To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor RI Matthews (Chairman) and Councillor DW Greenow.  Apologies were also received from Councillor JG Jarvis, Cabinet Member (Environment & Strategic Housing).

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

Councillor G Lucas substituted for Councillor DW Greenow.

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

8. Railways - update report.

Councillor GFM Dawe, Personal, As Chair of the Rail for Herefordshire Group.

11. Connect 2 Greenway – Scheme Update

Councillor MD Lloyd-Hayes (in attendance) declared a personal interest as a member of the Greenway Steering Group.

To approve and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 13 September 2010.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held 13 September 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.

No suggested areas for scrutiny were received.

To update the Committee on the progress made in preparing the third Local Transport Plan (LTP) and invite the Committee to provide their comments on the emerging strategy.

The Committee received an update on progress made in preparing the third Local Transport Plan (LTP) and were invited to comment on the emerging strategy.

A number of written questions concerning the LTP3 had been received before the meeting from Mrs E Morawiecka. The questions and the written response have been appended to these minutes.

The Transportation Manager presented his report which set out: the history to the LTP and its importance to the County; the consultation undertaken in developing the emerging strategy; the significant funding pressures in the next few years around highway and transport services.

He also gave a presentation summarising the development of the LTP, current understanding of future funding and the timetable for adopting the strategy. Committee Members had previously received a copy of the draft LTP.

On scrutinising the report the Committee noted the following principal points:

• Data for anticipated traffic growth in the City had been derived from various surveys and this had been modelled using the SATURN (Simulation and Assignment of Traffic to Urban Road Networks) system which in turn had been fed into the Local Development Framework model.  Growth indicated in the LDF, and following consultation with the planning section, had been used to assess traffic growth in the rural areas.  Statistics on traffic growth in Leominster had been based on work undertaken by a potential developer. The intention was to mitigate national trends/behaviours for increased local journeys.
• Statistics on fuel price/use used government projections within the SATURN system and were used as an industry standard.
• It was agreed that a number of aspirational elements in the LTP, particularly concerning rural roads and road maintenance, would need to be redrafted to provide greater focus.  Funding issues will become an important issue especially in view of reduced government funding.
• Questioned whether the funding for the relief road could instead be used to fund improved sustainable transport (bus and cycle/walk ways) the Cabinet Member (Highways and Transportation) responded that the relief road was not a stand alone option.  If the County wanted economic growth then a relief road and integrated transport would be needed and this had been endorsed by government ministers.  He also pointed out that support to bus services was revenue funding and constructing a relief road would be capital funding.
• With an aging population it was questioned whether the traditional public transport service would be adequate in the long term.  Questions were also raised regarding the 20% reduction in bus operator subsidy. The Cabinet Member (Highways and Transportation) responded that the LTP sought to ensure that a reasonable level of service was provided to the rural communities and pointed out that the subsidy reduction was due to government cuts. The Council were discussing the implications with operators. To maintain the current subsidy level would require support from Council resources.
• The Cabinet Member (Highways and Transportation) reported that he would also be discussing the resources situation with community transport operators.
• Comment was made that the LTP lacked any sense of how initiatives  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

To bring together information on the council’s performance on environmental issues in 2009/10 in relation to commitments made, in particular in the environmental policy and corporate plan. (Good Environmental Management – GEM).

The Committee considered information on the Council’s performance on environmental issues in 2009/10 in relation to commitments made, in particular in the environmental policy and corporate plan. (Good Environmental Management – GEM)

The Sustainability Officer presented the agenda report and highlighted: the five long term outcomes identified under the Corporate Plan environmental objectives; that the National Indicator set had now been dropped which meant that future reporting formats would have to be revised, and there was merit in expanding the set of measures reported against, and these were further set out in the report.  Overall performance for 2009/10, indicated by the ‘Year End Report’, was good.

During the course of scrutinising the performance report the following principal points were noted:

• A number of issues within the ’Natural and Built Environment’ section would be governed by the Local Development Framework once approved.
• The staff travel plan target had been achieved.
• One Council school, which was in the course of being redeveloped, and five private schools did not have school travel plans.
• It was suggested that while the use of recycled paper was commendable, cutting the use of papers would be more beneficial.
• The Sustainable Communities Director reported that a more strategic approach, following the national programme lead by the Carbon Trust, was being taken by the Council and PCT to ensure that carbon and cost savings were being made. The Council has set up a Carbon Board to consider how further initiatives could be progressed.
• Questioned on how the results for objective CM2 (per capita reduction in CO2) had been derived, it was noted that while these related to national statistics the local definition may need revising.
• Schools are large users of heat and power and Property Services were working with schools to reduce their carbon footprint.  However, in many cases the required improvements would involve significant capital investment.
• Concern was expressed that if the County exceeded the household waste ‘contract cost trigger’, a large fine would be incurred. (objective WM1&2)
• Responding to a suggestion that an extension of the 20mph zones would contribute to safer communities and cut carbon, the Cabinet Member (Highways and Transportation) commented that commentary on 20mph zones was included in the draft Local Transport Plan.  A review of all the speed limits in the County was underway.
• Questioned on how achievements for LEQ1 (environmental cleanliness) had been derived the Committee noted that a range of areas were sampled and compared against national indicators.

