Agendas, Minutes and Reports

Minutes

of the Meeting of the

Strategic Planning and

Economic Development

Policy and Scrutiny Panel

Monday 12th March 2007

held at the Town Hall, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset.

Meeting Commenced: 3.30 p.m. Meeting Concluded: 5.40 p.m.

Present: Councillors Elfan Ap Rees (Chairman), Peter Burden, Mark Canniford, John Clark, Ann Harley (substitute for Clive Webb), David Jolley (substitute for David Shopland), Andy Wright

Apologies for absence: Councillors Bob Bateman, David Shopland, Clive Webb

Also in attendance: Councillors John Crockford-Hawley (Executive Member for Strategic Planning and Transport) and Tony Lake

SPE

Public Discussion – A368 Weight Restriction (Agenda Item 1)

It was announced that the following four persons had requested to address the Panel –

1. Stephen Edwards, Transport Management for the Villages

2. Trevor Smallwood, Chairman, Transport Management for the Villages

3. Nick Huff, Freight Strategy Group

4. Councillor Stephen Hale, Burrington Parish Council

The Chairman enquired of each of the speakers whether they would prefer to make their statements at the beginning of the meeting under Public Discussion or to participate in the debate of the agenda item as expert witnesses. All the speakers advised that they wished to participate as expert witnesses.

SPE

Minutes of the Meeting held on 5th February 2007 (Agenda Item 4.1)

Resolved: that the minutes of the meeting be approved as a correct record.

SPE

Revenue and Capital Budgets for 2007/08 and financial projections for 2008/09 and beyond – Items to be added to work plans (Agenda Item 5.1)

The Panel considered this reference from the Executive of 13th February 2007 (EXE 206(3)) recommending that the following be added to the work plans of the appropriate Policy/Overview and Scrutiny Panels to provide for further information investigation for three specific issues –

(a) the controls and processes that ensure value for money from the use of management consultants;

(b) the opportunities for deriving income and energy from street furniture; and

The representative of the Head of Performance, Improvement and Human Resources advised that item (a) was a matter for the Finance and Performance Policy and Scrutiny Panel; item (b) had been addressed by the Environmental Services Policy and Scrutiny Panel and comments made with regard to the policy on street lighting; and item (c) would be embraced by this Panel or its successor within the work plan.

Concluded: that the report be noted.

SPE

Work Plan (Agenda Item 6.1)

The Panel considered the next instalment of the work plan which highlighted current and ongoing topics for investigation.

Concluded: that the work plan as submitted be agreed, and that in particular, the Local Development Scheme topic be monitored and developed.

SPE

Rail Issues in North Somerset – Feedback on letter to the Vice-Chairman of the South West Regional Assembly (Agenda Item 6.2)

The Panel was reminded that the Chairman had sent a letter to Councillor Chanel Stevens in his capacity as Vice-Chairman of the South West Regional Assembly requesting that he take up with the Minister of State for Transport the concerns relating to rail issues, and requesting that a meeting be held with the Minister to involve the Executive Member for Strategic Planning and Transport.

The Chairman advised that he had not received any response or acknowledgement from Councillor Stevens.

Councillor Burden expressed concern at what he regarded as the non-attendance/disengagement of Labour Members at recent joint meetings.

Concluded: that in response to the letter from the Chairman regarding concerns about rail issues, Councillor Stevens be requested to provide a statement to the Executive Member for Strategic Planning and Transport in time for an answer to be given at Full Council on 20th March 2007.

SPE

100

Proposed A368 Weight Restriction (Agenda Item 6.3)

Stephen Edwards referred to the comments made by Transport Management for the Villages (TMTV) on the letters received, particularly those from North Somerset Council officers and Somerset County Council. He referred also to a photograph which had been circulated which he advised illustrated safety problems caused by HGVs on the B3134 in the vicinity of Burrington Combe. Mr. Edwards considered that it was a myth that a weight restriction on the A368 and the B3134 would lead to an overspill of HGVs on to the A371. He commented that HGV counts made during the fourteen weeks closure of the B3134 in 2003 showed little difference in HGV flows on the A371. Mr. Edwards reaffirmed that the A371 was a South West Regional Assembly recommended freight route.

Nick Huff of the Freight Strategy Group reaffirmed the opposition of hauliers to a weight restriction on the A368. He emphasised that a weight restriction would add significant time to HGV journeys by the need to use other routes, as well as adding to fuel usage and costs. Mr. Huff added that neither Somerset County Council nor Bath and North East Somerset Council were not in favour of a weight restriction, and that the police would not enforce a weight restriction. Mr. Huff also queried the photograph of the B3134 at Burrington Combe produced by TMTV, and commented that the tyre marks on the footway may not be the result of two passing HGVs, but rather an HGV having to pull over to pass a vehicular obstruction.

