Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Tillington Village Hall, Upperton Road, Tillington, Nr Petworth, GU28 9AF

Contact: Adam Chisnall on 033 022 28314  Email:  adam.chisnall@westsussex.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

12.

Welcome and introductions

The members of the North Chichester County Local Committee are David Bradford, Janet Duncton, Kate O'Kelly, and Viral Parikh.

Minutes:

12.1   The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.   Members and Officers introduced themselves.

 

12.2   The Chairman noted the high level of attendance from Tillington residents who wished to discuss their concerns with the speed of vehicles on the A272.  Several residents had sent technical queries in advance of the meeting and had been advised that the questions were not appropriate for the Committee meeting.  A separate meeting would be organised to focus on the particular issues.

 

12.3   The Tillington residents expressed their concerns with signage inconsistency and the speed of vehicles; and the impact this had on residents’ safety.  Speeds at the weekend where also highlighted, which could be significantly higher than in the week.

 

12.4   The Committee members shared the concerns of the residents and felt it was important to harness the energy in the room and channel it into appropriate action.

 

12.5   Chris Dye, Area Highways Manager, explained that there were processes in place such as Traffic Regulation Orders that could change speed limits, subject to the proposals meeting the County Council’s Speed Limit Policy.  Officers would be able to look into requests to see what could be supported to ease the residents’ concerns.

 

12.6   Residents queried what mitigations could be possible, such as physical highway changes and speed camera implementation. Chris Dye explained that speed cameras were the responsibility of the police and not the County Council.  The County Council had a Road Safety Team which looked for patterns in injury accident data to establish if there were problem areas.  Any proposals for the highway needed to be supported with evidence.

 

12.7   The Committee supported the proposal for a local meeting to allow residents and officers to discuss the issues in detail and work out the feasibility of actions to improve safety.  Residents asked if someone from the police would attend the meeting. Chris Dye resolved to invite the police to the meeting, but could not guarantee their attendance.  Residents were advised to approach Sussex Police to highlight their concerns and ask if there was resource to undertake patrols and enforcement in the area.

 

12.8   Chris Dye resolved to contact the Tillington Parish Council Chairman to make arrangements for the meeting.  Progress on this issue would be monitored by the Committee.

 

13.

Declarations of Interest

Members and officers must declare any pecuniary or personal interest in any business on the agenda. They should also make declarations at any stage such an interest becomes apparent during the meeting. Consideration should be given to leaving the meeting if the nature of the interest warrants it. If in doubt, contact Democratic Services before the meeting.

Minutes:

13.1   Mr Parikh declared a personal interest as he had changed his energy supplier to Your Energy Sussex.

14.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 61 KB

To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 19 June 2018 (cream paper).

Minutes:

14.1   Resolved – that the minutes of the meeting held on 19 June 2018 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

15.

Refill pdf icon PDF 3 MB

The Committee to receive a presentation on the ‘Refill’ practical tap water campaign.

Minutes:

15.1   The Committee received a presentation from Heather Barrie, a volunteer for the Refill scheme, and Diana Morgan, Transition Chichester, on the Refill Scheme (copy appended to the signed minutes).

 

15.2   Heather Barrie explained the scheme which would allow people to refill water bottles at local businesses that had signed up to the scheme.  The aim of the scheme was to reduce the level of single use water bottles that were used.  People could download an app that would highlight local businesses that were signed up to the scheme.

 

15.3   The scheme had been launched in January and was supported by the County Council and Chichester City Council.  Social media campaigns were due to launch soon.  The public were asked to pass on the message.  The scheme also included twinning activities to install water fountains in areas such as Africa.

 

15.4   The Committee made comments including those that follow.

 

   Highlighted that County Hall had advertised a water fountain on the app.

   Queried if the scheme was being promoted through schools and universities. Heather Barrie explained that this would be included in the next step of the campaign.  The Greater Brighton Metropolitan College was already involved in the project.

 

15.5   An attendee extended an invite to have the campaign at the Petworth Famers Market and agreed to pass the message on to Parish Councils. Heather Barrie accepted the offer and expressed her appreciation for the support to the campaign.

 

15.6   The Committee thanked Heather Barrie and Diana Morgan for their attendance and gave support to the Refill scheme.

16.

Your Energy Sussex pdf icon PDF 625 KB

The Committee to receive a presentation on a new, council-backed energy supplier called Your Energy Sussex.

Minutes:

16.1   The Committee received a presentation from David Edwards from the County Council’s Energy Team on Your Energy Sussex (copy appended to the signed minutes).

 

16.2   David Edwards explained that the County Council had launched Your Energy Sussex in February to offer an alternative energy supplier to residents for gas and renewable electricity.  It was estimated that an average household could save £300 per year if it switched to a fixed tariff.

 

16.3   Your Energy Sussex was not for profit, with surplus funds going towards fuel poverty funds.  Locally generated energy was used and it was hoped to increase this over time.

