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Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Virtual

Contact: Jess Lee, Partnership Committee Officer 

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23/20

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.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Nancy Goodacre; Cllr Caroline Salmon attended as her substitute; and Cllr Rosemary Dickson.

24/20

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING pdf icon PDF 315 KB

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

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    The minutes of the previous meeting on 17 June 2020 were agreed as a true record.

25/20

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

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Mrs Hazel Watson declared an interest in Item 5b as a Governor of Ashcombe School, whose pupils would benefit from a crossing on Chalkpit Lane.

26/20a

PUBLIC QUESTIONS pdf icon PDF 362 KB

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

     

    The full wording of the questions and officer responses will be provided within the supplementary agenda.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Declarations of Interest: None

     

    Officers attending: Zena Curry, Area Highways Manager (AHM), SCC and Duncan Knox, Road Safety and Active Travel Team Manager (RSATTM), SCC

     

    Petitions, Public Statements, Questions: The questions and officer responses were provided within the supplementary agenda. Seven written questions were received before the deadline.

     

    Question one was submitted by Cllr Caroline Salmon, who asked the following supplementary question;

     

    Do officers know what is causing the subsidence and do they feel leaving it until 2021 is safe?

     

    The AHM responded by saying the whole area of A24 had undergone a detailed investigation and would continue to have frequent highways safety inspections and be monitored until the time that it prioritised for work.

     

    Question two was submitted by Cllr James Friend, who did not attend the meeting but did ask that he be provided with an update when the meeting between officers had taken place. The AHM agreed this.

     

    Question three was submitted by John Arnold, Mole Valley Cycling Forum. Mr Arnold attended the meeting and asked the following supplementary question;

     

    Given that it is now nearly 2021, and there is no date for commencement of a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) for Mole Valley and only a vague statement that  “other areas of the county, including Mole Valley, will follow (Reigate & Banstead) in due course.”  Without a LWCIP, Mole Valley will not be eligible for any government funding for cycling and walking improvements. The Mole Valley Cycle Forum, and other stakeholders, have ‘oven ready’ proposals for a workshop and would appreciate a firm date to be identified when the first workshop can take place which would be a constructive contribution to the LWCIP process.

     

    The AHM thanked Mr Arnold for his question and noted a question about LCWIPs was recently asked at full council. It was noted that three LCWIPs had been diarised; Reigate & Banstead, Elmbridge and Runnymede. Approximately one every four months. The roll out of the LCWIPs was expensive and labour intensive and therefore it was not possible to roll them out in all areas at one time. Currently there was no further schedule for the remaining LCWIPs. But when a time for the Mole Valley LCWIP was known, it would be shared with the Mole Valley Cycling Forum. The AHM thanked Mr Arnold for his ‘oven ready’ proposals; adding it was always useful to know what the local community was looking for. She added however, these would not form part of the LCWIP process. 

     

    Question four was submitted by Rosemary Hobbs. Mrs Hobbs attended the meeting and asked the following supplementary question;

     

    How should residents inform Surrey County Council and Surrey Police when they have concerns about excessive noise and speed?

     

    The RSATTM advised Mrs Hobbs that the SCC website contained a report it function. It was suggested this would be the best way to inform the County Council over ongoing issues of speeding. It was suggested a specific incident would be best reported to Surrey Police. He noted however, that providing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26/20a

26/20b

MEMBER QUESTIONS pdf icon PDF 412 KB

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

     

    The full wording of the questions and officer responses will be provided within the supplementary agenda.

     

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Declarations of Interest: None

     

    Officers attending: Zena Curry, Area Highways Manager (AHM), SCC

     

    Petitions, Public Statements, Questions: The questions and officer responses were provided within the supplementary agenda. One written question was received before the deadline.

     

    Question one was received from Mrs Hazel Watson. Mrs Watson thanked officers for the response and added it was a shame the whole road wasn’t resurfaced when sections of it were done in 2019. As it was likely this would have been more cost-effective.