Councillor Stephen Hale of Burrington Parish Council expressed his support for a weight restriction. He referred to research carried out by the Cranthorne Research Centre on the damage to horizontal kerbs caused by HGVs and which contributed to most accidents in rural areas. The damage to road edges by HGVs was particularly significant in Lower Langford village. He suggested that the local police officer had said he would enforce any weight restriction, if imposed, to the best of his ability.

Councillor Tony Lake, Local Member, was invited to address the Panel, who expressed the support by local villages for a weight restriction. Councillor Lake refuted a comment made at the last meeting that TMTV was not representative of local people. He also highlighted a letter from the Freight Transport Association, which placed emphasis on speed and reliability but which appeared to ignore safety. It was suggested that if a weight restriction was introduced, local haulage companies would be entitled to exemptions. Councillor Lake also highlighted the encroachment by HGVs on to the footway at Burrington Combe and the danger this caused to visitors who regularly used the path.

Councillor Lake expressed his support for Option 4 as put forward by the Executive Member for Strategic Planning and Transport.

The Panel was informed by the Executive Member for Strategic Planning and Transport that his Executive Member counterpart at Bath and North East Somerset Council had indicated that he would not enter into an agreement with him for a joint weight restriction.

The Chairman pointed out that a number of parish councils on Bath and North East Somerset in the vicinity of the A368 supported a weight restriction.

The representative of the Director of Development and Environment in response to Councillor Clark said he could not give a categoric assurance that a weight restriction on the A368 would reduce the volume of vehicular traffic passing through Cheddar and Rodney Stoke.

Councillor Peter Burden proposed that the Panel recommend the Executive Member for Strategic Planning and Transport to approve Option 4 namely, an experimental 7.5 tonnes weight restriction on the A368 between Churchill crossroads (A38) and Lag Farm (east of Blagdon) immediately west of the North Somerset boundary, plus the B3134 Burrington Coombe to the Council boundary

The Chairman suggested that in addition the Executive Member be requested to define the criteria for reporting back at the end of the experimental period for example, the impact on traffic volume, the economic impact, road safety and traffic displacement.

It was also agreed the Executive Member advise the parishes of Compton Martin, Ubley and West Harptree to raise any issues they may have with their principal authority, Bath and North East Somerset Council.

Concluded: that the Executive Member for Strategic Planning and Transport be recommended:

(1) to approve Option 4 namely, an experimental 7.5 tonnes weight restriction on the A368 between Churchill crossroads (A38) and Lag Farm (east of Blagdon) immediately west of the North Somerset boundary, plus the B3134 Burrington Coombe to the Council boundary;

(2) to define the criteria for reporting back at the end of the experimental period; and

(3) to advise the parishes of Compton Martin, Ubley and West Harptree to raise any issues they may have with their principal authority, Bath and North East Somerset Council.

SPE

101

Local Development Scheme (Agenda Item 6.4)

The Panel considered a report which set out the proposed programme for the production of the various documents that will make up the new Local Development Framework (LDF) for North Somerset as required by the recent changes to the planning system. The report also set out the timetable for the preparation and review of these documents up to 2008.

The Chairman suggested that officers prepare a timetable for the Panel to scrutinise the LDF programme at various stages prior to final approval by the Executive.

The representative of the Director of Development and Environment suggested the approach be augmented by a Members’ workshop.

Concluded: that officers arrange for a workshop to take place to appraise Members of the LDF programme and timetable.

SPE

102

Civic Pride – Pier Square (Agenda Item 6.5)

The representative of the Director of Development and Environment updated the Panel. He advised that the scheme was in its early stages, with implementation likely in 2008/09. Some traffic modelling had taken place and Halcrows had been appointed as consultants to carry out further work on traffic modelling. The impact of the Tropicana Relief Road needed to be taken into account.

The representative of the Director of Development and Environment in response to Members’ queries, advised that Halcrows would have regard to the impact of other Town Centre proposals. He added that the Pier Square scheme was not tied into the Tropicana development. It was expected that Halcrows would complete their report in 4-5 months to enable a report back to this Panel (or its successor) in 5-6 months.

In answer to a query by the Chairman, the Panel was advised that Members would be included in the Halcrow consultation.

