Agenda, decisions and minutes
PDF 1 MBVenue: Council Offices, Knowle Green, Staines-upon-Thames. TW18 1XB. View directions
Contact: Susan Briant/Yvette Ortel, Community Partnership & Committee Officer Room 357, Council Offices, Knowle Green, Staines, TW18 1XB
Note: Formal meeting in public at 7pm. Informal Public Question Time: 6.30pm - 7pm
| No. | Item |
|---|---|
|
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND SUBSTITUTIONS
To receive any apologies for absence and notices of substitutions from Borough members under Standing Order 39. Minutes: Apologies were received from Councillors Jean Pinkerton, Denise Saliagopoulos and Carol Coleman. |
|
|
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
To approve the Minutes of the previous meeting as a correct record. Additional documents: Minutes: Minutes from the Local Committee held on 24 June 2013 were agreed and approved as an accurate record and were signed by the Chairman. |
|
|
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. |
|
|
CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
To receive any Chairman’s announcements. Minutes: The Chairman, Richard Walsh reminded those present that the due date for comments on the Surrey Cycling Strategy was Friday 1 November 2013.
Richard Walsh expressed his desire to change the seating arrangements so that Members did not have their backs to the public at Local Committee meetings. He proposed that subject to the approval of the Chief Executive of Spelthorne Borough Council, Members sit in the outer circle of the Chamber, officers sit along the front, facing members of the public and the Chairman and supporting officers sit on the top row facing into the Chamber at the next Local Committee on 16 December 2013 and subsequent meetings. |
|
|
PETITIONS
To receive any petitions in accordance with Standing Order 68. Notice should be given in writing or by email to the Community Partnership and 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. |
|
|
PETITION AGAINST ANY FURTHER RESTRICTIONS ON SPELTHORNE'S FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE
To receive a petition against any further restrictions on Spelthorne’s fire and rescue services Minutes: A petition was received from Councillor Spencer Taylor which contained 384 signatories and read:
“We the undersigned protest against any further restrictions on this borough’s fire and rescue services. Given the close proximity of Heathrow, the M25 and M3, our stations would appear essential for the safety of our borough. We cannot rely on other boroughs if they too are seeking to restrict their services; Hounslow and Feltham already tend to Heathrow which puts any plans on seeking their assistance at risk. With only two remaining 24 hour stations, which would now seem to be under threat, we must ask that these remain as they are and other means are found to reduce costs.”
Councillor Taylor spoke for 3 minutes about the petition.
The Chairman thanked the people who signed the petition for being actively involved and said a formal response to the petition will be presented by officers at the next Local Committee on 16 December 2013. |
|
|
RESPONSE TO PETITION RECEIVED AT THE LOCAL COMMITTEE HELD ON 24 JUNE 2013
To provide Members with an Officer response to a petition previously submitted to the Local Committee. Minutes: A formal response to the petition received from Councillor Penny Forbes-Forsyth on behalf of the residents of Knowle Park Avenue and Gordon Close, Staines-upon-Thames was received as Item 5b. |
|
|
MEMBER QUESTION TIME
To receive any written questions from Members under Standing Order 47. Minutes: None received. |
|
|
PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
To receive any questions from Surrey County Council electors within the area in accordance with Standing Order 66. Minutes: The Local Committee received a written question from four members of the public in advance of the meeting, one from Mr Hughes, one from Mr Seaman, one from Mr Hirsh and one from Mr McLuskey. Please see Annex 1 to these minutes. |
|
To receive an update from the Highways Area Team Manager (North East) Additional documents: Decision: THE LOCAL COMMITTEE (SPELTHORNE) AGREED:
(i) to authorise the Area Team Manager in consultation with the Chairman, Vice Chairman, and relevant Divisional Member(s), to identify and prioritise schemes to ensure the remainder of this Financial Year’s budgets are fully invested in the road network in Spelthorne;
(ii) to approve the advertisement of a Traffic Regulation Order for the adjustment of the speed limit at the junction of Charlton Road, New Road and Charlton Lane, as described in the report and shown in Annexe A with consideration of the extension of the 30mph limit to the west in consultation with the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Divisional Member;
(iii) to approve the strategy for allocation of next Financial Year’s budgets as detailed in Table 3 in the report;
(iv) to authorise the Area Team Manager in consultation with the Chairman, Vice Chairman and relevant Divisional Member(s) to undertake all necessary procedures to deliver the agreed programmes. Minutes: The Chairman welcomed Nick Healey, Area Highways Manager (North East), who presented the report. At the Highways Workshop in July 2013, Members agreed in principle to pool £100,000 capital funding and to divide the remaining budget into seven equal Divisional Allocations of £41,000 each. The Committee discussed a number of road schemes that might be suitable for the capital pool, including School Lane. A request was made for information on traffic flow and accidents. The Local Committee was asked to approve the strategy at this point and to decide where the money should be spent at a later date. Nick Healey tabled a paper outlining the options for spend. Option C (i.e. Table 3 on page 21), was proposed by Councillor Frazer and seconded by Councillor Beardsmore. All eleven Members present voted in favour of Option C.