27/20

PETITIONS

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    To receive any petitions in accordance with Standing Order 65 or letters of representation in accordance with the Local Protocol. An officer response will be provided to each petition / letter of representation.

     

     

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Two petitions were received before the deadline. The full wording of these petitions and officer responses were provided within the supplementary agenda.

     

28/20

PETITION TO: IMPROVE THE SAFETY ON THE NEWDIGATE ROAD FOR OUR SCHOOL AND CHILDREN pdf icon PDF 257 KB

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    The full wording of the petition and officer response will be provided within the supplementary agenda.

     

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Declarations of Interest: None

     

    Officers attending: Zena Curry, Area Highways Manager (AHM), SCC and Duncan Knox, Road Safety and Active Travel Team Manager (RSATTM), SCC

     

    Petitions, Public Statements, Questions: Mr James Baguley, Head teacher of The Weald CofE Primary School attended the meeting and addressed the Local Committee with his concerns.

     

    He stated the problem was mostly an issue at the end of a school day. The Newdigate Road was narrow in nature and parents often parked in a dangerous manner when congregating. He added there was a lack of signage along the road and suggested that adding signs to make motorists aware of the road’s speed limit, could help.

     

    Key points from discussion:

     

    ·         The divisional member noted a site visit with officers had recently taken place, as noted in the response. And also that as the neighbouring pub had recently put in a planning application to turn in to housing, it was unlikely they would be able to help by offering the use of their car park for parents.

    ·         It was suggested the school could launch an internal campaign and plea to parents to change their behaviour and improve their parking to improve the safety of the road.

    ·         The RSATTM noted that SCC would be rolling out pedestrian training for primary school children, when safe to do so following the COVID-19 pandemic.

     

    Therefore, the Local Committee noted:

     

    1.    Several site visits were carried out by officers from SCC’s Road Safety Team, SCC’s Active Travel Team, SCC’s South East Area Highways Team and Surrey Police. These visits were carried out both during the morning school drop off and afternoon school pick up.

    2.    The recommendation within the Road Safety Outside Schools report regarding an additional parking restriction and that this would be further investigated by the parking team.

    3.    The Safer Travel Team would work with the school to introduce the recommended additional road safety education activities and school travel plan and assist with the negotiation of using the pubs car park as a park and stride location.

29/20

PETITION TO: INSTALL A SAFE, CONTROLLED PEDESTRIAN CROSSING AT CHALKPIT LANE, DORKING pdf icon PDF 262 KB

    The full wording of the petition and officer response will be provided within the supplementary agenda.

     

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    Declarations of Interest: Mrs Hazel Watson declared an interest as a Governor of Ashcombe School, whose pupils would benefit from a crossing on Chalkpit Lane.

     

    Officers attending: Zena Curry, Area Highways Manager (AHM), SCC

     

    Petitions, Public Statements, Questions: Aimee Fairhurst and Kathy Kyle attended the meeting to address the Local Committee with details of their petition. The PowerPoint presented to the Local Committee is attached as Annex A to these minutes.

     

    Key points from the discussion:

     

    ·         Members thanked the petitioners for their excellent presentation and undisputable case for why a crossing was needed on Chalkpit Lane.

    ·         It was suggested that if Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) did not have enough Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding for the scheme that SCC should pursue Strategic CIL from the District Council instead, because the scheme was both wanted and needed by the immediate and wider communities.

    ·         It was noted that CIL funding could not be used to fund feasibility studies. And such a study would be required at this location. It was confirmed that finding a source of funding for a feasibility study was the greatest challenge.

    ·         The AHM explained that even when funding for feasibility had been found and the study completed, it didn’t always result in the desired scheme being taken forward, as this wasn’t always found to be the most suitable.

    ·         Members noted the issues of funding were complex and acknowledged the AHM, along with other officers would continue to work on finding suitable sources of funding for this scheme.

