Agenda item

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 edge of the pavement where they can more easily be struck and damaged by vehicles. The re-use of historic light columns elsewhere is done at the cost of other authorities (e.g. Borough, District, Town and Parish Councils). They need to be refurbished and made safe before they are re-installed in another location.

7.7       Cast iron is a brittle material and it is not possible to test the structural integrity of cast iron columns in situ in the same way as steel columns. It is very costly and impractical to send old cast iron columns away for safety testing. When they reach end of life, it is not possible to ensure they are safe with any certainty. Consequently, they are replaced to steel columns located at the rear of the pavement. When old columns are relocated to parks and other locations they are in positions where they a less likely to be hit by vehicles and therefore pose a lower risk.

Summary

7.8       In general, the Committee supported the new policy approach, but were clear that local County Councillors must be given prior notification of any works or proposals that affect street furniture of historic interest. This would give them time to speak to residents and research alternative sources of funding if there is a desire to retain more ornate or historical items of street furniture. In that respect the proposed new policy needs strengthening so that County Councillors are notified.

7.9       The Committee recommended that the flow chart on page 133 of the report be amended to reflect this and consideration be given to involving Parish and Town Councils, who may be in a position to fund alternatives to modern replacements. For example, through the use of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding or through their precept raising powers. The Director of Communities, Economy and Transport agreed to amend the flow chart and policy accordingly.

7.10     The Committee RESOLVED to:

1)    Recommend that the proposed new policy and flow chart be amended so that County Councillors are notified in advance of works or changes to items of street furniture of historic interest; and

2)    Endorse the proposed new policy approach that moves away from a focus on the 18 streets and takes a broader view of street furniture features that have historic interest and contribute to the character of local areas.