It was suggested that the proposed position of the 30 mph speed limit on Charlton Lane was not far enough to the west. Nick Healey agreed to investigate the feasibility of moving the speed limit further to the west.
THE LOCAL COMMITTEE (SPELTHORNE) AGREED:
(i) to authorise the Area Team Manager in consultation with the Chairman, Vice Chairman, and relevant Divisional Member(s), to identify and prioritise schemes to ensure the remainder of this Financial Year’s budgets are fully invested in the road network in Spelthorne;
(ii) to approve the advertisement of a Traffic Regulation Order for the adjustment of the speed limit at the junction of Charlton Road, New Road and Charlton Lane, as described in the report and shown in Annexe A with consideration of the extension of the 30mph limit to the west in consultation with the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Divisional Member;
(iii) to approve the strategy for allocation of next Financial Year’s budgets as detailed in Table 3 in the report;
(iv) to authorise the Area Team Manager in consultation with the Chairman, Vice Chairman and relevant Divisional Member(s) to undertake all necessary procedures to deliver the agreed programmes. |
|
|
HALLIFORD VILLAGE WEIGHT RESTRICTION
To receive a report from the Highways Area Team Manager (North East) on the Halliford Village weight restriction Decision: THE LOCAL COMMITTEE (SPELTHORNE) AGREED:
(i) to authorise the Area Team Manager in consultation with the Chairman, Vice Chairman, and relevant Divisional Member(s), to advertise the Traffic Regulation Order for the proposed new 7.5t weight restriction in Upper Halliford Road, between Halliford Road towards the southern end of Halliford village and Gaston Bridge Road towards the northern end of the village;
(ii) to authorise the Area Team Manager to consider any representations to the said Traffic Regulation Order, and to decide whether or not to proceed with the proposed new weight restriction, in consultation with the Chairman, Vice Chairman, and relevant Divisional Member(s);
(iii) if it is decided to proceed with the proposed new weight restriction, to commission the detailed design and installation of the necessary signs relating to the proposed new weight restriction, and to make the Traffic Regulation Order;
(iv) to receive a report at a future meeting of this Committee detailing the representations made to the Traffic Regulation Order, and how the representations affected the decision on whether or not to proceed with the proposed new weight restriction.
Minutes: Nick Healey, Area Highways Manager (North East) presented the report. He confirmed that the formal and informal consultations would take place simultaneously and the Traffic Regulation Order will be advertised this financial year. He also agreed to keep Members informed.
A request was made that the comments be passed to the Police Commissioner.