    Therefore, the Local Committee noted:

     i.       The continued requests for a controlled pedestrian crossing to be installed on Chalkpit Lane, Dorking.

    ii.       The factors that have an impact on the opportunity to provide a controlled pedestrian crossing point which would be safe to use.

    iii.       That officers will continue to look for other sources of funding to construct a controlled crossing point in Chalkpit Lane that would be safe for pedestrians to use.

     

     

     

     

     

     

30/20

HIGHWAYS FORWARD PROGRAMME 2021-22 AND 2022-23 [EXECUTIVE FUNCTION - FOR DECISION] pdf icon PDF 242 KB

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    This report seeks approval of a programme of highway works for Mole Valley funded from the Local Committee’s delegated capital and revenue budgets.

     

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    The Local Committee (Mole Valley):

     

    General

     

     i.       Noted that the Local Committee’s devolved highways budget for capital works in 2021/22, subject to approval by full Council in February 2021, was £240,400.

    ii.       Agreed that the devolved capital budget for highway works be used to progress both capital improvement schemes and capital maintenance schemes.

    iii.       Noted that should there be any changes to the programme of highway works as set out in this report, a report will be taken to a future meeting of Mole Valley Local Committee to inform members of the changes.

     

    Capital Improvement Schemes (ITS)

     

    iv.       Agreed that the capital improvement schemes allocation for Mole Valley be used to progress the Integrated Transport Schemes programme set out in Annex 1;

    v.       Authorised that the Area Highway Manager, in consultation with the Local Committee Chairman and Vice-Chairman, be able to vire money between the schemes agreed in Annex 1, if required;

    vi.       Agreed that the remaining £24,000 from the £100,000 possible Capital Improvement Schemes (ITS) budget be split equally between members (£4,000 per member) to be used towards the funding of an ITS scheme, part match funding of a CIL funded scheme or as an additional contribution towards the Member’s capital maintenance scheme (eg.LSR)

    vii.       Agree that the Local Committee  Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Area Team Manager, together with the local divisional Member are able to progress any scheme from the Integrated Transport Schemes programme, including consultation and statutory advertisement that may be required under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, for completion of those schemes. Where it is agreed that a scheme will not be progressed, this will be reported back to the next formal meeting of the Local Committee for approval.

     

    Capital Maintenance Schemes (LSR)

     

    viii.       Agreed that the capital maintenance schemes allocation for Mole Valley be divided equitably between County Councillors to carry out capital maintenance works in their divisions, and that the schemes to be progressed be agreed by divisional members in consultation with the Area Maintenance Engineer.

     

    Revenue Maintenance

     

    ix.       Noted that members will continue to receive a Member Local Highways Fund allocation of £7,500 per county member to address highway issues in their division; and

    x.       Agreed that the Member Local Highways Fund be managed by the Area Maintenance Engineer on behalf of and in consultation with members.

     

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    The above decisions were made in order to agree a forward programme of highways works in Mole Valley for 2021/22 – 2022/23, funded from the Local Committee’s devolved budget.

    Minutes:

    Declarations of Interest: None

     

    Officers attending: Zena Curry, Area Highways Manager (AHM), SCC

     

    Petitions, Public Statements, Questions: None

     

    The AHM introduced the report drawing members attentions to the figures in the table on page 11 and annex 1 of the proposed schemes to carry out in 2021-22 and 2022-23.

     

    Resolution:

     

    The Local Committee (Mole Valley):

     

    General

     

     i.       Noted that the Local Committee’s devolved highways budget for capital works in 2021/22, subject to approval by full Council in February 2021, was £240,400.

    ii.       Agreed that the devolved capital budget for highway works be used to progress both capital improvement schemes and capital maintenance schemes.

    iii.       Noted that should there be any changes to the programme of highway works as set out in this report, a report will be taken to a future meeting of Mole Valley Local Committee to inform members of the changes.

