Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mrs J Brockway and C J T H Brewis.

The Head of Paid Service reported that under the Local Government (Committee and Political Groups) Regulations 1990, she had appointed Councillors Mrs E J Sneath and Mrs A M Newton to the Committee, in place of Councillors Mrs J Brockway and C J T H Brewis, for this meeting only.

Councillors S P Roe and T R Ashton requested that a note should be made in the minutes that they were both members of the Planning and Regulation Committee and would remain in the meeting and not comment or vote on the matter (minute 43).

Councillor Mrs A M Newton requested that a note should be made in the minutes that she was a member of the Planning and Regulation Committee and would comment and vote on the matter as a neighbouring local Division Member (minute 43).

Councillors M Brookes and T R Ashton requested that a note should be made in the minutes that they were both members of the South East Lincolnshire Joint Strategic Planning Committee (minute 43).

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 28 October 2019, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Chairman stated that an email had been sent to members from residents in Bourne. He had not responded as he had not received the email but Councillor S Roe had responded and the matter was in hand.

(To receive a report from Teresa James, Senior Project Leader, which invites the Committee to consider the Spalding Western Relief Road Highway Scheme. This decision is due to be considered by the Executive on 07 January 2020. The views of the Scrutiny Committee will be reported to the Executive as part of its consideration of this item)

The Chairman stated that a petition comprising 1343 signatures had been received in connection with the Spalding Western Relief Road and outlined the procedure for receiving a petitioner at the meeting.

Mrs Catherine Roberts introduced the petition requesting that the Council should amend the route of the proposed Spalding Western Relief Road and in particular the central section, to one which did not involve the demolition and destruction of up to nine family homes as defined in the safeguarded corridor.

Additional comments by Mrs Roberts included:-

·    Six alternative routes were available which did not involve the demolition of residential properties.

·    People had worked hard to buy their homes.

·    Publicity had identified massive support for affected residents.

·    The lack of prior notification to local residents by the Council about the proposals.

·    Along with all those within the safeguarded corridor, 99% of residents of Spalding were blissfully unaware of the change of route from the extensively advertised allotment route, to the secretly changed proposed route which demolished family homes.

·    People had their unique and personal reasons for wishing to remain in their homes.

Mrs Catherine Roberts was asked whether the reason for her attendance today was caused by a failure of the Council's procedures. Mrs Catherine Roberts stated that both the County Council and South Holland District Council had blamed each other. Residents had not received a request to attend a meeting when the allotments route had been discussed and it had been left to Councillor Mrs A M Newton to arrange a public meeting to discuss the route.

Officers outlined the report to be submitted to the Executive on 7 January 2020, including the strategic planning proposals arising from the proposed route, the removal of traffic from Spalding, support of the proposals by South Holland District Council, the delivery timescale, that planning approval had already been given for sections 1 and 5, the need for the road, the effects of national policy changes, the reduction in government funding for the project an explanation of the options appraisal with Route Option 3 the preferred route.

Comments by members included:-

·    The consternation caused to local residents because of the proposed route and that residential properties would need to be demolished.

·    A lot of new houses were proposed and yet it was proposed to demolish existing houses.

·    There would be improvements to air quality in Spalding.

·    The loss of agricultural land as a result of the construction of new housing.

·    There was little difference between the cost of the Option 3 route and the "Trojan Wood" route.

·    The majority of residents on Bourne Road were only made aware of the proposed Option 3 route late in the consultation process.

·    The Option 3 route went against the human rights of residents and therefore fall foul of the Human Rights Act.

·    Economic development would increase because of the new homes proposed to be constructed. However, nine homes would be demolished if route Option 3 was supported and this should be avoided.

·     It was important that routes  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43.

(To receive a report from Chris Miller, Team Leader, Countryside Services, in connection with current practices, partnership arrangements and considerations as to future policy on community led planting schemes and schemes associated to new infrastructure works)

Consideration was given to a report in connection with the Council's current practices and policies on the planting and maintenance of roadside nature reserves and wildflower planting. The Committee was asked to indicate whether it wished to make any recommendation to the Executive Councillor for Highways, Transport and IT on the potential policy direction for future planting schemes based on new road construction or for community led verge projects.

Officers outlined the current situation stating that the Wildlife Trust managed the Council's roadside nature reserves, the importance of encouraging bio-diversity, the power of the highway authority to authorise Parish Councils on planting schemes and recent approaches by the community to plant on highway verges. Officers emphasised the importance of supporting bio-diversity, seeking the permission of the local highways authority and the need for the Wildlife Trust to be involved.

Members welcomed the report and stated that Parish and Town Councils had an important role to play in any future arrangements. Officers should take the opportunity when communicating with Parish and Town Councils about the maintenance of verges they should also be informed about the current practices of roadside nature reserves and wildlife planting.

The Executive Councillor for Highways, Transport and IT welcomed the report and the potential for improving and building green corridors. He stated that there was a need for the Council to consider how this matter was taken forward with the help of Parish Councils and community groups and that it was important that highways' permission was sought by community groups before any planting took place.

RESOLVED

(a)  That the report be welcomed and that the comments by members be noted.

(b)  That officers examine the current policy to ensure it is up to date and then send it to Town and Parish Councils when details of the maintenance of verges is circulated.

(To receive a report from Karen Cassar, Assistant Director, Highways, which sets out the performance of the highways service including the Major Highway Schemes Update, Lincolnshire Highways Alliance Performance, the Highways and Transport Complaints Report and the National Highways and Transport (NHT) Survey Report 2019)

Consideration was given to a report detailing the performance of the highways service including the Major Highway schemes update, Lincolnshire Highways Alliance performance, the Highways and Transport Complaints report and the National Highways and Transport Survey Report 2019.

Comments by members included:-

·The very poor condition of a road in the Wainfleet electoral Division. Officers agreed to speak to the member concerned about this matter after the meeting.

·An enquiry was made about the timetable for the completion of the roundabout projects on the A46 and A15, near Lincoln, as complaints had been posted on-line about the projects. Officers stated that a meeting was shortly to be held to discuss the matter and they would respond to the member after the meeting.

·An enquiry was made about the use of digital technology? Officers stated that the new contract with Balfour Beatty with effect from 1 April 2020 made reference to the use of digital technology.

·The Division member for Tattershall Castle stated that he would send details about an issue he had had with a finger direction sign in his area to the Executive Councillor for Highways, Transport and IT.

·It was agreed that the presentation of the report on the Spalding Western Relief Road would have been improved if it had been projected on a screen.

RESOLVED

That the report and comments made by members be noted.

(To receive a report from Daniel Steel, Scrutiny Officer, in connection with the Committee's Work Programme. Members' comments are sought on the items for future consideration)

Consideration was given to the Committee's Work Programme.

RESOLVED

That the Work Programme be noted and updated accordingly subject to the Cycling Strategy and the Permit Scheme Annual Report 2018/19 being deferred from 20 January 2020 to 9 March 2020.