To
select appropriate items from the Cabinet agenda for pre-decision scrutiny
(reports enclosed for Scrutiny Members)
Minutes:
The Committee
scrutinised the following Cabinet Board items:
Street Scene
Capital Funding 2021/22
The Committee
were presented with a report which set out the allocation of ‘Environment
Street Scene Improvements’ monies included in the capital budget for 2021/22.
Members asked if
locations had already been identified for the renewal of coloured surfacing and
high friction surfacing, speed message signs and bus shelter replacements.
It was confirmed
that the Network and Programme Manager for the service had a prioritised list
of locations for the renewal of coloured surfacing and high friction surfacing;
there weren’t any new locations included on the list as the extra money was
being used to increase the investment in maintaining those that were already in
place as part of road safety schemes. Officers highlighted the Council had been
successful in obtaining road safety grant money over the years; these were put
in place from responding to Members speeding concerns and looking into the
accident records. It was mentioned that a lot of coloured surfacing had been
delivered such as red and green surfacing and also high friction grip
surfacing; the budget hadn’t increased over time, therefore it was very helpful
to receive additional funding to catch up with the maintenance.
In relation to
the speed message signs, it was highlighted that a lot of the signs were placed
as part of road safety schemes; the initial focus would be on the replacing the
signs that were around the perimeter of schools, ensuring that they were all
fit for purpose. Members were informed that Welsh Government were currently in
the first phase of moving to a 20mph default speed limit across Wales;
therefore Officers weren’t going to be prioritising the replacement of 30mph
warnings sings in areas which could change to 20mph in the near future.
A discussion
took place in regards to bus shelter replacements. Officers explained that
there were 528 bus shelters within the County Borough, around 128 of which were
the advertising style shelters that were maintained by the advertiser in return
for advertising rights; this left the Council with around 400 bus shelters to
maintain. It was noted that there was £40,000 in the budget for day to day
maintenance; the additional money allocated would help provide around 15 new
bus shelters, as the average cost of a new bus shelter was around £3,500 -
£5,000.
It was asked if
Members would need to make a request if they needed new bus shelters in their
ward. Officers explained that the County Borough currently had a lot of poor
quality bus shelters which needed replacing; these would be the priority in the
first instance. It was mentioned that this highlighted the need of the
additional capital to increase the investment in the maintenance of the
existing bus shelters.
It was confirmed
that Members would be informed by the relevant Officers if any works, included
within the circulated report, needed to be carried out within their ward.
The Committee
thanked all Officers within the service for their hard work during this
difficult period.
Following
scrutiny, the Committee were supportive of the recommendation to go to Cabinet
Board.