Issue - meetings

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport.

24.1     The Assistant Director Economy introduced the report which is an update on the progress made in implementing the recommendations of the review. Appendix 2 of the report sets on the progress on the recommendations compared with the previous update received by the Committee in November 2019. There has been a successful implementation of all the recommendations, some of which are complete (such as the work to provide information and advice on the ‘C Zone’ part of the web site for schools), whilst others are ongoing in nature. The Team have been successful in securing funding to support this work and steps have been taken to ensure planning conditions are applied where it is appropriate to do so (e.g. Claverham Community College and Hailsham Community College). As part of the continuing work in this area the ‘School Streets’ pilots are now in place and will commence shortly.

24.2     The Committee noted the progress on implementing the recommendations and indicated that they were pleased with the progress that had been made. The Lead Member for Transport and Environment, who had been part of the review, outlined the topic for the review had arisen from Member’s experience on the Planning Committee. She commented that it was pleasing to see the progress that had been made and noted that there was an opportunity to take this work forward through the ‘School Streets’ pilots.

24.3     It was clarified that the ‘School Streets’ pilots are being funded through the second tranche of the Active Travel fund. The impact and effects of the pilots will be monitored and evaluated before considering the next steps to be taken. It is difficult to say at present whether the pilot schemes will be made permanent or expanded as this will be dependent on the outcome of the pilots and the availability of funding. However, ‘School Streets’ could be included as part of the work on the revised Local Transport Plan (LTP).

24.4     The Committee RESOLVED to note the updates in relation to the agreed recommendations identified through the scrutiny review of the effectiveness of School Travel Plans, as set out in Appendix 2 of the report.

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport.

26.1     The Assistant Director Economy introduced the report and summarised the progress to date on the implementation of the recommendations of the review. The Active Access for Growth funding mentioned in the recommendations has continued in the last 6 months, and it is likely there will be extra funding in 2020/21 from this fund. The revised planning conditions are being applied to planning applications for schools. There is still some work to do on providing School Travel Plan information and guidance on C-zone, but this will be completed by the end of the calendar year. The Council will publish the Local Cycling & Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) shortly. The Plan contains measures which are complementary to School Travel Plans and will aid their effectiveness.

26.2     The Committee discussed the report and the progress on the implementation of the recommendations of the review. The Committee commented that in some rural areas, improving the condition of narrow footways would encourage walking. Also, if the Council could make walking routes safer this may save the Council money where it is having to pay for Home to School Transport due to the lack of a safe walking route to school.

26.3 In the case of some rural village schools where the option of walking to school may be limited, School Travel Plans would benefit from the inclusion of car sharing schemes.  The Assistant Director Economy responded that School Travel Plans are tailored to the circumstances of each school, so information and guidance on car clubs and car sharing will be provided on C-zone and included in School Travel Plans where appropriate. The Assistant Director Economy confirmed that the work on the information for C-zone will be completed before the next Scrutiny Committee update report.

26.4     The Committee noted that overall it was happy with the progress being made on the implementation of the recommendations from the review. However, it is also important that the review’s recommendations are communicated to all affected staff (e.g. Recommendation 5, the inclusion of School Travel Plans in planning conditions for new schools such as the one in Hailsham).  The Committee also commented that climate change will focus attention on walking and sustainable transport options included in School Travel Plans.

26.5     Committee RESOLVED to:

(1) Note the updates in relation to the agreed recommendations identified through the review of the effectiveness of School Travel Plans, as set out in Appendix 2; and

(2) Note the potential opportunities in relation to school travel regarding future transport infrastructure projects and initiatives note progress and agreed recommendation of the report.

Report by Assistant Chief Executive

60.1     The Cabinet considered a report by the Place Scrutiny Committee and a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport with observations on the Scrutiny Committee’s report.

60.2     It was RESOLVED to:

            1) note the report of the Scrutiny Committee; and

            2) recommend the County Council to welcome the report of the Scrutiny Committee and to agree the response of the Director of  Communities, Economy and Transport to the recommendations and their implementation as set out in the action plan attached as Appendix 1 to the Director’s report.

Reason

60.3     The Scrutiny Review of School Travel Plans is welcomed  as the Plans are an

important consideration in the planning process, and are often a condition applied to

planning applications, so it is important that they are effective. The Scrutiny Review has highlighted a number of issues regarding the current approach to ensuring School Travel Plans are effective and the implementation of the recommendations will be in accordance with the action plan attached as appendix 1 of the Director’s report.