Issue - meetings

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport.

7.1       The Project Manager, Highways Funding and Development introduced the report. The current approach, with the exception of the 18 streets listed in the policy, is to replace street furniture with modern materials that have a longer asset life that are easier and more cost effective to maintain. The Department does not have a specific budget for the maintenance or replacement of items of street furniture of historic interest on a like for like basis. Therefore, funding has to be found from the existing highway maintenance budgets or other sources.

7.2       Currently, the Council shares planned maintenance and replacement programmes with Conservation Officers, who can then raise issues or consult wider on any proposed changes. A review of the existing policy has been carried out together with the Conservation Officers from the District and Borough Councils. A new policy has been developed as outlined in the report and the Scrutiny Committee is invited to comment on the proposed new approach.

7.3       The Chair drew the Committee’s attention to the written comments submitted by Councillor John Ungar on the report and outlining some of the issues experienced in his Division on this subject. The Committee discussed the report and the proposed new policy. A summary of their comments is given below.

7.4       The Committee commented that it was timely to look at the policy and approach to street furniture of historic interest. In many areas, such as historic villages and older parts of larger settlements, the condition of heritage assets has a direct impact on tourism and the attractiveness of these areas which needs to be considered. The preservation of the historic character of these areas will bring benefits to the County. The Project Manager, Highways Funding and Development explained that the team do explore other areas of funding, such as the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) where possible and the use of embellishments to make modern replacements more in keeping and sympathetic to the character of local areas.

Maintenance and Utility Reinstatements

7.5       It was noted that inappropriate maintenance such as the use of jet washing and road sweepers can damage surfaces and historic features such as stone setts and paviours. Also, there is a problem with Utility Company re-instatement work not replacing materials like for like and therefore damaging the appearance of areas, including the newly constructed Eastbourne town centre scheme. The Director of Communities, Economy and Transport responded that Utility Companies can be challenged on the quality of re-instatement works, but they do have the ability to make temporary reinstatements following emergency works and then follow up later with a full reinstatement. The Contract Manager, Highway Infrastructure Services explained that street sweeping and cleaning is the responsibility of District and Borough Councils, but the team do liaise with them on maintenance issues.

Cast Iron Heritage Light Columns

7.6       It was clarified that they way in which cast iron lamp posts are unsafe is due to the cast iron material used in their construction and their location at the front  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport.