Issue - meetings

The County Council, as the Highway Authority has a statutory duty to maintain highway maintainable at the public expense in Surrey. The network is maintained to comply with its statutory obligation to ensure the safety of highway users. District and Borough Councils invest in their town centres and have local priorities, which may include bespoke or expensive materials.  If a District or Borough Council chooses to enter into a “Town Centre Highway Management Agreement” with the County Council, it will give them the ability to control an agreed defined area to higher locally determined standards.

[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Communities, Environment & Highways Select Committee]

RESOLVED:

1.    That authority is delegated to the Head of Highways and Transport, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highways, to enter into “Town Centre Highway Management Agreements” with district/borough councils which request this arrangement was agreed.

2.    That local / joint committees undertake operational oversight of any such agreements was agreed.

Reason for Decision:

The introduction of Town Centre Highway Management Agreements enable willing district/borough councils to manage and maintain their prestige locations according to local priorities and needs.  Standards of maintenance will need to be as high as, or greater than that provided by the county council for the rest of the highway network.  The agreements may help to attract additional investment in the highway network. Income from licensing will facilitate such investment.

They will build on close cooperation between the county council and district/borough councils in delivering services for Surrey residents.

[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Communities, Environment & Highways Select Committee]

The Cabinet Member for Highways presented a report that sought agreement for the council to enter into “Town Centre Highway Management Agreement” if sought by district/borough councils.

A few Members expressed their gratitude that this report was before them and stated how it showed the Council’s commitment to partnership working.

RESOLVED:

1.    That authority is delegated to the Head of Highways and Transport, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highways, to enter into “Town Centre Highway Management Agreements” with district/borough councils which request this arrangement was agreed.

2.    That local / joint committees undertake operational oversight of any such agreements was agreed.

Reason for Decision:

The introduction of Town Centre Highway Management Agreements enable willing district/borough councils to manage and maintain their prestige locations according to local priorities and needs.  Standards of maintenance will need to be as high as, or greater than that provided by the county council for the rest of the highway network.  The agreements may help to attract additional investment in the highway network. Income from licensing will facilitate such investment.

They will build on close cooperation between the county council and district/borough councils in delivering services for Surrey residents.

The decision was unanimous.