Concluded: that the report be noted.

SPE

103

Presentation – Economic Development and Regeneration Service Plan (Agenda Item 6.6)

The representative of the Director of Development and Environment gave a presentation which focused on the following –

1. Business Liaison

(i) Develop relationship between the Council and business

(ii) Increase knowledge and support to business

(iii) Business Matters

(iv) Business Directory

(v) Information packs

(vi) Planning application responses

2. Business Support

(i) Enterprise Agency

(ii) Enquiries

(iii) Evolutive – register

(iv) Business Directory

(v) Social Enterprise

3. Partnership Working

(i) Local Area Agreement

(ii) Rural Renaissance

(iii) Village Grants

(iv) Social Enterprise

(v) IT@Work

4. South Ward Neighbourhood Management

5. SRB6 follow-up – Weston Central Ward

6. Employment Programmes

7. Sustainable Community Strategy

8. Local Are Agreement

9. North Somerset Partnership

10. Sustainable Communities

11. Parish Plans

12. EU Policy and External Funding

13. Priorities for 2007/08

(i) Enquiries

(ii) Business liaison

(iii) Promotion – inward investment

(iv) Local Area Agreement

The representative of the Director of Development and Environment responded to Members’ questions and queries. The publication Business Matters which was now available electronically rather than hard copy, was last issued in December 2006, with the next issue due in April 2007. The cost was approximately £60 per edition. Business Matters was provided to businesses on request, and the feedback received was that it had improved. With regard to planning applications responses, the Economic Development Team received the regular list of planning applications. Development Control officers asked Economic Development for their views, particular where applications involved changes of use. Sometimes the Economic Development Team was contacted by applicants or agents.

Councillor Canniford with regard to ‘IT@Work’ reaffirmed his view that the provision of internet facilities was a matter for business to address themselves, and not for the Council to provide financial support.

SPE

104

Joint Unitary Authorities Meeting – Waste Management and Planning (Agenda Item 6.7)

Concluded: that the notes of the joint meeting held on 5th March 2007 be received.

SPE

105

Information Update – West of England Road Safety Partnership Framework (Agenda Item 6.8)

Councillor Burden reported that it had been agreed that the relevant scrutiny panels of the four unitary authorities in the West of England would receive regular update reports.

Concluded: that the report be noted.

SPE

106

Report of the Working Group on Decriminalised Parking Enforcement (Agenda Item 6.9)

Councillor Burden commented that Keynsham appeared to have achieved a balance between reasonable cost policy and efficient enforcement, and he queried whether North Somerset’s pricing model was over-elaborate.

The Chairman advised that the Working Group was waiting for the balance between cost and enforcement to be defined.

It was noted that the working group had suggested possible cost limits.

Councillor Canniford pointed out that the crucial factor would be cost.

Concluded: that the report be noted.

SPE

107

Working Group on connecting villages in North Somerset to a major route by means of a subsidy (Agenda Item 10)

The representative of the Head of Performance, Improvement and Human Resources advised that the planned meeting of the working group had not taken place, and sought guidance from the Panel on how they wished to proceed.

It was agreed that the existing matrix on how contracts were evaluated was particularly useful, although refinements would be necessary. This would need to be considered by the working group together with a presentation as necessary.

Concluded: that the verbal report be noted.

SPE

108

Report of the Executive Member for Strategic Planning and Transport (Agenda Item 6.11)

Councillor Harley noted that in the absence of the Executive Member, the Panel was not able to receive an oral update on conferences attended.

Concluded: that the report be noted.

SPE

109

Report of the Executive Member for Economic Development (Agenda Item 6.12)

Councillor Burden expressed concern that North Somerset’s position on the West of England Economic Development Strategy had been reported to the recent West of England Board meeting.

Councillor Clark queried why local Portishead Members had not been consulted on Portishead Open Air Swimming Pool. Councillor Jolley requested a breakdown of the costs.

The Chairman suggested that the members take up the matter directly with the Executive Member and/or the Assistant Director Development and Environment.

Councillor Wright advised that the costs relating to the Portishead Open Air Swimming Pool were in the relevant agenda papers of the Community Services Policy and Scrutiny Panel dating back to October 2006.

Concluded: that the report be noted.

SPE

110

Quarter 3 Finance and Performance Monitoring 2006/07 (Agenda Item 6.13)

The attention of the Panel focused on the key variances with regard to General Fund Revenue Expenditure.

Concluded: that the report and the good performance in Quarter 3 2006/07 be noted.

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Chairman

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