A report of the Head of Environment and Regulation (attached).

The Head of Environment and Regulation introduced his report that set out proposed changes to the existing Scheme of Delegation in respect of unresolved objections to traffic management measures, including traffic regulation orders. The report recommended that delegated powers to decide on such objections be devolved to the Head of Service (in consultation with the Portfolio Holder) in cases where unresolved objections were below a set threshold. Members were informed that the views of both the Regeneration & Environment Policy & Performance and Standards and Constitutional Oversight Committee were being sought in advance of seeking approval for the change to the Constitution at Council in December.

The Head of Environment and Regulation informed of the procedures as operated under the current Scheme of Delegation, whereby detailed reports regarding objections are put to the Highways & Traffic Representation Panel, which considers the officer’s report and invites representations from objectors. He further informed of the actions undertaken following consideration by the Panel.

The Head of Environment and Regulation explained that the proposed amendment to the procedures recommended that the Scheme of Delegation in relation to unresolved objections to traffic management measures be altered such that it operates in a similar manner to the Scheme of Delegation for objections to planning applications

It was proposed to alter the Scheme of Delegation so that the Head of Service for Environment and Regulation, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, would have delegated authority to reach a decision on those proposals which have attracted objections, except those which have attracted a petition of objection containing 25 or more signatories from individual households or alternatively where there are 15 (or more) individual objections in writing.

Members noted that although effective, the current scheme was over bureaucratic when it came to highway and traffic proposals where in some instances highways officers, the majority of residents and Ward Members were in agreement i.e. supportive of a proposal, but a single objection had triggered delay placing proposals at risk of non-delivery, jeopardising any associated funding and the identified highway benefits.

A Member commented on the current procedures for notifying Ward Councillors of planning applications, and questioned how Members would be alerted of local highways matters under the new procedures. The Member also proposed that the words ‘traffic management’ be removed from para 3.3. of the proposal to allow a broader, more practical, approach to supporting objections. A further amendment to para 3.2 was proposed, namely the removal of the words ‘from individual households’. The Head of Environment and Regulation confirmed that the amendments would be incorporated into the new procedures.

Resolved: That

(1)  the proposed changes to the Council’s Constitution as outlined in the report be endorsed; and

(2)  Council be recommended to approve the changes to the Council Constitution in respect of Part 3, Schedule 5, Scheme of Delegation - Objections to Highway Proposals.