Agenda item

The purpose of this item is to enable consideration of the responses of the following Overview and Scrutiny Committees to their respective areas of the Medium Term Financial Strategy:

·       Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (meeting held on 18 January)

·       Environment and Climate Change Overview and Scrutiny Committee (meeting held on 19 January)

·       Adults and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee (meeting held on 23 January)

·       Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee (meeting held on 24 January)

·       Highway and Transport Overview and Scrutiny (meeting held on 26 January)

The Commission considered extracts from the minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meetings held to consider the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) 2023/24 – 2026/27 as related to the County Council departments.  A copy of the minute extract had been circulated to Members and a copy is filed with these minutes.

In considering areas where the Council might use the unallocated £1m funding to offset planned savings, the following were suggested for consideration by the Cabinet:

(i)             Highway repairs and improvements – Given that the Members Highway Fund would come to an end this year and many Members received comments from residents regarding the deteriorating condition of roads in the County, it was suggested that some of the unallocated funds could be targeted towards highway repairs and improvements. 

This proposal was supported by the Commission, but it was suggested that in the first instance a briefing should be provided on this topic to help all Members understand the constraints and pressures faced by this service and how they could raise queries about issues in their area.  Consideration could then be given to how these might then be addressed/improved with some additional funding.  

A Member questioned whether there was scope to include in section 106 planning agreements a provision requiring developers of large logistic sites to contribute to highway repair and maintenance costs given the damage caused to roads around those areas by large logistical vehicles.  Officers undertook to come back to Members on this matter after the meeting.

(ii)            Average Speed Cameras – There were a number of potential areas where the siting of average speed cameras would be of benefit.  Road safety and reducing traffic speeds was necessary to reduce accidents and fatalities. 

It was noted that the capital cost of siting another seven average speed camera was in the region of £500,000 and unfortunately the Treasury had refused the Council’s proposals to retain fines arising from cameras once installed to recoup these costs.  The Leader commented that without a change of policy from the Treasury the Council did not have the capital resources to support this.   

(iii)          Buses – It was recognised that pressure to cut bus services continued to mount as usage fell but costs increased.  Members recognised that the delivery of bus services was a commercial decision for private bus operators.  The Leader commented that if services were not used and therefore no longer considered viable by operators, the Council did not have adequate resources to subsidise these.  The Leader further commented that it was Council policy to try to support sustainable travel options, but it was likely in the future this would be through a demand responsive transport service.

(iv)          Travel Packs - A member commented that use of section 106 developer contributions to provide travel packs was not working effectively.  It was questioned whether such funds could be re-prioritised to support bus routes or to look at alternative options to support demand across a broader area.

RESOLVED:

(a)  That the comments now made be submitted to the Cabinet for consideration at its meeting on 7^th February 2023;

(b)  That an all Member Briefing be arranged regarding the constraints and pressures faced by the Highway Maintenance Service and how Members could raise queries about issues in their area;

(c)  That officers be requested to consider the legal position regarding the use of section 106 developer funding to support travel packs and whether this could be reallocated to other more suitable travel options;

(d)  That officers be requested to consider whether there was scope to include in section 106 planning agreements a provision that would require developers of large logistic sites to contribute to highway repair costs.