Issue - decisions

29.1     The Committee considered a report by the Chair of the Review Board concerning the Scrutiny Review of Highways Drainage.

29.2     The Assistant Director, Operations commented that the report makes the case for extra investment in the highway drainage infrastructure, but this will have to considered with other requests for funding as part of the Reconciling Policy, Performance and Resources (RPPR) process.

29.3     The Committee discussed the report and made the following comments:

• There appears to be a lot of run-off from farmer’s fields and the Committee asked if the department had enough resources for enforcement. The Assistant Director, Operations responded that the department did not have a great deal of resources for enforcement, but would undertake a piece of work to educate land owners through work with Parish Councils and the National Framers Union etc. The department will also undertake some enforcement action in high profile cases.

• Councillor Whetstone suggested that maps should be made available to Parish Councils that indicate clearly which drainage ditches and other drainage features are ESCC’s responsibility. It was noted that the report recommendations addresses the point about providing information on adjacent landowners and ESCC’s responsibilities.

29.4     The Committee RESOLVED to:

(1) agree the report of the Review Board; and

(2) support its submission to Cabinet for comment and County Council for approval. 

61.1     The Cabinet considered a report by the Economy, Transport and Environment Scrutiny Committee and a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport with observations on the Scrutiny Committee’s report. 

61.2     It was RESOLVED to (1) note the report of the Scrutiny Committee; and

                                                (2) recommend the County Council to welcome the report of the Scrutiny Committee and to agree the response of the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport to the recommendations and their implementation as set out in the action plan attached as Appendix 1 to the report.

Reason

61.3     The Scrutiny Review has highlighted the importance of the drainage asset and aligns with the Council’s ambitions for the new highways contract around improving our drainage assets.