Agenda and minutes

            RESOLVED:

That County Councillor G McEwen chair the meeting.

To receive report from the Highways Liaison Officer.

Officers outlined the operation of the Panel. It was agreed that the District Council’s substitution procedure should apply to District Members save that it would be expected that any substitute would be from the same County Divisional area.

It was expected to have four meetings each year but it was considered that there would be a need for a series of quick meetings to ensure this years schemes could be brought forward as soon as possible.

It was agreed that it was appropriate that Councillor Waller (EFDC Portfolio Holder) and Councillor P Channer (ECC Deputy to Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation) should attend meetings.

Decisions as to schemes would require approval of the County Portfolio Holder. Where there was disagreement about scheme this would be recorded in the notes of the meeting.

Members would also receive updating reports including S106 schemes and the work of the Ranger Service.

To receive report from the Highways Liaison Officer.

The Panel noted that it had £699,950 allocated for funding schemes this financial year. This funding was drawn from a number of County Budgets. Decisions not to proceed with listed schemes would mean that they would not be funded from other ECC sources.

The Panel agreed that as there were seven county divisions, approximately equal amounts (i.e. £100,000 per division) could be allocated.

The schemes were split between Minor schemes, small works, Bus stop/route improvements, School crossings, traffic systems and casualty reduction schemes.

Members expressed concerns that some of the proposed schemes within their divisions were not necessary or that they did not reflect the priorities set out by the previous Local Highways Panel which had last met in February 2011.

It was agreed that County and District members meet in their divisional pairs, taking account of local views and previous schemes to come forward to an adjourned meeting to discuss funding allocations.

Members would also need to consider schemes that might form part of their programme for 2013/14 year.

It was agreed that EFDC officers would provide ECC Officers with the previous scheme lists to ensure that a combined list could be brought forward at the next meeting.

To receive report from the Highways Liaison Officer.

Not discussed.

To receive report from the Highways Liaison Officer.

Not discussed deferred until next meeting.

To receive report from the Highways Liaison Officer.

Not discussed.

There was no further business brought forward at the meeting.

To arrange future meeting dates for 2012/13.

Agreed that meetings of the Panel be held on:

18 September 2012 and 2 October 2012 both Committee Room 2, Civic Offices, Epping at 7.00 p.m.

Agreed that the meeting be adjourned and reconvened at 7.00 p.m. on 18 September 2012.