Issue - meetings

Environmental and Technical Services – to consider the attached report (C-019-2020/21), an update of the Highway Ranger service that had been transferred from ECC to Epping Forest District Council on 1 April 2020.

(1)        The Cabinet noted the progress the progress on devolution of Highway Rangers Service from Essex County Council; and

(2)        agreed to allocate £1,000 for repair and maintenance of Heritage Finger Posts subject to match funding from Town and Parish Councils.

The Environmental and Technical Services Portfolio Holder, Councillor N Avey, introduced the report on the Highways Rangers. The Highway Ranger service had transferred from Essex County Council to Epping Forest District Council on 1 April 2020 and the purpose of the report was to provide an update on the implementation of the service.

Councillor Philip said it was positive thing to get the Rangers back in house and there was a welcome contribution to finger posts. Councillor H Whitbread welcomed the report and for Epping Forest DC to take back control of the Rangers.

Councillor Chris Pond welcomed the report and asked that it be confirmed that the Rangers could deal with both types of finger posts as they were made from metal as well as wood; but noted that you cannot work on a finger post if you could not stand on a stepladder. Councillor Avey took his comments on board, he hoped that they could deal with both types, metal and wood.

Councillor Murray supported this scheme as well but added that we needed to keep up the pressure on Essex County Council to continue doing their work for us, especially Essex Highways.

Councillor C Whitbread thanked Mr Durrani and his team for their efforts to get this back in house. What was even better was the additional investment going in; the finger posts would be match funded by the Town and Parish councils. He also hoped to get more issues back to be dealt with locally as opposed to County level.

Councillor Janet Whitehouse wanted to flag up the fact that if the Rangers could not use step ladders, that would restrict what they could do.

Decision:

(1)        The Cabinet noted the progress the progress on devolution of Highway Rangers Service from Essex County Council; and

(2)        Agreed to allocate £1,000 for repair and maintenance of Heritage Finger Posts subject to match funding from Town and Parish Councils.

Reasons for Proposed Decision:

To update Members on the progress of the Highway Rangers Service.

Options for Action:

None