Agenda and minutes

60.1     The Lead Member approved as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 13 February 2023.

Disclosure by all Members present of personal interests in matters on the agenda, the nature of any interest and whether the Members regard the interest as prejudicial under the terms of the Code of Conduct.

61.1     Councillor Ian Hollidge declared a personal interest in item 5 as a member of the Bexhill Wheelers Cycle Group. He did not consider this to be prejudicial.

Notification of any items which the Lead Member considers urgent and proposes to take at the appropriate part of the agenda.

62.1     There were none.

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

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

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

64.2     Councillor Ciarron Clarkson, the Lead Petitioner for the petition calling on the County Council to create a safe crossing on Sutton Avenue to access South Coast Road and Dell Park spoke to highlight the benefits of formal pedestrian crossings to the local community in terms of safety, economy, environment, health and wellbeing.

DECISIONS

64.3     The Lead Member RESOLVED to advise petitioners that:

(1) A potential scheme for improved pedestrian crossing facilities has been assessed through the approved High Level Sift process and is not a priority for the County Council at the present time; and

(2) Petitioners may wish to consider taking a potential scheme forward through the Community Match Process. A Feasibility Study (at a cost of £500) and Speed data (at a cost of £422 per site) would be required prior to a Community Match application.

REASONS

64.4     Provision of formal pedestrian crossings in the vicinity of the roundabout at the A259 junction with Sutton Avenue, Peacehaven, is not a priority for the County Council at the present time. However, appropriate improvements could be considered should an alternative source of funding become available.

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

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

DECISIONS

65.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to:

(1) Agree the programme of local transport improvements for 2023/24 set out in Appendix 1 to the report; and

(2) Agree the allocation of County Council capital funding, development contributions and Local Growth Fund monies towards specific improvements identified in the 2023/24 programme.

REASONS

65.3     The draft capital 2023/24 programme of local transport improvements represents a balanced programme of improvements which will help deliver not only the objectives of the County Council’s current Local Transport Plan but also contribute to achieving the broader corporate objectives of reducing carbon emissions, supporting economic recovery and growth, and promoting health and wellbeing.

65.4     The allocated County Council funding for integrated transport, development contributions and Local Growth Fund monies for the Eastbourne South Wealden Walking & Cycling Package and the Hailsham – Polegate – Eastbourne Movement and Access Corridor will be allocated to the schemes identified in the programme of local transport improvements for 2023/24 as set out in Appendix 1 of the report.