Agenda and minutes

To note any apologies for absence from Members.

The Chair referred to the recent sad death of Councillor Barry Burkhill who was a member of this committee. There was a minute’s silent reflection in tribute.

Councillor Iain MacFarlane was present by way of substitute. Apologies were received from Councillor Don Stockton and Councillor Sally Holland attended as a substitute.

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 approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 22^nd September 2022.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 22 September 2022 be approved as a correct record.

In accordance with paragraph 2.24 of the Council’s Committee Procedure Rules and Appendix on Public Speaking, set out in the Constitution, a total period of 15 minutes is allocated for members of the public to put questions to the committee on any matter relating to this agenda. Each member of the public will be allowed up to two minutes each to speak, and the Chair will have discretion to vary this where they consider it appropriate.

Members of the public wishing to speak are required to provide notice of this at least three clear working days’ in advance of the meeting.

Mr Malcolm Crowther referred to pollution from vehicles, the high volume of traffic and engine idling on Ullswater Road, Congleton adjacent to Quinta School and asked what proposals the committee had for improving the health and safety of children and local residents in this area.

Richard Hibbert, Head of Strategic Transport and Parking, advised that the Council has a Civil Enforcement Service for parking management and, in light of Mr Crowther’s comments, he would ensure an enforcement presence at this location to assess the severity of the problem. It was noted that having a presence of uniformed officers was often sufficient to discourage engine idling so that would be the first step but regulatory measures could be looked into if required.

To consider a report which reviews options that could be implemented to help reduce instances of engine idling.

The committee considered the report which reviewed options that could be  implemented to help reduce instances of engine idling, including whether legislation should be adopted.

A motion was moved and seconded which sought agreement to write to government with respect to fixed penalty notices and the level of fine applicable. This was unanimously carried.

An additional amendment was moved and seconded which sought to adopt the legislative powers. This was carried by majority.

RESOLVED (by majority):

1.    Continue internal and external promotional / educational public information campaigns in accordance with the findings of the Feasibility Study (Appendix A).

2.    Adopt additional legislative powers under the Road Traffic (Vehicle Emissions) (Fixed Penalty) (England) Regulations 2002.

3.    Write to government with respect to fixed penalty notices and the level of fine applicable

To consider a report which outlines the proposed approach to reviewing the Council’s bus support criteria.

The committee received the report which outlined the proposed approach to reviewing the Council’s bus support criteria, providing an up-to-date framework to guide future expenditure on those local bus services that are financially supported by the Council.

RESOLVED (unanimously):

That the Highways and Transport Committee:

1.    Approve the approach to updating the Council’s local bus support criteria.

2.    Agree the need to introduce additional criteria on decarbonisation, deprivation and patronage recovery post Covid, as proposed in the report, as a basis for consultation.

3.    Approve the proposal to carry out a period of public consultation and stakeholder engagement on the bus support criteria in line with section 7.

To consider an update report on the HS2 programme.

The committee received the report which provided an update on the HS2 programme. The report included a copy of the Council’s petitions against the HS2 Phase 2b hybrid bill and the first additional provision to the Bill, as well as outlining the steps the Council is taking to prepare for the Select Committee hearings and seeking approval of the Council’s approach to implementing the HS2 Phase 2a ( Crewe – Manchester ) Act Road Safety Fund including engagement with ward members and the affected communities.

The committee thanked the officers involved for the detailed report and their work on the programme.

RESOLVED (unanimously):

That the Highways and Transport Committee:

1.    Note that the Council petitioned against the High Speed Rail Phase 2b (Crewe – Manchester) Bill (Hybrid Bill).

2.    Note that the Council petitioned against the High Speed Rail Phase 2b (Crewe – Manchester) Additional Provision 1 (AP1).

3.    Note that the proposals and mitigations outlined in the Hybrid Bill and AP1 do not meet the standards and requirements that underpin the Council’s supportive position on HS2, these being:

3.1  An enhanced Crewe hub station that can serve 5/7 HS2 trains per hour, in each direction, with direct HS2 services to London, Manchester and Birmingham; and

3.2  Appropriate and adequate mitigation and compensation against the negative impacts of the scheme on communities, the Borough’s landscape, environment and ecology and against the disruption caused during construction on the local transport network and to residents.

4.    Note the steps the Council is taking to prepare evidence for the future Select Committee hearings.

5.    Note that the prioritisation of petitioning points, and preparation for Select Committee hearings, will be undertaken in collaboration with the

Petitioning Member Reference Group.

6.    Authorise the Executive Director of Place to seek a recommendation from Full Council to review the Council’s underlying position on HS2 should the appropriate requirements in 3.1.3.1 and 3.1.3.2 not be secured through sufficiently binding Government commitments, or as undertakings in the Hybrid Bill Parliamentary Process.

7.    Accept the total £724k funding allocation to the Council from the HS2 Phase 2a Road Safety Fund and approve the proposed funding split and approach to prioritising schemes, as contained at paragraph 6.14, including the engagement with local ward members, for the development of a programme of road safety improvements.

8.    Note that the injunction, granted to HS2 Ltd, imposed by the High Court to allow HS2 Ltd to restrain unlawful trespass on and obstruction of access to land which HS2 holds on the route of the HS2 Scheme will cover the Phase 2a route within Cheshire East.

To receive and note the report of the Finance Sub-Committee, and specifically the recommendations of that committee in so far as they relate to the Highways and Transport Committee.

The committee received the Financial Review report for 2022 – 2023.

RESOLVED (unanimously):

That the Highways and Transport Committee:

1.    Notes the report of the Finance Sub-Committee, specifically the recommendations of that committee:

1.1  Finance Sub-Committee recommend Service Committees to:

1.1.1    note the financial update and forecast outturn relevant to their terms of reference.

1.1.2    note that officers will seek to improve the financial outturn across all Committees to mitigate the overall forecast overspend of the Council.

2.    Notes Appendix 7 and the following sections specific to this Committee:

·         Changes to Revenue budget 2022/23

·         Action Plan 2022/23

·         Corporate Grants Register

·         Debt Management

·         Capital Strategy

·         Reserve Strategy

To consider the Work Programme and determine any required amendments.

It was noted that, since the agenda was published, an item had been added to the work programme for January in relation to the Mid-Year Review of Performance.

RESOLVED:

That the work programme be noted.