Council and councillors

(KEY DECISION)

Report No. 121/2018

(Appendix 2 to follow)

(KEY DECISION)

Report No. 121/2018 was received from the Strategic Director for Places.

Mrs L Stephenson Portfolio Holder for Culture & Leisure, Highways & Transportation introduced the report, the purpose of which was to approve the Winter Service Policy in Appendix 1 of Report No. 121/2018. 

During discussion the following points were raised:

i.      Mrs Stephenson noted that there would be a training day for Parish Clerks in order to outline the responsibilities of snow wardens.  The training would take place on 22 October 2018 at 7.30pm in the Council Chamber.  The training would be based on a personalised approach to ensure that clerks felt confident and knew who to contact should they have further queries;

ii.    Mr Brown commended the treatment of bus routes in rural areas as a priority and felt this was a significant improvement;

iii.   Mr Tomlinson, Senior Highways Manager, explained the requirement for two documents.  The Winter Service Policy set the parameters in line with legislation, in relation to prioritised treatment of key areas of the highway network.  The Operational Plan was the working document which detailed how the Policy would be implemented and would be subject to regular review;

iv.   Mr Brown requested clarification on the criteria set out for grit bins.  Mr Tomlinson confirmed that he did not envisage any grit bins being removed and that the criteria for new grit bins had been drafted from best practice compiled from discussions at the regional Midland Service Improvement Group (MSIG) Winter Service Group.  Mr Tomlinson highlighted that grit should only be used in extreme weather conditions and not as a precaution on footways and that this would be covered in the training;

v.    Mr Brown felt that the criteria for grit bins should be more focused on Rutland specific needs given its unique characteristics and rurality; and

vi.   Mrs Stephenson proposed that an amendment be made to Recommendation 2) in the report in order to include the route from Braunston Road to Ayston Road in Uppingham.  This addition would ensure that the routes for the Rutland Hopper bus which operated in this area would be maintained, this was an important form of transport for the many elderly and vulnerable residents in the area who relied on the Rutland Hopper bus.  This was seconded by Mr Hemsley.

DECISIONS

Cabinet:

1)           APPROVED the Winter Service Policy in Appendix 1 of Report 121/2018.

2)           APPROVED the treatment routes as detailed in Appendix 2 of Report 121/2018 with the addition of the route from Braunston Road to Ayston Road in Uppingham, for inclusion in the Winter Service Operational Plan.

3)           APPROVED that Parishes will be charged for all grit bin re-fills from the 2019/20 winter season.

4)           APPROVED that grit bins not having received any use prior to the start of the 2021/22 will be removed.

Reasons for Decisions

·      The winter service operational plan will ensure the continued safe passage of vehicular and pedestrian highway users during periods of snow and ice.

·      The Winter Service Policy will ensure that Council has met the obligation to review the winter service in line with current codes of practise, and implement them prior to October 2018, therefore, it is recommended that the Winter Service Policy be approved.