RESOLVED: That the Environmental Performance 2009-2010 report be noted.

To provide an update to the committee on planned improvements for rail services and facilities in Herefordshire.

Councillor GFM Dawe, declared a personal interest as Chairman of the ‘Rail for Herefordshire Group’.

The Committee received an update on planned improvements for rail services and facilities in Herefordshire.

In response to the Committee request in June 2010 when Members criticised the rail operators for overcrowding on the Ludlow-Leominster-Hereford trains and concerns about the lack of access facilities, the Committee were informed by the Transportation Manager that: responsibility for the rail services and facilities in Herefordshire lay with a number of train operating companies and network rail; Arriva Trains Wales were developing measures to address overcrowding problems on the Ludlow-Hereford line, and improved access for users of Hereford and Leominster rail stations had now been programmed with Leominster works due to commence in January 2011.  The agenda report summarised other key areas of progress in terms of ongoing and planned improvement to rail facilities and services in the County.

During the course of debate the following principal points were noted:

• Questioned whether the Council were in dialogue with the various rail franchise companies the Committee noted that meetings were held with the companies concerning a range of rail issues, however, being national companies meetings were sometimes difficult to arrange.
• Noting the recent government announcement to make a massive investment in rail infrastructure and questioning whether any improvements would be seen to county rail services, the Transportation Manager commented that the investment would be directed to London, the South East and major rail routes. The County may benefit from the knock on effect to the introduction of new rolling stock.
• While paragraph 13 of the report stated that ‘track improvements between Hereford and Ledbury……are likely to be prohibitively expensive’ a Member claimed that it wasn’t prohibitively expensive when compared to the total LTP funding.
• It was suggested that being part of a ‘Quality Rail Partnership’ may give added weight to any lobbying to get improved rail services.

The Cabinet Member (Highways and Transportation) commented that with only four stations (Hereford, Leominster, Ledbury and Colwall) Herefordshire wasn’t seen as a priority by the franchise companies.  Therefore this needed to be seen in the wider context and may be raised with the Local Enterprise Partnership.  He also commented that he would be meeting with Lord Faulkner and would take the opportunity to put the case for twin-tracking, or at least passing loops, on the Hereford to Ledbury line.

RESOLVED: that the position outlined in the report be noted and the key providers of rail services and facilities in the County be invited to a future meeting to discuss issues of concern.

To consider the finding of the review of the Travellers' Policy and progress on the actions arising from the Herefordshire Travellers’ Policy adopted on the 25^th November 2008.

The Committee considered the findings of the review of the Travellers’ Policy and progress made on the actions arising from the Herefordshire Travellers’ Policy adopted on 25 November 2008.

The Chairman of the Review, Councillor WLS Bowen, reported that in 2008 the Travellers’ Policy had been reviewed and a number of recommendations had been made.  In accordance with the Committee’s wish a further review had recently been undertaken and, having taken into account new government guidance and progress made against a number of actions previously identified, the Review Group made six further recommendations, set out in the report, for consideration by the Committee for forwarding to the Executive for consideration.

The Member for Bringsty ward, and member of the Review Group, briefly outlined the history to the Open Fields site at Linton, particularly in relation to its possible redevelopment by a developer and urged that progress be made.

It was suggested that in view of future planning applications being made the Planning Committee should be made aware of the Travellers’ Policy.

RESOLVED: That

1. the conclusions of the Review Group on the Herefordshire Travellers Policy be agreed and forwarded to the Cabinet Member (Environment and Strategic Housing) for consideration;
2. the Committee particularly supports the conclusion that work to secure the redevelopment of the Open Fields, Bromyard, site be progressed without undue delay;
3. the Executive response to the Review be reported to the first available meeting of the Committee after the Cabinet Member (Environment and Strategic Housing) has approved his response;
4. the Cabinet Member (Environment and Strategic Housing) considers involving the Review Group in any further development of the Policy; and

5.      that Members of the Planning Committee be reminded of the Travellers Policy when considering planning applications for traveller sites.

The report outlines the results of the vehicle fleet review. It contains details of the proposed approach to management of the vehicle fleet.

The Committee considered the results of the vehicle fleet review and details of the proposed approach to management of the vehicle fleet.

