Councillors and committees

Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Pippbrook, Reigate Road, Dorking, Surrey, RH4 1SJ

Contact: Rowena Zelley, Partnership Committee Officer  Surrey County Council, Community Partnerships & Engagement Team, Woodhatch Place, 11 Cockshot Hill, Woodhatch, Reigate, RH2 8EF

Link: Click here for the webcast

Items
No. Item

31/21

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND SUBSTITUTIONS

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

    Minutes:

    There were no apologies for absence, and no substitutions.

32/21

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING pdf icon PDF 208 KB

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

    Minutes:

    Declarations of Interest: None

     

    Officers attending: Rowena Zelley, Partnership Committee Officer.

     

    Petitions, Public Questions, Statements: None.

     

    Key points from discussion:

    Regarding the Green Lane path Cllr Hall confirmed to Cllr Townsend that the Rights of Way team have consulted their professional Institute and will ensure that the records are correct.

    Cllr Kennedy asked whether the answer to his question not previously available could be added to the minutes. This will be attached. 


    The minutes of the meeting held on 10 November 2021 were approved as a correct record.

     

33/21

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:

    There were no declarations of interest.

34/21

PUBLIC WRITTEN QUESTIONS pdf icon PDF 234 KB

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    To receive any questions from Surrey County Council electors within the area in accordance with Standing Order 66.

    Minutes:

    Declarations of Interest: None

    Officer attending: Zena Curry, Highways Engagement and Commissioning Manager, SCC

    Petitions, Public Questions, Statements: Seven written public questions were received before the deadline. The full wording of the questions and officer

    responses were included within the supplementary agenda pack.

     

    Key points from discussion:

    Question one. John Moyer did not attend the meeting. Julia Dickinson attended and asked about making cycling schemes on the High Street one way.

     

    The Highways Engagement and Commissioning Manager confirmed that the needs of the various users of the High Street have to be balanced. At the moment it is one way so cyclists have to dismount and walk as a pedestrian to come down the High Street to the feature at the bottom. There have been some concerns from pedestrians about the interaction between pedestrians and cyclists. It has been looked at but it is not possible to make it work with the constraints of the width of the High Street that is available once it has been used for tables and chairs. The Highways Engagement and Commissioning Manager confirmed that this can be looked at again as part of the Mole Valley Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) but it is unlikely due to the constraints.

    Question three. Cllr Hall confirmed that Waterway Road possible future cycling and pedestrian improvements is still on the Integrated Transport List of Schemes (ITS) and is being promoted by himself and Fetcham Residents Association. Officers will be passing on the suggestions to the LCWIP project team.

     

    Question five. District Councillor Elizabeth Daly asked how much signs would cost as already have speed data. The Highways Engagement and Commissioning Manager confirmed that changing a speed limit from 20 to 30 has to meet policy and outlined the process. Subject to the approval of the local county councillor this could be added to the Integrated Transport List of Schemes (ITS) for potential future development and funding.

    Question six. District Councillor Elizabeth Daly asked isn’t flooding of properties such as those in Proctor Gardens and the sewage discharge running into rivers also a concern that Surrey County Council should be prioritising. Cllr Curran added that she didn’t believe the properties in Proctor Gardens had been flooded by the surface water on the road though this can affect the driveways.

    It was confirmed by District Councillor Elizabeth Daly and Cllr Curran that flooding was reported to Surrey County Council and work has been done on drainage gulleys. The Highways Engagement and Commissioning Manager confirmed that no amount of highway drainage works will stop the surface water that forms in times of heavy rain. Colleagues in the Strategic Flooding Team are aware of the surface water risk and should the priorities change they will do more work and work is currently being planned on one of the soakaways.

    Question seven. Monica Weller attended and asked how much it would cost Surrey County Council to start getting the active travel message across. The Highways Engagement and Commissioning Manager said  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34/21

35/21

MEMBER WRITTEN QUESTIONS pdf icon PDF 343 KB

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    To receive any written questions from Members under Standing Order 47.

    Minutes:

    Declarations of Interest: None

    Officer attending: Zena Curry, Highways Engagement and Commissioning

    Manager, SCC

    Petitions, Public Questions, Statements: Twelve written member questions were received before the deadline. The full wording of the questions and officer

    responses were included within the supplementary agenda pack.