     

    Capital Improvement Schemes (ITS)

     

    iv.       Agreed that the capital improvement schemes allocation for Mole Valley be used to progress the Integrated Transport Schemes programme set out in Annex 1;

    v.       Authorised that the Area Highway Manager, in consultation with the Local Committee Chairman and Vice-Chairman, be able to vire money between the schemes agreed in Annex 1, if required;

    vi.       Agreed that the remaining £24,000 from the £100,000 possible Capital Improvement Schemes (ITS) budget be split equally between members (£4,000 per member) to be used towards the funding of an ITS scheme, part match funding of a CIL funded scheme or as an additional contribution towards the Member’s capital maintenance scheme (eg.LSR)

    vii.       Agree that the Local Committee  Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Area Team Manager, together with the local divisional Member are able to progress any scheme from the Integrated Transport Schemes programme, including consultation and statutory advertisement that may be required under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, for completion of those schemes. Where it is agreed that a scheme will not be progressed, this will be reported back to the next formal meeting of the Local Committee for approval.

     

    Capital Maintenance Schemes (LSR)

     

    viii.       Agreed that the capital maintenance schemes allocation for Mole Valley be divided equitably between County Councillors to carry out capital maintenance works in their divisions, and that the schemes to be progressed be agreed by divisional members in consultation with the Area Maintenance Engineer.

     

    Revenue Maintenance

     

    ix.       Noted that members will continue to receive a Member Local Highways Fund allocation of £7,500 per county member to address highway issues in their division; and

    x.       Agreed that the Member Local Highways Fund be managed by the Area Maintenance Engineer on behalf of and in consultation with members.

     

    Reasons for Decisions:

     

    The above decisions were made in order to agree a forward programme of highways works in Mole Valley for 2021/22 – 2022/23, funded from the Local Committee’s devolved budget.

31/20

SPEED LIMIT ASSESSMENTS [EXECUTIVE FUNCTION - FOR DECISION] pdf icon PDF 1 MB

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    The A29 Ockley Road/Beare Green Road/Stane Street, Ockley, and the A243 Kingston Road, Leatherhead have suffered a history of road collisions including several resulting in serious injury and some resulting in death. It is proposed that the existing speed limits on these roads (consisting of either 60mph or 50mph) are reduced to 40mph. This will help to reduce traffic speeds which will reduce the risk and severity of collisions and will improve the consistency in the speed limits on these routes.

     

    The A217 Reigate Road to the north of Hookwood has a 50mph limit between the existing 40 mph speed limit on the northbound approach to the Westvale Park roundabout and the existing 40mph speed limit in Hookwood. It is proposed that the existing speed limit of 50mph is reduced to 40mph in order to reduce the risk and severity of collisions and to improve the consistency in the speed limits on this route. This would be undertaken as part of the A217 Department for Transport Safer Roads Fund project to improve the safety along the whole A217 route between Reigate and Horley.

     

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    The Local Committee (Mole Valley):

     

     i.       Noted the results of the speed limit assessments undertaken;

    ii.       Agreed that, based upon the evidence, the speed limit be reduced to 40mph (from 60 mph or 50mph) in the section of the A29 Ockley Road/Beare Green Road and Stane Street, Ockley, for the length which extends from a point 60 metres south-west of the junction with the Beare Green Roundabout south-westwards to a point 260 metres north-east of the junction with Coles Lane.

    iii.       Agreed that, based upon the evidence, the speed limit be reduced to 40mph (from 60mph) in the section of the A243 Kingston Road Leatherhead for the length which extends from a point 200 metres north of its junction with the Junction 9 Roundabout to a point 80 metres south of its junction with Epsom Gap.

    iv.       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 described above, revoke any existing traffic orders necessary to implement the change, and, subject to no objections being upheld, that the order be made;

    v.       Noted that a speed limit order has already been advertised in accordance with the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, the effect of which will be to implement a change in speed limit from 50 mph to 40 mph on the A217 Reigate Road for the length of road which is currently 50 mph between the Westvale Park roundabout and the junction with Horse Hill, and to revoke any existing traffic orders necessary to implement the change. Note that part of the speed limit change proposal on the A217 described above falls within Reigate and Banstead. The Reigate & Banstead local committee have previously authorised the advertisement of this order.

    vi.       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 proposals described above.

