Agenda item

This report seeks approval of a programme of highway works for Tandridge funded from the Local Committee’s delegated capital and revenue budgets.

The Local Committee (Tandridge) agreed that:

General

(i) Note that, subject to approval by cabinet, the Local Committee’s devolved

highways budget for capital works in 2022/23 is £537,034.

(ii) Agree that, subject to approval by cabinet, the devolved capital budget for

highway works be used to progress both capital improvement schemes and

member capital allocation as detailed in section 1.

(iii) Authorise that the Highway Engagement & Commissioning Manager in

consultation with county members to be able to reallocate budget to reserve

schemes should there be a need to change the programme.

(iv) Authorise that the Highways Engagement and Commissioning Manager in

consultation with county members, be able to allocate any additional funding

for schemes, in accordance with any guidance issued surrounding that

funding.

Capital Improvement Schemes

(v) Agree that £210,000 of the ITS programme to be equitably split between each divisional member for ITS or capital maintenance for 2022/23. And the A22 scheme on Annex 1 be removed and officers will seek alternative funding opportunities.

(vi) Authorise that the Highways Engagement and Commissioning Manager be

able to vire money between the schemes agreed in Annex 1, if required.

(vii) Agree that Highways Engagement and Commissioning Manager, in line with

the Scheme of Delegation, is able to progress any scheme from the Major

Integrated Transport Schemes programme, including consultation and

statutory advertisement that may be required under the Road Traffic

Regulation Act 1984, for completion of those schemes. Where it is agreed

that a scheme will not be progressed, this will be reported back to the

appropriate county member.

Member Capital Allocation

(viii) Note that, subject to approval by cabinet, £50,000 is allocated to each

divisional member. Up to £15,000 of this could be allocated to minor ITS, or

all £50,000 could be used on capital maintenance (recommended option).

The schemes are to be proposed by county members in consultation with the

Stakeholder Engagement Officer.

Revenue Maintenance

(ix) Note that the members, subject to approval by cabinet, will continue to receive

a Member Local Highways Fund (revenue) allocation of £7,500 per county

member to address highway issues in their division; and

(x) Agree that each county member allocates £6,000 of their Member Local

Highways Fund allocation to be pooled to commission a revenue

maintenance gang.

(xi) Agree that revenue works are to be managed by the Highway Maintenance

team on behalf of and in consultation with county members.

REASONS FOR DECISIONS: To agree, subject to approval by cabinet, a programme of highways works in Tandridge for 2022/23, funded from budgets available to enable schemes and works to progress

Declarations of Interest: None

Officer attending: Zena Curry, Highway Engagement and Commissioning Manager, SCC

Petitions, Public Questions, Statements: None

Key points from discussion:

Cllr Becky Rush proposed the following amendment to (v) Agree that £210,000 of the ITS programme to be equitably split between each divisional member for ITS or capital maintenance for 2022/23. And the A22 scheme on Annex 1 be removed and officers will seek alternative funding opportunities. The rational being that when the scheme was agreed it was part of a three year programme set out last budget year. The process has now changed so from 2022/23 will move into central funds so fair to share the funds so that each member can apply for their schemes. Cllr Taylor O'Driscoll confirmed his support to second Cllr Becky Rush’s proposal.

Members had a discussion around SCC Cabinet's decision to remove highways functions, and the opportunity for submission of public questions and petitions, from the Tandridge Local Committee.

Councillors asked if any alternatives had been considered and what was felt about the removal of the A22 scheme.

It was confirmed that taking decisions at local level meant they could be dealt with in a more direct and efficient manner. There is also a greater budget going to local members. The Highway Engagement and Commissioning Manager confirmed that in terms of the new approach it is to reach out to the community, get closer to residents and bring in more stakeholders, not just those delegated to the local committee. A new Stakeholder Engagement Team will support this. Some highway engagement meetings have been held and the feedback has been that there has been more engagement and a high number of residents participating, viewing online and asking questions. Still possible to have face to face if that is the community’s choice. Currently developing a range of engagement tools. The best way is through the county councillor who holds the budget. Good website and a direct phone line to customer care.

The Chairman confirmed that engagement with district councillors and residents can continue outside of this committee and will provide a description of the new system.

A question was asked about progressing a 20mph speed limit proposed for Farleigh Road and if traffic calming is required will the County Member Capital Allocation £30,000 allow that to happen. On the reserved schemes for future potential prioritisation from Road Safety central budgets how likely are they to be delivered. The divisional member confirmed she had been speaking to the central team about any funding that can be used for the 20mph speed limit proposed for Farleigh Road and if not the extra money proposed from the amended recommendation will allow her to do so. The Highway Engagement and Commissioning Manager confirmed the exact prioritisation process isn’t yet known. At present continue with the prioritised projects and seek any funding that could be possible but cannot confirm how likely it is that they will be put forward.

It was requested that members could be involved in how the revenue maintenance gang is run and how priorities decided. The Highway Engagement and Commissioning Manager confirmed colleagues in Highways Maintenance Team will meet once budgets in place and this will be Member led.

Members voted by a show of hands on the recommendations including the amendment to (v).  

This was AGREED by six votes in favour and four against.

The Local Committee (Tandridge) agreed that:

General

(i) Note that, subject to approval by cabinet, the Local Committee’s devolved

highways budget for capital works in 2022/23 is £537,034.

(ii) Agree that, subject to approval by cabinet, the devolved capital budget for

highway works be used to progress both capital improvement schemes and

member capital allocation as detailed in section 1.

(iii) Authorise that the Highway Engagement & Commissioning Manager in

consultation with county members to be able to reallocate budget to reserve

schemes should there be a need to change the programme.

(iv) Authorise that the Highways Engagement and Commissioning Manager in

consultation with county members, be able to allocate any additional funding

for schemes, in accordance with any guidance issued surrounding that

funding.

Capital Improvement Schemes

(v) Agree that £210,000 of the ITS programme to be equitably split between each divisional member for ITS or capital maintenance for 2022/23. And the A22 scheme on Annex 1 be removed and officers will seek alternative funding opportunities.

(vi) Authorise that the Highways Engagement and Commissioning Manager be

able to vire money between the schemes agreed in Annex 1, if required.

(vii) Agree that Highways Engagement and Commissioning Manager, in line with

the Scheme of Delegation, is able to progress any scheme from the Major

Integrated Transport Schemes programme, including consultation and

statutory advertisement that may be required under the Road Traffic

Regulation Act 1984, for completion of those schemes. Where it is agreed

that a scheme will not be progressed, this will be reported back to the

appropriate county member.

Member Capital Allocation

(viii) Note that, subject to approval by cabinet, £50,000 is allocated to each

divisional member. Up to £15,000 of this could be allocated to minor ITS, or

all £50,000 could be used on capital maintenance (recommended option).

The schemes are to be proposed by county members in consultation with the

Stakeholder Engagement Officer.

Revenue Maintenance

(ix) Note that the members, subject to approval by cabinet, will continue to receive

a Member Local Highways Fund (revenue) allocation of £7,500 per county

member to address highway issues in their division; and

(x) Agree that each county member allocates £6,000 of their Member Local

Highways Fund allocation to be pooled to commission a revenue

maintenance gang.

(xi) Agree that revenue works are to be managed by the Highway Maintenance

team on behalf of and in consultation with county members.

REASONS FOR DECISIONS: To agree, subject to approval by cabinet, a programme of highways works in Tandridge for 2022/23, funded from budgets available to enable schemes and works to progress