Agenda, decisions and minutes
PDF 559 KBVenue: Bourne Hall, Spring Street, Ewell, KT17 1UF
Contact: Nicola Morris, Community Partnership & Committee Officer Surrey County Council, Community Partnership Team, Epsom Town Hall (2nd floor), Epsom, KT18 5BY
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND SUBSTITUTIONS
To receive any apologies for absence and notices of substitutions from Borough members under Standing Order 39. Minutes: No apologies were received. |
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CHAIRMAN'S BUSINESS
The Chairman will update the Committee on any current issues. Minutes: Noted that for training purposes the Local Committee Chairmen would be filmed during the parts of the Committee where they interact with the public. Chairmen will also be attending meetings of other Local Committees to view how they are conducted.
The Committee values feedback on its meetings and people in attendance were invited to leave feedback on the forms provided or to speak with one of the officers.
A powerpoint presentation was trialled at the meeting which displayed the item under consideration and the recommendation if appropriate.
Copies of the Get funded leaflet which signposts members of the public and community groups to potential sources of funding were circulated to members for distribution locally.
The Chairman reported that he had met recently with the area education manager to discuss local education matters.
Noted, that Clive Smitheram and Tella Wormington (substitute) had agreed to become Family, Friends and Community Support Champions for the Local Committee.
Following the July informal meeting of the Committee the Chairman had agreed to write to the Cabinet Member for highways in regard to the use of Section 59 of the Highways Act which enables councils to recover the cost of damage to the highway caused by excessive weight or extraordinary traffic along the highway during development. He had replied indicating that this is being trialled at some larger developments in Surrey but not currently in Epsom & Ewell.
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WRITTEN PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND STATEMENTS
To answer any questions or receive a statement from any member of the public who lives, works or studies in the Surrey County Council area in accordance with Standing Order 69. Notice should be given in writing or by e-mail to the Community Partnership & Committee Officer at least by noon four working days before the meeting. Decision: That the Local Committee [Epsom & Ewell] agreed
To put the second phase of the work taking place at the Grosvenor Road/Langley Vale Road Junction on hold, whilst the Committee assess the effectiveness of the first phase of the work. A further report to be brought to the Committee on 29 February 2016.
Reasons: To address residents concerns over how the change in the junction will affect safety and traffic movements. Minutes: Four questions were received, the questions and answers are set out in Annexe A.
Question 1: Mr Olney asked what could be done to prioritise residents parking over that of shoppers and commuters. The Parking Engineer responded that the only way this could be achieved is by a Residents Parking Zone.
Question 2: Mr Olney reported that there have been issues in the area with “boy racers” and asked why only human fatalities are recorded. The Area Highways Team Manager responded that with limited resources available, traffic calming schemes across the County have to be ranked and areas where fatalities or personal injuries have been recorded are prioritised.
Question 3: Mr Olney reported that it appeared that the volume of traffic on the Dorking Road has increased making it more difficult for residents of the Wells Estate to turn right. The Area Highways Team Manager responded that any scheme to install traffic lights would require the acquisition of common land and would cost between £100,000 and £200,000. The Local Committee would be unable to afford this without a contribution from a development in the area. It would also lead to an increase in congestion on the Dorking Road.
Question 4: Teresa Cass asked what assessment and observation had taken place at the junction before the work was scheduled as she didn’t feel this had been addressed in the response. The Area Highways Team Manager responded that the local highways team have a number of years of experience of working in the Borough and a good knowledge of the area. Three site visits took place before the work was scheduled: one with the local team; one with the local team and the design team and one for a safety audit of the proposals. Each of these lasted around an hour. Teresa Cass expressed her disappointment that residents had not been consulted and that the County Councillor had not been supplied with the full plans of the scheme. She requested that in future both the county councillor and the relevant Borough members be sent the full plans in future before work begins. The Area Highways Team Manager apologised that in this case the county councillor had not been sent the plans, although she was aware of the work, and indicated that this would be the normal procedure. The work being carried out is a small scheme which the team thought would be beneficial to the area and had been surprised by the local reaction.
The Chairman proposed that as the first part of the work is almost complete, and as the Committee couldn’t agree to reverse this without further information, it should be completed and its impact assessed and a report be brought to the 29 February meeting of the Committee. The work to the other side of the road will be put on hold until this assessment has been completed. In addition the Area Highways Team Manager was asked to bring a report to the 7 December meeting detailing the history ... view the full minutes text for item 30/15 |
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ADJOURNMENT
For the Committee to consider adjourning for up to half an hour to receive questions from members of the public. Minutes: 12 members of the public were present. 2 informal questions were asked and answers were provided at the meeting. |
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PETITIONS
To receive any petitions in accordance with Standing Order 68. Decision: That the Local Committee [Epsom & Ewell] agreed
That, officers be asked to carry out further investigations to determine whether a residents’ parking zone in Church Street, Ewell would be feasible and to bring recommendations as part of the current parking review if appropriate.
Reasons: To respond to the petition from local residents. Minutes: One petition was received, the petition and answer is set out in Annex B.
