Councillors and committees

Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Elmbridge Civic Centre, High Street, Esher, KT10 9SD

Contact: Nicola Morris, Partnership Committee Officer  Community Partnerships & Safety Team, 2nd Floor, Epsom Town Hall, The Parade, Epsom KT18 5BY

Items
No. Item

32/19

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND SUBSTITUTIONS

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    To receive any apologies for absence and notices of substitutions from Borough members under Standing Order 39.

    Minutes:

    There were no apologies for absence.  Tim Oliver left the meeting at 5pm and Cllr Steve Bax arrived at 4.54pm.

33/19

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

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    All Members present are required to declare, at this point in the meeting or as soon as possible thereafter

    (i)            Any disclosable pecuniary interests and / or

    (ii)           Other interests arising under the Code of Conduct in respect of any item(s) of business being considered at this meeting

    NOTES:

    • Members are reminded that they must not participate in any item where they have a disclosable pecuniary interest
    • As well as an interest of the Member, this includes any interest, of which the Member is aware, that relates to the Member’s spouse or civil partner (or any person with whom the Member is living as a spouse or civil partner)
    • Members with a significant personal interest may participate in the discussion and vote on that matter unless that interest could be reasonably regarded as prejudicial.

     

    Minutes:

    Cllr Mary Sheldon declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 5 as her daughter is a resident of Dennis Road and has signed the petition.

34/19

CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS

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    To receive any Chairman’s announcements.

    Minutes:

    There were no Chairman’s announcements.

35/19

WRITTEN PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND STATEMENTS pdf icon PDF 75 KB

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    To answer any questions or receive a statement from any member of the public who lives, works or studies in the Elmbridge Borough area in accordance with Standing Order 69.  Notice should be given in writing or by email to the Partnership Committee Officer at least by 12 noon four working days before the meeting.

    Minutes:

    One question had been received and the officer response was included in the supplementary agenda.  The questioner asked the following as a supplementary question:

     

    On what basis the design process for the traffic calming scheme is based, given that the output from the related feasibility study has not been made visible to the Committee or local residents?

    When did the design process commence, when it will be completed and subjected to the independent road safety audit, and when local residents could expect to be consulted?

     

    Why does the cost associated with the traffic calming scheme show as £87,900 in the report, when the amount bid for and approved was £95,000 – where has the balance of £7,100 gone?

     

    The Area Highways Manager responded that the feasibility study is available in the public domain as part of the CIL bid.   He confirmed that the design had started after final agreement of the CIL bid in March 2019.  The design and road safety audit, including public consultation should be completed in this financial year with the aim of building what’s agreed in 2020.  The divisional member queried whether it would be possible to build the project over the summer holidays in 2020 as this would be the only suitable time.  It was confirmed that the timescales are realistic provided the community are agreeable to the proposals and there are no other projects competing for road space in the area at the time of construction.  It was agreed that the feasibility study would be provided to the questioner and that the Area Highways Manager could then set out the direction of travel, to ensure that the final proposals were more likely to be acceptable to the community.   The difference in the published costs is not significant in the scale of the project.

36/19

PETITIONS pdf icon PDF 74 KB

    To receive any petitions in accordance with Standing Order 68.  Notice should be given in writing or by e-mail to the Partnership Committee Officer at least 14 days before the meeting.  Alternatively, the petition can be submitted on-line through Surrey County Council’s e-petitions website as long as the minimum number of signatures (30) has been reached 14 days before the meeting.

     

    One petition has been received and the officer response is attached.

     

    Request to resurface Dennis Road, East Molesey

     

    Lead petitioner:  Sanne Enemark  Signatures from 40 residents of Dennis Road, representing 35 households.  

    Decision:

    That the Local Committee [Elmbridge] agreed :

     

    To add Dennis Road to its list of roads for consideration for prioritisation for resurfacing in a future year.

     

    Reasons: To enable prioritisation of funding when compared to other projects.

    Minutes:

    Declarations of Interest: Cllr Mary Sheldon declared a personal interest as her daughter is a resident of Dennis Road.

     

    Officers attending: Nick Healey, Area Highways Manager

     

    Petitions, Public Questions/Statements: One petition was received

     

    Julian Bye presented the petition on behalf of the petitioner.  The circulated presentation with photos is attached to these minutes.  He highlighted the unsightly and dangerous condition of both the road and pavement.  The road is home to families and many of the surrounding roads have been treated in recent years.  The poor condition of the pavement and high kerbs result in people walking in the road pushing wheelchairs and buggies.  There is a School in Vine Road which means that there are many pedestrians using the road.  Although the potholes have been filled, the pavement is so high in places that car doors often become stuck on the pavement when opened and are damaged.  He hoped that it would be possible for resources to be made available to address the issues.

