Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair noted that the Members of the Scrutiny Committee had agreed to scrutinise the following items from the Cabinet Board agenda:

-      Item 7: Key Performance Indicators 2023/2024 - Quarter 2 (1st April 2023 - 30th September 2023

-      Item 11: Highway Asset Management Plan

-      Item 12: Street Lighting Energy

-      Item 13: Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy (ZEVIS)

-      Item 14: Electric Vehicle On-street Home Charging

-      Item 15: Electrical Vehicle and Charging Infrastructure Transition to Ultra Low Emissions Update

The Chair noted that the Members of the Scrutiny Committee had agreed to scrutinise the following items from the Cabinet Board agenda:

·       Item 7: Key Performance Indicators 2023/2024 - Quarter 2 (1st April 2023 - 30th September 2023

·       Item 11: Highway Asset Management Plan

·       Item 12: Street Lighting Energy

·       Item 13: Zero Emission Vehicle

·       Infrastructure Strategy (ZEVIS)

·       Item 14: Electric Vehicle On street Home Charging

·        Item 15: Electrical Vehicle and Charging Infrastructure Transition to Ultra Low Emissions Update.

There were none.

There were none.

For the Committee to approve the accuracy of the minutes of the meetings held on the 14/07/2023, 28/07/2023, 14/09/2023 and 06/10/2023.

The minutes of the meeting held on 14/07/2023, 28/07/2023, and 14/09/2023, 06/10/2023 were approved as an accurate record of proceedings.

The minutes of the meeting held on 14/07/2023, 28/07/2023, and 14/09/2023, 06/10/2023 were approved as an accurate record of proceedings.

To select appropriate items from the Cabinet Board agenda for Pre-Decision Scrutiny (Cabinet Board reports included for Scrutiny Members)

Key Performance Indicators 2023/2024 - Quarter 2 (1^st April 2023 - 30th September 2023

The report was noted.

Highway Asset Management Plan

Following scrutiny, members were supportive of the recommendations to be considered by Cabinet Board.

Street Lighting Energy

Following discussion, the following amendments were put forward by the scrutiny committee.

The Consultation to include clear mapping of areas affected.

Following scrutiny, the recommendation was supported to the Cabinet Board with the amendments.

Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy (ZEVIS)

The report was noted.

Electric Vehicle On-street Home Charging

Following scrutiny, members were supportive of the recommendations to be considered by Cabinet Board.

Electrical Vehicle and Charging Infrastructure Transition to Ultra Low Emissions Update

The report was noted.

Key Performance Indicators 2023/2024 - Quarter 2 (1st April 2023 - 30th September 2023

Members received information on the Key Performance Indicators 2023/2024 - Quarter 2 (1st April 2023 - 30th September 2023 as presented within the report circulated.

Members highlighted that on page 29 of the report, planning was in the red. Members acknowledged that the department had lost a member of staff and queried if they had replaced that person and how far the department was behind?

Members were advised that the officer who had left was in the enforcement team so does not affect the KPI referenced. Members were advised that the red related to major applications and the time taken to determine those applications.

Officers explained that this KPI is a difficult one to achieve due to the complexity of applications that come forward and as a result that team always try to work with applicants and developers to frontload the process through pre-application negotiations to try de-risk the process.

Members were informed that the team did meet the KPI target for the first quarter but this quarter they failed mainly down to the fact that there were four large applications which is unusual. This also coincided during the summer period where most of the team take annual leave.

Officers explained that the lessons learned were that when officers can see that they are going to have difficulties to determine the applications, they will start to work with the applicants and developers and get an extension of time if required.

Members were advised that overall, with planning applications, the team’s performance is good. But on this issue, there are specific circumstances that explain this dip in performance.

Members wanted to know what areas the officers are covering in relation to the dog fouling KPI. Officers said they can send the members information on where they have been in relation to dog fouling.

The report was noted.

Highway Asset Management Plan

Mike Roberts introduced the report and advised that this is the 6^th update of the plans. The cycle had been affected by COVID so this has disrupted things and there are still a couple of bits of work to do on it. The Regional Transport Plan (RTP) will have an impact on how the authority manages the assets and they will need to bring back a new report after the RTP is in place. Officers advised that historically the HAMP was all about the management of the adopted highway. Officers advised that when taking account of active travel, in the covering report it is saying that they now need to look at the overall cycleway network as well. This will take time and is a further piece of work. Officers advised that in light of this they could either extend the report for a year or provide the interim report in which they are acknowledging that they need to do 2 other pieces of work.

Members raised that on page 115 of the report where  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Any urgent items at the discretion of the Chairperson pursuant to Section 100BA(6)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

There were none.

There was none.

For the Committee to comment on and note the actions and the progress from the previous meetings.

The Members of the Committee noted the Action Log.

The Members of the Committee noted the Action Log.

For the Committee to receive the Forward Work Programme of the Environment, Regeneration & Neighbourhood Services Scrutiny Committee for 2022-23.

The Members of the Committee noted the Forward Work Programme.

The Members of the Committee noted the Forward Work Programme.

Access to Meetings to resolve to exclude the public for the following item(s) pursuant to Section 100A(4) and (5) of the Local Government Act 1972 and the relevant exempt paragraphs of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the above Act.

Members decided not to scrutinise any private items.

Members decided not to scrutinise any private items.

To select appropriate private items from the Cabinet Board agenda for Pre-Decision Scrutiny (Cabinet Board reports enclosed for Scrutiny Members).

Members decided not to scrutinise any private items.

Members decided not to scrutinise any private items.