To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors: DJ Benjamin; NL Vaughan; PJ Watts.

To receive details any details of Members nominated to attend the meeting in place of a Member of the Committee.

Councillor PL Bettington substituted for Councillor PJ Watts.

To receive any declarations of interest by Members in respect of items on the Agenda.

Councillor PL Bettington declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 7 – Annual Report by Cabinet Member (Environment and Strategic Housing).

To approve and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 19 April 2010.

The Chairman reminded Members that for information only an update on actions arising from previous recommendations was contained at agenda item 8.  Members noted that Amey Herefordshire used between 40 – 80 local contractors depending on the work and time of year. Payments to contractors should be within 21 days of invoice.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held 19^th April 2010, be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To consider suggestions from members of the public on issues the Committee could scrutinise in the future.

Mr P McKay, Leominster, suggested that the expected report to the 13 July meeting concerning Public Rights of Way Service should include reference to the inspection of unsurfaced county roads as this matter didn’t seem to be adequately inspected under the Council’s Highway Maintenance Plan (see his question to Council 28 May 2010)  He further suggested that as the meeting on 13 July would be receiving a presentation from the Local Access Forum, the question be put concerning whether there was adequate advertising for their meetings.

The Chairman thanked Mr McKay for his suggestions.

RESOLVED: That

1. the Public Right of Way (PROW) report to the 13 July meeting also include information on the inspection of unsurfaced County Roads; and
2. officers be requested to investigate the requirements for advertising meetings of the Local Access Forum and include in the report to the July meeting.

To receive a presentation by the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation reviewing past performance, identifying key issues and commenting on future plans in relation to the Highways and Transportation portfolio.

The Chairman invited Councillor DB Wilcox, (Cabinet Member - Highways and Transportation) to comment upon past performance; identify key issues and comment on future plans in relation to the Highways and Transportation portfolio.

The Cabinet Member (Highways and Transportation) provided an overview of the Highways and Transportation Services and highlighted progress in: Road Safety; Sustainable Transport; Winter Maintenance; Sustainable Travel; Supporting public & Community Transport; and future work on the Local Transport Plan 3 Review; Parking Strategy Review; the Hereford Relief Road; investment in maintenance; Edgar Street Grid – Yazor Brook Flood Alleviation; Widemarsh Street improvements, and Road Safety Improvements.

A full copy of the Cabinet Member presentation has been placed with the agenda papers in the Committee Minute book.

Arising from the presentation and questioning the following principal points were noted:

• It was noted that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had reviewed the Council’s and its partner’s response to the winter weather which had included details of how the Highway Service had responded.  Due to the additional costs involved in keeping the roads open (£936k) and subsequent increased maintenance (£3.5m in 2009/10) a number of planned schemes had been rescheduled.  Costs would be involved in replenishing the salt barns and repaying the overspend. There were no plans to increase the normal salt/grit stock levels.
• In response to Members criticism of the rail companies for the lack of adequate accommodation on local trains, especially the overcrowding at peak times, and the lack of facilities at stations, particularly in accordance with the Disability Discrimination Act the Cabinet Member informed the Committee that meetings were planed with the companies to again raise these issues. He undertook to report to Committee in due course.  Depending on the outcome of the talks the Committee may consider inviting the companies to come before them to publically explain their position in these and other matters.
• While thankfully the number of killed and seriously injured (KSI) on county roads was falling (105) the Cabinet Member reported that any KSI were too many.  Every incident was inspected and analysed.  From profiling the highest number of incidents occurred to 16- 25 year olds and may relate to behaviour rather than road conditions.  The Committee requested that the local member(s) be informed as soon as possible of any KSI in their ward.
• As the principal residential, business and retail centre for the County, access to the City was essential and the Committee requested information on the key points being used to lever increased funding from government to improve transport access to the City.
• The Committee were informed that a number of sustainable travel events had been arranged and details would be circulated.
• Since the report to the 26 March 2010 Committee a number of concerns had been raised by the public regarding the Connect 3 Greenway route which would be addressed.  A planning application was expected to be submitted in the autumn with construction due in 2011/13.
• 5 pairs of Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs) were available for deployment through the Road  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To receive a presentation by the Cabinet Member for Environment and Strategic Housing reviewing past performance, identifying key issues and commenting on future plans in relation to the Environment portfolio.

The Chairman invited Councillor JG Jarvis, (Cabinet Member - Environment and Strategic Housing) to comment upon past performance; identify key issues and comment on future plans in relation to the Environment portfolio.

The Cabinet Member Environment and Strategic Housing provided an overview based on the following themes of: Planning; Local Development Framework; Sustainability; Regulatory Services; Waste Management; Recycling, and Energy from Waste.

Arising from the presentation and questioning the following principal points were noted in relation to each of the themes:

Planning

• The Cabinet Member reported that following the reports by both the Audit Commission and Environment Scrutiny into planning, and consideration by the Constitutional Review Working Group the new constitution, which introduced the new planning committee arrangement in January 2010, were working well. The new arrangements provided for greater involvement by individual ward members into local issues and enhanced liaison between councillors and officers.  Parish Councils and planning agents had also responded favourably. 
• Responding to criticism concerning the lack of performance from the planning element of the new Civica ICT system the Head of Planning and Transportation shared in the disappointment, however, ICT were looking to rectify the problems.  While there had been a 5 to 6 week backlog in processing the applications to the system during the September switch over this was now down to an average of 2 or 3 days.  He acknowledged that plans were still being scanned externally and this caused a delay to their uploading.  This element was still being looked at from a corporate point of view.  Key staff had been consulted in the initial design of the system.  Town and parish councils and the public would be consulted during the system improvement stages.  The Sustainable Communities Director reminded members that the previous ICT system had ceased to be maintained by the manufacturers. The Committee were due to receive a report on planning at their July meeting and an update on the scanning element could be included.
• Concern was expressed regarding shortcomings in the enforcement of planning application conditions.  The Cabinet Member responded that following a reorganisation of the planning teams a team had been set up to specifically address the enforcement issue and revise the enforcement standards.
• During discussion reference had been made to a ‘planning tool kit’ on which members requested further information and the Head of Planning and Transportation undertook to include this in a forthcoming work shop for members.

Local Development Framework (LDF)

• The Cabinet Member reported that the LDF replaced the Unitary Development Plan and would be key to future development in the County.  Response to the Place Shaping Consultation during Jan to March 2010 had been very good with nearly 5000 people engaging in the process resulting in over 2400 detailed comments.  This compared very favourably to experiences elsewhere.  Results indicated support for both the proposed growth and proposed strategies.  He outlined further opportunities for member involvement prior to consideration by Council, which he hoped would be in this administration. 
• Responding to questions concerning any possible changes  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To consider the Committee work programme.

The Committee considered its work programme.

RESOLVED: That subject to reflecting earlier comment the work programme be agreed and recommended to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for approval.