     

    Key points from discussion:

    Question one. District Councillor Caroline Salmon asked if there was any opportunity to involve councillors. The Highways Engagement and Commissioning Manager advised that a Stage 3 post construction RSA is an independent audit to ensure that what has been built meets criteria and is safe. The Highways Engagement and Commissioning Manager is happy to take comments from residents and councillors but it is the police and road safety team who will carry out the audit. The Highways Engagement and Commissioning Manager confirmed that the police have said all lines in a suitable place but can pass on comments. District Councillor Caroline Salmon will send through her comments.

    Question two. District Councillor Caroline Salmon asked if there was going to be any repair and maintenance in the subway. The Highways Engagement and Commissioning Manager advised the structures are regularly inspected and any structural maintenance are then scheduled and carried out. Many subways are visually enhanced by volunteers. County Councillors can choose to spend their delegated budget on subways. Offensive graffiti would be painted over but there is no schedule for enhancement or aesthetics. District Councillor Caroline Salmon will send through a detailed question regarding what can be done to make footpaths better in rural areas for the Highways Engagement and Commissioning Manager to obtain a response.

    Question three, four, five and six. Cllr Hazel Watson confirmed she had no supplementary questions.

    Question seven. Cllr Tim Hall confirmed he had no supplementary question.

    Question eight. District Councillor Paul Kennedy confirmed he had no supplementary question and stated he wanted to advertise that Natural England are currently reviewing the extent of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) which closes at the end of January.

    Question nine. District Councillor Paul Kennedy will formulate a detailed question and send to Cllr Hall and the Highways Engagement and Commissioning Manager to obtain a response.

    Question ten. District Councillor Raj Haque will send his query to Cllr Curran as Thames Water need to be involved.

    Question eleven. Cllr Hall advised he is working with Fetcham Residents Association, Mole Valley District Council and Lower Mole Project volunteers to look at the splash and there is a site meeting on 8 February. Cllr Hall has committed some funding to support this.

    Question twelve. District Councillor Lynne Brooks will send her questions to the Partnership Committee Officer to obtain a response.

     

     

Written response to question from Cllr Kennedy Nov. 2021 pdf icon PDF 187 KB

The response to Cllr Kennedy’s question from the November 2021 committee is attached as an annex to these minutes.

36/21

PETITIONS

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    To receive any petitions in accordance with Standing Order 65. An officer response will be provided to each petition.

    Minutes:

    No petitions were received.

37/21

HIGH STREET & CHURCH STREET, LEATHERHEAD - EXTENSION OF PEDESTRIAN ZONE HOURS & PERMITTING USE BY CYCLISTS (EXECUTIVE FUNCTION FOR DECISION) pdf icon PDF 239 KB

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    This report seeks approval for the existing temporary changes to the extension of the hours of operation of the pedestrian zone, the parking restrictions within the pedestrian zone, and temporary permission for cyclists to cycle within the pedestrian zone on Church Street and High Street, Leatherhead, to be made permanent.

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    RECOMMENDATIONS:

    The Local Committee (Mole Valley) :

    i) Noted the results of the consultation set out in section 2, Annex 2 and Annex 3.

     

    ii) Agreed that, based upon the results of the consultation, changes be made to the

    pedestrian zone as follows;

     

    a) That the hours of operation of the pedestrian zone be extended from Monday

    to Saturday 10am to 4:30pm to Monday to Sunday 10am to 4:30pm and that

    the parking restrictions within the pedestrian zone be extended, from 8am to

    6pm Monday to Saturday to 8am to 6pm Monday to Sunday

     

    b) permit cyclists to cycle within the pedestrian zone as long as the cyclist

    follows the existing one-way system in Church Street and High Street,

    Leatherhead.

     

    iii) Authorised the advertisement of a notice in accordance with the Road Traffic

    Regulation Act 1984, the effect of which will be to implement the proposed changes

    to the pedestrian zone, revoke any existing traffic orders necessary to implement the

    change, and, subject to no objections being upheld, that the order be made;

     

    iv) Authorised delegation of authority to the Area Highway Manager in consultation

    with the Chairman, Vice-Chairman of the Local Committee and the local divisional

    member to resolve any objections received in connection with the proposal.

