Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors C J Davie and E J Poll.

There were no declarations of interest at this point in the meeting.

There were no announcements by the Leader, Executive Councillors or Executive Directors.

(To receive an update on the 'A Fair Deal for Lincolnshire' campaign)

It was reported that the campaign was active and still gaining support from organisations and parish councils.

The Fair Funding for Local Government consultation document has been launched on 21 December 2017 and the consultation would run 12 March 2018.  The Executive was advised that that proposals simplified current key cost drivers and addressed rurality.  It was reported the Council would be responding before the 12 March 2018 deadline. 

It was reported that the Police Commissioner was supportive of the initial response, and it was suggested that this support could be highlighted in the response.

Transparency was important, but no detailed work on formula models had been carried out yet.  Implementation was expected to be from April 2020.

RESOLVED

            That the minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 19 December 2017 be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

(To receive a report from the Executive Director for Environment and Economy, which seeks approval of thirteen recommendations in relation to the Grantham Southern Relief Road – Land Acquisition, Orders and Contracts)

(1)  That approval be given to Lincolnshire County Council entering into an agreement with Highways England pursuant to Section 6 of the Highways Act 1980 ("the Section 6 Agreement") relating to highway works at the A1 Trunk Road (Grantham Southern Growth Corridor) and the exercise by the Council of all Highways England's powers in respect of the making, publishing and seeking confirmation of Compulsory Purchase Orders and Side Roads Orders necessary to give effect to paragraphs 2 and 3 below, generally in the form of the draft attached as detailed at Appendix J to the report.

(2)  That approval be given to Lincolnshire County Council (both for itself and in exercise of the powers of Highways England delegated pursuant to the Section 6 Agreement) exercising powers under Sections 14, 125, 239, 240, 246, 250 and 260 of the Highways Act 1980 and Acquisition of Land Act 1981 to secure the compulsory acquisition of and otherwise deal with all land and rights and interests in and affecting land necessary to construct the GSRR (including the SQLR).

(3)  Without prejudice to the generality of the approval at paragraph 2 above approval be given to Lincolnshire County Council (both for itself and in exercise of the powers of Highways England delegated pursuant to the Section 6 Agreement) making:-

(i)         A compulsory Purchase Order under Sections 239, 240, 246, 250 and 260 of the Highways Act 1980 and Acquisition of Land Act 1981 generally in the form set out in Appendix F to the report to secure the compulsory acquisition of the land shown pink on the Compulsory Purchase Order plans at Appendix H to the report and the new rights over the land shown coloured blue on the said order plans on the basis that there is a compelling case in the public interest for making this Compulsory Purchase Order; and

(ii)        Side Roads Orders under sections 14 and 125 of the Highways Act 1980 generally in the forms  set out in Appendix B and E to the report to carry out works to existing highways;

the orders detailed in sub-paragraphs (i)  and (ii) of this paragraph 3 being collectively referred to as "the Orders"

(4)  That approval be given to:

(i)         Lincolnshire County Council entering into an agreement with the Secretary of State for Transport ("SSfT") and/or the Department for Transport ("DfT") to receive authority or delegation of powers to enable the Council to promote a Slip Roads Order or Orders to be made by the  SSfT under sections 10 and 41 of the Highways Act 1980 through to confirmation, including preparation and representations at any Public Inquiry and the exercising of those powers if and when authorised or delegated; or

(ii)        whether or not a delegation is obtained pursuant to paragraph 4 above, Lincolnshire County Council liaising with and assisting the  SSfT and/or DfT in respect of publication and promotion of a Slip Roads Order or Orders under  ...  view the full decision text for item 49.

Consideration was given to a report from the Executive Director for Environment and Economy which sought approval from the Executive to pursue the acquisition of land for the Southern Quadrant Link Road (SQLR); to proceed with making a Compulsory Purchase Order and Side Roads Order for the Grantham Southern Relief Road (GSRR) Scheme; to seek, and if agreed, take a delegation from the Secretary of State for Transport to enable the making of a Slip Roads Order for the GSRR scheme, or in the absence of a delegation to assist the Secretary of State in making such an Order; for the Council to enter into an agreement with Highways England pursuant to Section 6 of the Highways Act 1980 to receive the necessary delegation of trunk road powers for the GSRR; and in principle to procure and award of a contract for the SQLR (phase 3 GSRR).

The Executive Councillor for Highways, Transport and IT advised that the scheme was now at a point where the authority could apply for the Compulsory Purchase Orders and Side Road Orders.

The scheme objectives for the Grantham Southern Relief Road were highlighted to the Executive.  It was hoped that the Order would be confirmed by the end of March 2018 and then phase 2 and 3 of the contract could commence.

Members were provided with the opportunity to ask questions and the following points were noted:

·         The Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee would be considering this report at its next meeting and receiving updates on the project.

·         In relation to Appendix A of the report, it was noted that traffic for the quarry would access the new road via a slip road.

·         The design of the A1 junction followed the design of the King 31 project, which was an adaptation of a previously approved scheme.  it was noted that Highways England were happy with what had been put forward.

·         It was suggested that the archaeological report could cause a delay.

·         The number of objections which were likely to come forward was minimal as a lot of engagement work had taken place around this project.

·         The external funding was based on the current delivery and timescales.

·         It was noted that the authority had learnt lessons with other schemes in relation to archaeology, and there was a level of uncertainty but it was thought less likely that there would be any finds with this route.  Officers would manage the risks when they occurred.

·         It was commented that members were pleased that the scheme had reached this stage.

RESOLVED

(1)  That approval be given to Lincolnshire County Council entering into an agreement with Highways England pursuant to Section 6 of the Highways Act 1980 ("the Section 6 Agreement") relating to highway works at the A1 Trunk Road (Grantham Southern Growth Corridor) and the exercise by the Council of all Highways England's powers in respect of the making, publishing and seeking confirmation of Compulsory Purchase Orders and Side Roads Orders necessary to give effect to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.