Environment and Transport Select Committee Minutes

44. MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting held on 4 February 2005 were confirmed.

45. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Mr A J Mundy declared a personal interest in any matter relating to environmental issues as his son was an Environmental Engineer.

Mrs M J Miller declared a personal interest in the proposed scheme for Undercliff Drive as Chairman of the Development Control Committee.

46. FORWARD PLAN

The Head of Select Committee and Review Team reported on relevant items included within the Forward Plan for the period March to June 2005. The Executive were to consider the 2005/06 Parking Order; Building Control charges; St Mary’s Road, Cowes car park and the structure of the Isle of Wight Low Carbon Company in that period.

47. QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT REPORT – QUARTER 3 2004-05

The Select Committee was reminded that the Quarterly Performance Management Report (QPMR) was a developing process and would continue to take into account improvements suggested by members. The Portfolio Holders stressed the importance of using the information beyond just a measuring tool but to ensure that services were being delivered effectively and efficiently.

The Select Committee noted that one area to watch was in relation to under achievement on highway inspections. Members were advised that the Head of Engineering Services would shortly be introducing a new inspection regime following the appointment of one additional inspector. Inspections were improving, particularly those connected with safety defects, as the number of insurance claims against the Council had decreased. The standards of works by public utilities had also been improved by employing an additional inspector using the Invest to Save budget. The Traffic Management Act would have implications for the Council and required it to appoint a Traffic Manager to oversee all works on the highway. As there were no additional funds associated with the new legislation it was anticipated that this post would have to filled by an existing member of staff.

In noting that the highway maintenance budget was still insufficient the Select Committee were reminded of the importance of the Council being successful with its PFI bid. This represented the most cost effective way forward. There would also be revised funding evaluation for the Local Transport Plan, LPT2. This could possibly lead to a 50% reduction in funding for integrated transport schemes. There would be a need to investigate whether alternative funding streams such as the recently announced Transport Innovation Fund could help.

Concern was expressed by members that although the number of casualties arising from road traffic accidents had dropped from the previous quarter these were still high. With the recent accommodation moves the Traffic Education staff were now located alongside the Traffic Management section which enabled a more co-ordinated approach to road safety. The Select Committee questioned the progress being made on the draft Road Safety Plan which included the establishment of a Road Safety Forum. This was seen as a vital element in promoting road safety.

On environmental issues the Portfolio Holder indicated that revised literature would shortly be available so that the Green Island scheme could be recommenced. She was also working on an energy awareness project at the end of March 2005. This would be primarily aimed at Council staff and be linked with the introduction of an environmental management system. Members believed that efforts should be made to formulate a performance indicator that could be used to monitor the Council’s energy consumption.

The Select Committee discussed the benefits of having a member to specifically concentrate on performance monitoring. This would assist in ensuring that all the appropriate information was available on service delivery upon which recommendations could be based.

ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE HEAD OF SELECT COMMITTEE AND REVIEW TEAM

Mr M J Cunningham be the Select Committee’s QPMR Member Champion.

ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE QPMR MEMBER CHAMPION, PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, ENVIRONMENT AND PLANNING POLICY AND HEAD OF CORPORATE POLICY

Consideration be given to the formulation of a relevant performance indicator for the Council’s energy usage.

ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR TRANSPORT

The draft Road Safety Plan be submitted to the Select Committee to enable it to have a brief overview of its contents and actions prior to approval by the Executive.

48. BUDGET MONITORING REPORT AS AT END OF JANUARY 2005

The Select Committee considered a report setting out the revenue and capital budget position as at the end of January 2005. The revenue budget had been working towards a balanced budget. The recent cold weather had however led to between £10,000 to £15,000 expenditure which would impact on highway maintenance. The budget was being closely monitored to ensure that commitments could be met from existing funds.

With regard to capital there would be slippage but due to the Prudential Capital Regime no resources would be lost.

Funding had been secured for strengthening works to Ryde Tunnel. Officers advised that it would not be possible to carry these works out alongside those for the bridge at Ryde St Johns due to the negotiations required with Network Rail. It was anticipated that the Ryde St Johns Bridge strengthening scheme would slip into 2005-06. The Council was also back on target with undertaking safe routes to school schemes. The criteria for these were to change requiring a school travel plan to be in place before any consideration could be given to engineering works.

The attention of the Select Committee was also drawn to funding of the Undercliff Drive, Seaview Duver and Castle Haven schemes. Members noted that the Castle Haven scheme incorporated a drainage dewatering process which was the first of its kind in the UK although it had been used in parts of Europe. This would remove approximately half a million litres of water from the landslide area.

49. MANAGING COASTAL RISK – THE SHORELINE MANAGEMENT PROCESS

In conjunction with the report on the Shoreline Management Process the Council’s Coastal Manager gave a presentation on the development of the Isle of Wight Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) and other coastal risk related issues. Of particular interest was a 30 second video showing how the Island became separated from the mainland over a period of 40,000 years.

The Select Committee was told that approximately two thirds of the Island’s population were within two kilometres of the coast. The island also had the longest coastline, 110 km, of any Coast Protection Authority in England and Wales. The Victorians were responsible for much of the Island’s coastal development.

The existing SMP was completed in 1997. By updating the plan it would be possible to take into account a wide range of national and local research together with forecasts of climate change. A significant element would also be a risk framework which looked ahead one hundred years.

An outline was given as to how information would be collated on natural sub divisions of the coastline which would then be grouped into sub cells then detailed policy units. For each policy unit four coastal defence options would be considered :-

· Holding existing coastal defence line

· Advancing (seawards) the existing defence line

· Managed realignment

· No active intervention

The important link between the SMP and development control was emphasised. The Plan would identify areas under risk of flooding, erosion, landslip or rise in sea level.

Members queried whether there was any effect on the Island’s coast from large vessels accessing Southampton and Portsmouth harbours. The Coastal Manager indicated that it was difficult to assess any impact due to the irregular pattern of shipping movements. There were plans however to have an Estuary Management Plan for Wootton Creek which would take into account cross Solent ferry movements.

Discussion took place on concerns that had been raised by Cowes Town Council relating to the beach profile off The Green, Cowes. The Select Committee was advised that this was a natural feature of a storm shingle beach. If the material was levelled out it was likely that this would be lead to much of it being transported away by tidal and current movement with no guarantee of it being naturally replenished. There would also be implications for the surrounding coastal zone. The University of Portsmouth had looked at this matter and considered that there should be no intervention with the natural processes. Additionally any measures to level the profile would now be contrary to Government policy.

Members queried whether the impact of the proposed Pan development on flooding in Newport would be taken into account. The Coastal Manager indicated that there was general technical advice available to developers and the Environment Agency was the main authority responsible for issuing guidance on development in areas subject to flooding.

ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE COASTAL MANAGER

(a) The consultative processes relating to the Shoreline Management Plan, following national trials, and its development be supported;

(b) The Executive be recommended to submit an application for coast protection grant aid.

50. MEMBERS’ QUESTION TIME

A written question was submitted by Mrs M J Miller in relation to the new law on fox hunting and rights of way. A copy of the question and reply is contained in the Members Question Register (MQ 15/05)

CHAIRMAN