Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Paul Wynn.

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.

Councillor Harris declared an interest as Deputy Portfolio Holder for Public Transport.

To consider the minutes of the Place Overview Committee meeting held on 15^th November 2018. [To follow]

It was agreed that consideration of the minutes of the meeting held on 15 November 2018 would be deferred to the next meeting.

To receive any questions or petitions from the public of which notice has been given.  The deadline for notification for this meeting is 2pm, Thursday 13^th December 2018.

The following question was received from Mr Peter Richardson: -

'Given your legal obligations under, for instance the Highways Act (1980) and Equality Act (2010), what are you doing to build partnerships with, and listen to, people with a visual impairment and wheelchair users in addressing the problems that A-boards cause?'

It was agreed that a response would be given during the relevant item.

To receive any questions of which Members of the Council have given notice. The deadline for notification for this meeting is 2pm, Tuesday 11^th December 2018.

There were no questions from Members.

A petition has been received from the residents of the Underdale side of Monkmore Road and users of the shops and pharmacy on Conway Drive for the provision of a pedestrian crossing on the Monkmoor Road. Officers will be in attendance to outline the issues and respond accordingly to the petition.

Councillor David Vasmer presented a petition from residents of Monkmoor Road requesting that a pedestrian crossing be installed near the junction with Conway Drive.  He explained that over the years increased development had led to a rise in the amount of traffic using Monkmoor Road and that the speed of traffic had increased making it difficult for elderly people and parents with young children to cross the road safely. Councillor Pam Moseley supported the request for a crossing.

Mr Dennis Cheese distributed the results of a traffic survey that he had carried out which showed the volumes of traffic using Monkmoor Road.  He commented that he had lived in the area for over thirty years and had observed an increase in the volume and speed of traffic on Monkmoor Road.

The Operations Manager advised the meeting that the engineering team would assess the location and look at all the data and would then carry out an assessment.  He added that the request would be considered as part of a road safety plan.  He agreed to keep local Members updated as to progress with the request.

The Chairman asked whether the need for a crossing was included on the Town Council’s list of CIL priorities as CIL money could be used as a method of fast tracking the installation of a crossing.

To receive a report from the Traffic Manager and to consider the policy for the enforcement undertaken by the Street Works team and the options open to Shropshire Council.

Contact: Gary Parton, Traffic Manager, Tel 01743 258786

The meeting received the report of the Traffic Manager which set out a proposed Street Works Enforcement Policy.  He advised the meeting that following an internal audit of the Street Works Team it had been identified that there was need for a service specific policy to sit alongside the Council’s Regulation and Enforcement Policy.

The Street Works Performance Officer gave a presentation (copy attached to the signed minutes) which set out the work of the Streetworks Team, and the measures available to the Council where breaches occur.

A Member commented that the scale of fines under a fixed penalty notice seemed low in relation to the size of the companies involved.  The Street Works Performance Officer advised that the level of fines was set by the Department of Transport and could not be changed.

A Member asked how many prosecutions were pursued.  The Traffic Manager advised that prosecution was used as a last resort and that a number of factors were considered before prosecuting a firm, and that approximate 1 prosecution per year was carried out.

A Member commented that a section of road in his ward had been closed for a fortnight but contractors were only actually on site for 4 days over that period.  The Traffic Manager advised that as part of the permitting process the method f work was considered and that situations like this were addressed although in some cases it was unavoidable.

In response to a query regarding paragraph 5.6 of the policy, the Traffic Manager confirmed that where a case was disposed of other than by prosecution full cost recovery was sought.

RESOLVED:

That Shropshire Council consult on this policy, to allow interested parties to comment on its contents and be made aware of the intention that Street Works will have its own policy.

To receive a report from the Traffic Manager, to consider the development of an application process which clearly demonstrates appropriate terms and conditions for the use of A-boards in Shropshire.

