Agenda and minutes

-           to note the minutes and emerging issues.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting of the Local Development Framework Members’ Steering Group held on 17^th November, 2006.

Resolved:-  That the minutes and emerging issues be noted.

Transportation Unit Manager to report.

-           to report receipt of a letter and petition

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Transportation Unit Manager, relating to the receipt of a petition containing sixty one signatures, requesting a pedestrian crossing on Littlefield Road, Dinnington.

Reference was also made to a letter from Dinnington St. John’s Town Council putting forward the residents’ case for better road safety.

Discussion took place on the content of the letter including a request for lowered kerbs.

It was reported that (in accordance with Minute No. 182 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Development Services held on 6th February, 2006) the request for a pedestrian crossing had been assessed and surveyed.  The results indicated that the provision of a crossing was not justified.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the receipt of the petition be noted.

(2)   That, because the site does not meet the Council’s criteria, the provision of a controlled pedestrian crossing be not approved.

(3) That the possibility of lowered kerbs for wheelchairs and pram users be investigated.

(3) That the petitioners be informed accordingly.

Transportation Unit Manager to report.

-           to note receipt of the petition.

-           to agree that the identified sunken gully grate generating increased

traffic noise be reconstructed away from the speed cushion.

-           inform the lead petitioner accordingly.

Further to Minute No. 302 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Economic and Development Services held on 6^th January, 2003, consideration was given to a report, presented by the Transportation Unit Manager, relating to the receipt of a petition, containing six signatures from local residents, requesting that the existing traffic calming features on Hooton Road, Kilnhurst be amended due to the noise being generated by vehicles, particularly heavy goods vehicles, driving over them.

It was reported that investigations on site had shown that one of the cushions is located near to a surface water gully grate which has sunk, which increased the “impact” noise.  It was therefore suggested that this gully could be reconstructed away from the cushion so that vehicles did not drive over the gully.

Resolved:- (1)  That the petition be noted.

(2) That the identified sunken gully grate be reconstructed away from the speed cushion.

(3)  That the lead petitioner be informed accordingly.

Transportation Unit Manager to report.

-           to resolve that, subject to no objections to the revised scheme being received, the scheme be implemented.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Transportation Unit Manager, relating to the amended proposals for the alteration of the Park Lane/Oldgate Lane/Hollings Lane junction.

Details of the proposals were illustrated on the accompanying plan (Drawing No.  122/U376).

It was suggested that local shop owners be made aware of the scheme prior to any work being progressed.

Resolved:-  That, subject to no objections to the revised scheme being received, the scheme be implemented.

Transportation Unit Manager.

-           to consider the objections received.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Transportation Unit Manager, detailing objections received to the proposed provision of a disabled person’s parking place on Brook Hill, Thorpe Hesley.

The location of the designated disabled persons’ parking place was illustrated on the accompanying plan (Drawing No. 126/18/TT206).

Following discussion on the matter, several issues were raised which were to be investigated.

Resolved:-  That the matter be deferred and a further report on the matter be submitted to a future meeting.

Transportation Unit Manager to report.

-           to consider that the proposed 20mph speed limit zone is withdrawn and a scheme concentrating traffic calming on Spinneyfield is progressed.

-           to approve the production of a further information leaflet informing residents of the proposed changes to the scheme.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Transportation Unit Manager, relating to the progress made in developing the proposed traffic calming scheme on the Grange Estate, Broom. The report referred to previous consideration of the issues in August 2005.

The report summarised the objections received from local residents regarding the proposed traffic management scheme.

Following the feedback received from the consultation exercise, a number of comprehensive traffic surveys were undertaken to determine the extent of the alleged speeding problems on the majority of roads in the area. The results of these surveys indicated that with the exception of Spinneyfield there is generally good compliance with the 30mph limit.

As a result it was recommended that the original scheme is withdrawn and that a traffic scheme is developed that concentrates on Spinneyfield where traffic speeds are highest. This will give better value for money and lead to an effective reduction in vehicle speeds within the estate.

The other three measures, outlined  in the August, 2005 report, were proceeding.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the proposed 20mph speed limit zone is withdrawn and a scheme concentrating traffic calming on Spinneyfield be progressed.

(2)    That a further information leaflet be produced informing residents of the proposed changes to the scheme.

Principal Highway Engineer to report.