     

    Member discussion –key points

     

    The Area Highways Manager indicated that the cost estimates in the report are just to treat the road,  any work on the pavement would double or triple the cost.

     

    The Chairman agreed that surrounding roads had been addressed in previous years but this was at a time when the Committee had a significantly larger budget.

     

    Whilst members of the Committee had sympathy for the residents, many of them could point to other roads in the Borough in a similar or worse condition and could not agree to promote this road in preference to them.  The Area Highways Manager agreed to inspect the road for safety defects and to see whether it would be possible to carry out jet patching.

     

    Resolved:

     

    To add Dennis Road to the list of roads for consideration for prioritisation by the Committee for resurfacing in a future year.

     

    Reasons: To enable prioritisation of funding when compared to other projects.

Item 05 Presentation from Petitioner - Dennis Road pdf icon PDF 4 MB

37/19

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING pdf icon PDF 72 KB

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    To approve the Minutes of the previous meeting as a correct record.

    Minutes:

    Confirmed as a correct record.

38/19

MEMBER QUESTION TIME

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    To receive any written questions from Members under Standing Order 47. Notice should be given in writing to the Partnership Committee Officer by 12.00 noon four working days before the meeting.

    Minutes:

    No member questions were received.

39/19

HIGHWAYS UPDATE [EXECUTIVE FUNCTION - FOR DECISION] pdf icon PDF 422 KB

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    This report summarises progress with the Local Committee’s programme of Highways works for the current Financial Year 2019-20.

    Committee is asked to agree the strategy for allocation of Local Committee budgets for next Financial Year 2020-21.

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    That the Local Committee [Elmbridge] agreed to:

     

    (i)    Approve the provisional allocation of assumed budgets for 2020-21 as shown in Table 3 of the report;

    (ii)   Authorise the Area Highway Manager, in consultation with the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Divisional Member, to advertise the necessary legal notice for new road tables at the entrances to Russell Road and Sunbury Lane, Walton, and if there are no significant objections to arrange construction of these new road tables as part of the new cycle route in Terrace Road;

    (iii)  Authorise the Area Highway Manager, in consultation with the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Divisional Member, to draft and advertise an appropriate Traffic Regulation Order for the short one-way section of road at the junction of Rectory Lane and Church Road, and if there are no significant objections to make the Traffic Regulation Order, and improve the signs and road markings;

    (iv)  Approve the extension of the eastbound bus stop clearway at The Bear, Bridge Street, Walton-on-Thames, by 5m at each end – 10m in total;

    (v)   Authorise the Area Highway Manager in consultation with the Chairman, Vice Chairman, and relevant Divisional Member(s) to undertake all necessary procedures to deliver the agreed programmes

    Reasons:

     

    Recommendations are made to facilitate development of Committee’s 2019-20 Highways programmes, while at the same time ensuring that the Chairman, Vice Chairman and relevant Divisional Members are fully and appropriately involved in any detailed considerations.

    Specific recommendations are made to facilitate improvements in Walton and Long Ditton.

    Committee is asked to provide the necessary authorisation to deliver its programmes of work in consultation with the Chairman, Vice Chairman and relevant Divisional Member without the need to revert to the Committee as a whole.

    Minutes:

    Declarations of Interest: None

     

    Officers attending: Nick Healey, Area Highways Manager

     

    Petitions, Public Questions/Statements: None.

     

    Member discussion –key points

     

    The Chairman reported that he had had a constructive meeting in respect of the resources needed to complete the Esher Transport Study.  Resources will be identified to look at optimising the traffic lights with a view to work starting on this before Christmas.  More detailed work on the service roads will be deferred until further resources are available.

     

    Members discussed that the bidding process to Elmbridge Borough Council for CIL funding appeared to be extending the timescales for some projects.  Members were supportive of asking the Elmbridge Leader whether it would be possible to have two rounds of bidding in order to speed up the process.

     

    A member expressed concern at the weeks growing between the pavement and road surface which she felt might encourage flooding and icy patches.  The Area Highway Manager reported that funding is provided to the Borough Council to carry out two weed sprays per year.  However, weather conditions and regulations around the sprays which could now be used meant that they were no always effective.  Members could report any problem areas to Joint Waste Solutions who are responsible for the work on behalf of the Borough Council.