The report set out that: interim arrangements had been put in place for fleet management which provided assurance and control over the current fleet; management of the individual leased vehicle fleet across Herefordshire Public Services was expected to be consolidated and would ultimately be delivered from the Shared Services Organisation; arrangements for managing the rest of the fleet was being developed with the Council’s fleet management partner, Amey Herefordshire. These arrangements will be put in place over the next 6 months so that the business fleet will be managed centrally early in the next financial year.  The new arrangements will prioritise the development and roll out of policies and procedures that will help to reduce carbon emissions (and with them cost) and reduce the risks associated with fleet operation. Centralised fleet asset management will be rolled out commencing in April 2011. Centralising fleet management will allow both the implementation of a more consistent vehicle replacement policy and increased flexibility of asset use.

Questioned whether specific reductions in carbon emissions were planned the Committee noted that in relation to the Council’s fleet these would be agreed as part of the management agreement with Amey Herefordshire.  In relation to the ‘gray fleet’ (Councillors and officers private vehicles when used for business) this would be looked at as part of the overall carbon reduction policy.

It was suggested that alternative ways be explored for holding non-public meetings thereby saving travelling e.g. teleconferencing.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted and officers further explore the use of teleconferencing to further cut the business mileage.

To provide an update to the Committee regarding Connect 2 Greenway scheme prior to submission of planning application for the scheme.

Councillor MD Lloyd-Hayes (in attendance) declared a personal interest as a member of the Greenway Steering Group.

The Committee received an update regarding the Connect 2 Greenway scheme prior to submission of a planning application for the scheme.

The Construction Manager presented her agenda report and highlighted that following representations from local residents in the vicinity of the Preferred Route (New Bridge), additional investigations into possible routes utilising Outfall Works Road, the Welsh Water bridge and Network Rail underpass were being undertaken.  This work would be sufficiently detailed to inform a decision on whether to submit the planning application for the current preferred route or whether to alter the preferred route and follow the original Welsh Water route.

Both options can still be delivered by spring 2013 which is the requirement of the Sustrans funding for this project.  The scheme budget remains at £2.6M.

The Committee noted that in the interest of best value and the long term provision of the scheme the two options were being reviewed.  Responding to a question concerning the scheme the Committee noted that the scheme represented phase one of the intention to take the cycle way to Holme Lacy.

RESOLVED: That the Committee noted the current position concerning the Connect 2 Greenway scheme as set out in the report.

To provide a report on the current outturns and progress against the actions for key national performance indicator targets for Environment Scrutiny Committee.

The Committee considered the current outturns and progress against the actions for key national performance indicator targets as they relate to Environment Scrutiny Committee.

On scrutinising the performance indicated in the report the Committee expressed a degree of concern that NI192 (household waste) was below target, however, it was noted that recycling continued to be promoted.

The Committee further noted that while the Local Area Agreement (LAA) targets had been removed, where a rational existed, the Council would continue to use a number of targets for monitoring purposes.

RESOLVED: that the position set out in the performance report be noted.

To advise Scrutiny Committee on progress of the 2010/11 Environment Capital Programme within the overall context of the Council’s Capital Programme.

The Committee considered progress of the 2010/11 Environment Capital Programme within the overall context of the Council’s Capital Programme.

The Director of Resources representative presented the report and highlighted that the total programme had reduced to £17,998k from the figure of £18,838k previously reported and this together with other variances, were set out in more detail in the report and appendix 1.  

Questioned whether the cost of the poll (referred to at Council on 19 November 2010) to seek public opinion on the relief road, as contained in the draft LDF, would be met from the Environment budget the Sustainable Communities Director responded that officers were currently looking into the possibility and feasibility of holding the poll.  He anticipated that if it went ahead the cost would be met from corporate budgets.

RESOLVED: That the position set out in the Budget Monitoring report be noted.

To advise members of the Environment committee of the financial position for the Environment budgets for the six months to 30 September 2010. The report lists the variations against budget at this stage in the year and the projected outturn for the year.

The Committee considered the financial position for the Environment budgets for the six months to 30 September 2010.

The Director of Resources representative presented the report and highlighted that the total environment budget for 2010/11 had increased to £24,921k from the amount previously reported (£24,881k).  While this was a net increase she highlighted budget pressures in car parking due to reduced levels of income; public transport due to increased fuel prices, and planning due to the continued use of the document scanning system.  Waste disposal was also being closely monitored in relation to the ‘contract cost trigger’.  Other variances were detailed in the report and appendix.

RESOLVED: That the position set out in the Revenue Budget Monitoring report be noted.

To consider the Committee work programme.

The Committee noted the work programme.

RESOLVED: That the work programme be noted and it be recommended to the Overview & Scrutiny Committee for approval.