Agenda item

Briefing and answers to questions from Councillor Bevan, Cabinet Member responsible for the Environment Portfolio.

The Committee noted the briefing provided by Councillor John Bevan, Cabinet Member for Environment and Conservation and the advance questions and responses.  Beverley Taylor (A.D. Urban Environment), Joan Hancox (Head of Sustainable Transport) and Stephen McDonnell (Head of Environmental Resources) were also in attendance.

Committee Members congratulated officers on the work of the Environment Department during the period of snow. In answer to the Committee’s concerns about grit-supplies it was noted that the Council’s grit supply had been sufficient to grit the priority areas in Haringey but not enough to stock-up grit bins. Grit-supplies were controlled by the London Local Authorities Control Centre and were distributed to each borough according to need.  Members passed on the concerns expressed to them by residents that different local authorities exercised different practices for gritting areas during periods of snow.  In response the Assistant Director – Urban Environment advised that Haringey gritted all town centres, main roads and schools and other areas depending on supplies.  As part of a review of gritting other boroughs’ practices would be considered.

Officers agreed to look at a dilapidated grit bin at the bottom of Muswell Hill, which was possibly not owned by the Council and also agreed to provide a briefing note on the environmental impact of using grit, for example, whether grit affected drainage systems when it rained.

It was noted that due to the high volume of potholes reported the Council was currently not meeting all targets for repairing potholes.  The target for larger potholes (to be repaired within 24 hours) was being met.  Ward Councillors would be informed of the delay in repairs to potholes to ensure that outstanding requests for repairs were not re-submitted.   In response to its questions the Committee was informed that there were sufficient funds in the maintenance budget to repair the large number of potholes in the Borough and officers were looking into a road resurfacing programme for next year (with Capital Allocation funding).  The Council had applied for top-up funding towards road repairs required due to severe weather conditions but was unsuccessful and would conduct a similar bid for funding in the forthcoming municipal year.

The Committee enquired as to whether different models of Street Car vehicles, which were more user friendly to older people and those with disabilities, would be used in the future.

The Committee asked for clarification as to the purpose of the spine road and whether it is planned as a relief road for Hornsey Park Road and highlighted the importance of Transport for London (TfL) and London Buses engaging with Council officers and councillors regarding road closures and bus diversion routes.

In response to the Committee’s suggestions for improved regeneration as part of plans for the new Tottenham Hotspur Football Club it was noted that the Council had raised the issue of potentially extending the Victoria Tube line but this was not part of TfLs work programme.  The Committee expressed concern that more people will be leaving the new stadium after matches and was informed that the application would not be considered by the planning department until the Council and TfL were satisfied with the plan.

RESOLVED that that briefing be noted.