THE LOCAL COMMITTEE (SPELTHORNE) AGREED:
(i) to authorise the Area Team Manager in consultation with the Chairman, Vice Chairman, and relevant Divisional Member(s), to advertise the Traffic Regulation Order for the proposed new 7.5t weight restriction in Upper Halliford Road, between Halliford Road towards the southern end of Halliford village and Gaston Bridge Road towards the northern end of the village;
(ii) to authorise the Area Team Manager to consider any representations to the said Traffic Regulation Order, and to decide whether or not to proceed with the proposed new weight restriction, in consultation with the Chairman, Vice Chairman, and relevant Divisional Member(s);
(iii) if it is decided to proceed with the proposed new weight restriction, to commission the detailed design and installation of the necessary signs relating to the proposed new weight restriction, and to make the Traffic Regulation Order;
(iv) to receive a report at a future meeting of this Committee detailing the representations made to the Traffic Regulation Order, and how the representations affected the decision on whether or not to proceed with the proposed new weight restriction.
|
|
|
FELTHAM HILL ROAD ZEBRA CROSSING
To receive a report from the Highways Area Team Manager (North East) on the Feltham Hill Road zebra crossing Additional documents: Decision: THE LOCAL COMMITTEE (SPELTHORNE) AGREED:
(i) to defer the advertisement of the proposed new Zebra Crossing to allow consideration of alternative locations on Feltham Hill Road and to complete the investigation by the end of the financial year;
(ii) to authorise the Area Team Manager to carry out further consultation as appropriate and to be agreed with the Chairman, Vice Chairman, and relevant Divisional Member(s);
(iii) to receive a report at a future Local Committee meeting detailing the outcome of the investigation and the consultation. Minutes: The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 8.15pm and welcomed Mrs Tara Hatfield, a member of the public, who wished to speak on the matter. Mrs Hatfield expressed her surprise that the proposal has resurfaced again after being rejected in 2005 / 2006. To her knowledge there had not been a petition for a crossing at the Park Road location. She was aware that funding from the Popular Road development had been allocated for a zebra crossing on Feltham Hill Road but felt that other locations on the road would be more viable and useful. She felt that a crossing at the proposed location would not encourage extra families to walk to school. Mrs Hatfield stated that the proposal had limited support, mainly from residents of Old Nursery Place. Mrs Hatfield was also concerned about the proposed relocation of the bus stop. Houses in the locality have drop kerb driveways, and traffic in and out of properties may present a danger to passengers waiting for or alighting from the bus. She was also concerned about antisocial behaviour and increased litter.
The meeting recommenced at 8.18pm. Nick Healey said the scheme had never been abandoned and that petitions had been received in February 2006, September 2006, and March 2010, (see paragraphs 1.4, 1.6 and 1.7 of the report).
Members acknowledged the need for a zebra crossing in the road and called for further investigation of possible alternative locations, including investigating whether the section 106 agreement specified a location for the zebra crossing.
THE LOCAL COMMITTEE (SPELTHORNE) AGREED:
(i) to defer the advertisement of the proposed new Zebra Crossing to allow consideration of alternative locations on Feltham Hill Road and to complete the investigation by the end of the financial year;
(ii) to authorise the Area Team Manager to carry out further consultation as appropriate and to be agreed with the Chairman, Vice Chairman, and relevant Divisional Member(s);
(iii) to receive a report at a future Local Committee meeting detailing the outcome of the investigation and the consultation.
|
|
|
WALTON - HALLIFORD TRANSPORT STUDY
To receive a transport study concerning traffic management in the Walton Bridge – Halliford area Decision: THE LOCAL COMMITTEE (SPELTHORNE) AGREED:
(i) That a “Walton to Halliford Transport” study be undertaken according to the scope, deliverables and timescales described in the report;
(ii) To nominate Councillors Richard Smith-Ainsley, Robert Watts and Richard Walsh as members of a cross boundary Member Streering Group to oversee the study. Minutes: The Chairman asked that the following corrections be noted :
Under RECOMMENDATIONS, page 51 ‘The Local Committee (Elmbridge)’ be deleted and ‘The Local Committee (Spelthorne)’ be added.
Nick Healey, Area Manager (North East) presented the report.