     

    Resolved to:

     

    (i)    Approve the provisional allocation of assumed budgets for 2020-21 as shown in Table 3 of the report;

    (ii)   Authorise the Area Highway Manager, in consultation with the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Divisional Member, to advertise the necessary legal notice for new road tables at the entrances to Russell Road and Sunbury Lane, Walton, and if there are no significant objections to arrange construction of these new road tables as part of the new cycle route in Terrace Road;

    (iii)  Authorise the Area Highway Manager, in consultation with the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Divisional Member, to draft and advertise an appropriate Traffic Regulation Order for the short one-way section of road at the junction of Rectory Lane and Church Road, and if there are no significant objections to make the Traffic Regulation Order, and improve the signs and road markings;

    (iv)  Approve the extension of the eastbound bus stop clearway at The Bear, Bridge Street, Walton-on-Thames, by 5m at each end – 10m in total;

    (v)   Authorise the Area Highway Manager in consultation with the Chairman, Vice Chairman, and relevant Divisional Member(s) to undertake all necessary procedures to deliver the agreed programmes

    Reasons:

     

    Recommendations are made to facilitate development of Committee’s 2019-20 Highways programmes, while at the same time ensuring that the Chairman, Vice Chairman and relevant Divisional Members are fully and appropriately involved in any detailed considerations.

    Specific recommendations are made to facilitate improvements in Walton and Long Ditton.

    Committee is asked to provide the necessary authorisation to deliver its programmes of work in consultation with the Chairman, Vice Chairman and relevant Divisional Member without the need to revert to the Committee as a whole.

40/19

HEALTH AND WELLBEING STRATEGY [SERVICE MONITORING AND ISSUES OF LOCAL CONCERN - FOR DISCUSSION] [AGENDA ITEM ONLY] pdf icon PDF 1 MB

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    The recently published Surrey Health and Wellbeing Strategy sets out core priorities for improving health and wellbeing across the population, with targets for the next 10 years. We are currently developing the implementation plans for each priority which are centred around opportunities where we could work together as a partnership to improve the lives of our most vulnerable residents. This presentation by Mr Rob Moran, Elmbridge Borough Council Chief Executive, will update the Committee on the proposed approach taken by the Surrey Health and Wellbeing Board and include examples of where this will affect Elmbridge and what this means. It will be an opportunity to consider the strategy further and allow councillors the opportunity to contribute to its development.

    Minutes:

    Declarations of Interest: None

     

    Officers attending: Rob Moran, Chief Executive Elmbridge Borough Council

     

    Petitions, Public Questions/Statements: None.

     

    Member discussion –key points

     

    The Chief Executive took members through the presentation contained in the supplementary agenda for the Committee.  He explained that the strategy is strategic, holistic and long term project to enhance joint working between agencies with a focus on residents.  The aim is for communities to come together to support each other beyond an institutional response.  The strategy will permeate all relevant Borough Council plans to ensure that they are delivered.

     

    It was reported that improvements to housing is a top priority for the Borough Council.  There is a particular issue with housing younger people particularly those with mental health issues and the Borough is working with a number of agencies to address this.

     

    Members were concerned that driving at 20mph can create more pollution and that many parents wait outside schools with their engines idling to fuel heaters of air conditioning affecting air quality around schools.  The Air Quality Alliance is working to improve awareness of this issue.

     

    It was queried how the strategy is adding value when work is already happening under other work streams.  It was reported that the key to success is joint working and providing greater connectivity between services.  For example the Health & Welbeing Board had identified that there is a shortage of health visitors, but many businesses have apprenticeship funding which is unspent.  This money could be used to attract staff to fill post which have shortages.

     

    Members felt that improved communication could help to make residents more aware of the facilities, many of which are free, in the Borough which are available to them to improve health and fitness.  It was reported that this is being addressed with a communication strategy.

     

    The Committee noted the progress with the Strategy.

     

     

     

     

41/19

LOCAL COMMITTEE DECISION TRACKER [FOR DECISION] pdf icon PDF 263 KB

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    This item provides an update on previous decisions and actions agreed by the Committee.  The Committee is asked to agree that the items marked as complete are removed from the tracker.

    Minutes:

     

    The Committee noted the completed actions and agreed to remove these from the tracker.

42/19

FORWARD PLAN [FOR INFORMATION] pdf icon PDF 51 KB

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    The Committee is asked to note the forward plan for the Committee and propose any items which they would like to see added.

    Minutes:

    Noted the Committee’s forward plan.

43/19

DATE OF NEXT MEETING [FOR INFORMATION]

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    Thursday 5 December 2019 at 4pm, Elmbridge Civic Centre.

    Minutes:

    Thursday 5 December 2019 at 4pm, Elmbridge Civic Centre.