MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND TRANSPORT SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON FRIDAY, 27 AUGUST 2004 COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM
Present :
Mr G P Price (Chairman), Mr J R Adams, Mr M J Cunningham, Mr J Effemey (deputising for Mr A J Mundy), Mrs M J Miller, Mr V J Morey, Mrs E Oulton, Mr R C Richards
Apologies :
Mr A J Mundy
Portfolio Holders :
Mrs T M Butchers, Mr E Fox
Also Present (non voting) :
Mr A C Bartlett, Mr R G Mazillius, Mr A A Taylor
18. MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 30 July 2004 were confirmed.
19. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations at this stage.
20. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
A question was submitted by Mr R Drover relating to a range of problems concerning hedgerows. The Head of Engineering Services indicated that he would respond direct to Mr Drover on all the issues raised.
A question was also asked by Mr K Butt relating to the construction and operation of Ventnor Haven. The Portfolio Holder indicated that she would ensure that Mr Butt received a written response.
21. FORWARD PLAN
The Head of Select Committee and Best Value Support advised members of the items of relevance to the Select Committee which were contained in the Forward Plan for the period September to December 2004.
22. QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT REPORT – QUARTER 1 2004-05
The Portfolio Holders gave an outline of the key achievements, areas to watch, key performance indicators and local public service agreement targets. In addition the results of the BVPI User Satisfaction Survey were reported.
On environmental issues the Select Committee noted the poor performance by the contractor responsible for cleaning public conveniences. The contractor had been requested to submit an improvement plan. The Select Committee was aware that financial penalties had been imposed previously on the contractor for poor performance and indicated that similar action should be undertaken within the terms of the contract. The Portfolio Holder indicated the revised procedures that would be implemented when the new contract, with a different contractor, commenced in November 2004.
The good performances in relation to household waste were highlighted. It was also noted that the Council and the contractor would be going to arbitration over ongoing dispute on the payment for green waste recycling.
Discussion took place on the provision of bags for dog waste. Funds had now been fully utilised but it was reported that a number of other community organisations were making funding locally available for this. The possibility of sourcing cheaper alternative bags was also raised.
With regard to highways matters the Portfolio Holder highlighted the continuing problem with highway maintenance and inspections and bridge inspections. This was primarily due to an insufficient revenue budget. The Private Finance Initiative was being progressed prior to the submission of a case to the Department of Transport and the Treasury for £135m to address the backlog of highway repairs and an overall £400m-£500m. The Head of Engineering Services referred to the need to link the utility services into any programmed works.
Members expressed some concern in the slight increase in the number of casualties arising from road traffic accidents. None of the accidents reported appeared to be the result of the condition of the carriageway. Many were speed related and there was a need for more road safety education, such as initiatives aimed at elderly drivers, but there was insufficient resources available for this purpose.
The Select Committee believed that it would be extremely useful if the previous figures for that quarter could be included within the report for comparative purposed. It was also thought that the possibility of measuring congestion or traffic management for the establishment of a performance indicator should be explored further.
Reference was made to the meeting of the Executive on 25 August 2004 at which consideration was given to the QPMR Report. The Executive had indicated that it would request Select Committees to investigate any areas of concern that it might have and report back. The Portfolio for Transport indicated that he would welcome the Select Committee’s involvement in looking at the resourcing of highway and bridge inspections.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, ENVIRONMENT AND PLANNING POLICY AND HEAD OF ENGINEERING SERVICES :
(a) Due to the recent poor performance of the contractor responsible for the cleaning of public conveniences the imposition of financial penalties be investigated.
(b) The supply of bags for the disposal of dog waste be explored to ascertain cheaper alternatives.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR TRANSPORT, THE HEAD OF ENGINEERING SERVICES AND HEAD OF CORPORATE POLICY AND COMMUNICATIONS :
The inclusion of a performance indicator relating to traffic congestion be explored.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR TRANSPORT, PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, ENVIRONMENT AND PLANNING POLICY AND THE HEAD OF CORPORATE POLICY AND COMMUNICATIONS :
The QPMR report be amended to include the previous year’s data for comparative purposes.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE HEAD OF SELECT COMMITTEE AND BEST VALUE SUPPORT AND HEAD OF ENGINEERING SERVICES :
The resourcing of highway inspections and bridge inspections be considered by the Select Committee.
23. COASTAL PROTECTION STRATEGY
The Select Committee received a powerpoint presentation by the Coastal Manager on the Council’s role as Coastal Protection Authority. He referred to how the Island’s coastline developed since the Victorian times, the costs of coastal defence, coastal processes and risks, legislation and administration, and climate change. Members were advised of the statutory and non-statutory plans and associated policies and strategies. An explanation was also given of the participation of the Council’s Centre for Coastal Environment in a number of regional, national and international projects. It was noted that the Centre had developed best value indicators for coastal management on behalf of the Local Government Association.
The Coastal Manager referred to the increased frequency of extreme weather patterns and the effect on coastal erosion and landslips. Whilst some financial assistance was available from the Government under the Belwin Rules, this was of limited use and should be reviewed.
Members were made aware of the work being undertaken in identifying the stability of land for planning policy purposes. This and other strategies involved both public and private sector stakeholders.
In Spring 2005 the Shoreline Management Plan would be reviewed. This would involve a major consultation exercise and assist in setting key priorities for future years. One aspect that the Select Committee could be engaged in related to landslide risk as this would include the effects on the highway network.
Members were advised of recent engineering works on the Island which drew upon experience in Europe when dealing with ground water levels and land drainage. Close liaison with Southern Water regarding water abstraction was also a key element on land stabilisation.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, ENVIRONMENT AND PLANNING POLICY, HEAD OF CORPORATE POLICY AND COMMUNICATIONS AND HEAD OF ENGINEERING SERVICES :
The Performance Indicators developed by the Centre for Coastal Environment for the LGA be included within the next QPMR report.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, ENVIRONMENT AND PLANNING POLICY, HEAD OF ENGINEERING SERVICES AND HEAD OF SELECT COMMITTEE AND BEST VALUE SUPPORT :
An item be included in the Select Committee’s Workplan on Landslide Risk as part of the Shoreline Management Plan process.
CHAIRMAN