Issue - meetings

(Report of the Director of Urban Environment) To provide further update information relating to progress made with implementing the executive responses to recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The Committee received a report on progress made with implementing the executive responses to recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on repairs to highways.

The Committee asked about the Pothole Blitz, and whether this was a short-term initiative or a permanent programme. It was reported that the Pothole Blitz focussed on specific wards in turn for a two-week period and that, once all wards had been dealt with, the process would continue to be repeated. This was in addition to the Council’s general pothole service.

The Committee also asked about the funding obtained from TfL in relation to damage caused by buses. It was reported that TfL had made additional funding available in the past few years, but that TfL had not been able to make this contribution in the current financial year due to budget shortfalls. It was reported that the Council was continuing to pursue the issue of the condition of the sewer system in the borough with Thames Water.

In response to a question from the Committee, Cllr Haley, Cabinet Member for Environment and Conservation, confirmed that street lighting in the borough operated in response to light sensors, and that for safety reasons there were no proposals to switch off any street lights during night-time hours.

It was reported that pavements were a priority within the action plan, and that money was being obtained upfront from developers to cover repairs to footpaths for damage related to construction work.

RESOLVED

i)                    That a written response on the issue of collapsed trenches following utility works be provided to the Committee.

ii)                  That data on the number of reports received from the public via the website on general highway matters be provided to the Committee.

iii)                That the update be noted.