Agenda and draft minutes

Andrew Rowley, Streetworks and Co-ordination Engineer, to report.

-  to consider proposed revised charges for established highway services.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Street Works and Co-ordination Engineer, requesting consideration to amending the current charges made for a range of highway services.

It was explained that all of the highway services under consideration fell within existing powers contained within the Highways Act 1980, the Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984, and The New Roads and Street Works Act 1991. 

It was reported that research had been carried out throughout the whole Yorkshire region in relation to similar charges, to allow comparisons to be made with existing and proposed charges. A table containing the results of this research was attached to the submitted report at Appendix A.

Some of the proposals related to:-

-          the charge for a licence to place a skip on the highway

-          an increased charge for digging up the highway (NRSWA Section 50 and road opening licence)

-          for arranging traffic regulation orders for road closures

-          scaffolding / hoarding licences which are issued to utility companies and development companies

-          the annual charge for the placement of table and chairs (Café Culture),

-          the display of goods on the highway

It was pointed out that increased charges were not proposed where licences were required for structures over the highway, such as tower cranes.

It was proposed that, as the proposed increased charges affect regular applicants such as skip companies, letters be posted out to notify them in advance of any changes agreed.

Properly licensed highway services would help to fulfil the aims of the Local Transport Plan, and the TMA in terms of helping to reduce disruption.

Members present discussed the following:-

-          cost of enforcement/prosecution particularly in respect of the placement of skips

-          road safety issues

-          ‘A’ boards: requirement for both planning permission and a licence;  ownership of land on which boards were placed;  inhibiting access for people with a disability of visual impairment

-          length of time some highways/streetworks appear to be left

-          progress of the consultation in respect of Permits for Streetworks

Resolved:-  That the proposed revised charges for established highway services, outlined in the third column of the table attached as Appendix A to the submitted report, be adopted with effect from 1st April 2011.