Witnesses
Jason Russell, Deputy
Director
Colin Kemp, Cabinet Member for
Highways
Declarations of interest:
None
Key
points raised in the discussion:
- It was
noted that on 12 June 2017, Democratic Services Support Officers
received a request from Cllr Eber Kington asking for an item on
Local Highway Funding for 2017/18 to be included on the next
Environment and Infrastructure Select Committee agenda. As a
result, an officer report has been prepared for the
Committee’s consideration.
-
Cllr Eber Kington introduced the report by informing
members that the report was requested as there were concerns
regarding the reductions with the local committee’s highway
budget, expressing the view that the impact of these reductions
would affect the level of service to residents. Members agreed that
the reduction to this budget would impact local decision making at
the local committee level.
-
The Cabinet Member for Highways assured members that
discussions with local committees was on the agenda going forward
to address the situation and discuss what solutions
could be reached. The Cabinet Member
stated that although money had been reduced from the local
committee highways budget more was being spent on the highways
network overall.
-
It was noted that there were other resources
available for local committees these included CIL funding and
parking funds which could be reassessed to maximise alternative
funding for local choice and funding.
-
A member stated that the allocated £40K for
Runnymede local committee would not allow members to deliver
services at levels experienced in recent years and that there
should be scope for fundamental re-assessment of the savings
proposals.
-
Officers identified that further reductions were
possible within the highways discretionary allocation which would
endorse additional savings however members raised concerns this
would diminish there role as a councillor further as discretionary
funds were managed by the Local Committees and promoted local
decision making.
-
Following the reduction in capital investment and on
going revenue pressures, members noted that investment would be
targeted in line with the available budget to minimise future
liabilities and the deterioration of highway assets.
-
It was noted that there was currently a re-structure
within the Environment and Infrastructure directorate. The Deputy
Director of Environment and Infrastructure assured that this would
not cause significant impact upon the delivery of service however
would maximise efficiency by utilising officer skills more
effectively.
-
Members sought clarification around the term
‘reactive maintenance’ and officers explained that
works included in this category referred to grass cutting, safety
defects, environmental maintenance, drainage winter service,
traffic systems, sign and lines and structures. However members
noted that there were delays in this area due to contractual
constraints.
-
There was discussion in amending the recommendation
to highlight the importance of reassessing the focus on local
highways funding. Members supported the view that the report
recommendation should be amended to note ‘with concern’
the reduction in the highways funding. The Select Committee
requested that Cabinet review the highways funding for local
committees.
-
The Cabinet Member for Highways emphasised that
local members were empowered with influencing decisions despite
concerns raised with the reduced level of involvement at local
level and referred to capital schemes where local and joint
committees play a significant role.
-
The Committee concluded proceedings by agreeing to
support the recommendation to be put forward to Cabinet for
consideration.
-
The Chairman commended Cllr Eber Kington for
requesting the report and bringing this discussion to the forefront
of scrutiny.
Recommendations:
a)
That the Environment and Infrastructure
Select Committee notes with concern the report and background to
the reductions in the Highways and Transport budget and asks the
Cabinet to review the highways funding of local
committees.
Actions:
None