Agenda and minutes

(Assistant to the Chief Executive) To report the appointment of any substitute members for the meeting.

No substitute members had been appointed to the meeting.

(Chief Executive) To declare interests in any item on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct.

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting of the Local Highways Panel held on 2 October 2012.

The Panel declined to approve the notes of the meeting held on 2 October 2012. It was agreed that in future all members would be circulated with the draft notes.

It was agreed that the Essex County Council logo should appear on future agenda and the Panel Renamed the ECC/EFDC Local Highways Panel.

Keith Blackburn, ECC Senior Infrastructure Funding Officer will be attending the meeting to give a presentation on Section 106 schemes.

The Panel received a presentation from Keith Blackburn, Senior Infrastructure Funding Officer from the County Council regarding the Counties role in allocating S106 monies from development sites.

Section 106 was named after the relevant Section of the Town and Country Planning Act1990 which allows local authorities to conclude legal agreements with developers as part of the planning process to mitigate the effects of a development. The main County beneficiaries were education and highways.

Following criticism of S106 agreements, the Government had introduced Community Infrastructure Levy which would reduce, but not replace, S106 agreements. Additionally, Since April 2010 new contributions were required by law to be ‘fair, reasonable and directly related to the site which limited the use of S106 away from the site concerned.

ECC Highways, as at March 2012, was holding approximately £22m in S106 monies with varying lifetimes. Occasionally ECC had to return the S106 funds. This was due to a number of reasons including residual returns, the job not being technically feasible, insufficient funds to complete the job, the lack of top up funding or time expiry.

Mr Blackburn explained that Panels had an interest in S106 schemes in the cases where S106 were insufficient to complete schemes envisaged to consider whether top up funding was appropriate and against the background of limited capital for Highways works over the next few years.

Some members felt that there had been incidences where local members had not been consulted. Additionally that they were unaware of what works were being proposed and implemented. Members also asked how changes to implemented items were agreed.

With the agreement of the Portfolio Holder it was agreed that a further discussion should be held at the District Planning Scrutiny Panel on S106 agreements and how they were implemented.

It was also agreed to circulate Mr Blackburn’s presentation to members (attached to these minutes.

Members raised matters relating to specific schemes in Borders Lane, Loughton; High Street, Ongar and Cartersfield Road, Waltham Abbey.

Agreed:

(1)               That S106 agreements be referred to the Planning Scrutiny Panel for further discussion;

(2)               That a report be made to the next meeting on works proposed in Borders Lane, Loughton; and

(3)               That officers clarifiy the position with schemes at High Road, Ongar (Pedestrian crossing) and Cartersfield Road, Waltham Abbey (Traffic Regulation Order)

For consideration. The following documents are attached:

(i)         Scheme list updated by Division;

(ii)        Summary of Recommended Schemes/Costs 2012/13 (by Division)

The Panel discussed schemes that would be undertaken this financial year and made changes to the schedule as shown in the attached appendix. It was agreed that other schemes would be separated out from the schedule for later consideration.

It was agreed that County Councillor Jackson would take up the matter of design capacity at Essex County Council with the appropriate Cabinet Member.

Officers were asked to give an indication in future schedules of the minimum/maximum cost of schemes.

To consider. A schedule of works is attached.

Maintenance schedule noted.

Schedule is attached.

Schedule of works undertaken by the Rangers noted.

The Panel asked for the addition of a further column to indicate when works had been completed.

The following were raised for Rangers attention:

(i)         Loose kerbing – Woodland Way, Theydon Bois

(ii)        Hedge cutting to rear of pavement – Vicarage Lane, Chigwell

(a)        Parking Partnership Items/Attendance

It was agreed that Parking Partnership items should be forwarded straight to the North Essex Parking Partnership for their attention. It was noted that it was the intention of the Parking Partnership to attend the next meeting.

(b)        Local Council Liaison

It was noted that Councillor McEwen was attending the next meeting of the Local Council’s Liaison Committee to talk about how the new Highways Panels were operating.

(c)        Ongar Lorry Park Site

Councillor Keska indicated that the Parish Council were looking using the old lorry car park in Ongar into a bus turnaround. Noted that this would be fall under the remit of the Local Highways Panel.

To agree the date of the next meeting.

It was agreed that meeting would be held on 20 December 2012 and 10 January 2013 at 7.00 p.m.