THE LOCAL COMMITTEE (SPELTHORNE) AGREED:
(i) That a Walton to Halliford Transport study be undertaken according to the scope, deliverables and timescales described in the report;
(ii) To nominate Councillors Richard Smith-Ainsley, Robert Watts and Richard Walsh as members of a cross boundary Member Streering Group to oversee the study. |
|
|
A244 WALTON BRIDGE - TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDERS
To seek approval from members to advertise the required speed limits, traffic orders and road tables connected with the Walton Bridge project Additional documents: Decision: THE LOCAL COMMITTEE (SPELTHORNE) AGREED:
(i) to authorise the advertising and making of the Traffic Regulation Orders and the publication of the Traffic Calming Public Notice as set out in section 1 of the report, in accordance with the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and The Highways Act 1980, in the geographic area the Local Committee has responsibility for;
(ii) to authorise the Area Team Manager and Walton Bridge Project Manager to seek to resolve any objections received in connection with the proposals, in consultation with the Chairman of the Local Committee and relevant Members. Minutes: James Young, the Walton Bridge Project Supervisor, presented the report. He said the traffic calming measures, adjustments to speed limit and weight restrictions had been approved by Cabinet on 5 January 2010 but the two year authorisation period had expired. The report was now before Committee to obtain authorisation to advertise and make the Traffic Regulation Orders and to publish the Traffic Calming Public Notice required to complete the final road layout on approaches to the new bridge. Councillor Watts stated that the speed table was in the wrong place and he was not happy with the safety of its location. Richard Walsh asked for confirmation that the speed table would allow access by the lowest low loaders.
THE LOCAL COMMITTEE (SPELTHORNE) AGREED:
(i) to authorise the advertising and making of the Traffic Regulation Orders and the publication of the Traffic Calming Public Notice as set out in section 1 of the report, in accordance with the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and The Highways Act 1980, in the geographic area the Local Committee has responsibility for;
(ii) to authorise the Area Team Manager and Walton Bridge Project Manager to seek to resolve any objections received in connection with the proposals, in consultation with the Chairman of the Local Committee and relevant Members. |
|
|
EFFECTIVENESS OF SCHOOLS WITHIN SPELTHORNE BOROUGH
To receive a summary of the national and local accountability measures and the implementation of the Surrey School Improvement Strategy in Spelthorne Additional documents: Minutes: This Item was for information only.
Maria Dawes, Head of School Effectiveness, Babcock 4S presented the report.
Members expressed their concern that the proportion of good or better schools in Spelthorne is lower than that in Surrey as a whole. They asked for a comparison of spend per child between that spent in Spelthorne and that spent in the boroughs of Hounslow and Hillingdon. A request was made for more detail and information on why the proportion of good or better schools is lower in Spelthorne. A request was also made for data for the Borough of Runnymede. Richard Walsh recommended that Members visit schools in their area.
The meeting was suspended at 9.30pm to allow Councillor Forbes-Forsyth to speak (as a member of the public). Councillor Forbes-Forsyth pointed out that the spend per child was almost double in Hounslow to that in Spelthorne. She also asked what time frame the strategy covered. The meeting re-commenced at 9.33pm
A need to investigate the underlying causes of poor educational attainment in the Borough was expressed and it was agreed that a meeting be arranged for later in the year . Richard Walsh thanked Maria Dawes and Kerry Randle for presenting the report.
THE LOCAL COMMITTEE (SPELTHORNE) AGREED:
(i) to note the report.
The Local Protocol of Surrey County Council Local Committee (Spelthorne) states: ‘Meetings will not normally be longer than three hours.’ At 9.50pm Ian Beardsmore proposed that the meeting be extended to enable the completion of the business on the agenda. This was seconded by Richard Walsh. It was agreed unanimously. |
|
|
CONSULTATION ON CHANGES TO FIRE ENGINE DEPLOYMENT IN THE BOROUGH OF SPELTHORNE
To receive a report on the consultation on changes to the fire station location Additional documents: Decision: THE LOCAL COMMITTEE (SPELTHORNE) AGREED:
(i) to require the Chairman to write to Surrey Fire and Rescue Service and Surrey County Council to detail the Local Committee’s opposition to proposals to close the Sunbury and Staines Fire Stations. Minutes: The Chairman reversed the order of Items 14 and 15.
