Agenda item

This report sets out progress made within the areas covered by the Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services which fall within the remit of this Committee.

Discussion:

Members received an overview of progress on the area within the terms of reference of this Committee and covered by the Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services as set out below:

·         Local Growth Fund transport projects

·         Parking

·         Public Transport

·         Roads

·         Street Cleaning and waste collection/recycling/waste disposal

·         Traffic management

·         Transport Strategy

·         Travel Safety

The Committee noted a correction to paragraph 3.2.8 of the report in that the sum of £450,00 required amendment to £450,000.

The Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services, Councillor Phil Filmer, responded to Members’ questions and comments as follows:

·         Agreed Transport Projects – In response to a question as to how the   £9 million Local Growth Fund (LGF) monies would be spent in Strood Town Centre, the Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services advised the Committee that officers were currently working on details of potential schemes aimed at getting traffic moving through Strood. This work was ongoing.

Attention was drawn to paragraph 2.7.2 of the report which set out funding received from round 1 of the LGF. It was noted that this funding would be spread over a 4 year period up to 2018/19.

It was confirmed that the Council had received further funding under round 2 for Rochester Airport. No further LGF funding streams were available at this stage but should any be announced, bids would be submitted. 

·         Changes to Bus Services in Medway – Concern was expressed as to recent changes to bus services in Medway and, in particular, the timetabling of certain bus routes. Information was sought as to whether the Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services had been consulted by Arriva and whether he met regularly with Arriva to discuss operational issues. In response, the Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services advised the Committee that he had not been consulted about the proposed changes by Arriva and that he found this to be disappointing. In addition, it appeared that there had been no consultation with residents. The Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services confirmed that he would be contacting Arriva to arrange a meeting to discuss the recent bus changes and the lack of consultation and he agreed to advise the Member concerned of the outcome.

Arising from discussion on this matter, it was suggested that Arriva be invited to attend a meeting of this Committee so that the issues of the recent changes to the bus services in Medway and the lack of consultation on these changes can be discussed.

·         Medway Tunnel -  In response to a question as to the future maintenance of Medway Tunnel, the Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services advised the Committee that following consultation with the Government Minister it had been established that if the Tunnel were to be placed on an Asset Register, it could be considered differently by the Government in respect of future maintenance. He confirmed that funding remained available for maintenance repairs at the Tunnel but he was happy to work cross party on lobbying the Government to change the designation of the Medway Tunnel.

·         Parking Schemes - A Member sought information as to why controlled parking zones were considered as not being cost effective on the basis that the cost of consultation and the subsequent enforcement of parking restrictions were higher than the revenue received by the Council from the issue of residents parking permits and fines. In response, the Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services advised the Committee that when receiving a request for a controlled parking zone, the Council undertook a consultation exercise with residents which usually produced a low level of response. However, once a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) was made, residents tended to respond and this often resulted in the need for a second round of consultation, thus increasing costs.

·         Twin stream re-cycling in flats – In response to concerns thata number of flatted properties did not have twin stream recycling services, the Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services confirmed that the Head of Waste Services was working hard to ensure that all flatted properties were now included on the twin stream re-cycling service. He stated that if there were any specific areas known to Ward Councillors where this service was not available, he would chase this up with officers.

·         Use of Recycling bags and clear sacks  - In response to a question concerning the use of white recycling bags and clear sacks, the Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services confirmed that there was no intention to phase out either the white bags or the clear sacks. He explained that whilst the Council would prefer to cease use of clear sacks, it was recognised that some residents preferred to use the sacks rather than the white bags, particularly if they lived in flats and had limited space.

·         Retaining Wall – Pier Road  - A Member requested information on the current situation concerning the blue hoarding which fenced off a section of the retaining wall in Pier Road, Gillingham. It was confirmed that investigations were ongoing to establish ownership of the retaining wall and legal advice was in the process of being obtained. The Head of Highways and Parking agreed to report back to the Member concerned direct on this issue.

