Agenda and minutes

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Venue: Committee Room 'B' - The Diamond Jubilee Room, County Hall, Preston. View directions

Contact: Gary Halsall  Tel: (01772) 533419, Email:  gary.halsall@lancashire.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

County Councillor R Blow replaced County Councillor P Malpas for this meeting only.

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from County Councillor V Taylor.

 

2.

Disclosure of Personal and Prejudicial Interests

Members are asked to consider any Personal/Prejudicial Interests they may have to disclose to the meeting in relation to matters under consideration on the Agenda.

Minutes:

None were disclosed.

 

3.

Minutes of the Meeting held on 20 January 2012 pdf icon PDF 59 KB

Minutes:

Resolved:  That, the minutes of the meeting held on 20 January 2012 be confirmed and signed by the Chair.

 

4.

Presentation by United Utilities pdf icon PDF 56 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chair welcomed representatives from United Utilities (UU) Mark Donaghy, Public Affairs Manager, and John Webb, Highways Coordination Manager, to the meeting.

 

Mark Donaghy thanked the Committee for their invitation and stated that the County Council was an important stakeholder for United Utilities. It was hoped that feedback regarding their role and performance from Councillors and their constituents received at the meeting would be beneficial for them.

 

John Webb gave a presentation to the Committee on UUs role and performance since their last visit to the Committee in February 2011. He explained that all utilities companies had since signed up to the Highway Authorities Utilities Committee (HAUC (UK)) code of conduct which was issued in 2011. The code of conduct recognised the need to promote self regulation and to actively work together representing street authorities, highways and road agencies, utilities, contractors and other key stakeholders to manage and reduce disruption that such works cause to road users, businesses and residents within the UK. The code of conduct also promoted the following matters:

 

  • Active participation at coordination meetings;
  • Accepting the principles of permit schemes;
  • To encourage advance planning with councils and other utilities;
  • The use of minimum dig technology;
  • To work outside peak hours where possible;
  • Consider communications strategies;
  • Improve inspection and compliance processes;
  • Promote first time reinstatements; and
  • To share good practice

 

It was reported that improvements were being made by UU in relation to their role and performance. The Committee was informed that UU had recently appointed a new Streetworks Transformation Manager to oversee performance in relation to issues such as re-instatements. A new Streetworks Board had also been established to review policy and performance and any suggestions taken to it. The Committee was also informed that Governance was now in place via an increased auditing regime of streetworks including re-instatements. It was also reported that coordination had improved with UU giving 100% attendance at all coordination meetings with the County Council.

 

It was also explained that communications by UU had improved with the implementation of new signage containing the new branding of the company. Positive feedback had been received in particular relating to the work on the Preston Scheme and the exemplary level of communication carried out by UUs Preston Project Team. It was highlighted that the Preston Scheme was UUs flagship process for communicating to those people who are affected by works being carried out.

 

In response to a question asked regarding the position of UU on the possible introduction of a permit scheme the Committee was informed that there were no schemes in place in the North West at present. Only three schemes were currently in existence across the Country being; London, Kent and Northamptonshire. The first to be rolled out in the North West would be in St Helens on 2 April 2012. The Committee was also informed that UU welcomed the opportunity to work closely with the County Council on fulfilling the requirements of a permit scheme. It was hoped that the scheme  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

Task Group Updates pdf icon PDF 55 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee received an update on current task groups and their proposed completion dates.

 

Resolved: That, the update on existing task groups be noted.

 

6.

Recent and Forthcoming Decisions pdf icon PDF 58 KB

Minutes:

The committee had been given the opportunity to view and consider recent relevant decisions made and also forthcoming decisions including those set out in the current Forward Plan.

 

Resolved: That the report be noted.

 

7.

Workplan 2010/11 pdf icon PDF 54 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The workplan for the committee was presented for noting and comments. The Chair gave an outline of the work to be carried out by the Committee over the coming months including the additional work agreed earlier in the meeting.

 

Resolved: That the report be noted.

 

8.

Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Scrutiny Committee will be held on 9 March 2012 at 10am at the County Hall, Preston.

Minutes:

It was noted that the next meeting of the Committee will be held on 9 March 2012 at 10:00am at County Hall, Preston.