The Chairman suspended the meeting at 10.23pm to allow Mr Hewitt, Shepperton Residents Association to speak on the matter. Mr Hewitt voiced his concerns about the proposed cuts to the Surrey Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS). In his view no account had been taken of the Eco Park and Spelthorne’s proximity to Heathrow, the River Thames, and the motorway network. Councillor Walsh thanked Mr Hewitt for speaking, invited him to send a letter to the SFRS and resumed the meeting at 10.26pm.
Members voiced their concerns and asked the Chairman to write to SFRS and Surrey County Council to outline the Local Committee’s opposition to the proposals.
THE LOCAL COMMITTEE (SPELTHORNE) AGREED:
(i) to require the Chairman to write to Surrey Fire and Rescue Service and Surrey County Council to detail the Local Committee’s opposition to proposals to close the Sunbury and Staines Fire Stations. |
|
|
SURREY FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE - ANNUAL REPORT 2012 - 2013
To receive the annual report 2012 - 2013 Additional documents: Decision: THE LOCAL COMMITTEE (SPELTHORNE) AGREED:
(i) to congratulate the achievements of the teams within the Borough of Spelthorne and support their commitment to improve initiatives, to reduce risk and make Spelthorne Borough safer through the delivery of the borough / station plan;
(ii) to note the targets and initiatives set within the Spelthorne Borough plan for 2012 / 13 and support the Fire and Rescue Service in the delivery of this plan. Minutes: Eddie Roberts, Area Manager, Surrey Fire and Rescue Service presented the Annual Report 2012 – 2103. It was proposed and seconded that the word ‘recognise ‘ be deleted and the word ‘congratulate’ be inserted.
THE LOCAL COMMITTEE (SPELTHORNE) AGREED:
(i) to congratulate the achievements of the teams within the Borough of Spelthorne and support their commitment to improve initiatives, to reduce risk and make Spelthorne Borough safer through the delivery of the borough / station plan;
(ii) to note the targets and initiatives set within the Spelthorne Borough plan for 2012 / 13 and support the Fire and Rescue Service in the delivery of this plan. |
|
|
LOCAL COMMITTEE & MEMBERS' ALLOCATION FUNDING - UPDATE
To receive a report on Local Committee & Members’ allocation funding Additional documents: Minutes: This Item was for information only. Members noted the amounts spent from Members’ Allocation and Local Committee capital budgets. |
|
|
FORWARD PROGRAMME 2013 / 14
Additional documents: Decision: THE LOCAL COMMITTEE (SPELTHORNE) AGREED:
(i) the Forward Programme 2013 / 14 as outlined in Annexe 1;
(ii) to consider any further themes for Member briefings during 2013 / 14 and the next municipal year. Minutes: Members noted the Forward Programme 2013/14.
THE LOCAL COMMITTEE (SPELTHORNE) AGREED:
(i) the Forward Programme 2013 / 14 as outlined in Annexe 1;
(ii) to consider any further themes for Member briefings during 2013 / 14 and the next municipal year. |
|
|
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
To be held on Monday 16 December 2013 at 7pm in the Council Chamber, Spelthorne Council Offices, Knowle Green, Staines-Upon-Thames TW18 1XB. (6.30pm – 7pm: Informal Public Question Time) Minutes: To be held on Monday 16 December 2013 at 7pm in the Council Chamber, Spelthorne Borough Council Offices, Knowle Green, Staines-Upon-Thames TW18 1XB
(6.30pm – 7pm): Informal Public Question Time)
The meeting which commenced at 7pm, ended at 11.07pm. |