     

    v) Agreed that funding from the “Stage 3 Road Safety Audits/Accessibility

    Improvements/Small safety and improvement schemes/signs and road markings”

    allocation within the Integrated Transport Schemes budget be used for the Traffic

    Regulation Order.

     

    REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS:

    To enable permanent changes to be made to the operation of the pedestrian zone

    within Church Street/High Street, Leatherhead.

    Minutes:

    Declarations of Interest: None

    Officer attending: Zena Curry, Highways Engagement and Commissioning

    Manager, SCC

    Petitions, Public Questions, Statements: None

     

    Key points from discussion:

    The local Divisional Member (Cllr Hall) was pleased to say that Leatherhead Residents’ Association voted three to one in favour at their meeting on 1 November 2021 which was very positive. Cllr Hall felt it was a very sensible move forward and there will be more things to do in the future.

     

    Members were supportive of the recommendations and asked about signage, the interaction between pedestrians and residents and enforcement of the Traffic Regulation Order.


    The Highways Engagement and Commissioning Manager confirmed the following;

     

    ·         The road is one way so we will look at improving signage being mindful that it is a conservation area so we wish to limit signs.

    ·         We will look at lowering the speed limit again but this will be a separate and additional Traffic Regulation Order.

    ·         The experimental Traffic Regulation Order had showed that including cyclists in the pedestrian zone had not led to any accidents.

    ·         Nothing has changed regarding previous enforcement of the Traffic Regulation Order.

     

    Resolved:

    The Local Committee (Mole Valley) :

    i) Noted the results of the consultation set out in section 2, Annex 2 and Annex 3.

     

    ii) Agreed that, based upon the results of the consultation, changes be made to the

    pedestrian zone as follows;

     

    a) That the hours of operation of the pedestrian zone be extended from Monday

    to Saturday 10am to 4:30pm to Monday to Sunday 10am to 4:30pm and that

    the parking restrictions within the pedestrian zone be extended, from 8am to

    6pm Monday to Saturday to 8am to 6pm Monday to Sunday

     

    b) permit cyclists to cycle within the pedestrian zone as long as the cyclist

    follows the existing one-way system in Church Street and High Street,

    Leatherhead.

     

    iii) Authorised the advertisement of a notice in accordance with the Road Traffic

    Regulation Act 1984, the effect of which will be to implement the proposed changes

    to the pedestrian zone, revoke any existing traffic orders necessary to implement the

    change, and, subject to no objections being upheld, that the order be made;

     

    iv) Authorised delegation of authority to the Area Highway Manager in consultation

    with the Chairman, Vice-Chairman of the Local Committee and the local divisional

    member to resolve any objections received in connection with the proposal.

     

    v) Agreed that funding from the “Stage 3 Road Safety Audits/Accessibility

    Improvements/Small safety and improvement schemes/signs and road markings”

    allocation within the Integrated Transport Schemes budget be used for the Traffic

    Regulation Order.

     

    Reasons for recommendations:

    To enable permanent changes to be made to the operation of the pedestrian zone

    within Church Street/High Street, Leatherhead.

38/21

PROVISION & FORMALISING OF BUS STOP CLEARWAYS IN WESTCOTT, LEATHERHEAD AND FETCHAM (EXECUTIVE FUNCTION FOR DECISION) pdf icon PDF 144 KB

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    Buses are unable to access bus stops in certain areas in Westcott, Leatherhead and Fetcham due to parked vehicles. To ensure good accessibility onto/off buses, and to ensure that the bus driver has good visibility of waiting passengers, it is recommended that where there are existing yellow bus stop cages lined on the road that these are formalised by providing clearway plates, or where there is no yellow bus stop cage then a bus stop clearway is installed.

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    RECOMMENDATIONS:

     

    The Local Committee (Mole Valley) agreed that:

     

    (i) in Dorking Hills division bus stop clearways are formalised at the following

    stops: a) at both Westcott House bus stops and b) at both Parsonage

    Lane bus stops, on Guildford Road, Westcott with bus stop clearways to

    operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week

     

    (ii) in Leatherhead and Fetcham East division bus stop clearways are

    formalised at the following stops: a) at both All Saints Church bus stops, b)

    at Park Rise bus stop (Stop N) on Kingston Road, Leatherhead, c) at

    North Street bus stop (Stop S) on North Street, Leatherhead, d) at

    Orchard Close bus stop, Cobham Road, Fetcham (towards Leatherhead)

    with bus stop clearways to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week

