Agenda item

Cllr Colin Kemp, Cabinet Member for Highways will be providing an update on the total highways programme for 2018/19 in Waverley.

Declarations of Interest: None

Cabinet Member in attendance: Surrey County Council Cabinet Member for Highways, Cllr Colin Kemp

Report Author introduction:

1.    This was a follow up meeting, having attended the September committee, to update the members on the overall highways programme for the Waverley area, and discuss the process for identifying the schemes for the 2018/19 and future programmes, to start discussions on individual roads. The Cabinet Member mentioned that in future reports there would have more detail on when roads were deferred, and for the future schemes annex would include the current priority rating for information.

2.    It was understood that there was not enough funding to do everything that members and residents wanted to do, but that the increased local committee funding, and the additional £5million to help address the impacts of the cold weather was helpful.

3.    In addition, local county councillors were being given £7,500 to spend on local highways items to empower them to support local residents. The criteria for this was currently being finalised and would be with members as soon as possible, with a menu of prices for different types of highways items.

Parish Council representatives had been invited to raise questions with the Cabinet Member on this item, the following were the key points:

1.    Witley Parish Council representative asked what the timescales were for engaging on the scheme lists. The Cabinet Member stated that comments on the 2018/19 list were needed ASAP, comments on the 2019/2020 lists by June, and that the £5million to address cold weather would be an evolving list.

2.    Haslemere Town Council Chairman asked who was responsible for potholes arising where utility companies had been working. The Cabinet Member responded stating that utility companies were required to repair the road, but SCC paid for any consequential damage.

3.    Dunsfold Parish Council Chairman asked what the process was for engaging with the Cabinet Member on key roads in the parish and getting them onto the programme. The Cabinet Member responded stating that the link was through the county councillor for the area. Any correspondence to him needed to also be copied to the local county councillor.

4.    Elstead Parish Council Chairman asked whether the £7,500 county councillor funding could be used for footpaths and bridleways improvements The Cabinet Member responded stating that the criteria was soon to be finalised, and he would publicise this at that point.

Member discussion: Key points:

1.    Members were in support of the delegated funding to local committees and the county councillors, but requested that the menu of options be properly costed, as previously the costs had not translated into practice when requested. The Cabinet Member agreed with this, but stated that members needed to be aware of their environment, the same scheme on a larger road would cost more than a smaller road as there might be additional costs involved.

2.    Members commended the Cabinet Member on the communication that took place on works during the cold weather, the information was much better than previous years and showed leadership and an understanding of what residents needed. The Cabinet Member thanked members and stated that yes the work that took place happened in the same way as previous years but the communication was the big difference this year.

3.    Members discussed the current Government bidding round for funding for infrastructure, and the Wrecclesham Relief Road, and who was responsible for coordinating the work. The Cabinet Member stated that the Government was asking for proposals for up to £100million to improve the economy, and that a number of schemes were being considered for submission from Surrey County Council, the Wrecclesham Relief Road being one. The decision would be made by the Leader, Deputy Leader and the Cabinet Member for Highways.

4.    Members asked for clarity about the different pots of funding that was available to local committees and councillors.

The Waverley Local Committee agreed to note the report, following the comments made for consideration by the Cabinet Member for Highways.