 

16.4   Mr Parikh reported that he had switched to Your Energy Sussex and had made monthly savings.

 

16.5   The Committee made comments including those that follow.

 

   Asked how the County Council was promoting this. David Edwards explained that officers needed to be careful with marketing as costs impacted the level of surplus going to fuel poverty funds.  There was a steady growth of people signing up to the supplier.  As returns approached breakeven more marking options would be explored.

   Proposed advertising the supplier with council bills.  – David Edwards confirmed this had been done and that sign up levels had increased 2-3 months after the bills had been sent.

 

16.6   The public made comments including those that follow.

 

   Queried if locally generated solar energy by residents could be connected to the scheme. David Edwards explained that it was a complicated process to join the grid.  There were community energy groups that the County Council hoped to be able to offer a route to the market in the future.

   Asked if the locally produced energy was mixed with national energy.  – David Edwards explained that the energy went into the grid and was traceable.

   Queried if there would be more electric car charging ports installed. David Edwards highlighted that the County Council was currently trialling electric cars within its car pool fleet and hoped to increase this.

 

16.7   The Committee thanked David Edwards for the presentation.

17.

Plaistow Road - Traffic Regulation Order - NC03 (18/19) pdf icon PDF 48 KB

Report by the Director of Highways & Transport.

 

The Committee will consider the recommendation within the report concerning the proposal to reduce the speed limit on Plaistow Road, Ifold and advise the Director of Highways & Transport how it wishes to proceed.

Additional documents:

Decision:

On the 31 May 2018, the County Council received an application for a

community led traffic regulation order (TRO) from Plaistow Parish Council and a local resident, to lower the speed limit through the village of Ifold, from the existing 40 mph to 30mph.

 

At its meeting on 6 November 2018, the North Chichester County Local Committee agreed to include the request in the Committee’s Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) Programme.

 

The call-in deadline is 14 November 2018.

Minutes:

17.1   The committee considered a report by the Director of Highways & Transport (copy appended to the signed minutes).

 

17.2   Chris Dye introduced the report and explained that the County Council had received an application for a community led Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) from Plaistow and Ifold Parish Council to lower the speed limit through the village of Ifold, from 40 mph to 30mph.

 

17.3   The Chairman allowed Alan Pearson, Parish Councillor, to speak for 5 minutes on the proposals.

 

17.4   Alan Pearson explained that the population of Ifold had increased to over 1800 residents which had led to Plaistow Road becoming increasingly dangerous.  There were no pavements on Plaistow Road which meant that school children using bus stops that were in a dangerous position.  There had been recent accidents on the road which highlighted the issues outlined in the request.

 

17.5   Chris Dye explained that there were 2 sets of criteria to consider for speed change requests; route and speed assessments.  The route assessment for this request passed the criteria; however the speed assessment did not meet the criteria as the average speeds on the road were between 36.8 and 37.6 mph.  Officers were only able to consider evidence based data for decisions, and could not consider near misses.  The police had confirmed with officers that they would not support the speed limit change.

 

17.6   Chris Dye explained that a County Council decision in February 2010 had given County Local Committees the discretion to override policy in order to promote 30mph speed limits in villages.  If the Committee agreed to the proposal the next step would be advertisement and consultation.

 

17.7   The Committee queried the timescales for the proposal if it was approved. Chris Dye explained that the scheme would be designed and put out for consultation next year.  If less than 5 objections were received, the scheme would be implemented the following year.  If 5 or more objections were received, the application would come back to the Committee for a decision on implementation.

 

17.8   Dr O’Kelly welcomed the policy that allowed County Local Committees the flexibility to consider individual requests for speed limit changes that did not fit the wider policy.  Having undertaken a site visit, and noting the comments from the police, Dr O’Kelly felt that the road in question was particularly narrow with bends and that the scheme should be progressed for assessment.

 

17.9   The Committee agreed with the comments discussed and agreed to progress the scheme to the consultation stage.

 

17.10 Resolved – That the North Chichester County Local Committee agrees to include the request in the Committee’s Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) Programme.

18.

Prioritisation of Traffic Regulation Orders 2018/19 - NC04 (18/19) pdf icon PDF 57 KB

Report by the Director of Highways and Transport and Head of Highways Operations.

 

The committee is asked to consider the report regarding Community requests for Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO) and agree to progress the highest scoring TRO from the list attached at Appendix A, subject to any adjustments made at the meeting.

Additional documents:

Decision:

Community requests for Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) that cost under £3,000 to implement are considered annually by County Local Committees (CLCs). More complex TROs are considered for progression as a Community Highways Scheme and so fall outside the process.

 

The TRO requests received since July 2017 have been assessed and scored and the results are attached for the CLC to consider and prioritise in line with the Cabinet Member Report for Traffic Regulation Orders – Assessment and Implementation Process (see link in Background Papers) for progression in the 2019/20 works programme.

 

At its meeting on 6 November 2018 the North Chichester County Local Committee agreed to progress the highest scoring TRO from the list attached at Appendix A

 

Plaistow Road (Ifold) – Speed Limit

 

This TRO was agreed for inclusion under decision NC03 (18/19)

 

The call-in deadline is 14 November 2018.