     

    (iii) in Leatherhead and Fetcham East division, bus stop clearways are

    introduced at the Bridge Street, Leatherhead bus stops (Stop P and Stop

    Q) with bus stop clearways of 23 metres in length, to operate 24 hours a

    day, seven days a week, and that affected frontages are informed of the

    proposals and given time to feedback before any implementation

     

    (iv) in Bookham and Fetcham West division a bus stop clearway is formalised

    at Orchard Close bus stop, Cobham Road, Fetcham (towards Bookham)

    with the bus stop clearway to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week

     

    (v) any objections from affected frontages will be addressed by delegated

    authority by the Strategic Transport Group Manager, in consultation with the relevant Surrey County Councillor and the Chair of the Mole Valley Local Committee.

     

    REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS:

     

    It is recommended that Mole Valley Local Committee agree to the formalising or

    installation of bus stop clearways operating for twenty-four hours a day, seven days

    a week. This is to ensure that buses servicing these bus stops can provide

    passengers with step-free access at all times and ensure that there is good visibility

    for the bus driver to see waiting passengers as well as aiding journey time reliability.

    These measures aim to support the use of public transport and to make the public

    transport offer more attractive by making it more accessible and reliable.

     

    Minutes:

    Declarations of Interest: None

    Officer attending: Alison Houghton, Senior Transport Officer, SCC

    Petitions, Public Questions, Statements: None

     

    Key points from discussion:

    The Senior Transport Officer said a new bus shelter has gone in in Fetcham and Cllr Hall confirmed he had had a gleeful text from the Residents’ Association yesterday saying it was going up.

     

    Members were supportive of the recommendations.

    District Councillor Paul Kennedy asked why similar provision was not being made for the new Falcon Buses 408 bus stops along the A246 through the Bookhams where parked cars make the bus stops unusable. The Senior Transport Officer advised part is Surrey is a big county so they have prioritised clearways where there are more passengers and issues have been identified by passengers and bus operators. If there are issues that any of the members know that their residents are having they can be addressed as and when possible. If lining and curbing are required there will be a funding issue. 

    Cllr Townsend said he was concerned about enforcement and whether Mole Valley Parking Team had a full complement of officers. Cllr Cooksey said that he guaranteed that this was being dealt with very urgently and hope to have the team up to full strength very shortly.

     

    District Councillor Caroline Salmon asked what will happen about local residents of affected frontages. The Senior Transport Officer confirmed that their concerns will be addressed but ultimately it is a fine line between parking and supporting the bus network. Any concerns from residents will be looked at with the local divisional member. District Councillor Caroline Salmon asked if it was possible to have signage which isn’t 24 hours where there is not a Sunday service. The Senior Transport Officer confirmed that they can look at this on a case by case basis.

     

     

    Resolved:

    The Local Committee (Mole Valley) agreed that:

     

    (i) in Dorking Hills division bus stop clearways are formalised at the following

    stops: a) at both Westcott House bus stops and b) at both Parsonage

    Lane bus stops, on Guildford Road, Westcott with bus stop clearways to

    operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week

     

    (ii) in Leatherhead and Fetcham East division bus stop clearways are

    formalised at the following stops: a) at both All Saints Church bus stops, b)

    at Park Rise bus stop (Stop N) on Kingston Road, Leatherhead, c) at

    North Street bus stop (Stop S) on North Street, Leatherhead, d) at

    Orchard Close bus stop, Cobham Road, Fetcham (towards Leatherhead)

    with bus stop clearways to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week

     

    (iii) in Leatherhead and Fetcham East division, bus stop clearways are

    introduced at the Bridge Street, Leatherhead bus stops (Stop P and Stop

    Q) with bus stop clearways of 23 metres in length, to operate 24 hours a

    day, seven days a week, and that affected frontages are informed of the

    proposals and given time to feedback before any implementation

     

    (iv) in Bookham and Fetcham West division a bus stop clearway is  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38/21

39/21

SPEED LIMIT CHANGES ON A24 HORSHAM ROAD, CAPEL (EXECUTIVE FUNCTION FOR DECISION) pdf icon PDF 244 KB

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    Following an investigation into a pattern of road collisions on A24 Horsham Road, Capel, it was noted that the existing 50mph speed limit for this road was inappropriate and an anomaly in comparison to the speed limit on adjoining roads. Using the assessment process described in Surrey County Council’s “Setting Local Speed Limits” policy, it is proposed that the existing 50mph speed limit is reduced to 40mph.

