Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 6 June 2024 were taken as read, confirmed and signed.

The Chief Executive reported that no questions had been received under Standing Order 35.

The Chief Executive reported that a comment had been received under Standing Order 7(3) and 7(5).

There were no urgent items for consideration.

The Chairman invited members who wished to do so to declare any interest in respect of items on the agenda for the meeting.

No declarations were made.

There were no declarations of the party whip.

The Chief Executive reported that no petitions had been received under Standing Order 35.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Environment and Transport which informed members on the progress of the new Local Transport Plan (LTP4) 2026-2040 and sought comments on the LTP4 Core Document and the approach to the development of the full LTP4, prior to consideration by the Cabinet in November 2024. A copy of the report marked ‘Agenda Item 8’ is filed with these minutes.

The Chairman welcomed Mr Frisby CC, Chairman of the Environment and Climate Change Overview and Scrutiny Committee to the meeting for this item as it had close links to the remit of that Committee.

The Chairman acknowledged the comments that had been submitted by Mr Hunt, Spokesperson of the Environment and Climate Change Overview and Scrutiny Committee as part of this item.  Details had been circulated to all members and a copy of the comments is filed with these minutes.

In response to the comments raised by Mr Hunt CC, the Director advised that LTP4 would signal a move away from the ‘predict and provide’ model to a vision-led approach.  The detail of this approach would be set out in the co-designed multi-modal area investment plans.  These plans would also set out how to manage demand and encourage more sustainable means of transport to improve on personal health and environment related matters.  The Director confirmed that Mr Hunt would receive a full written response to his comments.

Arising from discussion the following points were raised:

• Members welcomed the report, which was felt to be detailed and aspirational.  Officers were commended on its colourful and engaging style.  In response to a query, it was confirmed that one of the themes in the Plan related to innovation, and that the Plan would be sufficiently flexible and agile to be able to respond to new technology.

• A member suggested that, due to the recent change of Government, there was a level of uncertainty regarding the availability of Government funding.  Concern was also expressed regarding the condition of the strategic road network and the improvements needed, although members were assured that LTP4 did not just focus on the local highway network and was fully integrated with the strategic road network as well. 

• Concern was expressed regarding the condition of private roads in new developments.  It was confirmed that the County Council had clear standards that needed to be met if the developers wanted the roads to be adopted.  However, it was not possible to impose these standards on developers, particularly if the new road was separate from the public highway.

• The Committee was advised that LTP4 set out the principles for how the County Council wanted people to travel and was not intended to set out an approach to new developments in the county.  Growth would be addressed through the planning process and the County Council would engage with it through its role as the Local Highway Authority. 

• The Plan set out a high level vision for transport and travel; later stages in the Plan’s development would provide the detail of how this vision was to be achieved. Phase 3 of LTP4 would involve monitoring and reviewing the Plan to see if progress was being made towards the vision of increased walking, cycling and use of public transport.

Mr O’Shea CC, the Cabinet Lead Member, commended the aspirational nature of the report and hoped that the Network North funding commitments made by the previous Government would be honoured.

RESOLVED:

That the comments now made be presented to the Cabinet in November 2024.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Environment and Transport which informed members of work associated with the refresh of the Leicestershire Bus Service Improvement Plan. A copy of the report marked ‘Agenda Item 9’ is filed with these minutes.

Members welcomed the work undertaken on the Plan, noting that timescales had been tight, and commended it as cohesive and aspirational.  It was noted that the extent of delivery would be dependent on the level of Government funding available, with an estimated £100 million required to support the ongoing delivery of the full ambitions in the Plan. 

Members also welcomed the use of Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) and were pleased to note that there were anecdotal success stories alongside constructive feedback of the pilot with Fox Connect.  Service users had welcomed the flexibility and ability to connect with clubs and other social activities that they would otherwise have been unable to attend.  It was suggested that some case studies should be used to promote the use of DRT. 

The Lead Member for Highways and Transport welcomed the report and supported Members comments on the success of DRT. He felt that the current funding model did not enable long term planning, and this could cause challenges. 

RESOLVED:

That the comments now made be presented to the Cabinet in September 2024. 

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Environment and Transport which updated members on the Highways and Transport Performance to June 2024. A copy of the report marked ‘Agenda Item 10’ is filed with these minutes.

In response to a Member query regarding increased use of electric scooters and electric bikes and whether accident data was captured for these modes of transport, the Committee was advised that this was included in the data provided by the Police. It was noted that there were more detailed breakdowns of the data collected which could be shared with Members.

It was noted that use of an electric scooter on a public highway was illegal outside the cities taking part in the national trial, and that there were no current regulations around their use.  Members hoped that the Government would soon provide clarity on this matter.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

The date of the next meeting of the Highways and Transport Overview and Scrutiny Committee is scheduled for 7 November 2024 at 2pm.

RESOLVED:

It was noted that the next meeting of the Committee would be held on 7 November 2024 at 2.00pm.