Issue - meetings

(a)       That the proposed new approach for consulting with local communities on future traffic calming schemes be welcomed by the Committee; and

(b)       That the comments of the Committee be fed back to Cabinet on the capacity of Town and Community Councils to undertake the community consultation process.

The Highways Network Manager introduced the report outlining proposed changes to the consultation process with local Members, Town and Community Councils and members of the public.  The proposals would then be subject to Cabinet approval.  As part of the key consideration of the report, he detailed the procedure to evaluate and rank schemes against the Road Safety Scheme Matrix and the Traffic Calming Policy.  Any new traffic calming schemes put forward would be discussed with local Members prior to consultation with local residents.

Councillor Hilary Isherwood referred to the management restructure and the lack of feedback for safer routes in communities which had been submitted as part of the Speed Limit Review.  The Highways Network Manager explained that the Speed Limit Review was still ongoing, with outcomes due to be implemented before Christmas.  The process allowed for each suggested scheme to be assessed, scored and ranked in line with the Road Safety Scheme Matrix, which would determine schemes to be put forward to bid for Welsh Government (WG) funding.  Following comments on sharing the Matrix, the Highways Strategy Manager agreed that it could be circulated to Members.  He explained that the procedure was to report back the assessment outcome to any local Members who had requested a particular scheme, however work was currently being undertaken to clear historic requests and collate all schemes on one database.

As Cabinet Member for Environment, Councillor Bernie Attridge pointed out that the Matrix system had been shared with the Committee at an earlier stage, prior to Cabinet approval.  Having considered the practice previously in place, he and the Chief Officer had recognised the need for improvement which had resulted in the new approach to assess and rank schemes using the Matrix system which demonstrated transparency.

Whilst acknowledging that the issue had previously been considered by the Committee, Councillor Isherwood explained that her point was around the importance of Members having sight of the Matrix.

Following remarks from Councillor Mike Reece on village schemes such as Bagillt, the Highways Strategy Manager provided details on the consultation process which had involved other affected households in the area.  He referred to the positive turnout at the consultation event, the outcome of the public ballot and correspondence from residents, which had demonstrated overall support for the scheme.  It was noted that some of the representations made by local residents had been accommodated in modifications to the scheme.  The Highways Strategy Manager confirmed that road traffic accident statistics had been provided to Bagillt Community Council as requested.

Councillor Reece said that a compromise was needed between the Council and Bagillt Community Council on this traffic calming scheme.  Whilst Councillor Attridge was aware of some concerns about the traffic calming measures in Bagillt, he gave a reminder of their purpose and said that the Council aimed to listen to the views of communities and that minor changes to the scheme could be considered where possible.

Councillor Colin Legg highlighted the need for road safety to be a priority for everyone  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37