14.1    Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Vivienne Parry.

Members are reminded that they must not participate in the discussion or voting on any matter in which they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and should leave the room prior to the commencement of the debate.

15.1    None were declared

To consider the Minutes of the Environment and Services Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 22 June 2015.

16.1    RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Environment and Services Scrutiny Committee held on 22 June 2015 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any questions, statements or petitions from the public of which members of the public have given notice.  Deadline for notification for this meeting is Wednesday 23 September 2015

17.1    No questions had been received from members of the public.

To receive any questions of which members of the Council have given notice.  Deadline for notification for this meeting is Wednesday 23 September 2015.

18.1    There were no questions from Members.

19.1    Members were advised that a petition calling for a 20 mph speed restriction on the section of New Street, Shrewsbury, between the junction with Copthorne Road and The Boat House had been received and that it had the requisite number of signatures for referral to the Scrutiny Committee.

19.2    The Senior Traffic Technician reminded Members that the Council had a framework for dealing with road safety concerns raised by members of the public within the Road Safety Policy, and an agreed approach for considering 20mph speed restrictions.  He advised Members that this stretch of road had been raised by the Town Council as a community led concern in 2014 and that no further action had been taken as it did not fulfil all the required criteria.

19.3    The Petitioner, Joy Bellingham, addressed the meeting.  She stated that the level of concern within the local community was evidenced by the number of signatories on the petition which had been collected in a short time. She added that she was aware of a number of incidents that had not been reported to the police for a number of reasons.

19.4    Councillor Chebsey, the local Member stated that New Street was not a new problem. The road was a busy arterial route which was quite narrow in places. She added that she was often informed of incidents that were not reported to the police and hence were not considered during assessment.

19.5    A Member commented that it maybe useful if a log of incidents was kept to back up data held by the police.

19.6    The Portfolio Holder for Highways and Transport stated that it was important that as much data as possible was recorded and he urged residents to report all incidents to the police so that a true picture was compiled.

19.7    In response to a question the Highways, Transport and Environmental Commissioning Manager confirmed that other data would be considered but that it did not carry as much weight as data held by the police.  He agreed to meet with the Local Member to look at ways of increasing the data recording.

19.8    A Member commented that the same issues of community concern were raised By Town and Parish Councils over a number of years and that no feedback was received on why no further action was taken.  The Senior Traffic Technician advised that as part of the process feedback was provided to Town & Parish Clerks.  The Highways, Transport and Environmental Commissioning Manager commented that there may be a need to look at improving the level of feedback and that he would investigate the matter further.

19.9    The Chair thanked the Petitioner for her work in collating the petition.

19.10  RESOLVED:

a.    That the procedure for dealing with community led concerns about speed and safety management is noted;

b.    That the guiding principles of where Shropshire Council would consider 20mph speed limits are noted;

c.    That the Highways, Transport and Environmental Commissioning Manager meet with the Local Member to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

20.1    Members were advised that a petition calling for a 20 mph speed restriction on Redstone Drive Highley had been received and that it had the requisite number of signatures for referral to the Scrutiny Committee.

20.2    The Area Transport Commissioner advised that Highley Parish Council had submitted a community led concern for a 20 mph limit on Redstone Drive and subsequently Officers had attended a road safety presentation which had highlighted a number of other road safety concerns including parking issues and pedestrian movement and that as a result the remit for the community led concern had been widened to allow for a whole traffic management approach and that this would be considered as part of the annual prioritisation process for schemes to be funded for design in 2016/17.   She added that a 20mph speed limit was not the only solution and that a range of measures may be considered and the most appropriate solution implemented. 

20.3    Mrs Sharon Ritchie Simmons, Chair of Governors at Highley Primary addressed the meeting. She stated that there were a number of problems on Redstone Drive including speeding and inconsiderate parking.  She thanked Officers for the work done to date and expressed a hope that a solution could be found.

20.4    In response to a question from a Member Mrs Ritchie Simmons confirmed that the Primary School had considered the problem and had implemented measures such as a Walking Bus.

20.5RESOLVED

a.    That Officers progress the submission made under the Road Safety Policy, and

b.    If prioritised for funding, develop an appropriate scheme on Redstone Drive which may or may not include a 20mph speed restriction

To receive an update on the Battlefield ERF plant and waste activity in general.

21.1    Members considered the report of the Waste Contracts Manager which gave an update on progress regarding the construction and commissioning of the Battlefield Energy Recovery Facility (ERF)

21.2    The Waste Contracts Manager advised Members that following extensive testing the facility had been handed over to Veolia in May and had become a PFI Contract facility at the beginning of September.  He added that by August enough power had been exported to the national grid to power 6,500 homes

21.3    The Chairman thanked Officers for organising the visit to the ERF prior to the meeting which he had found very interesting.  He commented that he was glad the Community Liaison Group seemed content with what was happening at the facility.

21.4    RESOLVED

            That in accordance with the provision of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 and paragraph 10.2 of the Council’s Access to Information Procedure Rules, the public and press be excluded during consideration of the remainder of the item.

21.5    Members received an update on the waste collection redesign currently being undertaken.

21.6    RESOLVED

a.    That progress of the ERF to its adoption as a contract facility be noted; and

b.    That a further report on the waste collection service redesign be considered by the committee  in early 2016

The Committee is next scheduled to meet at 2.00pm on Monday 26 October 2015.

22.1    It was noted that the next scheduled meeting of the Environment and Services Scrutiny Committee would be held on Monday 26 October 2015 at 2.00pm