Issue - meetings

This report describes the work undertaken to review the Winter Maintenance policy in preparation for the next winter maintenance period from November 2010, outlines the changes recommended and seeks approval to amend the policy accordingly.

RESOLVED: (i)         That the work carried out so far be noted.

                        (ii)        That the approach to amending the Winter Maintenance Policy be approved, in particular:

a)                 the minor changes to the primary routes;

b)                 the proposals for secondary routes in times of severe weather;

c)                  consultation with ward committees on the location and provision of ‘self help’ bins;

d)                 the revised approach to out of hours contact with the York Contact Centre and improvements in communication with Members and residents.

(iii) That the situation with salt supplies nationally be noted.

(iv) That the open day which is to take place in October, following the review of the policy, be noted.

REASON:      To ensure that the issues raised during the prolonged period of bad weather last winter are addressed and to improve the Council’s response to severe winter weather.

Members considered a report which described the work undertaken by Officers to review the Council’s Winter Maintenance Policy in preparation for the next winter maintenance period (from November 2010) and sought approval to amend the Policy in line with the recommended changes arising from the review.

The review had included meetings of the Winter Maintenance Group, chaired by the Director of Communities & Neighbourhoods, as well as feedback from a ‘talkabout’ survey of 1,000 residents and from ward committee meetings.  The main changes proposed were:

• A modest increase in the precautionary gritting network
• A modest increase in the precautionary gritting of footways
• Establishment of a list of secondary routes in extreme weather
• 24/7 coverage by York Contact Centre in long spells of bad weather
• Formation of a Winter Maintenance Group to control resources and communications in prolonged periods of bad weather
• Improvement of information on the Council web site
• Establishment of priority cycle routes.

These changes could be funded from available budgets during a normal winter, although a further severe winter requiring secondary action would result in financial pressures.

With regard to the legal position of residents clearing ice from the pavement in front of their house, Officers confirmed that they were happy with the advice provided to the public on this issue, as indicated in paragraph 63 of the report.  With reference to the comments made by Cllr Merrett under Public Participation / Other Speakers, it was noted that the proposals for secondary routes contained in the policy included provision for the treatment of footpaths as and when resources were available.

RESOLVED: (i)         That the work carried out so far be noted.

                        (ii)        That the approach to amending the Winter Maintenance Policy be approved, in particular:

a)                 the minor changes to the primary routes;

b)                 the proposals for secondary routes in times of severe weather;

c)                  consultation with ward committees on the location and provision of ‘self help’ bins;

d)                 the revised approach to out of hours contact with the York Contact Centre and improvements in communication with Members and residents. ¹

(iii) That the situation with salt supplies nationally be noted.

(iv) That the open day which is to take place in October, following the review of the policy, be noted.

REASON:      To ensure that the issues raised during the prolonged period of bad weather last winter are addressed and to improve the Council’s response to severe winter weather.