Agenda, decisions and minutes
PDF 67 KBVenue: Woking Borough Council Civic Offices, Gloucester Square, Woking GU21 6YL
Contact: Sarah Goodman / Ruth Brown Surrey County Council, Civic Offices, Gloucester Square, Woking GU21 6YL
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PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ITEMS The meeting was preceded by a public engagement session. The notes of this session are set out in Annex 1. Additional documents: |
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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 40. Additional documents: Minutes: Mr Mohammed Amin gave apologies for absence. |
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MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
To approve the Minutes of the previous meeting as a correct record and agree that the Chairman signs the minutes. The minutes will be available in the Council Chamber half an hour before the start of the meeting. Additional documents: Minutes: The minutes of the last meeting held on 5 December 2012 were agreed with a correction made on page 11 to the name of a member of the public from Cllr Hennessey to Mr Hennessey. The minutes were then signed. |
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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: · Each Member must declare any interest that is disclosable under the Relevant Authorities (Disclosable Pecuniary Interests) Regulations 2012, unless it is already listed for that Member in the Council’s Register of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests. · 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). · If the interest has not yet been disclosed in that Register, the Member must, as well as disclosing it at the meeting, notify the Monitoring Officer of it within 28 days. · If a Member has a disclosable interest, the Member must not vote or speak on the agenda item in which it arises, or do anything to influence other Members in regard to that item.
Additional documents: Minutes: There were no declarations of pecuniary interests. |
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PETITIONS
To receive the following petitions in accordance with Standing Order 65:
a) To repair the road surface on Dean Close
b) To resurface Holyoake Avenue
c) To provide a safe crossing for pedestrians at Hermitage Roundabout, Knaphill Additional documents: Minutes: In accordance with Standing Order 65, Mr Malcolm Cuckow presented the following petition on behalf of local residents. The petition received 43 signatures.
Residents within the Close are anxious to have road repairs undertaken urgently before a major accident occurs at the junction of Dean Close and Old Woking Road.
Related issues are:-
Mr Cuckow introduced the petition and showed the committee some photographs of the condition of the road. He noted that over the past 20 years there have only been a few repairs undertaken and these have since broken down leaving an unstable road base. Over time the road surface has stretched and there are a number of deep pot holes. When there is heavy rain, the road becomes flooded, and residents are concerned that if this freezes the junction will become very dangerous. The petitioners would like essential road works to be undertaken.
The Chairman invited Andrew Milne to respond. Andrew explained that, subject to committee approval later on in the agenda, the road would be resurfaced by the end of the summer.
The Chairman thanked the petitioner for coming.
In accordance with Standing Order 65, Mrs Libby Davis presented the following petition on behalf of local residents. The petition received 47 signatures.
The road surface in Holyoake Avenue is full of potholes, and also very uneven. These potholes require constant repair by the council, resulting in yet another small patch of tarmac, leaving the rest to deteriorate to the point where one of us complains, and the process starts again.
The surface has also subsided in many places, making the problem much worse. Therefore even if the potholes were all remedied the surface would still be uneven and difficult to drive over.
There is also a real risk of damage to vehicles, and injury to pedestrians who may wish to cross the road.
Residents have been advised that plans are in hand to resurface the left hand side of the road (looking towards the end of the cul-de-sac). Whilst this would be an improvement, it will not address the potholes and uneven surface on the right hand side. To the best of my knowledge, no one living in Holyoake Avenue can remember the road ever having been resurfaced, and it is high time these problems were sorted out once and for all.
Mrs Davis introduced the petition, showed some photographs, and explained the residents’ concerns. Cars tend to ... view the full minutes text for item 4/13 |
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WRITTEN PUBLIC QUESTIONS
To receive any written questions from local government electors and local businesses within Woking Borough. The deadline for public questions is 12 noon four working days before the meeting (Thursday 28 February). Additional documents: Minutes: Three member questions were received and tabled. A copy of the questions and answers can be found in Annex 2 of these minutes. Supplementary questions and responses are set out below:
Question 1: Mr Thomas explained that planning permission was granted more than 3 years ago. Condition number 19 required the developer to carry out certain roadworks under a S278 agreement. Why are you now negotiating another S278 agreement – was a S278 never signed? The Chairman agreed that a response would be given in writing outside the meeting.
Question 2: Cllr Barker asked what the timescales were for Thames Water to repair the drains, and the improvements at Brewery Road. Andrew Milne explained that the council does not have legal powers over Thames Water to expedite works. Regarding Brewery Road, an answer would be provided outside the meeting. |
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WRITTEN MEMBERS 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 (Thursday 28 February) Additional documents: Minutes: Three member questions were received and tabled. A copy of the questions and answers can be found in Annex 3 of these minutes. Supplementary questions and responses are recorded below.
