Agenda and minutes

To note any apologies for absence from Members.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Craig Browne. Councillor David Edwardes attended as 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 previous meeting held on 26 January 2023.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 26 January 2023 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.

There were no public speakers.

To consider a report in response to a Notice of Motion proposed at Council in October 2022 in relation to the planting of trees on the highway.

The Committee considered the report in response to a Notice of Motion put to Full Council in October 2022 in relation to the planting of trees on the highway. The motion, which had been proposed by Cllr Tony Dean and seconded by Cllr Quentin Abel, proposed that Cheshire East Highways worked with Town and Parish Councils to address issues raised   around existing tree planting policies.

Councillor Tony Dean, who addressed the Committee as the proposer of the Notice of Motion, encouraged Committee Members to ensure that Cheshire East Highways adopted a flexible approach when considering tree planting requests and applying the framework criteria set out in the report. It was felt that the requirement to obtain a street works permit and/or licence to plant, could be costly and potentially discourage Town and Parish Councils from planting trees.

It was confirmed that a more robust tree planting policy would be developed and brought forward for consideration at a Highways and Transport Committee meeting within the next 12-18 months. Committee Members requested that the revised draft policy focus upon encouraging and promoting suitable tree planting across the borough. 

RESOLVED (unanimous):

That the Highways and Transport Committee approves the proposed response to the Notice of Motion, noting:

a)    The clarification detailed in section 6.20 of the Highway Tree Safety Inspection Policy and Code of Practice Committee Report relating to tree planting.

b)    The proposed development of a Highway Tree Planting Policy in the next 12 -18 months.

To consider a report which proposes to adopt a new policy for Highway Tree Maintenance and Inspections and a Code of Practice for Highway Tree Safety Inspections.

The Committee considered the draft Highway Tree Maintenance and Inspections Policy and Code of Practice for Highway Tree Safety Inspections which had been developed to ensure that the Council’s highway tree stock was maintained in a safe and sustainable manner, and in line with best practice, helping to keep the travelling public safe.

RESOLVED (by majority):

That the Highways and Transport Committee

1.    approves for implementation the policy for Highway Tree Maintenance and Inspections.

2.    approves for implementation the Code of Practice for Highway Tree Safety Inspections.

3.    agrees that authority is delegated to the Head of Highways to make and approve technical amendments to the policy for Highway Tree Maintenance and Inspections and The Code of Practice for Highway Tree Safety Inspections as required and to update the Highways and Transport Committee on any significant changes at a future meeting.

To receive an update on the capital and revenue budgets available for the highway service for 2023/24.

The Committee considered the report which provided an overview of the capital and revenue budgets available for the highway service for 2023/24 and the allocation of those budgets to various programmes of work.

Committee Members queried the allocation for traffic and road safety (including education to schools). It was confirmed that Cheshire East Council worked in partnership with Cheshire Fire and Rescue to deliver road safety education within schools. Mike Barnett committed to providing a more detailed briefing on this matter, including a list of the schools that had been involved in the programme.

Cllr Akers-Smith raised concerns around the criteria for road safety investment. Officers provided an overview on the capital funding for road safety investment and confirmed that this funding was spent reactively in accordance with DfT guidance (casualty reduction). It was confirmed that there were aspects of other programmes such as Active Travel and Safer Routes to School that were preventative in dealing with issues which could lead to a serious collision. Richard Hibbert committed to providing a list of the projects that were included in the programme that would address the safety concerns raised by Committee Members.

RESOLVED:

That the Highways and Transport Committee notes the apportionment of revenue and capital funding to the key elements of the highway services shown in tables 2, 4, 5 and 6 of the report.

To receive an update on the financial position for 2022-23. 

The Committee considered the report which provided an overview of the financial position for 2022-23.

Cllr Gilbert queried the £0.5m S106 capital investment allocated for the A50/A54 Holmes Chapel and asked when a discussion would take place with local ward members to agree how this funding could be repurposed. Tom Moody agreed to meet with Cllr Gilbert to progress this matter.

Cllr Crane thanked officers for their work in ensuring that key services continued to be provided within difficult financial constraints.  

RESOLVED:

That the Highways and Transport Committee

1.    Notes the report to the Finance Sub-Committee on 8th March 2023 and specifically the recommendation that service committees be recommended to (take in 1.1.1.1 and 1.1.1.2 from the report recommendations).

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

•   Changes to Revenue budget 2022/23

•   Corporate Grants Register

•   Debt Management

•   Capital Strategy

•   Reserve Strategy

To consider the Work Programme and determine any required amendments.

The Committee received an update on the Work Programme. It was noted that:

-   The Flowerpot Junction Improvement Scheme item had been deferred and a date would be agreed by officers as to when this would come forward to Committee for consideration.

-   Officers were preparing the Work Programme for the new municipal year which would be shared with the Committee at the first meeting in June.

Cllr Gilbert requested that an item on ‘Street Lighting Policy’ be considered as a future Work Programme item.

RESOLVED:

That the Work Programme be noted.