Agenda item

To note the progress made and the status of schemes, to consider the allocation of funding to support flooding recovery and to consider applications for funding under the highways localism scheme for 2014-15.

Resolved to:

(i)         Note the effects of the recent extreme weather across Waverley and Surrey.

(ii)        Agree that up to £50,000 be allocated from the 2014/15 budget towards flood recovery works organised by the Area Team.

(iii)       Agree to note the 2014/15 Localism (Lengsthman) scheme applications submitted by Chiddingfold Parish Council, Dunsfold Parish Council, First Wessex (Sandy Hill and The Chantrys), Hambledon Parish Council, Haslemere Town Council and Farnham Town Council and that an application from Western Villages had now been received, and to delegate final approval of the total funding granted to each project to the Area Highways Manager, in consultation with local members and subject to officer scrutiny to ensure that the proposed works fall within the remit of the scheme.

(iv)       Agree to review the principles and process to be adopted for the allocation of the Localism (Lengsthman) budget in future years.

Reason

The Committee recognised the need to contribute to flood recovery in Waverley and to support local enhanced maintenance on the highway through the Highways Localism scheme.

The Chairman thanked officers for the work done in partnership during the recent extreme weather.

Officers were asked to consider whether the legal delays experienced in the Marshall Road scheme should be escalated for resolution at a higher level.

It was confirmed that the data in Annex 1 of the report referred to the 2013/14 programme only.  The proposed allocation of £50,000 to flood recovery would be taken from the uncommitted sum for 2014/15.  The extent of damage is currently being assessed and it is likely that remedial work to surfaces will begin in April.  The poor quality of some repairs and early failures reflect the difficulty experienced by the contractor in complying with required timescales in adverse environmental conditions: the cost of remedial work is borne by the contractor.

The Committee discussed funding for the Highways Localism scheme, noting that an application from Western Villages had now been received by officers.  Some members continued to express their unease at the lack of equity experienced by areas where the parish council had not wished to submit an application; there was also concern at the lack of progress on a review of the processes involved.  The Chairman proposed amended recommendations, which were agreed by the Committee as (iii) and (iv) below.

Resolved to:

(i)         Note the effects of the recent extreme weather across Waverley and Surrey.

(ii)        Agree that up to £50,000 be allocated from the 2014/15 budget towards flood recovery works organised by the Area Team.

(iii)       Agree to note the 2014/15 Localism (Lengsthman) scheme applications submitted by Chiddingfold Parish Council, Dunsfold Parish Council, First Wessex (Sandy Hill and The Chantrys), Hambledon Parish Council, Haslemere Town Council and Farnham Town Council and that an application from Western Villages had now been received, and to delegate final approval of the total funding granted to each project to the Area Highways Manager, in consultation with local members and subject to officer scrutiny to ensure that the proposed works fall within the remit of the scheme.

(iv)       Agree to review the principles and process to be adopted for the allocation of the Localism (Lengsthman) budget in future years.

Reason

The Committee recognised the need to contribute to flood recovery in Waverley and to support local enhanced maintenance on the highway through the Highways Localism scheme.