Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed Karen Cassar, Assistant Director of Highways to her first meeting of the Committee and Councillor Linda Wootten, Chairman of the Roundabout Sponsorship and Advertising Scrutiny Panel, who was in attendance to present the report of the Panel. (minute 18).

An apology for absence was received from Councillor R Grocock.

The Head of Paid Service reported that under the Local Government (Committee and Political Groups) Regulations 1990, she had appointed Councillor A H Turner MBE to the Committee, in place of Councillor R Grocock, for this meeting only.

No declarations were made at this stage of the meeting.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 10 June 2019, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Executive Councillor R G Davies welcomed Karen Casser, the new Assistant Director Highways, to her first meeting of the Committee. Karen thanked everyone for their welcome and gave a brief history of her previous employment.

It gave him great pleasure to present the Municipal Journal Award won by the Council's Highways Management Team in the Highways Management category of the Municipal Awards 2019.

The Chairman, on behalf of the Committee, congratulated the Highways Management Team for the Award.

(To receive a report by Sam Edwards, Head of Highways Infrastructure, which details what a transport strategy is, its purpose and the benefits of them for the County Council.  It then outlines what progress has been made since the last report in June 2018 and what further developments are planned in the coming year)

The Committee considered a report which provided an annual update on the Council's approach to traffic modelling and transport strategy developments.

Officers stated that the Boston strategy was in place and the Lincoln strategy was aware were still being developed and Gainsborough's had just started. Transport Boards had been established to oversee the development of the strategies. They comprised senior officers and elected members from both the County and District Councils. The three Boards covered urban areas in the main but and they also took in the surrounding areas where appropriate. It was proposed to establish Transport Boards for other areas in the county in the long term.

The Executive Support Councillor stated that positive feedback had been received on the establishment of the Boards.

Comments by members included:-

·         The Boards should cover a wider geographical area. Officers stated that it was proposed to set up a board to cover Spalding and Holbeach and that Councillor C N Worth had been invited to attend this meeting as the local member. Following a request from Councillor C J T H Brewis it was agreed to invite him to this meeting as a local member and because of his interest in public transport.

·         The establishment of Transport Boards while strategies were being developed was welcomed.

·         This Committee should receive the minutes of the Transport Boards. This request would be raised with the Executive Councillor for Highways, Transport and IT.

·         More interest was being shown by the public in the maintenance of cycle ways and footways.

·         Irresponsible parking by vehicles on footways was a problem.

·         More planning was required in the routing of cycle ways with the cycle way on Skellingthorpe Road given as an example where improvements were required. Officers stated that cycle ways in Lincoln area would be considered as part of the Lincoln Transport Strategy.

·         The planting of wildflowers by the side of highways was becoming more popular with many Councils. Officers stated improvements to footways and the protection of verges for flora and fauna were planned. Footways were examined and prioritised for repair.

·         Legislation in connection with irresponsible parking on footways was being examined by a Government Select Committee as this Committee had expressed concern about the lack of progress and parking on footways was likely to become a civil parking offence. The Executive Support Councillor stated that officers had been requested to examine the cost of providing wild flower verges.

·         An enquiry was made in connection with whether the strategies would consider the implications of climate change. Officers stated that the UK's 2050 deadline for reductions in carbon emissions would be considered in the preparation of the Transport Strategies.

·         Concern about the effects of the reduction in bus services in rural areas was expressed and was this issue considered by the Boards? Officers stated that the scope of the Boards was evolving and each Board would be considering public transport.

RESOLVED

(a)  That the report and comments made by members be noted and taken into consideration by the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

(To receive a report on behalf of the Roundabout Sponsorship and Advertising Scrutiny Panel in connection with their draft final report. Subject to the approval of the Committee, the report will be submitted to the Executive on 03 September 2019 for its consideration and response)

The Committee considered the draft final report arising from the scrutiny review in to Roundabout Sponsorship and Advertising. Subject to the approval of the Committee, the report would be submitted to the Executive on 3 September 2019 for its consideration and response.

Councillor L Wootten, Chairman of the Scrutiny Panel presented the report and its recommendations and requested whether the report could be submitted to the meeting of the Executive on 1 October 2019, instead of 3 September 2019, as she and the Network Management Commissioner were unable to attend on 3 September. The Panel had made four recommendations regarding a revised policy and a proposal for a countywide scheme. The main issues considered included sponsorship of signage, content and size of signs, public liability insurance, signage planning issues and planting schemes. She placed on record her appreciation to members and officers who had helped in the scrutiny review.

Comments by members included:-

·    The report was a very good report on a difficult subject.

·    Support was given for the proposed countywide scheme to provide a consistent approach across the county and to cover areas where no other schemes existed.

·    The main issue would be getting planning permission for the size of the signs installed on roundabouts.

·    Control of the application process by the Council would provide consistency.

·    The Highways Authority had the right to refuse signage on highway safety grounds.

·    There was a need to avoid drivers being distracted especially at busy roundabouts. Riseholme and Carholme roundabouts in Lincoln were given as examples.

The Committee placed on record its thanks to the Scrutiny Panel and officers involved for all their hard work on this review and for producing an excellent report.

RESOLVED

          That the Committee:-

(a)  Approves the attached draft final report and

(b)  agrees that the final report should be submitted to the Executive on 1 October 2019 for its consideration and response.

(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)

The Committee received a report in connection with its Work Programme.

Following a request for an update on the Western Growth Corridor, it was –

RESOLVED

That the Work Programme be noted and updated accordingly subject to the Committee receiving a verbal report on the Western Growth Corridor at its next meeting and a written report at a later meeting.