Question 1: Will Forster asked the Chairman if she believed that the bus stops in Old Woking High Street mitigated the impacts of the developments at Gresham Mill; and under the response to New Central (b), where has the £223,000 been spent or will be spent? The Chairman agreed a written answer would be given outside the meeting.
Question 2: Will Forster asked what sanctions would be available if the 6 month timescale is not met. Andrew Milne suggested that he thought this was an aspirational deadline, and would get a written response outside the meeting.
Question 3: Cllr Davis commented that he was grateful that something is being done. He also noted his concern that with new developments the drainage system may not be able to cope. |
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A322 BROOKWOOD CROSSROADS CORRIDOR CONGESTION ISSUES
[Iain Reeve] (Approximate starting time – 7.45pm)
To consider congestion on the A322 in the vicinity of Brookwood Crossroads. Additional documents: Decision: The Local Committee (Woking) recommended:
i) That an A322 corridor study is carried out, to be funded by SCC (the study boundary to be defined but suggested from Limecroft Road to Fox Corner), in accordance with the timescales set out at Committee, and that the report of the study is brought back to Local Committee within 12 months, subject to the approval of the Cabinet Member for Transport. The study should include identifying possible sources of funding for any identified improvements to the corridor.
Reason: Members requested that a study to address the issues on the A322 is carried out as soon as possible. There is already congestion on this movements corridor, and members expect it to get worse with the Brookwood Farm development, new school and other local developments and action needs to be taken. Minutes: [The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 8.10pm to enable members of the public to make comments in relation to the congestion at the A322 Brookwood Crossroads. The meeting reconvened at 8.22pm.]
Iain Reeve introduced the officer report which set out possible options to address congestion on the A322 in the vicinity of Brookwood Crossroads, including available funding streams, and responded to comments made by members of the public during the adjournment. Additional information requested by the Chairman in advance of the meeting was also presented, which set out the costings of a possible study of the A322 corridor, and also possible timings, assuming that funding could be made available.
Member comments are summarised below:
· Blackhorse Road is used as a rat run to avoid the crossroads. · Why did the Highways Planning Application for both the homes and the school not say there would be a serious traffic impact? A response would be given outside the meeting by relevant officers. · In addition to Brookwood Farm, there are also approx 100 new houses being built in the vicinity of the crossroads which haven't been taken into account. · Cars can often queue for 20 minutes on A324 at Brookwood. · Need to look at modal shift, especially for journeys for 1.5 to 2 miles. · Need to look at smaller solutions as well as larger ones, and an update for members on the proposal of box junctions on the A322 was requested outside the meeting.
Members agreed that something needed to be done at this location, and that 2019 was too far away for action to be taken. There is already congestion on this movements corridor, and members expect it to get worse with the Brookwood Farm development, new school and other local developments and action needs to be taken. Members wanted to see a scheme developed as soon as possible, and were concerned about the assumption that the local transport body was the only source of funding. Members requested that all funding avenues should be looked into, and a request should be made to the Cabinet Member for Transport for an A322 corridor study to be carried out. Members would also welcome inputting suggestions for possible solutions into the study.
Cllr Kingsbury noted that the committee would like Surrey County Council to pay for the study, but if this was not possible, then he would welcome Surrey to come back to Woking Borough Council to see if there would be any possibility of partnership funding.
RESOLVED
The Local Committee (Woking) recommended:
i) That an A322 corridor study is carried out, to be funded by SCC (the study boundary to be defined but suggested from Limecroft Road to Fox Corner), in accordance with the timescales set out at Committee, and that the report of the study is brought back to Local Committee within 12 months, subject to the approval of the Cabinet Member for Transport. The study should include identifying possible sources of funding for any identified improvements to the corridor.
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[Andrew Milne] (Approximate starting time – 8.15pm)
To update the committee on highways schemes within the borough and make decisions on highways budgets. Additional documents: Decision: The Local Committee (Woking) agreed to: (i) Note the progress with the ITS highways and developer funded schemes; (ii) Note that a further Highways update report is to be brought back to the next meeting of this Committee. (iii) Agree the capital maintenance proposals for 2013/14 (set out in annex 1 as updated), subject to the anticipated provision of capital funding requesting that the works for Holyoake Avenue and Holyoake Crescent are carried out at the same time if possible. (iv) Approve the delivery of additional capital maintenance works from the list shown in Annex 1 as updated as a contingency plan in the event of any ITS schemes not being deliverable, or there being an underspend of the ITS capital budget, and to delegate authority to the Area Highway Manager to determine any additional capital maintenance works in consultation with the Committee Chairman and Vice-Chairman.
