49.
MINUTES
RESOLVED :
THAT the Minutes of the meeting held on 19 December 2003 be confirmed.
50.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Mr A J Mundy declared a personal interest in any matter relating
to environmental issues.
51.
URGENT
BUSINESS – YOUTH TRANSPORT
The Vice Chairman, Mr M Cunningham, reported on two meetings that
he had recently attended of the Youth Transport Working Party established by
the Youth Trust arising from its Transport Study. Initial discussions centred on the Youth Mover Plus Card Scheme.
RESOLVED :
THAT the report be noted.
52.
USE OF
MECHANICALLY PROPELLED VEHICLES ON RIGHTS OF WAY
The Head of Select Committee and Best Value Support advised
members that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) had
issued a consultation document relating to the use of mechanically propelled
vehicles on rights of way. The Council
was reported to have more footpaths per square kilometre than any other English
County. The main proposals contained
within the consultation document related to byways which comprised 47 Km of the
overall network of 827 Km.
The Council’s Countryside Access Manager explained the background
to the proposals and that DEFRA intended any changes not to be effective until
2025. This was due to the need for many Highway Authorities having to undertake
extensive historic research on user rights on rights of way which. This was not
the case on the Island. He outlined how
the Island’s Definitive Map of Rights of Way had been established utilising
records maintained by the Highways Commissioners in 1898.
Although there were some isolated problems with mechanically
propelled vehicles causing damage to byways, and some illegal use of those on
footpaths and bridleways it was not seen as a major problem. The Select Committee was advised that the
Council could use existing powers to make traffic regulation orders restricting
or prohibiting vehicles on byways. It
had been necessary the previous year to temporary close parts of the Tennyson
Trail due to damage being caused by vehicles following particularly wet
weather.
The Countryside Access Manager indicated that the Council did not
have any restricted byways, therefore certain proposals within the Consultation
document were not relevant.
Mr John Brownscombe, the AONB Officer broadly welcomed the
proposals contained in the Consultation document. A Tennyson Trail Task Group had been formed in August 2002. There were concerns over damage caused to
the Tennyson Trail and also to adjoining land.
A voluntary code of use had been drawn up by user groups for their
members. It was also intended to involve the Crime and
Disorder Partnership in discussions to assist in overcoming problems associated
with misuse of rights of way by vehicles, including motorbikes. It was necessary to adopt a partnership
approach to issues involved. Any
restrictions placed on the use of rights of way would require enforcement.
Mr Brownscombe believed that an opportunity was being missed in
DEFRA’s proposals by not adopting a more flexible approach to Traffic
Regulation Orders on Byways and made particular reference to signage. There was also a view that a significant
area was not addressed by the proposals related to trespass on private land by
vehicles accessing this off rights of way.
The Select Committee noted that although byways only formed 4% of
the rights of way network 80% of these were in Areas of Outstanding Natural
Beauty. There was also implications for
ancient monuments and landscapes which were being damaged through misuse by
vehicles.
Members considered that the proposed implementation date of 2006
should be brought forward.
Clarification was also needed on the rights of statutory undertakers to
use vehicles on rights of way when accessing plant and equipment and the duty
to repair any damage arising from such action.
The conflict with other users had to be taken into account. It was possible to erect barriers preventing
vehicular access on footpaths. This
could not however be done on bridleways.
The Select Committee considered that a further paper should be
submitted taking into account the views of all interested parties. This would then enable a response to be made
to DEFRA by the closing date of 19 March 2004.
RESOLVED :
THAT officers prepare a written response to the proposals
contained in the Consultation Paper for consideration, incorporating :
·
Views of stakeholders.
·
A more
flexible approach to the co-ordination and enforcement of illegal or misuse of
rights of way.
·
A
partnership approach enabling emergency closures to protect the natural
environment.
·
Issue of
trespass on private land.
53.
BUDGET
CONSULTATION
(During the debate on this item Mrs M J Miller
declared an interest in the proposed Ryde Interchange Scheme as Chairman of the
Development Control Committee)
The Chief Financial Officer reported on the 2004/05
revised budget and 2005/06 forecast. He
advised members that although the Council had received an improved Formula
Spending Share for 2004/05 this fell short of providing the level of financing
required for a standstill. Taking into
account additional funding being made available on a one off basis, and changes
to discounts in Council Tax on second homes and empty properties, it was
anticipated that a rise of 5.9% in Council Tax would be required to provide for
a standstill budget.
The Select Committee debated the revenue bids that
were being put forward for consideration by the Executive together with those
which were being deferred. The effect
of insufficient funding for maintenance of the highway network was a major
concern. The Head of Engineering
Services indicated that in approximately 10 years time every road would have no
remaining life left. Already the
Council, through its insurers, had paid out about £1.5m in claims arising from
defective highways. The funding of the
extended concessionary bus fare scheme was also an area where insufficient
funding had been allocated.
Members referred to the proposals of the Council to
proceed with decriminalised parking enforcement and the lack of progress on
this due to funding problems. The
original business case had suggested a surplus after the third year of
operation. Consideration was given to
similar areas whereby there could be a financial benefit accruing to the
Council after initial pump priming.
It was believed by members that this could also
include better control of work carried out by statutory undertakers, and the
introduction of a Pavement Management System and maintenance staff leading to a
reduction in insurance claims. The
ability of the Council to deliver the highways capital programme, in accordance
with the Local Transport Plan, with the existing number of staff was
raised. Shortfalls could be covered by
way of consultants. There were also
accommodation problems as there was not sufficient space within Jubilee Stores
to locate any additional staff.
The Select Committee discussed the need to
initialise the spend to save budget held centrally on areas where it could be
proved that the Council would benefit on the longer term after the initial
financial outlay.
RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE EXECUTIVE :
THAT there is a clear business case to fully fund
Section 74 issues, Pavement Management System, decriminalised parking and the
bid for Highway Maintenance Staff as capacity will be increased to deliver
services and reduce the cost of any PFI bid.
54.
MEMBERS’ QUESTION TIME
Mr Bartlett asked a question in relation to the
Council re-establishing its own highway maintenance workforce. The Head of Engineering Services indicated
that the existing contractual arrangements were due for renewal later in 2004
and this option should be explored.
CHAIRMAN