Agenda, decisions and minutes
PDF 992 KBVenue: Waverley Borough Council Chamber, The Burys, Godalming GU7 1HR
Contact: Yvette Ortel, Partnership Committee Officer Waverley Borough Council offices, The Burys, Godalming, Surrey GU7 1HR
Link: Click here for the webcast
| No. | Item |
|---|---|
|
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
To receive any apologies for absence. Minutes: Apologies were received from Mrs Nikki Barton, Cllr Mark Merryweather and Cllr George Wilson.
|
|
|
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
To approve the minutes of the previous meeting on 27th September 2019 as a correct record. Minutes: Minutes of the Waverley Local Committee on 27 September 2019 were agreed and approved as an accurate record.
|
|
|
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
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.
|
|
|
CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
To receive any Chairman’s announcements.
Agenda item only
Minutes: There were no Chairman’s announcements. |
|
|
PETITIONS & PETITION RESPONSES
To receive any petitions in accordance with Standing Order 68. Notice must be given in writing or by email 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.
A petition has been received from Beth Pinkerton-Smith which contains 28 signatures and reads:
“This petition is to gain support from the residents living on and around PORTSMOUTH ROAD (between Milford and Godalming) to present before the Waverley Local Committee, with the request to assess and introduce traffic calming measures to reduce the speed and improve the safety of the road.”
Petition response report attached. Decision: The Local Committee (Waverley) resolved to AGREE to:
Note the officer response and the suggestion for the introduction of a Vehicle Activated Sign, to be funded from the Divisional member Mr Peter Martin’s committee allocation for 2020/21. Minutes: Declarations of Interest: None.
Officer in attendance: Frank Apicella, Area Highway Manager (South West).
Petitions, Public Questions/Statements: One petition.
A petition was received from Beth Pinkerton-Smith which contained 28 signatures and read:
“This petition is to gain support from the residents living on and around PORTSMOUTH ROAD (between Milford and Godalming) to present before the Waverley Local Committee, with the request to assess and introduce traffic calming measures to reduce the speed and improve the safety of the road.”
The petitioner spoke for the allotted three minutes and included the following points:
· This morning at 7.25am while opening her car door, the number 71 bus, on its way to Milford, did considerable damage to the petitioner’s open car door on the Portsmouth Road, but failed to stop. The petitioner said that this highlights the daily dangers residents face. · Portsmouth Road is a very dangerous road, particularly from Flat 1A up to Primrose Ridge. This is a residential stretch of road, where over half of cars and motorbikes exceed the 30mph speed limit. Drivers seem unaware of the speed limit. The petitioner has reported dangerous incidents over the past few years, but the issue has not been resolved. · Another resident helped to gain nearly 200 signatures of support and there was an overwhelming response from her community. Another resident in Croft Road, which is parallel to Portsmouth Road, has just started a petition as Croft Road residents find it dangerous to pull out onto Portsmouth Road. · Portsmouth Road is an integral route for Godalming and its economy. Two big developments are going to be built nearby and more people will use the Portsmouth Road. A speeding road and narrow pavement does not encourage people to walk to use the local facilities.
The petition response report was presented by the Area Highway Manager.
Member discussion – key points: Members acknowledged that the issue of high volume traffic is a problem on the Portsmouth Road and also on most of the roads in and out of Godalming. There was a request for a general 20 mph discussion for some Waverley roads at a future local committee meeting, as indicated in the minutes of the meeting on 27 September 2019.
The Area Highway Officer stated that 30 mph signs do not need to be placed where there are street lights, as written in the Highway Code. The issue of speeding is a police enforcement matter. The Portsmouth Road could be made a priority for consideration of further action, if Committee members decide to add it to the Committee’s priority list.
SCC Members asked if they could move divisional Highways monies between members to help fund a vehicle activated sign (VAS). The Chairman supported this and Mr Martin, who’s division the Portsmouth Road is in, will discuss it with the Area Highway Manager.
The Local Committee (Waverley) resolved to AGREE to:
Note the officer response and the suggestion for the introduction of a Vehicle Activated Sign, to be funded from the Divisional ... view the full minutes text for item 46/19 |
|
|
WRITTEN PUBLIC QUESTIONS
To answer any questions from residents or businesses within the Waverley Borough area in accordance with Standing Order 69. Notice should be given in writing or by email to the Partnership Committee Officer by 12 noon four working days before the meeting.
Minutes: Two Written Public Questions were received from: 1) Waverley Borough Councillors for Bramley, Busbridge and Hascome, Richard Seaborne and Martin D’Arcy;
2) Witley Parish Council.
The questions and answers were published on the SCC Waverley Local Committee web pages before the 13 December Local Committee and were available at the meeting. The following supplementary questions were asked:
Question 1 – Supplementary Question – Cllr Seaborne “Cllr D’Arcy and I welcome the thorough response. The officer section addresses the symptoms by neatly describing that traffic on the A281 in our area is disrupted for emergency repairs by either Thames Water or SGN approximately once every six weeks. And your response shows a will to try and start work on a solution. We have a supplementary question to add to what has been covered, based on the relative ease with which some useful data to categorise the scale of the problem has been supplied. Can we ask that before Thames Water and SGN appear before this committee, should they choose to accept your invitation, officers provide us, and members of the Committee, with the following additional background data: Thank you for the opportunity to bring this significant issue to your committee.”