Reason:
The decisions were made to enable progression of all Committee highway-related schemes and works. An updated tabled Annex was circulated which included an additional scheme. Members requested that the works on both Holyoake Avenue and Holyoake Crescent were carried out at the same time if possible. Minutes: Andrew Milne introduced the report which updated members on the delivery of highway schemes and set out for agreement the 2013/14 capital maintenance schemes programme. It was noted that an updated annex 1 had been circulated. Andrew explained that the report did not include LSTF funded schemes.
Mr Carasco asked for an update outside the meeting on which scheme replaced the suspended Victoria Way scheme, asked for confirmation that money that is not fully utilised by the end of the year is not lost, and asked for assurance that the Albert Drive scheme is about traffic management not just traffic calming.
In response to member comments, Andrew Milne confirmed that works on both Holyoake Avenue and Holyoake Crescent would be carried out at the same time if possible.
RESOLVED
The Local Committee (Woking) agreed to: (i) Note the progress with the ITS highways and developer funded schemes; (ii) Note that a further Highways update report is to be brought back to the next meeting of this Committee. (iii) Agree the capital maintenance proposals for 2013/14 (set out in annex 1 as updated), subject to the anticipated provision of capital funding requesting that the works for Holyoake Avenue and Holyoake Crescent are carried out at the same time if possible. (iv) Approve the delivery of additional capital maintenance works from the list shown in Annex 1 as updated as a contingency plan in the event of any ITS schemes not being deliverable, or there being an underspend of the ITS capital budget, and to delegate authority to the Area Highway Manager to determine any additional capital maintenance works in consultation with the Committee Chairman and Vice-Chairman.
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PROPOSED BUS STOP CLEARWAY IN THE BROADWAY WOKING
[Andrew Milne] (Approximate starting time – 8.35pm)
To seek the Local Committee’s approval to create bus stop and bus stand clearways in The Broadway, Woking. Additional documents: Decision: The Local Committee (Woking) agreed:
Reason:
Bus stop clearways help improve bus services in Surrey, one of the objectives of the Local Transport Plan.
Minutes: Andrew Milne introduced the report which sought the committee’s approval to create bus stop and bus stand clearways in The Broadway, Woking.
The following questions were raised, which would be responded to outside the meeting: · Could the bus stop outside the Fire Station be included? · What is the progress with moving the bus stop under the canopy? · Could the private hire drivers be given some advance notice to let them know about the changes?
RESOLVED
The Local Committee (Woking) agreed:
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SERVICES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE LOCAL PREVENTION COMMISSIONING 2013-15
[Jeremy Crouch] (Approximate starting time – 8.45pm)
To agree the specification for the youth Local Prevention Framework and its associated elements for the period 1 September 2013 to 31 August 2015. Additional documents: Decision: The Local Committee (Woking):
a) Approved the allocation of £10,000 to Personalised Prevention (see 1.3a for details).
b) Approved the local needs specification (Annex A) to be considered by providers focusing on the identified needs of Woking and the geographical neighbourhoods prioritised by the Youth Task Group.
c) Requested an update be given to the next private meeting of the Local Committee on 23 May 2013.
Reasons:
The recommendations:
a) Support the council’s priority to achieve 100 % participation for young people aged 16 to 19 to be in education, training or employment.
b) Increase the delivery of youth work locally.
c) Increase the access of the Local Prevention Framework to small voluntary organisations.
d) Speed up the process for awarding Universal Prevention Grants (Small Grants).
e) Increase the access of the Local Prevention Framework through the use of a grants based commissioning process.
Members were concerned about the current performance of the contract and would welcome a further update on progress in May. Minutes: Jeremy Crouch introduced the report which set out recommendations from the Youth Task Group for the Local Prevention Framework for the period 1 September 2013 to 31 August 2015. An amendment to the figures set out in the report was noted – this was as follows: the amount in paragraph 1.4 was amended from £151,000 to £133,000, and paragraph 1.5 was amended from £25,000 to £18,000.
It was explained that if approved, the specification would be written up into a prospectus for potential providers, which would be shared at a providers event on 18 March at Brooklands Museum. It was confirmed that all Woking schools had been invited to the provider event.
In response to members’ comments on progress of the current Local Prevention Framework contract, it was noted that a full progress report would be brought to the June meeting of the Committee. Members were concerned about the current performance of the contract and the Chairman requested a further update on progress in May. Mrs Smith also requested some anonymised case studies setting out how the current contract has helped young people in Woking.
Regarding the geographical areas highlighted in Annex 1, Members requested that these be used as a guide, rather than hard lines.
