MEMORANDUM

To:All Members of the Panel
Executive Members for (1) HighwaysTransport and (2) Environment and Community Safety
Director Environment & Commercial Services / From:Legal and Member Services
Ask for:Laura Shewfelt
Ext:25452
My Ref:LS/H&T/180912
Your Ref:
______

HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORT CABINET PANEL

18 SEPTEMBER 2012

MINUTES

ATTENDANCE

D Andrews, N Bell,R F Cheswright, G R Churchard, M Cowan, J Fraser, S Markiewicz (substituting for W A Storey), S O’Brien, S J Pile (Chairman and Executive Member for Highways and Transport), I M Reay,), E Roach (substituting for W E Eynon), M Watkin (substituting for S B A F H Giles- Medhurst), A D Williams, C B Woodward (substituting for P J Bibby), W J Wyatt-Lowe

Upon consideration of the agenda for the Highways and Transport Cabinet Panel meeting on 18 September 2012 as circulated, copy annexed, conclusions were reached and are recorded below.

Note: No declarations of interest we made by any member of the Panel in relation to the matters considered at this meeting.

1.MINUTES

The Minutes of the Panel meeting held on 3 July 2012 were approved as a correct record with the addition ofD Andrews being present at the meeting.

It was noted that the list of crossing patrols as referred to in 6.3 had not yet been circulated to Members. This would be done following the meeting.

2.PETITIONS

There were none.

3. INTER URBAN ROUTE STUDY – TECHNICAL REPORT

[Officer contact:Roxanne Glaud: Tel: 01707 356580]

3.1The Cabinet Panel considered a report presenting the outputs of the Inter Urban Study technical report. The report outlined the issues to the transport network with existing committed developments known in the next five years, together with a list of potential solutions. It was intended that the study outputs should be consulted upon with stakeholders and the general public for a 10 week period.

3.2In debate Members identified a number of inconsistencies within the report and felt that it needed to be redrafted before being put out for consultation.

CONCLUSION

3.3The Panel;

i)Requested that the report be redrafted taking into account the points raised by Members. Following this it would be sent out to the Panel members for comment and subsequently put out for public consultation for a 10 week period in October 2012.

4. DFT CONSULTATION ON ‘SETTING LOCAL SPEED LIMITS’ REVISED GUIDANCE

[Officer contact: Ian Thompson Tel: 01707 356561]

4.1Members heard that the Department for Transport (DfT) had released its consultation document on the review of its ‘Setting Local Speed Limits’ guidance. The consultation period ran from 13 July until 5 October 2012.

4.2A report was considered which outlined the key points in the consultation document and outlined a draft response which included representation from Hertfordshire Constabulary and the Highways Design Team.

4.3In debate it was agreed that the Panel would welcome an even stronger stance by the government on the issue of setting local speed limits.

CONCLUSION

4.5The Panel;

i)Noted the content of the proposed County Council’s response to the DfT on the revised guidance and the Chairman’s intention to write to the Minister directly, reiterating the need for a stronger stance to be taken.

  1. WINTER SERVICE OPERATIONAL PLAN

[Officer contact:Derek TwiggTel: 01707 356565]

5.1The Panel received a report outlining a review of the operation of the Winter Service Operation Plan for 2011/2012 and the Plan for 2012/2013, taking into account minor changes as a result of the new highways contract.

5.2Members discussed the levels of co-operation and support received from the district Councils within Hertfordshire and heard that this was in line with previous years. The procedure for insurance claims was also clarified.

CONCLUSION

5.3The Panel endorsed the Winter Service Operational Plan 2012/2013.

Kathryn Pettit

Chief Legal Officer

1

180912180912 H&T