Issue - meetings

(a)       That the Committee recommends to Cabinet approval of the revised Street Lighting Policy  as in Appendix 1 to the report and notes the matters raised by Members; and

(b)       That a report on the legislation be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee.

                        The Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation) introduced a report  to seek a recommendation to Cabinet to approve the revised Streetlighting Policy.

The Chief Officer provided background information and advised that the current Street Lighting Policy was approved in 2015, however, there had been significant developments in terms of energy saving options and improvements in the efficiency of  electrical equipment since and a review of the policy was now required.  The Chief Officer invited the Operational North and Street Lighting Manager to present the report. 

The Operational North and Street Lighting Manager reported on the key considerations, as detailed in the report, and drew attention to the main changes to the Policy concerning evening inspections, scheduled inspections and electrical testing.  The revised Street Lighting Policy (October 2019) was appended to the report. 

Councillor Dennis Hutchinson raised concerns about street lighting on unadopted residential developments.  Officers responded to the questions raised around planning applications, adoption to local authority  ownership, and enforcement.  The Operational North and Street Lighting Manager drew attention to page 145 of the report which referred to adoptions to the street lighting inventory.  The  Cabinet  Member for Streetscene & Countryside acknowledged the points raised and said that the Welsh Government was considering the issue of unadopted residential developments.

Members expressed thanks to the Chief Officer and his team for the improvements to street lighting.

In response to the comments from Councillor Ray Hughes concerning lighting in play areas during the winter months, the Operational North and Street Lighting Manager advised that the relevant Town/Community Council would need to submit a bid to the Authority for consideration in the first instance. 

The recommendations were moved by Councillor George Hardcastle and seconded by Councillor Dennis Hutchinson.  

RESOLVED: 

(a)       That the Committee recommends to Cabinet approval of the revised Street Lighting Policy  as in Appendix 1 to the report and notes the matters raised by Members; and

(b)       That a report on the legislation be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee.