To approve the Sustainable Mode of Travel to School (SMOTS) strategy for adoption by the council and approve the contents of the general scrutiny committee recommendations.

The cabinet member transport and regulatory services introduced the item.

The key points noted were:

·         the proposed strategy replaced the one adopted in 2009 and comprised the strategy document and action plan;

·         the comments of the general scrutiny committee had been reflected in the documents and responses to the recommendations of the committee were set out in appendix 3;

·         the strategy reflected other council policies such as the health and wellbeing strategy;

·         there was no longer specific funding for SMOTS projects;

·         the action plan set out current activities and those planned for the future, the action plan would be monitored and reviewed during the life of the strategy.

In response to queries from the cabinet member infrastructure it was confirmed that officers would work with various colleagues and bodies to seek grants and expert advice. It was noted that better working with schools was a key aim of the strategy.

In response to a question from the leader of the Independent group it was stated that there were a number of reasons why existing sustainable travel options were not being fully utilised including the impact of weather, safety concerns and a need to join up routes. It was expected that the Hereford Transport Package would offer opportunities to improve connections.

The leader of the It’s Our County group welcomed the update and commented on the notable difference in congestion between term time and school holiday periods. In response to queries it was confirmed that the South Wye Transport Package would provide funding for active travel measures and that a school travel plan would be considered up to date if it had been completed within the past three years. The target was to get 80% of school travel plans to this standard.

The chairman of the general scrutiny committee was pleased that the recommendations from the committee had been taken up. He asked that a report go back to the scrutiny committee in due course to report on progress.

The cabinet member finance, housing and corporate services noted that only 16 schools had 20mph limits in their immediate vicinity. He queried if this should be encouraged for all schools and whether this should be a specific action in the action plan? It was agreed that the recommendations in the report be altered to include delegated authority for the director for economy, communities and corporate to make amendments to the action plan to include specific reference to 20mph zones outside schools.

The cabinet member transport and regulatory services commented that ward members were an important part of the strategy due to their local knowledge and contacts. It was hoped they could help and encourage schools to have up to date travel plans.

That:

(a)  The Sustainable Modes of Travel to School Strategy at appendix 1 be adopted;

(b)  the response to the recommendations of general scrutiny committee at appendix 3 be approved; and

(c)  the director for economy, communities and corporate, following consultation with the director for children’s wellbeing, the cabinet member for young people and children’s wellbeing and the cabinet member for transport and regulatory services, be authorised to amend the Action Plan at section 6 of the strategy to include specific reference to 20mph zones outside schools.