Agenda and minutes

34.1     The Lead Member approved as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 22 January 2018.

35.1     The Lead Member resolved to amend the agenda order, to take Item 5 before Item 4.

35.2     Reports referred to in the minutes below are contained in the minute book.

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

36.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport, together with written comments and photographs submitted by the Lead Petitioner, Andy Johnson. 

DECISION

36.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED  to advise the petitioners that (1) whilst the footways are considered to generally be in a good state of repair and are not considered dangerous or hazardous for users, East Sussex County Council propose to carry out some targeted maintenance works to areas where localised structural failure has occurred and implement a programme of works to prevent further deterioration; and

(2) concerns or issues regarding weed control within Eastbourne need to be addressed with Eastbourne Borough Council directly, and that no further action will be taken by ESCC regarding this.

Reasons

36.3     The overall condition of footways in this location, while generally poor, is  currently functional and they do not require any immediate action.  Consideration needs to be given to the fact that these footways are important links between the local roads and give access to properties for deliveries and visitors.

36.4     As a consequence, localised improvement works to repair the areas of early structural failure on Boswell Walk, Shelley Walk and Kipling Walk and the resurfacing of the section of Boswell Walk linking through to The Rising will be included in the 2018/19 or 2019/20 capital maintenance programme, subject to all other priorities and the available budget. 

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

37.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport.

37.2     The Lead Petitioner, Mr John Pohlhammer, spoke in support of the petition and to request consideration of enhancing York Gardens rather than simply maintaining it. 

DECISION

37.3     The Lead Member RESOLVED  to advise the petitioners that (1) East Sussex County Council adopts an asset management approach to its highway maintenance and its programmes of maintenance are compiled on a county-wide priority basis; and

(2) that the County Council has future plans to carry out resurfacing work along York Gardens , including the repairs to the footways, kerbing and street lighting as part of the future capital works programme.

Reasons

37.4     The overall condition of road, footway and kerbing in this road, while generally poor, is currently functional and does not require immediate action.  Work to resurface the road and footways and replace the older granite kerbing with a more consistent modern kerbing would reduce future maintenance liabilities, and combined with an upgrade of the street lighting to modern LED would provide an improved route for pedestrians.

37.5     Consideration has been given to the use of the carriageway as a footway which makes it a higher priority when compared to just considering the condition of the carriageway as just for vehicular use.  As a consequence improvement works are to be included in the future capital maintenance programme, subject to all other priorities, consultation with Hastings Borough Council and local businesses, and the available budget.

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

38.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport.

38.2     The Lead Petitioner, Mr Michael Cahill, spoke in support of the petition.

DECISION

38.3     The Lead Member RESOLVED  to advise the petitioners that (1) the request for a pedestrian crossing has been reassessed using the scheme prioritisation process for local transport improvements; and

(2) the pedestrian crossing at the Blois Road location does not currently achieve sufficient priority for funding through the capital programme for local transport improvements.   

Reasons

38.4     The request for a pedestrian crossing has been reassessed using the scheme prioritisation process for local transport improvements and does not currently score sufficiently highly for funding through the capital programme for local transport improvements.

38.5     While the County Council is unable to fund the scheme it is recognised there remains a strong local desire for the crossing scheme and they may wish to approach Lewes Town Council to explore opportunities for match funding through the Community Match Initiative.

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

39.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport.

DECISION

39.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED  to recommend that the County Council support the Motion as set out in paragraph 1.1 of the report. 

Reasons

39.3     The impact of plastic waste on the environment and human health are recognised by the County Council.  The Motion will contribute to measures to reduce those impacts.