Declarations of Interest: None
Officers attending: Stephen Clavey, Senior Parking Engineer
Petitions, Public Questions/Statements:
Petition 1: Mr Marshall reported that the number of parking spaces available currently is insufficient to accommodate the number of cars owned by residents. Many of the properties are historic and were not built with modern requirements for parking in mind. Out of the 18 properties, eight have no parking, seven have one space and three have space for more than one vehicle. Time limited parking would not be a solution as many residents are at work all day and would not be able to return to move their cars for the restricted period. Most of the houses at the other end of the road have driveways, which is why they had not been included in this request and Glyn Close already has time limited yellow lines. He indicated that he would be happy to work with officers to discuss any proposals.
Member discussion – key points
The local county councillor reported that he had been approached by residents living at the other end of the road to look at small areas of yellow line to enable vehicles to pass and this would be considered as part of the next parking review.
Resolved: That, officers be asked to undertake further investigations, to determine whether a residents’ parking zone in this area would be feasible and to bring recommendations to the December committee as part of the current parking review if appropriate.
Reasons: To respond to the petition from local residents. |
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Additional documents: |
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MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
To approve the Minutes of the previous meeting as a correct record. Minutes: The minutes were confirmed as a correct record. |
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DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
To receive any declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests from Members in respect of any item to be considered at the meeting.
Notes: · In line with the Relevant Authorities (Disclosable Pecuniary Interests) Regulations 2012, declarations may relate to the interest of the member, or the member’s spouse or civil partner, or a person with whom the member is living as husband or wife, or a person with whom the member is living as if they were civil partners and the member is aware they have the interest.
· Members need only disclose interests not currently listed on the Register of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests.
· Members must notify the Monitoring Officer of any interests disclosed at the meeting so they may be added to the Register.
· Members are reminded that they must not participate in any item where they have a disclosable pecuniary interest.
Minutes: There were no declarations of interest. |
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MEMBER QUESTION TIME
To receive any written questions from Members under Standing Order 47. Notice should be given in writing to the Community Partnership & Committee officer by 12.00 noon four working days before the meeting. Minutes: One question was received, the question and answer is set out in Annex C. The member asked when the proposals previously discussed to address the issues would be implemented and would the amended parking restrictions be included in the Phase 9 parking review. Officers confirmed that the parking restrictions would be included in the review and that if agreed there would be an 18 month period when they could be implemented by which time the proposals discussed should be in place. |
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PARKING POLICY UPDATE [FOR INFORMATION]
To inform the committee about
• Changes to the on street parking review process • Proposed changes to disabled bays in the town centre • Residents parking schemes in Epsom and Ewell
Minutes: Declarations of Interest: None
Officers attending: Stephen Clavey, Senior Parking Engineer
Petitions, Public Questions/Statements: None
Noted, that the Department of Transport would need to be consulted about whether it is possible to restrict disabled parking in the ‘kiss and ride’ bay, as there does not seem to be a suitable approved sign currently.
Noted the report.
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HIGHWAYS UPDATE [EXECUTIVE FUNCTION - FOR DECISION]
This report summarises progress with the Local Committee’s programme of Highways works for the current Financial Year 2015-16. Committee is asked to approve the strategy for allocation of budgets for next Financial Year. Additional documents: Decision: That the Local Committee [Epsom & Ewell] agreed to
(i) Authorise the Area Highway Manager in consultation with the Chairman, Vice Chairman, and relevant Divisional Member(s), to prioritise schemes as necessary to ensure the remainder of this Financial Year’s budgets are fully invested in the road network in Epsom and Ewell;
(ii)
Approve the strategy for allocation
of next Financial Year’s budgets as detailed in Table 4 of
the report; (iii) 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: To facilitate delivery of the 2015-16 Highways programmes funded by the Local Committee and to facilitate development of Committee’s 2016-17 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.
Minutes: Declarations of Interest: None
Officers attending: Nick Healey, Area Highways Team Manager; Alan Flaherty, Engineer
Petitions, Public Questions/Statements: None
Member discussion – key points
The attention of new members was drawn to the Guide to the Local Committee delegated Highways budget. It was agreed that the Community Partnership & Committee Officer would recirculate this.
Noted, that once the feasibility studies scheduled for this year had been completed, reports would be brought to Committee for consideration.
The Chairman expressed concern at the year on year reductions in the funding for local highways delegated to the Committee and the possibility that there could be a further 25% cut in the next financial year, as this would seem to be contrary to the principle of devolution. It was noted that the majority of the centrally held highways budget is used to address safety issues including potholes and major maintenance issues and a reduction in this could mean that some of these issues are not dealt with as quickly. The Committee unanimously agreed to ask the Chairman to write on its behalf to the Leader.
Resolved:to
(i) Authorise the Area Highway Manager in consultation with the Chairman, Vice Chairman, and relevant Divisional Member(s), to prioritise schemes as necessary to ensure the remainder of this Financial Year’s budgets are fully invested in the road network in Epsom and Ewell;
(ii)
Approve the strategy for allocation
of next Financial Year’s budgets as detailed in Table 4 of
the report;
(iii)
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.
(iv)
Request the Chairman to write to the portfolio holder, on behalf of
the Committee, to express its disappointment in the continued
delays in the implementation of agreed parking schemes, despite
assurances previously that this would be improved.