Minutes:

18.1   The committee considered a report by the Director of Highways & Transport and the Head of Highways Operations (copy appended to the signed minutes).

 

18.2   Chris Dye introduced the report and explained that following the discussion for the previous item there was only 1 Traffic Regulation Order for the Committee to consider.

 

18.3   Resolved – That the North Chichester County Local Committee agreed to progress the highest scoring TRO from the list attached at Appendix A

 

Plaistow Road (Ifold) – Speed Limit

19.

Community Highway Schemes pdf icon PDF 34 KB

Information report by the Director of Highways and Transport.

 

The Committee is asked to note the update.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

19.1   The committee considered an information report by the Director of Highways & Transport (copy appended to the signed minutes).

 

19.2   Chris Dye introduced the report and highlighted the crossing request for Petworth that had been successful in the moderation process.  The scheme was currently out for design, scope and consultation.

 

19.3   Residents thanked Chris Dye for his support with their application and requested details on the funding process. Chris Dye explained that section 106 funding could be used towards a community highway scheme if it had not already been allocated to another proposal and the contribution in question was relevant to the proposal.

 

19.4   The Committee queried what alternative options were available for funding. Chris Dye explained that the moderation process looked into resourcing factors.  If an application was not successful in the moderation stage, third party applications would be required which was a complicated route.

 

19.5   Resolved – That the Committee notes the update.

20.

North Chichester Community Initiative Funding pdf icon PDF 44 KB

There are no Community Initiative Fund pitches to consider at this meeting.


The Committee is asked to note the Funding Summary for 2018/19 and 2017/18.

Minutes:

20.1   The Committee considered a funding summary document for the Community Initiative Fund (copy appended to the signed minutes).

 

20.2   The Committee noted that there were no applications to consider in the report. 

 

20.3   The Committee noted that there was £14,792.84 available for allocation and encouraged applications for the next meeting of the Committee.

21.

Nominations for Local Authority Governors to Maintained Schools and Academy Governing Bodies pdf icon PDF 24 KB

There are no nominations for Authority Governor Appointments for consideration at this meeting.


The Committee is asked to note the Authority Governor Vacancies for North Chichester County Local Committee Area.

Minutes:

21.1   The Committee considered the current Authority Governor Vacancies for the North Chichester County Local Committee Area (copy appended to the signed minutes).

 

21.2   The Committee highlighted the vacancy list to the public.  Mr Bradford resolved to look into the vacancy for Camelsdale Primary School.

22.

Talk With Us

To invite questions from the public present at the meeting on subjects other than those on the agenda. The Committee would encourage members of the public with more complex issues to submit their question before the meeting to allow a substantive answer to be given.

Minutes:

22.1   The Chairman introduced the item and advised that the open forum was an opportunity for comments and questions to be raised on items not already on the agenda, and over which the County Council has jurisdiction. The following issues were raised and responses made.

 

·         A resident had submitted a question in advance on excessive speeds on the A272, especially the Petersfield Road, Midhurst by motor cyclists.  – Pete Lawrence, Partnerships Area Manager (South), reported that the Police regularly spoke to motorcyclists at Whiteways Lodge to discuss appropriate road behaviour.  Pete Lawrence resolved to raise this issue at the Arun and Chichester Road Safety group and provide an update via the progress statement for the next meeting.

·         A resident queried the Velo South Parish engagement plan and asked when the meetings were taking place.  – Mr Bradford explained that lessons had been learnt from the previous Velo discussions.  Adam Chisnall, Democratic Services Officer, explained that the message from the South Chichester County Local Committee was that no statement would be made on future cycling events until parishes had been engaged.  Dr O’Kelly requested that consideration was needed on who was invited to these meetings, how they were selected, and an appropriate method to inform of the engagement dates.

·         A resident queried the Wisborough Green TRO not being eligible for criteria and sought clarity on the alternative exception route that had been used for Halnaker.  – Chris Dye explained that this route would be a decision by the Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure.  Chris Dye added that officers were looking to provide a supplement document to the 2010 report to remove ambiguity.

·         Concerns were raised on the danger of Hughes Hill on B2133 following the severe accident in January.  – Chris Dye reported that officers had looked into the road specification and found it not to be linked to the traffic incident.  The police were investigating the issue and could serve a notice to the County Council if they felt highways were at fault.

23.

Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Committee will take place at 7.00 pm on Tuesday 5 March 2019 at Northchapel Village Hall, Pipers Lane, Northchapel, Petworth, GU28 9JA.

 

Members wishing to place an item on the agenda should notify Adam Chisnall via email: adam.chisnall@westsussex.gov.uk or phone on 033 022 28314.

Minutes:

23.1   The Committee noted that its next scheduled meeting would take place on 5 March 2019 at Northchapel Village Hall, Pipers Lane, Northchapel, Petworth, GU28 9JA.