Issue - meetings

[Report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods.  To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Transformation and Public Realm Investment]

To set out the capital and revenue street lighting investment for 2020/2021.

The Cabinet Member for Transformation and Public Realm Investment introduced the report which sought approval for the implementation of the Street Lighting Investment Plan for the 2021/22 financial year.  An upgrade to the street lighting system was well overdue, and would contribute to the safe use of the highway for motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, including motorcyclists.  It also supported strong and safe communities by reducing crime and the fear of crime.  The programme included the implementation of a Smart Lighting System, an intelligent control system used to manage street lighting networks with benefits such as greater energy saving, fewer non-working lights and the flexibility to change and override setting to meet specific operational needs. 

Councillor Bull thanked the team for highlighting roads in White Hart Lane ward where improved street lighting was needed.  He referred to the issues on the Roundway and hoped that the new lighting would help to improve the lives of people living in the area.

Peter Boddy, Highways and Traffic Manager, responded to questions from Councillor Emery:

-           The payback period for the scheme was dependent on the rate increase of energy costs.  Projections had been made on low, medium and high energy inflation rates and assumptions were based on those projections.  The payback period based on the worst case was 7-10 years.

-           Actual savings in terms of the current budget were relatively low.  The main savings would be achieved by protecting the Council from spiralling energy costs in the future.

RESOLVED to

1.         Approve the Street Lighting Investment Plan for the 2021/22 financial year, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report – Tables 1 to Tables 5

2.         Give delegated authority to the Head of Highways and Parking, consequential on the Street Lighting Investment Plan:

·      To make decisions relating to scheme design and implementation;

·      To carry out consultation;

·      To consider representations received in response to consultation and to report significant or substantial concerns back to the relevant Cabinet Member; and

·      To make traffic management orders, where there are no valid objections.

Reasons for Decision

Street lighting is an important element of the transport network because of the safety and confidence it brings to road users.Investment in the infrastructure is required to ensure that the Council maintains a fit-for-purpose highway infrastructure asset in accordance with nationally accepted asset management principles.

Alternative options considered

There are no other relevant options. The 2021/22 investment plan has been shaped by Borough Plan priorities, as well as the Council’s Transport Strategy and the draft Climate Change Action Plan. The lantern and column replacement programme has been developed through electrical and structural condition surveys, scouting, visual inspections and lighting levels, ensuring that investment is targeted where most needed.