     

    Reason for Decisions:

     

    The above decision were made because a reduced speed limit would help to reduce traffic speeds and therefore reduce risk and severity of collisions on the A29 Ockley Road/Beare Green Road and Stane Street, Ockley and the A243 Kingston Road, Leatherhead where there has been a history of collisions including death and serious injury.

     

    A reduced speed limit on the A217 Reigate Road, Hookwood would also reduce the

    risk and severity of collisions and would improve the consistency in the speed limits

    on this road.

    Minutes:

    Declarations of Interest: None

     

    Officers attending: Duncan Knox, Road Safety and Active Travel Team Manager (RSATTM), SCC

     

    Petitions, Public Statements, Questions: None

     

    The RSATTM introduced the report noting that the Road Safety Working Group had  identified a history of collisions on A29 and A243 that they believed could be addressed by a reduction in speed limit. Having conducted speed limit assessments, officers noted that average speeds were close enough to 40mph that it was felt reducing the speed limit on these roads could make a difference on its own. 

     

    The RSATTM noted the proposal in relation to A217 was to convert a 50mph stretch - sandwiched between two 40mph stretches - to 40mph. This would then result in one continuous 40mph stretch.

    The officer further added that he had already proceeded to advertise this, for which he apologised, acknowledging that he should have sought permission from this Local Committee to advertise, before doing so. He stated that when the results from the consultation were in, he would present these to the Mole Valley Local Committee to see if the committee wished to proceed. He concluded he had previously taken this proposal to the Reigate & Banstead Local Committee for decision. For which they had already agreed to its advertisement.

     

    Key points from the discussion:

     

    ·         Members thanked the RSATTM for his report and welcomed the suggested proposals to reduce the speed limits. It was felt residents would likely be very supportive of these proposals also.

     

    ·         In relation to the A29 speed limit reduction, it was requested a 20mph advisory sign on a sharp bend be kept in place as it encouraged motorists to slow down accordingly.

     

    Resolution:

     

    The Local Committee (Mole Valley):

     

     i.       Noted the results of the speed limit assessments undertaken;

    ii.       Agreed that, based upon the evidence, the speed limit be reduced to 40mph (from 60 mph or 50mph) in the section of the A29 Ockley Road/Beare Green Road and Stane Street, Ockley, for the length which extends from a point 60 metres south-west of the junction with the Beare Green Roundabout south-westwards to a point 260 metres north-east of the junction with Coles Lane.

    iii.       Agreed that, based upon the evidence, the speed limit be reduced to 40mph (from 60mph) in the section of the A243 Kingston Road Leatherhead for the length which extends from a point 200 metres north of its junction with the Junction 9 Roundabout to a point 80 metres south of its junction with Epsom Gap.

    iv.       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 described above, revoke any existing traffic orders necessary to implement the change, and, subject to no objections being upheld, that the order be made;

    v.       Noted that a speed limit order has already been advertised in accordance with the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, the effect of which will be to implement a change in speed limit  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31/20

32/20

DECISION TRACKER [FOR INFORMATION] pdf icon PDF 348 KB

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    The tracker monitors the progress of decisions and recommendations that the local committee has agreed.

     

    The local committee is asked to note the progress made and agree to remove from the tracker any items marked ‘complete’.

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    The Local Committee noted the decision tracker and agreed items marked as closed and complete could be removed.

     

    A question was asked about the timeline for implementation of schemes agreed from the 2019 parking review. It was thought this would likely be in early 2021.

33/20

FORWARD PLAN [FOR INFORMATION] pdf icon PDF 13 KB

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

    Additional documents:

    Minutes:

    The Local Committee noted the forward plan of items expected to be received at future meetings.