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    RECOMMENDATIONS

     

    The Local Committee (Mole Valley) agreed that, based on the evidence:

     

    i) That the speed limit be reduced from 50mph to 40mph on A24 Horsham Road,

    Capel between the existing 50mph speed limit north of the Clarks Green

    roundabout. New 40mph terminal signs will be installed to north of the West

    Sussex country boundary.

     

    ii) Authorised the advertisement of a notice in accordance with the Road Traffic

    Regulation Act 1984, the effect of which will be to implement the proposed speed

    limit changes, revoke any existing traffic orders necessary to implement the

    change, and, subject to no objections being upheld, that the order be made;

     

    iii) Authorised delegation of authority to the Highway Engagement & Commissioning

    Manager in consultation with the Chairman, Vice-Chairman of the Local

    Committee and the relevant local divisional member to resolve any objections

    received in connection with the proposal.

     

    iv) Noted that if the reductions in speed limit have not been successful, then further

    engineering measures or a return to the original higher speed limit may be

    necessary.

     

    REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS

     

    Reducing the speed limit on this roads will help to manage vehicle speeds to a level more appropriate to the use of road and will reduce the risk and severity of collisions. Lower speeds can also reduce air and noise pollution, and make it easier and more pleasant to walk, cycle and ride horses.

    Minutes:

    Declarations of Interest: None

    Officer attending: Zena Curry, Highways Engagement and Commissioning

    Manager, SCC

    Petitions, Public Questions, Statements: None

     

    Key points from discussion:

    The local Divisional Member (Cllr Clack) said she supported the recommendations. Local parish council, local councillors and herself had been campaigning for this for quite some time. They received a positive response from Surrey County Council in 2020 and really delighted to see this going in and supported by everybody. The Road Safety Engineer wanted to put on record his thanks to Cllr Clack for her hard work in passing on details of damage only collisions. Really positive to get a communication going with herself and local residents and he would encourage members to continue doing the same in their areas.


    Resolved:

    The Local Committee (Mole Valley) agreed that, based on the evidence:

     

    i) That the speed limit be reduced from 50mph to 40mph on A24 Horsham Road,

    Capel between the existing 50mph speed limit north of the Clarks Green

    roundabout. New 40mph terminal signs will be installed to north of the West

    Sussex country boundary.

     

    ii) Authorised the advertisement of a notice in accordance with the Road Traffic

    Regulation Act 1984, the effect of which will be to implement the proposed speed

    limit changes, revoke any existing traffic orders necessary to implement the

    change, and, subject to no objections being upheld, that the order be made;

     

    iii) Authorised delegation of authority to the Highway Engagement & Commissioning

    Manager in consultation with the Chairman, Vice-Chairman of the Local

    Committee and the relevant local divisional member to resolve any objections

    received in connection with the proposal.

     

    iv) Noted that if the reductions in speed limit have not been successful, then further

    engineering measures or a return to the original higher speed limit may be

    necessary.

     

    Reasons for recommendations:

    Reducing the speed limit on this roads will help to manage vehicle speeds to a level more appropriate to the use of road and will reduce the risk and severity of collisions. Lower speeds can also reduce air and noise pollution, and make it easier and more pleasant to walk, cycle and ride horses.

40/21

DECISIONS TRACKER (FOR INFORMATION) pdf icon PDF 337 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 Local Committee noted the decision tracker and agreed items marked as closed and complete could be removed.

41/21

FORWARD PLAN [FOR INFORMATION] pdf icon PDF 15 KB

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    The Local Committee (Mole Valley) will note the contents of the forward plan.

    Minutes:

    The Local Committee noted the forward plan of items expected to be received

    at future meetings.

     

    Cllr Townsend asked about the future of local and joint committees. The chairman (Cllr Hall) confirmed there is a date for the next meeting of the Mole Valley Local Committee on 9 March 2022 and there are no formal proposals for the future at the moment.

     

    District Councillor Caroline Salmon voiced her support of the local committee.

42/21

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

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    Minutes:

    Wednesday 09 March 2022.