Agenda item

(To receive a report from Richard Hardesty, Senior Project Leader, which provides an update on the Street Lighting Transformation Project)

The Committee received a progress report in connection with the Street Lighting Transformation Project up to 31 August 2016.  Officers stated that the project was due to be completed by March 2017.

Officers reported that following the submission of a 4000 signature petition received by the Committee on 13 June 2016, part night time lighting had been altered from 10pm to 12 midnight.

Discussion between the Committee and officers included the following topics:-

1. Parish Councils being kept informed of street lighting developments was welcomed.

2. The proposals struck a balance between the saving of energy and reducing CO2 emissions.

3. The use of LED lighting to reduce light pollution was welcomed.

4. Concern about foliage from trees obstructing street lights and causing street lights to remain on during day time hours. Officers stated that specific details of street lights being obstructed needed to be reported to the Council in the first instance for investigation.

5. Concern was expressed about street lighting on the A15. Officers stated that some street lights on the A15 had been switched off following assessment by Road Safety Partnership. Street lights on the A16 and A17 were currently being investigated in consultation with local Parish Councils and would only be switched off following the outcome of discussions with the Road Safety Partnership.

6. Officers reminded the Committee to contact the Council's Customer Service Centre in the first instance if they had any concerns about street lighting.

7. Had there been an increase in the reporting of crime since the Street Llight Transformation project had started? Officers stated that statistics provided by the Lincolnshire Crime Partnership indicated that any significant crime was associated with the night time economy of major urban areas and in these areas the lights remained on. The Police had not reported any increase in crime and evidence from North Yorkshire County Council which had a similar street lighting policy to the Council, reported crime had actually fallen by 19%.

8. What was the procedure for anyone wishing to appeal against changes to street lighting and how many appeals had been received to date?  Officers explained the exception criteria and gave an example of a Nursing Home which could be visited by emergency vehicles at any time of the night. Another example involved the presence of road humps and the need for motorists to be able to see them.

9. When the street lights went off at 10pm in the Moorland Ward of Lincoln the Police had had concerns about break-ins of garden sheds. Had there been an increase in this crime and accidents? Officers stated that they had not got any statistics for any of these areas and the Police had not contacted the Council with any concerns. The prime purpose for street lights were to light the public highway and there was no statutory duty for Councils to provide street lighting at all locations. Officers stated that two residents had contacted the Council following falls/trips and added that residents were able to make a claim for compensation, however, these would need to be in relation to the surface they were walking on and not due to being lit or not.

RESOLVED

That the report, comments made by the Committee and the responses of officers, be noted.