Issue - meetings

To consider the following motion, submitted by Mr Jones, which was referred to the Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure at the meeting of the County Council on 18 October 2019.

‘In July this year the Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure approved a new highway maintenance plan which introduced with immediate effect reduced service levels for highways maintenance across the county. This includes a reduction in the frequency of grass cutting and winter salting routines, repairs to signs, bollards and road markings; the cessation of routine weed spraying; reduced tree investigations and cyclical pollarding and a reduction in the frequency of the emptying of gullies. It is understood that action will be taken where there is a safety concern.

This Council understands that the budget for highways maintenance of this nature in 2018/19 was £9.597m although this was clearly not adequate because there was an overspend. The budget for 2019/20 and the subsequent three years is now £8.707m, an annual budget reduction of almost £900,000.

It is understood that work to encourage town and parish councils and community groups to take on this work has begun.

This Council considers that the county is currently in an appalling state with, in some areas, waist high weeds appearing on roadsides and along pathways. Whilst it accepts the desire to increase pollination to tackle climate change, it considers this should managed properly. It considers that the reduced service levels will discourage visitors and tourists from returning thereby impacting on the local economy. It considers there is a strong likelihood that parts of the county will be better maintained than others, effectively resulting in a postcode lottery.

This Council calls on the Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure to reverse this cut, at least until such time as adequate alternative arrangements for others to cover the reduction in service levels are in place County-wide. The funding for this service to be taken during this transition period from the budget management reserve.’

and the report of the Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure.

83.1     At the County Council meeting on 18 October 2019 the following motion had been moved by Mr Jones, seconded by Mr Oxlade, and referred to the Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure for consideration. A report by the Cabinet Member was included with the agenda (pages 81 and 82).

‘In July this year the Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure approved a new highway maintenance plan which introduced with immediate effect reduced service levels for highways maintenance across the county. This includes a reduction in the frequency of grass cutting and winter salting routines, repairs to signs, bollards and road markings; the cessation of routine weed spraying; reduced tree investigations and cyclical pollarding and a reduction in the frequency of the emptying of gullies. It is understood that action will be taken where there is a safety concern.

This Council understands that the budget for highways maintenance of this nature in 2018/19 was £9.597m although this was clearly not adequate because there was an overspend. The budget for 2019/20 and the subsequent three years is now £8.707m, an annual budget reduction of almost £900,000.

It is understood that work to encourage town and parish councils and community groups to take on this work has begun.

This Council considers that the county is currently in an appalling state with, in some areas, waist high weeds appearing on roadsides and along pathways. Whilst it accepts the desire to increase pollination to tackle climate change, it considers this should managed properly. It considers that the reduced service levels will discourage visitors and tourists from returning thereby impacting on the local economy. It considers there is a strong likelihood that parts of the county will be better maintained than others, effectively resulting in a postcode lottery.

This Council calls on the Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure to reverse this cut, at least until such time as adequate alternative arrangements for others to cover the reduction in service levels are in place County-wide. The funding for this service to be taken during this transition period from the budget management reserve.’

83.2     The motion was lost.

To consider the following motion, submitted by Mr Jones, notice of which was given on 1 October 2019.

‘In July this year the Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure approved a new highway maintenance plan which introduced with immediate effect reduced service levels for highways maintenance across the county. This includes a reduction in the frequency of grass cutting and winter salting routines, repairs to signs, bollards and road markings; the cessation of routine weed spraying; reduced tree investigations and cyclical pollarding and a reduction in the frequency of the emptying of gullies. It is understood that action will be taken where there is a safety concern.

This Council understands that the budget for highways maintenance of this nature in 2018/19 was £9.597m although this was clearly not adequate because there was an overspend. The budget for 2019/20 and the subsequent three years is now £8.707m, an annual budget reduction of almost £900,000.

It is understood that work to encourage town and parish councils and community groups to take on this work has begun.

This Council considers that the county is currently in an appalling state with, in some areas, waist high weeds appearing on roadsides and along pathways. Whilst it accepts the desire to increase pollination to tackle climate change, it considers this should managed properly. It considers that the reduced service levels will discourage visitors and tourists from returning thereby impacting on the local economy. It considers there is a strong likelihood that parts of the county will be better maintained than others, effectively resulting in a postcode lottery.

This Council calls on the Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure to reverse this cut, at least until such time as adequate alternative arrangements for others to cover the reduction in service levels are in place County-wide. The funding for this service to be taken during this transition period from the budget management reserve.’

61.1     The following motion was moved by Mr Jones and seconded by Mr Oxlade:

‘In July this year the Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure approved a new highway maintenance plan which introduced with immediate effect reduced service levels for highways maintenance across the county. This includes a reduction in the frequency of grass cutting and winter salting routines, repairs to signs, bollards and road markings; the cessation of routine weed spraying; reduced tree investigations and cyclical pollarding and a reduction in the frequency of the emptying of gullies. It is understood that action will be taken where there is a safety concern.

This Council understands that the budget for highways maintenance of this nature in 2018/19 was £9.597m although this was clearly not adequate because there was an overspend. The budget for 2019/20 and the subsequent three years is now £8.707m, an annual budget reduction of almost £900,000.

It is understood that work to encourage town and parish councils and community groups to take on this work has begun.

This Council considers that the county is currently in an appalling state with, in some areas, waist high weeds appearing on roadsides and along pathways. Whilst it accepts the desire to increase pollination to tackle climate change, it considers this should managed properly. It considers that the reduced service levels will discourage visitors and tourists from returning thereby impacting on the local economy. It considers there is a strong likelihood that parts of the county will be better maintained than others, effectively resulting in a postcode lottery.

This Council calls on the Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure to reverse this cut, at least until such time as adequate alternative arrangements for others to cover the reduction in service levels are in place County-wide. The funding for this service to be taken during this transition period from the budget management reserve.’

61.2     The motion was referred to the Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure for consideration.