To receive any questions from the public, notice of which has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 14.

The Speaker advised that three public questions had been received as follows (in accordance with revised Procedure Rules) and reminded that supplementary questions were no longer permitted.  Each of the questioners were invited to read out their question:

Question 1- from Professor John Whitelegg, Church Stretton resident:

“What steps is Shropshire Council taking to protect itself from legal liability issues following a fatality or injury in a road traffic accident occurring on a residential street that the Council had refused to include in its 20mph programme and when that refusal was directly contrary to:

a.    The public law duty in Section 39 (2) of the Road Traffic Act 1988;

b.    The expert scientific advice from the  World Health Organisation, Public Health England, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and  the Association of Directors of Public Health on the need for 20mph on all streets where there is a likelihood that vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles will mix, and

c.    The recommendations of the House of Commons Select Committee on road safety in 2010 (para 60, Ending the scandal of complacency.  Road safety beyond 2010) that 20mph should be adopted “much more widely?”

In response, the Portfolio Holder for Highways and Transport, Cllr Davenport stated that this issue had been looked at many times and in some respects there was agreement.  The benefits of 20 mph were not disputed; an annual programme of road safety and education was supported, but currently there was no specific programme for the implementation of 20 mph schemes in Shropshire.  Rather accident sites and community concerns were prioritised with appropriate interventions which might include 20 mph speed restrictions.

Question 2 – from Mr Harold Bound, Shrewsbury resident and representing the Bus Users Group:

“In considering planning applications for housing estates which have direct access on to bus routes, can provision be made, within the highway design layout for the development, for safe stopping places for buses within reasonable walking distance?”

In response, the Portfolio Holder for Highways and Transport, Cllr Davenport confirmed that as part of the consideration of new housing developments, Officers considered the requirements of integrating existing bus services and safe bus stops within the development road layouts.  The aim was also to provide bus stop locations that were within reasonable walking distance of new properties in order to promote sustainable travel.

Question 3 – from Mr Stephen Mulloy, Shrewsbury resident

“In light of recent revelations in the media regarding a Market Town Revitalisation Programme (MTRP) legacy loan that was granted to a local company and not repaid, will he use some of the audit contingency days to have all of the MTRP grants/loans that were made within the Oswestry area reviewed, ensuring that all the agreements were complied with fully, including ensuring that Project Closure Reports and proof of spend, including match funding, was provided, and

Provide all the information on the Council's website to allow members of the public to examine the awards of MTRP funding for themselves?”

In response, the Chairman of the Audit Committee, Cllr Adams confirmed that he had asked the Chief Executive to appropriately refer to audit to ensure that robust systems were in place.