Agenda, decisions and minutes

At this point the Cabinet Member is asked to declare any personal, prejudicial or pecuniary interests they may have in the business on this agenda.

The Cabinet Member was asked to declare any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests, any prejudicial interests or any disclosable pecuniary interests which he might have in respect of business on the agenda.  None were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 11^th March 2014.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the Decision Session held on 11 March 2014 be approved and signed as a correct record.

It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak at the meeting under the Public Participation Scheme but that two Members of Council had registered to speak.

Councillor Reid spoke in support of the Dringhouses and Woodthorpe Ward Winter Maintenance Petition (agenda item 4).  She stated that this was the third time that she had spoken on the issue of salt bins and that it was fortunate that it had been a mild winter.  She understood that there had been a budget overspend in the winter maintenance budget and hence there would be a need to review this budget.  Although some Residents’ Associations had chosen to fund some salt bins, not all of the ward was covered by a Residents Association or Parish Council.  The changes in respect of ward committee funding was also a factor.  Whilst supportive of the efforts of involving residents through the snow wardens initiative, it was important that there was adequate provision of salt bins.  Speaking in respect of agenda item 5 – Annual Highway Maintenance Report, Councillor Reid stated that she welcomed the extra funding that the Government had announced for road repairs and hoped that York would receive its share.

Councillor Richardson, speaking in respect of agenda item 5 – Annual Highway Maintenance Report, stated that he welcomed the fact that Windsor Drive had been included in the proposed Surface Treatment Programme 2014/15 but raised concerns regarding the condition of South Lane in Haxby.  He stated that the poor condition of the road markings meant that parking restrictions could not be enforced and that this was causing real problems in the area.  Referring to the winter maintenance programme, Councillor Richardson expressed concern at the lack of salt bins on the main thoroughfare to Ralph Butterfield Primary School.  He requested that, at the very minimum, a bin be provided on Usher Lane.

This report is a response to a petition submitted by Councillor Ann Reid on behalf of 179 residents of Dringhouses and Woodthorpe Ward requesting the retention of the existing salt bins and gritting position in the Ward.

Resolved:  (i)      That the petition be noted.

(ii)      That Option 2 (Maintain the approved winter maintenance service for 2013/14) be approved.

Reason:     The revised policy is derived from consultation and best practice guidance and allows for routes and grit bin locations to be prioritised and ranked accordingly providing a safe, efficient and effective service.

The Cabinet Member considered a report in response to a petition, with 179 names and addresses of residents, submitted to the Council by Councillor Reid.  The petition requested that the Council retain the existing salt bin and gritting position in the Dringhouses and Woodthorpe wards. 

The Cabinet Member considered the following options:

Option 1:    Consider the petition and reinstate the winter maintenance service to the 2012/13 arrangements

Option 2:    Maintain the approved winter maintenance service for 2013/14

The Cabinet Member stated that he was satisfied that the current

gritting regime was safe and effective.

Resolved:  (i)      That the petition be noted.

(ii)      That Option 2 (Maintain the approved winter maintenance service for 2013/14) be approved.

Reason:     The revised policy is derived from consultation and best practice guidance and allows for routes and grit bin locations to be prioritised and ranked accordingly providing a safe, efficient and effective service.

This report provides a review of the service performance in highway maintenance over the last year. The report examines issues arising and proposes programmes of work to be undertaken in the financial year 2014/15.

Resolved:  (i)      That the review of 2013/14 and proposals for

                             2014/15 be noted.

                   (ii)      That the allocation of budgets for 2014/15, as

                             detailed in the report, be approved.

                   (iii)     That the implementation of the proposed

                             programme be approved.

Reason:     To ensure delivery of highway maintenance services in an efficient and cost effective manner.

The Cabinet Member considered a report that provided a review of the service performance in highway maintenance over the last year.  The report examined issues arising and proposed programmes of work to be undertaken in the financial year 2014/15.

The Cabinet Member stated that every effort would be made to ensure that York secured a fair share of the funding for road maintenance that had been announced by the Government.

Referring to concerns that had been raised regarding road markings on South Lane, the Cabinet Member stated that he would discuss this issue with officers.  He would also ask officers to consider whether they could work with snow wardens in that area to address issues that had been raised regarding the situation on the route to the school.

The Cabinet Member thanked officers for their work in preparing the comprehensive report.

Resolved:  (i)      That the review of 2013/14 and proposals for

                             2014/15 be noted.

                   (ii)      That the allocation of budgets for 2014/15, as

                             detailed in the report, be approved.

                   (iii)     That the implementation of the proposed

                             programme be approved.

Reason:     To ensure delivery of highway maintenance services in an efficient and cost effective manner.