Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors G Barton and B Murphy.

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests in any item on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest

To provide an opportunity for Members to declare the existence of a party whip in relation to any item on the agenda.

There were no whipping declarations

A total period of 15 minutes is allocated for members of the public to make a statement(s) on any matter that falls within the remit of the Committee.

Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes, but the Chairman will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned, where there are a number of speakers.

Note: In order for officers to undertake any background research, it would be helpful if members of the public contacted the Scrutiny officer listed at the foot of the agenda, at least one working day before the meeting to provide brief details of the matter to be covered.

There were no members of the public present wishing to speak

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 5 February 2015.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 5 February 2015.

RESOLVED

That the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive a presentation on the key issues and scope for a review of Borough wide speed limits.

Consideration was given to a presentation proposing a Borough wide speed limit review. The presentation detailed:

·         Why there was need to undertake a review

·         Review outcomes

·         Starting point

·         How the review would be undertaken

·         What consultation would take place

·         What was currently being done

·         Next steps

It was agreed that a review should be undertaken for the following reasons:

·         Lack of consistency across the borough and with neighbouring authorities

·         Resident concerns relating to compliance with existing speed limits

·         National guidance available – DfT Circular 01/2013 Setting Local Speed Limits.

·         Traffic authorities are required to review speed limits.

Members made the following comments and observations:

·         The volume of speed limit review requests were high in Cheshire East; 54 had been received from the LAP’s

·         Cheshire East Council did not currently have a strategy for dealing with speed limit requests, a Speed Management Policy was therefore required.

·         The police needed to be involved in any review undertaken.

·         When conducting a review the entire route needed to be taken into consideration.

RESOLVED

That a Task and Finish Group be established to prepare the Council’s Speed Management Policy in the 2015/16 Municipal Year.

To receive a presentation on the progress made in 2013/14 and key activities and challenges for 2015/2016.

In accordance with the recommendations of the Pitt Review and the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, consideration was given to a progress update and the future challenges for flood risk management in Cheshire East.

Members received a presentation which outlined:

·         Flood and Water Management Act 2010 – principal new duties

·         Progress made in 2014/15

·         Cheshire and Mid Merseyside joint collaborative works in Poynton and Wilmslow

·         Planning and regulatory activity

·         Land Drainage Act 1991 – formal consenting activity

·         Regulatory activity; 32 consents had been received

·         Enforcement activity

·         Future challenges for 2015/16

·         2015/16 Levy schemes

·         Strategy detail

It was noted that a meeting had taken place with Planning Officers to raise awareness of the role of Lead Local Flood Authority, it was requested that the Planning Chairmen and Vice Chairmen be invited to any future meetings. It was also suggested that Flood Risk Management should form part of Members planning training.

The team had been consulted on 92 planning applications since November 2014; 80% full planning and 20% discharge of conditions.

Members raised concern that there was no specific budget for enforcement activity which proved to be challenging when there was a need to collect evidence.

RESOLVED

·         That the report be received.

·         That Flood Risk Management form part of Members planning training.

·         That the Planning Chairmen and Vice Chairmen be invited to any future meetings between the Flood Fisk team and Planning Officers.

To note the forward plan, identify any news items, and to determine whether any further examination of new issues is appropriate.

Consideration was given to areas of the forward plan which fell within the remit of the Committee.

RESOLVED

That the forward plan be noted.