Agenda item

(To receive a report by Vincent van Doninck, Policy and Strategic Asset Manager, which invites the Committee to consider the performance of the Winter Maintenance Service)

Consideration was given to a report which set out the performance of the Winter Maintenance Service.  It was reported that it had been one of the most severe winters in recent years which had put increased strain on the service, and there had been further cold days since the middle of March, and therefore the costs outlined in the report would have increased.

Members were informed that 37,311 tonnes of salt had been used during this winter, and a further 10,000 tonnes had been ordered to refill the stocks of salt in line with the Council's policy.  At the time of writing the report, 117 gritting runs had been carried out.  It was noted that this was on track to match the winter of 2010/2011 in terms of severity.

(NOTE: Councillor R Grocock left the meeting at 12.15pm)

Members were provided with the opportunity to ask questions to the officers present in relation to the information contained within the report and some of the points raised during discussion included the following:

·         It was commented that special thanks needed to go to those volunteers and farmers who went out in the bad weather to help others in difficult circumstances.  It was also noted that members felt that this sort of intervention needed to be encouraged.  Officers also highlighted that Darrell Redford, Network Resilience Manager, should receive a special mention as he worked tirelessly through the days when the snow was at its worst.

·         In relation to the proposal to procure new gritters rather than lease them, it was queried whether this was the most cost effective option.  Members were advised a piece of work on the cost-benefit of leasing verses buying had been carried out, and it was reported that the authority was able to borrow at a cheaper rate than long term leasing,  therefore it was more cost effective to buy.

·         It was commented that during the "Beast from the East" there was a considerable coming together of communities, for example 4x4 drivers taking people to work.  It was queried whether setting up a register of drivers willing to volunteer in these circumstances should be considered.  It was noted that an emergency planning room was set up during the severe weather, and this information was fed back to that room.  It was also noted that this was the sort of information which could be included in parish emergency plans.

·         It was commented that during bad weather, gritter drivers could be faced with very hazardous situations and it was important to pay tribute to them. 

·         It was important to keep hills clear during bad weather such as snow and ice, and it was suggested that articulated vehicles should not be allowed to use some roads due to the risk they posed to other vehicles if they got into difficulties and also the possibility that if these vehicles were involved in an accident it could make roads impassable for other traffic.

·         It was hoped that having a Network Resilience Plan would provide a more co-ordinated approach during bad weather, and members were also advised that the winter maintenance plan would be incorporated into this document.

·         It was commented that a lot of farmers did not realise that the authority wanted them to help, and it was thought that there was a need to get this message out, and it was queried whether parish councils should have a list.

·         It was also commented that the notification members received of gritting was fantastic.

·         This winter had highlighted the need for parishes to ensure they had emergency plans, as these would include details of people able to help in these situations.

·         It was queried whether the price of salt fluctuated with demand, for example did prices go up when the bad weather hit.  Members were advised that the authority had a tendered price at the beginning of the year, therefore any additional salt which was needed was a fixed price.

·         It was queried whether it was known who all the farmers were that went out and helped to clear snow, and members were advised that enquiries had been made through the network area teams to try and find out this information.

·         It was requested whether a report could be brought back to the Committee before September on the resilient network plan, officers agreed to provide an update to the meeting in July 2018.

RESOLVED

            That the comments made in relation to the Winter Maintenance End of Year report be noted.