Issue - meetings

The Challenge and Improvement Committee had agreed that one of their principal projects for 2017/18 would be to scrutinise the effectiveness of the services offered by public agencies in maintaining the rural public realm. In Committee on 27 June 2017 Members agreed that in order to tackle this work a Member Task and Finish Group would be established. The first meeting of this Task and Finish Group took place on 27 July 2017 where terms of reference and the scope and focus of the work were agreed. Committee noted that Councillor A White had been appointed as Chairman of the Task and Finish Group. 

The report was presented by the Lead Officer and Committee were asked to approve the Terms of Reference and scope and focus of the work. Discussion ensued regarding the inclusion of cycle pathways within the review of pavements and footpaths. Committee agreed with the need to address problems faced in relation to the existing infrastructure for cycleways however it was identified that the proposal to extend and expand cycle routes would not fit within the remit of this project. All Members agreed for the Terms of Reference to be amended with the inclusion of cycleways with pathways and pavements and for solutions to be identified through the course of the review into the maintenance of the rural public realm. The Lead Officer undertook to share Members’ concerns about the need for an audit of cycleways, and the need for the scope of the cycle path network to be increased, to be raised at the Prosperous Communities Committee.

Members discussed the need to work with other agencies and all were in agreement that it was of high importance to engage the Parish Councils in the scope of the work required.

RESOLVED that:-

a)    Terms of Reference be approved subject to the inclusion of cycleways; and

b)    the consideration of an audit and expansion of existing routes be raised through the Prosperous Communities Committee.