RESOLVED
The Local Committee (Woking):
a) Approved the allocation of £10,000 to Personalised Prevention (see para 1.3a for details).
b) Approved the local needs specification (Annex A) to be considered by providers focusing on the identified needs of Woking and the geographical neighbourhoods prioritised by the Youth Task Group.
c) Requested an update be given to the next private meeting of the Local Committee on 23 May 2013.
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LOCAL COMMITTEE FUNDING - MEMBERS ALLOCATIONS
[Michelle Collins] (Approximate starting time – 9.05pm)
To set out available funding for County Councillors’ allocations for 2012/13 and to consider the requests received. Additional documents: Decision: The Local Committee (Woking):
(i) Agreed the items presented for funding from the Local Committee’s 2012/13 revenue funding as set out in paragraph 2 of this report and the tabled additions.
Phoenix Cultural Centre - £5,000 Woking District Scouts - Handicamp - £3,000 Woking Malayalee Cultural Association - £3,078 Woking Malayalee Association - £840 St Michaels Church and Community Hall - £3,604 The Oaktree School - £2,580 Westfield Primary School - £954 Grit Bin – East Hill/Mayhurst Ave - £1,000 Woking People of Faith - £1,500 All Saints’ Church Woodham - £1,107 Grit Bin – Birnham Road/Clinton Close - £1,000 Byfleet Heritage Society - £3,000 St Mary’s Church Byfleet - £3,000 Brooklands Museum - £3,000 Dot Sign Language Ltd - £3,500 Surrey Care Trust - £521 Old Woking and District Community Association - £3,851 Eden Grove Allotment Society - £1,000 Barnsbury Primary School - £1,000 St Mary’s C of E Primary School - £3,000 Park Road Neighbourhood Watch - £100 Mayford Village Hall - £2,360 Walton Road footway - £1,000 Wilson Way footpath - £4,713 Beacon Hill Grit Bin - £1,000 Orchard Mains Grit Bin - £1,000
(ii) Noted the expenditure approved since the last Committee by the Community Partnerships Manager and the Community Partnerships Team Leader under delegated powers, as set out in paragraph 3.
Reason: The Committee is being asked to decide on these bids so that the Community Partnerships Team can process them in line with the wishes of the Committee. The bids for the grit bins for Boltons Hill and Orchard Mains arrived after the report had been published, but were eligible for decision by the committee. The amount requested for Wilson Way footpath was amended.
Minutes: The Chairman drew the Committees attention to the tabled addition, which included bids which had arrived after the report was published but were eligible for decision by committee, and an amended amount for Wilson Way footpath.
RESOLVED
The Local Committee (Woking) agreed:
(i) Agreed the items presented for funding from the Local Committee’s 2012/13 revenue funding as set out in paragraph 2 of this report and the tabled additions.
Phoenix Cultural Centre - £5,000 Woking District Scouts - Handicamp - £3,000 Woking Malayalee Cultural Association - £3,078 Woking Malayalee Association - £840 St Michaels Church and Community Hall - £3,604 The Oaktree School - £2,580 Westfield Primary School - £954 Grit Bin – East Hill/Mayhurst Ave - £1,000 Woking People of Faith - £1,500 All Saints’ Church Woodham - £1,107 Grit Bin – Birnham Road/Clinton Close - £1,000 Byfleet Heritage Society - £3,000 St Mary’s Church Byfleet - £3,000 Brooklands Museum - £3,000 Dot Sign Language Ltd - £3,500 Surrey Care Trust - £521 Old Woking and District Community Association - £3,851 Eden Grove Allotment Society - £1,000 Barnsbury Primary School - £1,000 St Mary’s C of E Primary School - £3,000 Park Road Neighbourhood Watch - £100 Mayford Village Hall - £2,360 Walton Road footway - £1,000 Wilson Way footpath - £4,713 Beacon Hill Grit Bin - £1,000 Orchard Mains Grit Bin - £1,000
(ii) Noted the expenditure approved since the last Committee by the Community Partnerships Manager and the Community Partnerships Team Leader under delegated powers, as set out in paragraph 3.
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[Sarah Goodman/Michelle Collins] (Approximate starting time – 9.20pm)
To note the forward programme of the local committee. Additional documents: Decision: Noted as in the report with the addition of an update report on the Hermitage roundabout petition in six months time. Minutes: Noted as in the report with the addition of an update report on the Hermitage roundabout petition in six months time.
As this was the last meeting of the municipal year, given the County Council elections on 2 May, members gave thanks to Diana Smith and Geoff Marlow, who were at the committee for their last time before stepping down. All committee members were thanked for their work this municipal year. |
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