Contact: Gary Parton, Traffic Manager, Tel. 01743 258786

Public Question:

The following question was received from Mr Peter Richardson: -

'Given your legal obligations under, for instance the Highways Act (1980) and Equality Act (2010), what are you doing to build partnerships with, and listen to, people with a visual impairment and wheelchair users in addressing the problems that A-boards cause?'

Mr Richardson addressed the meeting, outlining some of the difficulties that arose for disabled and partially sighted people with the siting of A-boards.  The Traffic Manager assured him that all interested parties would be consulted.

The meeting considered the report of the Traffic Manager which set out details of a review of the current A-boards policy and the introduction of an application process. 

The Traffic Manager advised the meeting that the current policy had been under review since 2016 and that the policy was being updated and an application process which clearly set out terms and conditions for the use of A-boards was being developed.

The Traffic Manager advised that currently there was no formal enforcement carried out but the Highways Officers would carry out inspections as part of their other work.

In response to a query regarding the number of complaints received regarding the siting of A-boards the Intelligence and Insight Manager advised Members that over the past 12 months there had been a total of 153 formal complaint relating to pavements, 6 of which related to signs and A-boards.

Several Members gave examples of problems within their local area.

The Chairman commented that it was difficult to have a county wide approach as each town was different, and commented that licencing and enforcement of A-boards should be delegated to town councils as they were best placed to recognise the problems locally.  He suggested that a basic policy be developed which could be adapted and adopted by the individual councils in accordance with local needs.

RESOLVED:  That discussions take place with Town & Parish Councils and the VCSA prior to the development of a policy which should be brought back to the Committee for further consideration.

To receive a report from the Traffic Manager, to explore the possible transfer of the banners, bunting & lighting process to local Parish and Town Council Authorities with highways guidance supplied by Shropshire Council Street works and Highways teams.

Contact:  Gary Parton, Traffic Manager, Tel. 01743 258786

Members received the report of the Traffic Manager which suggested the transfer of the application and approval process for banners, bunting and festive lights to Town and Paris Councils.

The Traffic Manager advised the meeting that the current application and approval process for banners, bunting and festive lights fell within the remit of the Street Works team and that it was felt that this would be better dealt with by Town & Parish Council who have a better knowledge of the local situation.  He suggested that each council could develop their own process and best guidance process based on their individual situations.

Members welcomed the proposed approach.

RESOLVED:

i)     That Officers explore the possible transfer of the banners, bunting & lighting process to local parish and town council authorities with highways guidance supplied by Shropshire Council Street works and Highways teams. 

ii)    That a consultation with interested parties take place to gain an insight on available resources and necessary requirements to support or oppose a service responsibility shift.  

To receive a report from the Traffic Manager, to consider the development of an application and enforcement process which demonstrates appropriate terms and conditions for the use of Shropshire highways road space to temporarily store building materials.

Contact: Gary Parton, Traffic Manager, Tel. 01743 258786

Members considered the report of the Traffic Manager which proposed the development of a new policy and process for the temporary deposit of materials on the highway.

The Traffic Manager advised the meeting that the temporary deposit of materials usually referred to building or horticultural materials to be used at a property when there is no option available off the highway that can safely accommodate the items. He commented that as this was similar to placing a skip on the highway the policy and charging fees would be based on the current skip policy.  He added that the introduction of the process would enable co-ordination, monitoring and enforcement of such incident to ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum.

RESOLVED: That Officers develop an application and enforcement process which clearly demonstrates appropriate terms and conditions for the use of Shropshire highways road space to temporarily store building materials

To consider the future work programme of the Committee.

Contact Danial Webb, Scrutiny Officer, tel 01743 258509

Members received the report of the statutory Scrutiny Officer which set out the proposed Overview and Scrutiny work programme.

It was agreed that the following items be added to the Committees work programme:

·  A-Board policy

·  Banners, Bunting and Christmas light policy

·  Deposit of Materials on the Highway Policy

·  Review of Place Plans

The Committee is scheduled to next meet at 10.00am on Thursday 31st January 2018.

Members were reminded that the next meeting of the Place Overview Committee would be held on Thursday 31 January 2019 at 10.00am.