Agenda and draft minutes

48.1     The Lead Member approved as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 27 January 2025.

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.

49.1     Councillor Murphy declared a personal interest in item 6 as a committee member of Hailsham Memorial Institute based at Western Road, Hailsham. 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.

50.1     There were none.

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

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

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

DECISIONS

52.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to:

(1) Note the response to the public consultation on the introduction of a booking system for Household Waste Recycling Sites;

(2) Note the petition opposing the introduction of a booking system for Household Waste Recycling Sites submitted by the Lewes Liberal Democrats;

(3) Approve the proposal to introduce a booking system for access to all East Sussex Household Waste Recycling Sites;

(4) Approve the proposal to include as part of the booking system the ability to charge non-East Sussex residents a set fee to use East Sussex Household Waste Recycling Sites; and

(5) Delegate authority to the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport to implement and make changes to a booking system, agree the charges for non-East Sussex residents and develop a policy to govern its ongoing operation and enforcement.

REASONS

52.3     Within the context of the budget pressures facing the authority and the significant increase in the usage of the Household Waste Recycling Sites (HWRS) network (including visits by traders and out of county residents), a system to regulate access, reduce trade use and charge for out-of-area visits will help contribute to improving the efficiency of the service and reduce the authority’s funding gap. The charge for out of county residents will be reviewed annually along with the charges for non-household waste at recycling sites as part of the Council’s annual fees and charges review mechanism.

52.4     From the consultation results, the vast majority of those that responded do not want a booking system. However, the experience of neighbouring authorities who have introduced systems has been that some residents do not want the system to begin with, but then become accustomed to it. In June 2021, after implementing their scheme one year previously, Kent County Council asked 5,866 of their household waste site users how positive or negative would you feel about using the booking system in the future. 84.9% responded that they would be ‘extremely or quite positive’ about using one. West Sussex County Council carried out a consultation in 2021 on continuing with the booking system that was introduced during the pandemic. Over 60% of respondents strongly agreed or agreed that the booking system should be maintained. Over 80% said it was extremely easy or quite easy to make a booking.

52.5     The booking system will:

·         Help to manage queues at peak times at our busiest sites;

·         Help to improve operations and safety;

·         Help to prevent traders from bringing in commercial waste which should not be disposed of at taxpayers’ expense; and

·         Ensure only East Sussex residents are accessing the sites for free.

52.6     Booking a HWRS visit will require a little effort from residents to access a service that is currently freely available. Around 50% of councils in England now operate some sort of booking system for their HWRS, including West Sussex, Hampshire, Kent and West Berkshire. Information received from these councils suggests they  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52.

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

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

DECISIONS

53.2     The Lead Member RESOLVED to:

(1) Note the outcomes of the stakeholder and public consultation on the proposed A22 Major Road Network Corridor active travel measures; and

(2) Approve the recommendation for each scheme within the sustainable transport measures package as detailed in Appendix 6 of the report which sets out the elements for each scheme proposed to be taken to detailed design and inclusion in the full business case for the A22 MRN Corridor Package.

REASONS

53.3     In December 2022 the County Council submitted an outline business case (OBC) for the A22 MRN Corridor Package to DfT, comprising five junction improvements on the section of the A22 as well as an indicative package of active travel measures around Hailsham, Polegate and Stone Cross. Together, the full package of measures on this section of the A22 corridor will improve strategic and local connectivity of communities in the south Wealden area to facilitate economic and housing growth, encourage walking and cycling for local journeys, and in doing so help to reduce carbon emissions, local air pollution and noise generated by traffic.

53.4     Public and stakeholder consultation on the active travel proposals was undertaken in November and December 2024. The analysis of the quantitative and qualitative feedback shows that, in general, respondents were supportive of measures to improve active travel, however views were mixed on whether the proposed schemes would achieve their objectives. Overall, most of the proposals, especially those in the Polegate and Stone Cross area, received more support than opposition from respondents.

53.5     Concerns were raised about some elements of the proposals put forward at consultation. These included the proposal to make Western Road one way between Sussex Avenue and Summerheath Road as part of Hailsham Core Walking and Cycling Zone scheme as well as elements of the Hempstead Lane traffic calming proposals and the loss of bulb planting by converting the existing segregated sections of footway and cycle route in Polegate between Aberdale Road and Levett Road to shared use.

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

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

54.2     Ms Carla Foster, a representative of the petition calling on the County Council to implement traffic calming measures on Beachy Head Road spoke to highlight safety concerns for road users and pedestrians who use Beachy Head Road and the impact of a fatality on Beachy Head Road.

DECISIONS

54.3     The Lead Member RESOLVED to advise petitioners that:

(1) Speed data gathered has shown that the vast majority of drivers are travelling at an appropriate speed for the conditions of the road and the environment through which it passes. For the reasons set out in paragraphs 2.2 and 2.3 of the report, Beachy Head Road does not meet East Sussex County Council’s policy criteria for a lower speed limit;

(2) The road safety assessment of Beachy Head Road has concluded that the only highway measures that would potentially reduce the speed of the small number who drive in a dangerous or anti-social manner would be the widespread introduction of road narrowings and road humps. However, these measures would likely be ineffective due to the topography of the road and would have significant impact on emergency services vehicles and bus/coach services. For these reasons a street lighting and traffic calming scheme for Beachy Head Road is not appropriate;

(3) A traffic sign and road marking enhancement scheme which will highlight the areas of the road where extra caution is needed will be taken forward and implemented in 2025/26 financial year; and

(4) Concerns about vehicle speeds and driver behaviour has been shared with Sussex Police to enable continued targeted enforcement.

REASONS

54.4     The setting of appropriate and effective speed limits has been subject to a significant level of research. It is important drivers are provided with a consistent message, so they know what is expected of them as they enter different road environments. A predominant factor considered when determining an effective speed limit is the number of properties that are visible to drivers. Due to the very limited frontage development and local characteristics, Beachy Head Road does not meet the Council’s policy requirements for a lower speed limit; therefore, the national speed limit applies. Whilst it is subject to the national speed limit, the onus is on the individual driver to drive in a safe and judicious manner, and to the conditions of the road and the surroundings through which they pass. It is recognised nationally that most drivers will travel at the speed they consider to be safe for the conditions of the road, and this is reflected in the speed data that has been collected. The vast majority of drivers using Beachy Head Road are choosing to travel at a speed far below the national speed limit.

54.5     The road safety assessment of Beachy Head Road has concluded that the only highway measures that would potentially reduce the speed of the small number who drive in a dangerous or anti-social manner would be the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 54.