Agenda and minutes

It was proposed that Councillor John Knapman should continue as Chairman for the Local Highways panel for 2013/14

AGREED:

The Panel agreed that Councillor Knapman should continue as Chairman for the year 2013/14.

(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.

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 11 April 2013.

            RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 11 April 2013 be taken as read and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

There were no matters arising.

S106 summary attached.

The Chairman advised Panel were advised if they had concerns regarding the S106 funding they should raise them now or contact the County Officers directly.

Councillor Jackson asked County Officers whether S106 funds were available for a replacement bus shelter in the High Road, North Weald Bassett (opposite School Green Lane). County Officers agreed to investigate the matter and report back at the next meeting.

            RESOLVED:   That County Officers would report back at the next meeting.

For consideration. The following documents are attached:

(i)         Scheme lists updated by division;

(ii)        Casualty Reduction Scheme reports; and

(iii)       School Crossing Patrol Site reports.

The Panel had received an Indicative Programme of Schemes from County Officers. There were concerns from the Panel as the scheme references did not run in line with the scheme lists the Panel had been working from. The Chairman advised the County Officers that the list needed to be translated into a clearer format.

County Officers advised that this list was a first draft and they would take on board all the comments from this meeting.

Councillor Jackson asked County Officers why the design time would take so long. County Officers advised that things like utilities had to be factored in. The Chairman advised the Panel that he would write to the Portfolio Holder / Design Manager regarding the design timescales. County Officers advised the Panel that the Design Manager had agreed to come to a meeting to explain about the design timescales.

The Chairman reported that the budget for 2013/14 would not be set until September 2013 and it was assumed that each division would receive the same amount as last year, which was £100,000. The Chairman asked the divisions if they would be willing to work towards spending £85,000 each thereby putting £15,000 from each division into a pot so that bigger schemes could then be looked at.

Councillor Metcalf stated that each division needed to get as much done for their residents and this should be reviewed at a later date.

County Officers advised the Panel that new proposals for schemes for the current year 2013/14 should be received before September 2013 or they would not be guaranteed to go onto the 2013/14 scheme programme.

RESOLVED:   That the draft current scheme list be set out as appendix 1 be noted.

Schedule attached.

The current programme of Highway Rangers work was noted.

(1)        The Chairman suggested that Members and Officers should advise Parish Councils to pass work towards the Highway Rangers; and

(2)        That County Officers should be identifying work that the Highway Rangers could complete.

Jon Simmons, County Officer, advised the Panel that they did filter work through to the Highway Rangers if they felt it was feasible.

Members Meeting with County Officers

The Chairman suggested that divisional pairs should meet with the County Officers prior to the next meeting to discuss their divisions.

It was agreed that the next meeting would be held on Thursday 5 September 2013 at 6.30pm in Committee Room 2 at the Civic Offices.