Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors S Hogben, O Hunter, N Mannion and M Parsons.

To give consideration to the minutes of the meeting held on 17 September 2018.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 17 September 2018.

RESOLVED

That the minutes be approved as a correct record subject to Cllr P Groves being included in the list of apologies.

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 give consideration to a presentation on the strategic infrastructure programme.

Consideration was given to a presentation on the strategic infrastructure programme, which detailed the borough wide 7 major schemes. In relation to Poynton Relief Road, it was noted that the scheme would be completed by late 2021 and not 2020 as detailed in the presentation.

In relation to Crewe Green roundabout, it was noted that the scheme would be delivered on time and within budget. Local Members wished their thanks to officers to be recorded for member engagement and timeliness in delivering the scheme

Members welcomed the replacement of Sydney Road Bridge, however, expressed concern about other bridges in Crewe that needed attention. It was highlighted to Members that the majority of bridges in Crewe were owned by Network Rail and Members agreed that the Council should encourage Network Rail to make the required improvements.

In relation to Macclesfield, it was noted that there were no significant major schemes, however, improvements were scheduled to the key junctions which were outlined in the Macclesfield Movement Strategy.

In relation to HS2, it was agreed that a report on the funding principles would be brought back to a future meeting of the Committee.

RESOLVED

1.    That Members thanks to officers be recorded for their engagement and timeliness of delivering the Crewe Green roundabout scheme.

2.    That a report on the funding principles of HS2 be considered by the Committee in due course.

To give consideration to the Well Managed Highway Infrastructure public consultation feedback

Further to the meeting held on June 2018, the Committee received feedback on the outcomes and progress following the Well Managed Highway Infrastructure Consultation. In total 93 responses were received from a range of consultees and stakeholders, which were highlighted within the report. Members made the following comments and observations:

·         It was important to ensure that all schools, hospitals and areas used by the elderly fall within the resilient highways network.

·         A similar approach should be used for the boroughs green infrastructure.

·         Cycle paths needed to be gritted alongside the rest of the highways network.

·         The provision of self help grit bins needed to be assessed, as they enable residents to be resilient.

·         Footpaths on housing estates and town centres needed to be addressed as manywere in poor condition.

RESOLVED

That the Well Managed Highway Infrastructure Code of Practice be supported subject to the comments highlighted above.

To give consideration to the first quarter performance data for the Place Department.

Consideration was given to the Place performance scorecard for 2018/19 for quarter 1, which provided an accessible summary of performance against targets within the Place Department.

In relation to PIH004, it was noted that customer satisfaction levels had decreased and officers were investigating the cause of this.

In relation to PCO002 – average speed to answer calls, it was agreed that that this was a difficult target to achieve and that the quality of the call was more important than the speed it took to answer calls.

In relation to PCO005, it was agreed that a written response providing members with further detail and explanation about the NHS invoices referenced would be circulated to members outside of the meeting.

RESOLVED

That a written response in relation to PCO005 be circulated to members outside of the meeting.

To give consideration to the areas of the forward plan which fall within the remit of the committee.

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

RESOLVED

That the forward plan be received

To give consideration to the work programme

Consideration was given to the work programme. It was agreed that an update the impact of the legislation relating to houses of multiple occupancy would be considered by the Committee on 21 January 2019.

RESOLVED

That an update the impact of the legislation relating to houses of multiple occupancy would be considered by the Committee on 21 January 2019.