Agenda and minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on 25 July 2016.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 25 July 2016 be signed as a correct Record.

The Chairman welcomed Mrs Ruth Saltmarsh who was attending the meeting in her capacity as a co-opted Member of the County Council's Standards Committee to observe and monitor compliance with the Council’s ethical governance framework.

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); transitional arrangements would be made at the appropriate time.

Presentation by the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment.

The Committee received a presentation by the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste on proposed options to improve pedestrian facilities at Sidford Cross following concerns raised by local residents and the Local Member.

The presentation covered the following points:

·         a lack of visibility on the junction and narrow pavements for pedestrians to wait;

·         a potential new Business Park Site near Sidford;

·         current traffic flows with crossing points at peak times;

·         potential safety issues including crossing close to secondary signal heads with risk that motorists will stop at the crossing when they should not;

·         MOVA signal software (at a cost of around £100,000 over and above crossing cost) is likely to be required to mitigate traffic impacts with Business Park.

Members’ discussion points with the Head of Service included concerns over the safety of pupils walking to the Primary and Secondary school and ensuring that crossings were deemed safe at peak times.

It was MOVED by Councillor Hughes and SECONDED by Councillor Knight and

RESOLVED that the Committee endorse the proposal to further develop options for new pedestrian crossings facilities at Sidford Cross.

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

Electoral Divisions:  All in East Devon

The Committee considered 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:

·         conclusion of the pothole trial which had now been included within the remit of the Road Warden Scheme;

·         availability of additional funding from the County Council awarded on a grant basis to parish councils;

·         parish councils to be supplied with the information/template needed to apply for this additional funding

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

It was MOVED by Councillor Randall Johnson and SECONDED by Councillor Knight and

RESOLVED that the Report be noted and Parish Councils be sent the Council’s application form and guidance on bidding for the available grant funds for the Road Warden Scheme.

Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/16/64)

Electoral Division:  Broadclyst & Whimple

The Committee considered the Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/16/64) on highway works at Crannaford Lane on the northern approach to the Half-Barrier Level Crossing on the Exeter to Waterloo mainline, in order to reduce the danger of heavy goods vehicles grounding.  This was supported by Network Rail and S106 funding had been secured as part of the Cranbrook development to deliver the improvements.

Members’ discussion points included:

·         the close proximity of the new Cranbrook Education Campus to the railway line and the assurance that sufficient barriers and retaining walls would be provided to ensure the safety of pupils at the school;

·         the adjacent Town and County Supplies store, which had previously identified access difficulties, would likely worsen as the number of vehicles using the access point increased;

·         that it was paramount to ensure the line remained secure, safe and open, especially during severe weather, as it was a main access line from Exeter to London.

It was MOVED by Councillor Bowden and SECONDED by Councillor Randall Johnson and

RESOLVED that the scheme shown within the report be approved for detailed design and construction at an estimated cost of £250,000.

 [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-7petition scheme/)

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

The Cabinet considered the Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/16/43) on the revised transport capital programme for 2016/17, excluding maintenance. 

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

RESOLVED

(e) that Report PTE/16/43 be also circulated, for information, to Highways & Traffic Orders Committees.

Electoral Divisions:  All in East Devon

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.