Response to supplementary question:
The Chairman said that the committee officer will seek an answer and contact Cllr Seaborne after the meeting.
Question 2 – Supplementary Question – Witley Parish Council “We understand that preventing traffic collisions gives the highest weighting for schemes, but we are surprised that none of the other categories mentioned in the integrated transport scheme assessment list give this scheme a positive score. Particularly under “Accessibility” (which includes promoting public transport, encouraging walking and encouraging cycling). This is the route to Milford station and currently pedestrians and cyclists are unable / too frightened to use it in wet weather. Witley Parish Council would therefore respectfully ask for this assessment to be completed again.
SCC Officers advised that this site forms part of the wetspot programme and we note that it scored a medium score of 107. Witley Parish Council would like to request an explanation of how this score was calculated please.
We note that the structures team have recommended preliminary work on drainage around the bridge. Would you expect this to be scheduled for completion under the maintenance budget as soon as the ground dries out or will we have ... view the full minutes text for item 47/19 |
|
|
WRITTEN MEMBER QUESTIONS
To receive any written questions from Members under Standing Order 47. The deadline for members’ questions is 12 noon four working days before the meeting. Notice should be given by email to the Partnership Committee Officer.
Minutes: Two Written Member Questions were received from Cllr Carole Cockburn and Cllr Jerry Hyman.
The questions and answers were published on the SCC Waverley Local Committee web pages before the 13 December Local Committee and were available at the meeting.
Question 1 – Supplementary Question Cllr Cockburn asked: “I chaired a group who produced the Farnham Design Statement and Neighbourhood Plan, so I understand the issues. Has Farnham Town Council been invited to a specific meeting on Hickleys Corner? Who attended the meeting mentioned in the Written Answer?”
Response to supplementary question:
Mr Andy MacLeod replied that he was unable to attend the meeting but he believed it was attended by the Leader of the Town Council and the Farnham Town Clerk. The meeting was more about the Farnham Strategic Plan but he welcomes a possible Hickleys Corner Scheme revival which would require extensive public consultation.
Question 2 – Supplementary Question Cllr Hyman asked: “I have been asking for 15 years for Farnham Town Centre modelling. SCC officers and Waverley BC officers say that the modelling has been done, but I don’t believe this. Assessment of impact is required by law. How do we move forward?”
Response to supplementary question:
The Area Highway Officer replied: “Many issues are related to planning, which this Committee cannot comment on.”
|
|
To receive a report from the SCC Senior Countryside Access Officer, which seeks a decision to approve making a Cycle Tracks Order to convert Public Footpath No. 19 (Town Path No. T11102) Haslemere into a cycle track.
Additional documents: Minutes: Declarations of Interest: Mr Stephen Spence declared that he is a member of the Ramblers Association.
Officer in attendance: Debbie Jones, SCC Senior Countryside Access Officer.
Petitions, Public Questions/Statements: None. The Chairman reminded those present that there can be no public questions or petitions on the rights of way matters under discussion and that no new evidence can be presented at this stage.
No one registered to speak against the proposal in advance of the meeting.
Mr Alistair Bayliss registered to speak in support of the proposal and he spoke for the allotted three minutes which included the following points:
· Along with friends who were all frustrated at not being able to cycle in Haslemere town centre, Mr Bayliss issued a flyer which resulted in around 100 people of all ages cycling the one and a half miles in Haslemere town as a group, without oppressive road noise. · Mr Bayliss does not think that the introduction of cycle path No. 19 will deliver this type of cycling activity permanently, but he feels there has to be a start somewhere if cycling is to increase. · Investment in infrastructure is required. He believes that the proposed changes will make it safer for all and that this small change is symbolic and represents the future of the town. Support for this would be energizing. The public want to cycle.
Member discussion – key points: The Chairman read a statement from Mrs Nikki Barton, the divisional member for Haslemere, as she was unable to attend the meeting:
“The proposed Cycle Tracks Order on a section of Footpath 19 is an initiative that has support from Haslemere Town Council, Haslemere Vision, Haslemere Community Rail Partnership (in partnership with the Surrey Hills and Cycling UK) and Transition Haslemere. It is identified as one of the “opportunities” in the submission draft Neighbourhood Plan. There is a growing community desire to improve the conditions for cycling in Haslemere and this is borne out in some specific ways: 1. Haslemere Vision, the town’s neighbourhood plan steering group (www.haslemerevision.org.uk), carried out an extensive public consultation in 2016 that identified very strong public support for better walking and cycling provision in the town. The public opinion was strongly in favour of improvements being introduced to encourage more “active travel” to access Haslemere train station. 2. Haslemere Community Rail Partnership commissioned a Station Travel Plan in 2016 that also identified a public desire for safer routes to and from the station in order to reduce the dependency on the private car. 3. Transition Haslemere partnered with a local cycling group in the summer of this year to organise several mass bike rides, involving a wide cross-section of cyclists, including families with younger children; associated press releases called for improvements to Haslemere’s cycling infrastructure. 4. Haslemere Town Council has recently declared a Climate Change Emergency and one of its stated aims is to promote more sustainable transport modes.
