (venues to be confirmed).