Agenda item

The purpose of this report is to update Members on the initial operating period of the South East Permit Scheme within Surrey Highways.  This is the scheme used to control road works (Street Works and Works for Road Purposes) on Surrey County Council’s highway network.  The report includes analysis obtained over the financial year 2014/15.

Declarations of Interest: None

Officers attending: Kevin Orledge, Streetworks Team Manager

SCC, Michael Coombes and Liz Jones

Petitions, Public Questions, Statements: None

Member Discussion – key points:

Kevin apologised to members and pointed out that there was a typing error on page 52.  The table entitled ‘Inspection Totals’ should read Reigate and Banstead against both entries and not Epsom and Ewell.

Members commented that there are a vast number of fixed penalty notices and asked whether there is more work that needs to be done alongside the notices.  Members were informed that a large number come from BT Open Reach and that the company had been served with a formal improvement notice. The team meet with BT monthly and will do so until they have achieved 90% compliance.

Members requested a list of notices that have been breached. Members also asked what happens when contractors have left debris on the street and there is no response from them to clear this up. Officers informed Members that an information board is displayed next to the debris that the contractor has left, with the company’s details on it. 

Members asked whether there was a case for undertaking more inspections.  Officers explained that more breaches are picked up in the B phase of inspection between the date when work finishes to any time up to six months later.

Members queried why offences are continuing to happen, in particular by ‘Kier’. It was noted that officers meet monthly with Kier to review their work and their payment is reduced if work isn’t satisfactory.

Members asked officers about the future for the South East Permit Scheme.  Guidance is awaited from the DfTE in November; some of the conditions particularly around re-surfacing that can be issued at the moment will be lost.

It was queried whether more could be done where a utility company digs up the road within 6-12 months of it being re-surfaced.  Officers commented that utility companies can’t be stopped from putting in new connections at any time but they are working at getting better at identifying new connections in advance.

Members discussed whether permit fees could be increased. The Streetworks Team Managerclarified that this wasn’t currently possible but if there was a change in decision on this he would notify the Committee.

Members asked whether the Council knows what works utility companies have planned in the next 5 years.  Officers are aware of utility companies’ forward plans but these often change particularly around building developments and newly surfaced roads.

The Committee:

Noted the report.