(v)
Request the Chairman to write to the Leader, on behalf of the
Committee expressing concern at the year on year reduction in the
funding delegated to the Local Committee and the proposed further
reduction of 25% for the 2016/17 financial year. Reasons: To facilitate delivery of the 2015-16 Highways programmes funded by the Local Committee and to facilitate development of Committee’s 2016-17 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.
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Services for Young People is proposing changes to how Community Youth Work is delivered in Epsom and Ewell. These changes are designed to so that the Community Youth Work Service (CYWS) are able to deliver youth work in areas where there is the greatest need of supporting young people into employability.
This paper seeks the decision of the Local Committee to approve these proposals as formal guidance for the CYWS from October 2015.
Decision: That the Local Committee [Epsom & Ewell] agreed
(i)
That the proposals set out in paragraph 3.1 of the report be
adopted as formal guidance for the Community Youth Work
Service. (ii) That the Community Youth Work Practice Lead in consultation with the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Youth Task Group Chairman may make minor changes to the delivery approach described in this report to enable the service to respond flexibly to the changing needs of communities.
Reasons: These changes are designed to: enable the Community Youth Work Service (CYWS) to better support the Council’s strategic goal of employability for young people; implement a County Council Cabinet steer to allocate more of our resources to the areas of greatest need; and respond positively to an overall funding reduction of 11% for Community Youth Work across Surrey.
Minutes: Declarations of Interest: None
Officers attending: Jeremy Crouch, Contract Performance Officer; Zareena Linney, Senior Practitioner for Community Youth Work in Epsom & Ewell
Petitions, Public Questions/Statements: None
Member discussion – key points
It was reported that there have been issues with anti social behaviour in some areas where the young people involved are younger than the target age group for youth work. It was reported that a flexible approach has been negotiated in order to work with a younger age group if necessary.
Some members were concerned that targeting particular areas may mean that some more isolated areas are overlooked. Officers responded that there is flexibility to work in other areas if necessary.
Noted, that the future of the Yo-Yo is being reviewed to determine the best future use for it.
Noted, that although the initial proposal is for detached youth work in the Longmead area, the service is actively looking for suitable accommodation and would welcome suggestions.
Resolved:
(i)
That the proposals set out in paragraph 3.1 of the report be
adopted as formal guidance for the Community Youth Work
Service. (ii) That the Community Youth Work Practice Lead in consultation with the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Youth Task Group Chairman may make minor changes to the delivery approach described in this report to enable the service to respond flexibly to the changing needs of communities.
Reasons: These changes are designed to: enable the Community Youth Work Service (CYWS) to better support the Council’s strategic goal of employability for young people; implement a County Council Cabinet steer to allocate more of our resources to the areas of greatest need; and respond positively to an overall funding reduction of 11% for Community Youth Work across Surrey.
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The purpose of this report is to update the Local Committee on how Services for Young People has supported young people to develop their employability during 2014/15, which is the overall goal of Services for Young People.
In particular this Local Committee report focuses on the contribution of our different commissions to this goal and how they have performed during the year. Please note that the majority of detailed performance information is provided in the appendix to this report.
Next steps have also been included to set out how we will keep the Local Committee informed about developments and our progress during the year ahead.
Additional documents: Minutes: Declarations of Interest: None
Officers attending: Richard Leary, YSS Team Manager Epsom & Ewell
Petitions, Public Questions/Statements: None
Member discussion – key points
Members asked whether the measures will remain the same under the new ways of working so it will be possible to compare what effect the changes have had on performance. The YSS team manager responded that he was not expecting them to change but that he would confirm that this was the case. There is now a robust team working in the Borough and he is confident that there will be more stability going forward.
Members thanked everyone involved for their hard work in achieving the excellent results.
Noted how Services for Young People has supported young people to be employable during 2014/15 as set out in the report.
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AREAS OF FOCUS FOR THE COMMITTEE IN 2015/16 [FOR INFORMATION]
At the informal meeting of the Committee in July, members of the Committee reviewed the progress made against the priorities agreed for the previous year and were asked for three areas where they would like the Committee to focus its attention during the current municipal year. The Committee recognised that the identification of an issue did not necessarily mean that the Committee would be able to resolve it due to the limited resources available, but that it should be taken into account during relevant discussions.
Minutes: Declarations of Interest: None
Officers attending: Nicola Morris, Community Partnership & Committee Officer
Petitions, Public Questions/Statements: None
Member discussion – key points
Noted the Committee’s priorities for 2015/16, together with the comments on the highway related items from the Area Highways Team Manager.
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LOCAL COMMITTEE DECISION/ACTION TRACKER [FOR INFORMATION]
This item provides an update on previous decisions and actions agreed by the Committee beginning in June 2015. Minutes: Declarations of Interest: None
Officers attending: Nicola Morris, Community Partnership & Committee Officer
Petitions, Public Questions/Statements: None
Member discussion – key points
Members felt that this is a useful document and would like to see it being continued. |
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DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Monday 7 December at 2.00pm, Epsom Town Hall, The Parade, Epsom |