Agenda item

The Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services will be held to account for matters within his portfolio relative to this Committee.

Discussion:

 

The Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services, Councillor Filmer attended the meeting to be held to account for the areas of his portfolio that fell within the remit of this committee.  Members asked questions and Councillor Filmer responded as follows: -

 

• Highways responsive maintenance

 

The Portfolio Holder for Front Lines Services confirmed that Viafix is a tarmac material used to fill holes in the road surface and provided a high quality, quick repair.

 

• Weekly waste collections

 

The Portfolio Holder for Front Lines Services noted the Committee’s appreciation for the weekly waste and recycling collections.

 

• Resurfacing of Vicarage Road, Gillingham

 

The Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services agreed to investigate why this road resurfacing scheme was not appearing on the resurfacing schedule and he agreed to respond direct to Councillor Juby.

 

• Pay and display parking in York Avenue, Gillingham

 

The Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services agreed to check the outcome of the consultation process on the provision of pay and display parking in York Avenue, Gillingham and advised that he would respond direct to Councillor Juby.

 

• Possible introduction of a kerbside recycling scheme for the collection of unwanted clothing

 

The Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services agreed to refer this matter to the Head of Waste Services for consideration.

 

• Possible bus link between Canal Road and Commissioners Road in Strood

 

The Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services agreed to check with the Assistant Director – Front Line Services as to progress on the possible provision of a bus link between Canal Road and Commissioners Road and agreed to respond direct to Councillor Hubbard.

 

• Possible reduction in the speed limit from 40mph to 30mph in Watling Street Strood and possible tree surgery to reduce the tree canopies to make the area lighter taking into account that this stretch of road is used by school children walking to and from school each day

 

The Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services agreed to investigate the possible reduction in the speed limit in Watling Street, Strood. He stated that the safety of children was a priority and therefore speed checks would be undertaken to assess whether it would be beneficial to reduce the speed limit on this road. He stated that Ward Councillors would be kept informed of progress on this issue.

 

• Concerns that works were due to be undertaken at Darnley Arches for a 6 week period particularly taking into account works also due to take place on the M2 by the Highways Agency

 

The Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services stated that the development of the scheme at Darnley Arches was largely dependent upon Network Rail and the utility services running through the site. In addition, the works at Darnley Arches were specifically scheduled so as not to clash with de-cluttering works in Strood Town Centre and Highway Agency works on the M2.

 

He agreed to investigate whether an alternative timeslot was available for these works but stressed that this may be dependent upon Section 106 funding deadline. Therefore, it may not be possible to delay works until after the works on the M2 had been completed.

 

The Integrated Transport Manager agreed to check the proposed dates of the works and whether they could be re-scheduled.

 

• De-cluttering Strood works

 

It was confirmed that designs for the new barriers were still being worked on and would be circulated to those members who had served on the De-cluttering Task Group.

 

The Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services advised that officers were currently investigating the possible provision of a pedestrian crossing near the location of the new Strood Community Hub and also the provision of a pedestrian crossing in Gun Lane so that school children had a safe walking route to and from the Hub. This issue would also be circulated to Members of the Task Group.

 

• Timing of the traffic lights on the roundabout located off St Mary’s Island to Medway Tunnel and whether these link into the traffic management system, especially during the evening when the traffic flow is reduced

 

The Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services advised that Officers were investigating the timer system of traffic lights on roundabouts and he would therefore ask then to check the position concerning the lights at this roundabout.

 

• Possible provision of traffic lights at Sans Pareil roundabout

 

The Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services advised that officers were currently investigating traffic management schemes at both the Four Elms Hill roundabout and the Sans Pareil roundabout with a view to ensuring traffic could access and leave the Medway City Estate as quickly as possible. Funding was available for works, along with some Section 106 funding and a scheme was being worked up for the benefit of all in the area.

 

In response to a suggestion that any traffic management scheme be the subject of public consultation, the Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services advised that whilst local public consultation could be considered, it was necessary to take into account that this was a major through route for Medway as a whole. Therefore, it was essential to ensure that any traffic management scheme introduced at this location did not create congestion in Strood or at the Medway Tunnel.

 

• Trial Snow Warden Scheme in Luton and Wayfield, River and Strood Rural Wards

 

The Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services advised that the Head of Highways and Parking Services would provide Ward Councillors in Luton and Wayfield, River and Strood Rural Wards with information as to how to access the Snow Warden Scheme.

 

• The level of funding available for works at Medway Tunnel

 

The Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services confirmed that £3 million funding remained available for works to Medway Tunnel. He advised the Committee that officers were in regular contact with the Minister for Transport seeking additional funding for future maintenance of the Medway Tunnel.

 

• The level of funding available for Waste Collection and the period by which this was required to be spent

 

The Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services confirmed that of the £14 million funding received, £7 million had funded a new fleet of vehicles and the remaining £7 million was available to support waste services up to 2019.

 

• Resurfacing of roads in Medway and concern expressed regarding the difficulties in having a possible Residents Parking Permit Scheme considered for part of Maidstone Road, Rochester

 

The Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services advised the Committee that whilst he would like all roads in Medway to be resurfaced, unfortunately such works were costly. However, Medway Council had allocated substantial funding for resurfacing works over the years.

 

Concerning the difficulties the Member had experienced in having a Residents’ Parking Permit Scheme considered for part of Maidstone Road, Rochester, the Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services confirmed that this was the first he had heard of this issue and suggested that such issues be drawn to his attention in future.

 

• Removal of weeds growing out of pavements and the regularity of weed spraying

 

The Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services requested that Councillor Turpin provide him with information as to the location to which he was referring and this would be passed to Veolia for attention.

 

• Operational Services – street washing

 

The Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services confirmed that the street washing vehicle did pass through Strood.

 

Decision:  

 

The Committee expressed its appreciation to the Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services for attending the meeting and answering Members’ questions.