Issue - meetings

To advise and seek approval for preparation activities for Winter Service delivery 2019/20 across the BCP Council conurbation.

The report details operational planning, communications objectives and outlines wider future transformational change reviews that are necessary to ensure BCP Council can provide a legally compliant, safe, reliant, fit for purpose, affordable Highway Maintenance Service.

RESOLVED that:-

(a)           Cabinet notes that the preparations for Winter Service 2019/20 are in place to ensure continuity of service previously provided by the three preceding Highway Authorities (Dorset County Council, Bournemouth & Poole Council’s) for this coming Winter;

(b)           a review of Winter Service is undertaken at the end of the 2019/20 season (during April 2020) to inform the development of a BCP Council Winter Service Plan. Including the extent of service and associated service priorities are reviewed e.g. options for future treatment of roads, pavements and cycle paths.

(c)           learning from the review is used to inform the wider response to weather related incidents on the highway (gales, flooding and heat)

(d)           a wider Highway Maintenance activities review is undertaken, and an options report developed.

Voting: Unanimous

REASONS

Winter Service is a statutory BCP function essential to keeping the BCP conurbation safe and moving for both wellbeing, social and economic reasons during periods of ice and snow. To be able to continue to fulfil BCP Council’s legal obligations within available funding methods, a fundamental service review is required to develop service standards and options to inform operating policies and procedures.

The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Climate Change presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'H' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet approval was sought for the preparation activities for Winter Service delivery 2019/20 across the BCP Council conurbation.

The Portfolio Holder advised that the report set out details of the operational planning, communications objectives and outlined wider future transformational change reviews necessary to ensure BCP Council can provide a legally compliant, safe, reliant, fit for purpose, affordable Highway Maintenance Scheme. In addition the Portfolio Holder advised that Winter Service was a statutory BCP function essential to keeping the BCP conurbation safe and moving during periods of ice and snow.

The Leader informed the Cabinet of a scheme currently run in Sutton which enabled neighbours and households to collect an allocated amount of grit, and in relation to this advised that it was hoped more information could be gathered in respect of such a scheme.

RESOLVED that:-

(a)           Cabinet notes that the preparations for Winter Service 2019/20 are in place to ensure continuity of service previously provided by the three preceding Highway Authorities (Dorset County Council, Bournemouth & Poole Council’s) for this coming Winter;

(b)           a review of Winter Service is undertaken at the end of the 2019/20 season (during April 2020) to inform the development of a BCP Council Winter Service Plan. Including the extent of service and associated service priorities are reviewed e.g. options for future treatment of roads, pavements and cycle paths.

(c)           learning from the review is used to inform the wider response to weather related incidents on the highway (gales, flooding and heat)

(d)           a wider Highway Maintenance activities review is undertaken, and an options report developed.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Environment and Climate Change