Cycling in Haslemere is extremely challenging for all but the experienced, confident ... view the full minutes text for item 49/19 |
|
|
WAVERLEY ON-STREET PARKING ENFORCEMENT UPDATE 2018-19 (EXECUTIVE FUNCTION)
To receive a report from Surrey Highways Parking Strategy and Implementation Team. The report provides an overview and update of the on-street parking enforcement operation in Waverley Borough for the financial year 2018/19, including financial accounts for this period.
Additional documents: Decision: The Local Committee (Waverley) resolved to AGREE to:
i) Continue to support the enforcement of waiting and parking bay restrictions in the borough. ii) Make permanent the School Watch initiative, in part using the additional enforcement resources now available, which were agreed by the Committee at its September 2018 meeting. Minutes: Declarations of Interest: None.
Officer in attendance: David Curl, SCC Parking Team Manager. Andy Harkin, Guildford Borough Council Parking Manager.
Petitions, Public Questions/Statements: None.
Member discussion – key points:
The officers confirmed that there are now four on-street enforcement officers in Waverley and visits to rural areas can be made more regularly. Members felt that although they recognised that the parking team does not offer an emergency service, some parking issues in villages were not being dealt with. The officer said he would take that feedback to his team. If the Local Committee felt that they wanted to recruit another enforcement officer, they could take that decision, but would have to consider the costs.
The introduction of online applications for parking permits means that residents no longer have to visit Guildford Borough Council or the Farnham Locality office to make an application.
If Members wish to view data on the location of penalty notices issued, the Chairman said they should contact her for the information.
There was Member support for the ‘school watch’ initiative as parking outside schools is an issue.
There was a query regarding figures in a table on page 39 (Annex 4 PCN summary – lines 02, 27 and 48) and the officer said he would seek clarification on figures for Members.
A Member said that the purpose of on-street charges was not to run a business but to keep the roads safe; it was co-incidental that there happens to be a profit.
Members asked for it to be recorded in the minutes regarding how to report an enforcement issue: email: parking@guildford.gov.uk Tel: 01483 444544
The Local Committee (Waverley) resolved to AGREE to:
i) Continue to support the enforcement of waiting and parking bay restrictions in the borough. ii) Make permanent the School Watch initiative, in part using the additional enforcement resources now available, which were agreed by the Committee at its September 2018 meeting. |
|
|
HIGHWAYS UPDATE (EXECUTIVE FUNCTION)
To receive an update from the Area Highway Manager (South West).
Additional documents: Minutes: Declarations of Interest: None.
Officer in attendance: Frank Apicella, Area Highway Manager (South West).
Petitions, Public Questions/Statements: None.
Member discussion – key points:
The ‘unallocated’ figure of £41,049 in Annex 2 at the bottom of page 51 was queried. The Area Highway Officer said that the figure was a mistake and he would re-circulate the correct figures.
There was a discussion regarding grit bins in an area of Farnham which will be taken outside of the meeting.
The Local Committee (Waverley) resolved to AGREE:
(i) To note the committee approved allocations and works being progressed during 2019/20.
|
|
|
LOCAL COMMITTEE DECISION TRACKER (FOR INFORMATION)
To review any outstanding Local Committee decisions.
Minutes: Declarations of Interest: None
Officer in attendance: Yvette Ortel, Partnership Committee Officer
Petitions, Public Questions/Statements: None.
The Local Committee (Waverley) resolved to AGREE that:
Decision tracker items shall remain ‘open’.
|
|
|
LOCAL COMMITTEE FORWARD PROGRAMME 2019-20
To note the proposed forward programme and consider any additional items for future discussion. Minutes: Declarations of Interest: None
Officer in attendance: Yvette Ortel, Partnership Committee Officer
Petitions, Public Questions/Statements: None.
The forward programme was agreed.
The following items were suggested for an Informal meeting:
· SGN and Thames Water to be invited to discuss their works in Waverley and in particular their plans for the A281, regarding closures.
· SCC Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families, Mary Lewis, to be invited to the 31 January 2020 Informal, to discuss the new family centre model and the implications for Waverley Borough Council. Waverley Borough Members will also be invited.
The Chairman confirmed that other items on the Informal forward plan include:
· Waverley Economic Strategy - to explore opportunities for joint working with Waverley Borough Council.
· Background information for Members regarding Local Committee / Joint Committee / Partnership Board.
Members discussed Farnham Highway issues which could be included in the forward programme, such as lorries and HGV sat navs. The Chairman said she would arrange a separate private meeting for Farnham Local Committee members. |
|
|
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
To be held on Friday 13th March 2020 at 10am in Waverley Council Chamber, The Burys, Godalming GU7 1HR.
(10am – 10.30am: Open Forum / Informal Public Question Time)
Minutes: To be held on Friday 13th March 2020 at 10am in the Waverley Borough Council Chamber, The Burys, Godalming GU7 1HR.
(10am – 10.30am: Open Public Questions Forum)
|