·         Use of Mobility Scooters on pavements – A Member referred to an issue previously raised by a former Councillor concerning use of mobility scooters on pavements and/or roads. The Assistant Director Front Line Services confirmed that the Council had responsibility for ensuring that pavements were accessible for people on mobility scooters. However, if mobility scooters were being driven irresponsibly then this would be a matter for the Police.

The Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services suggested that an item be published in a future edition of Medway Matters drawing attention to the need for users of mobility scooters to act responsibly when driving on pavements and/or roads. 

·         Drains – A Member sought clarification as to whether drains were continuing to be regularly cleaned across Medway. In response, the Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services confirmed that all drains in Medway were cleaned regularly but if any Member had areas within their Ward where they considered the drains required clearance on a more regular basis, he would investigate this.

·         Medway City Estate – Access – A Member sought clarification as to whether local businesses on the Medway City Estate had been consulted upon the traffic management scheme on the Estate. In response, the Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services confirmed that there had been extensive consultation with businesses on the Estate and he confirmed that in September/October traffic lights would be put in place at the Gillingham side of the Medway Tunnel so as to create gaps in the traffic to allow traffic movement off the Medway City Estate. Further works were planned in 2017/18, involving the addition of a further lane of traffic leading from the Medway City Estate to the Sans Pareil roundabout.

·         Waste Collection Disposal – In response to a question as to how recycling could be increased to reach the 50% target, it was confirmed that this was the desired target for future years. The Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services drew attention to the high levels of public satisfaction with the Council’s refuse collection and recycling facilities.

·         Will Adams Roundabout – In response to a Member’s concern over the cost and date of completion of works to the Will Adams Roundabout, the Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services confirmed that these works were soon to be completed, within budget. He stated that when the works were complete, the appearance of the roundabout would be improved and he stressed the importance of this roundabout, owing to its location on a main gateway through Medway.

·         The Brook Car Park – In response to a question about the essential repairs required at The Brook Car Park, the Head of Highways and Parking reassured the Committee that such works involved minor repairs to surface cracks in concrete. The requirement for such works had been identified during the annual inspection of the car park and did not affect the safety of the car park.

·         Household Waste and Recycling Centres – A Member advised the Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services that she was extremely happy with the service that she received when visiting the household waste and recycling centres and she sought information as to whether plans were still in place to expand the Centre at Hoath Lane. The Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services thanked the Member for her positive comments about the centres. It was further explained that whilst there had been plans to expand the Hoath Lane Centre, unfortunately, it had since been established that to implement the plans would result in a lack of space for vehicle turns. It was acknowledged that the site was very tight at present for vehicular access and therefore the expansion plans as originally envisaged could not be implemented.

·         Rota for Street Cleaning – A Member asked whether there was a rota for street cleansing. The Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services confirmed that there was a rota for street cleansing and that this had recently been revised. He suggested that if any Member had concerns with the street cleansing rota within their Ward, that they notify him direct.

·         Parking Services – In response to a question about the Parking Services IT system, the Head of Highways and Parking confirmed that the new IT system had been in place for approximately 6 weeks. He advised that the system had required specific tailoring to meet Medway’s requirements and that these teething problems would not affect the issuing of Penalty Charge Notices.

·         New Rochester Railway Station – In response to a question as to the anticipated completion date for the new Rochester Railway Station, the Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services informed the Committee that the station should be operational in December 2015 and the provision of the car park completed by the end of January 2016. He agreed to keep Members informed of progress.  

Decision:

The Committee thanked the Portfolio Holder for attending the meeting and answering questions and agreed that:

a)            An invitation be extended to Arriva to attend a meeting of the Committee to discuss the recent changes to bus services in Medway and the lack of consultation with both the Council and local residents;

b)            The Head of Highways and Parking report direct to the Member concerned on the outcome of investigations into the ownership of the retaining wall in Pier Road.

c)            An item be published in a future edition of Medway Matters drawing attention to the need for users of mobility scooters to act responsibly when driving on pavements and/or roads.

d)            It be noted that the Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services has agreed to work cross party to press for the Government to change the designation of the Medway Tunnel.