Minutes:
(A)
Mr Bray asked the following question of
the Leader:
“Congratulations to the new Leader on their election.
With local
government facing significant upheaval in the coming years, would the new
Leader commit the council to re-joining the Local Government Association (LGA)
better to ensure the council's voice is heard at national level and open up access to LGA seminars and other resources which
will benefit all councillors, especially newly elected members.”
Mr Harrison replied
as follows:
“Thank you for your question. Any request for additional funding which
is not budgeted for will need to demonstrate value for money. I will consider your request on that basis
and let you know the outcome.”
(B)
Mr Bools asked the following question of the
Leader:
“The previous administration withdrew the
subsidy causing the 159 bus to be removed from
service. The 159 served Stapleton, Barlestone,
Barwell, Newbold Verdon, Ellistown, Ibstock and
Coalville. This decision has left a number of
communities isolated with people no longer able to access work and essential
services.
Will the new administration review this
decision and enter into discussions with potential
operators to reinstate the service?”
Mr Harrison replied as follows:
“Thank you for your
question. As a new administration I
would prefer to understand the Council’s current policy on public transport
before considering any local requests for subsidy, particularly in the context
of the level of demand, alternative provision and budgetary implications. I hope to do so soon.”
[Subsequent to the meeting, the Leader provided
the following response:
The withdrawal of service 159 was a
commercial decision made by the bus operator. While the Council was providing de-minimis
support for the service, it was unable to continue to provide this financial
support to the levels being requested by the operator at the time (circa
£160,000). Without that de-minimis support the operator took the decision to
withdraw the service.
However, the Council is currently progressing
with a countywide Passenger Transport Network Review (PTNR) following receipt
of Government Bus Grant and this will cover the areas that were served by the
159. Details of the PTNR phase areas can be seen here: https://www.choosehowyoumove.co.uk/public-transport/get-around-by-bus/leicestershire-buses/leicestershire-network-review/
Feedback from the most recent Sustainable
Travel roadshow events included residents wanting us to look at reinstating a
bus link between Hinckley and Coalville. We are currently investigating the
feasibility and potential costs of this as part of the PTNR and aim to be in a position to provide a wider update on this late
June/early July.]
(C)
Mr Walker asked the following question of
the Leader:
“Can the Leader outline what discussions have been had
regarding the installation of a 5G mast on County Council land on Rugby Road,
Burbage. What is the process for
engaging local members and what income will the County Council receive for its
land being used this way?”
Mr Harrison replied as follows:
“Thank you for your question. Having been elected Leader of my Group only this week I have not had the opportunity to look into this particular installation, although I have had experience of similar concerns in North West Leicestershire. I will provide a written response as soon as possible.”
[Subsequent to the meeting, the Leader provided the
following response:
Application 24/00689/TGDO
for the installation of 20m pole with six Antennas, two dishes, two cabinets
and associated ancillary works was approved by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough
Council (HBBC) as the Local Planning Authority (LPA) on 11 September 2024.
The decision
notice details the consultation and decision making process undertaken noting
this application was made under Part 16 of Schedule 2 of the Town and Country
Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) (Amendment) Order 2022. As
such, the planning application is for a determination as to whether prior
approval of the LPA is required for the siting and visual appearance of the
proposed mast and associated equipment.
The decision
notice identifies consultations undertaken by the LPA which included a site
notice, ward members, LCC Highway Authority and Burbage Parish Council were
also consulted. LCC Highway Authority provided formal advice to HBBC raising no
objection to the siting and appearance of the proposed infrastructure.
No income is
generated from the siting of 5g masts in the public highway. As all statutory
undertakers, such as water, electricity and communications networks, have
rights under legislation to locate and maintain their apparatus in the public
highway.]
(D)
Mrs Pendlebury asked the following
question of the Leader:
“For the past several years there have been significant
issues with speeding along the Northern Perimeter Road in Hinckley between
Ashby Road and Roston Drive. This has resulted in two tragic fatalities and
life changing injuries of young people last year and many accidents prior and subsequent to this. It is evident that, due to the lack of
enforceable restrictions, this road continues to be used for speeding with
reports recently of vehicles running up and down late at night.
Will the new Administration commit to investing in the
future safety of Hinckley residents especially its children crossing this road
to get to school and prevent further tragedies from occurring by putting in
place speed cameras along this stretch?”
Mr Harrison replied as follows:
“Thank you for your question. Having been elected Leader of my Group only this week, I have not had the opportunity to look into any particular road safety matter of concern, although I note what you say about the history of this location. I will provide you with a written response as soon as possible.”
[Subsequent to the meeting, the Leader provided the
following response:
The northern
perimeter road (A47 Normandy Way) is subject to a posted 40mph speed limit
between the sections of Ashby Road and Roston Drive.
Officers collated
speed data for this section of road between June and July 2024 and the results
revealed mean speeds of 36.2mph and the 85th percentile, the speed
of which 85% of drivers are travelling at or lower, as 41.6mph.
Regrettably,
there was one fatality at the Ashby Road/Normandy Way junction in 2024, and at
the time officers investigated this tragic incident and found there was no
obvious highway factors that contributed towards the collision.
We are not aware
of any “lack of enforceable restrictions” as stated above. The speed limit is
correctly signed as per requirements set out in The Traffic Signs Manual
Chapter 3: Regulatory Signs. Leicestershire Police has not advised that the
speed limit is not enforceable as part of regular meetings and correspondence
with the force.
All speed limits
are enforced by Leicestershire Police not the County Council; however, we do
work collaboratively as part of the road safety partnership to reduce the
number of people injured on the Leicestershire road
network. We achieve this through safety camera enforcement and a number of evidence based road safety education programmes.
This also includes “Fatal 4” operations, and targets drivers who are seen to be
committing offences relating to speed, seat belts, alcohol, and use of mobile
phones. Normandy Way is included in this programme.
Fixed speed
cameras follow a national criteria set out by the Department for Transport
(DfT) which focuses on the number of road users killed and seriously injured
and are commissioned and agreed as part of the Leicester, Leicestershire and
Rutland Road Safety Partnership (LLRSP) not the County Council.
Average speed
cameras as trialled by the County Council also have a set criterion and again
Normandy Way does not meet this criterion based on the traffic data.
Whilst Normandy
Way does not meet the criteria for any fixed speed cameras, Mrs Pendlebury
refers to speeding late at night, which does give a strong indication of
concerns relating more to anti-social behavioural (ASB) use of vehicles as opposed to a
consistent speed problem at all times of the day.
We are aware of
car cruising events within Hinckley and these issues are being managed by the
Neighbourhood Policing Area (NPA) teams together with Hinckley and Bosworth
Borough Council. ASB / Car Cruising is normally dealt with through a Public
Space Protection Order which are dealt with by the relevant district council.
Please also be
advised that officers recently consulted on two additional toucan crossings
being implemented along Normandy Way, one of which will be installed prior to
Outlands Drive, and the other installed prior to Roston Drive.]