-           to consider the implementation of improvement works on Manor Farm Estate forming part of the ‘Pathfinder’ Investment Programme 2006-08.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Principal Highway Engineer, detailing proposed “Pathfinder” improvements on Manor Farm Estate.

It was reported that Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder funding had now been made available.

It was noted that four types of works were proposed:-

-                      Additional parking

-                      Additional footway

-                      Improved street lighting

-                      Improved signage

Resolved:-  That the improvement works on Manor Farm Estate forming part of the ‘Pathfinder’ Investment Programme 2006-08 be implemented.

Quality and Change Co-ordinator to report.

-           to note the progress made and endorse the changes to the framework and to the work programmes.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Performance and Quality Manager, relating to the findings of a review of progress on the ‘Rethinking …..EDS Programme’.

Amendments to the framework and work programmes (approved by the Management Team) were put forward for consideration.

The report submitted set out :-

-     the overall position including current membership of the seven active groups, by service

-     the progress to date by each active group

-     future developments having regard to the recommendations arising from the CPA Corporate Assessment report

It was noted that the review would take regard of the findings arising from meetings of Our Future groups.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the progress made be noted.

(2)  That the changes to the framework and work programmes be endorsed.

Streetpride Principal Network Engineer to report.

-           to note the results of the Reachout Survey and consider appropriate bids for Capital investment in the road and footway assets being submitted.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Network Principal Engineering, Stretpride, summarising the key elements relating to the Physical Environment covered by the 14^th Reachout Survey.

The aims of the survey were set out in the report submitted and the following issues were highlighted:-

High satisfaction with:-

Street lighting

Maintenance of grass verges and shrub beds

Maintenance of road signs, bollards etc

Winter salting of roads

Lowest satisfaction with:-

Winter salting of pavements

Quality of road surfaces

Resolved:-  (1)  That the results of the Reachout Survey be noted.

(2)  That approval be given for appropriate bids to be made for Capital investment in the road and footway assets  and submitted to the Cabinet Member for consideration.

Streetpride Principal Network Engineer to report.

-           to agree the general recommendations for action for incorporation within the HAMP and the Improvement Plan.

-           to consider  the option to maintain overall carriageway condition being adopted as part of the HAMP,.

-           refer the report to Regeneration Scrutiny Panel for information.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Network Principal Engineer, summarising the factors influencing levels of service in maintaining the carriageway element of the Highway Asset.

The report also included recommendations for future actions to be incorporated within the HAMP Improvement Plan, current performance in maintenance and management of highways, factors in determining a desired level of service, gaps between current and desired service levels, priorities for action and resource implications.

Members noted that to maintain overall carriageway condition, resources should be directed towards preventative maintenance and  thin surfacing solutions.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the general recommendations for action be agreed for incorporation within the HAMP and the Improvement Plan.

(2)  That the option to maintain overall carriageway condition be adopted as part of the HAMP.

(3)  That the report be referred to Regeneration Scrutiny Panel for information.

Parking Services Manager to report.

-           to consider the re-introduction of parking charges on Saturdays, at the same level as those which apply between Monday and Friday, with effect from 6 January 2007.

Further to Minute No.  212(2) of the meeting of the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Development Services held on 6^th March, 2006, consideration was given to a report, presented by the Parking Services Manager, relating to the outcome of the trial introduction of free Saturday parking in off-street car parks.

It was reported footfall in the town centre had been monitored.  Analysis of the footfall figures showed that midweek footfall had increased.  However, there had been no significant increase in Saturday footfall.  The statistics were illustrated on the accompanying table and graphs, with comparison with 2005 footfall figures.

It was therefore proposed to re-introduce charges on Saturdays with effect from 6^th January, 2007, at the same levels as those applied between Monday and Friday.  The current charges were set out in the table within the report.

Resolved:-  That, in view of the unsuccessful outcome of the free Saturday parking trial, parking charges are re-introduced on Saturdays, at the same level as those which apply between Monday and Friday, with effect from 6^th January, 2007.

The Cabinet Member authorised consideration of the following additional item in order to ratify the nominations:-

It was reported that the Chair of the Rotherham Local Access Forum had advised the Council of two vacancies on the Forum, and these places were available to be filled by Elected Members.

Resolved:-  That Councillors Nightingale and Swift be nominated.

Resolved:- That Councillors G. Smith and Pickering be approved for attendance at the above conference to take place in Birmingham on 20th February, 2007.