Agenda and minutes

The Committee are asked to approve the minutes of the last meeting.

The minutes of the last meeting held on 24 April 2017 were approved as a correct record.

Report of the Chief Executive.

The constitution of the Committee and the appointment of the Chair and Vice Chair for the 2017/18 municipal year, as approved by the Council at its meeting on 12 May 2017, was noted.

RESOLVED –             that the information be noted

Joint Report of the Chief Executive and the Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance

The role of the Committee and the powers delegated to it were reported.

RESOLVED -             that the information be noted.

Report of the Strategic Director, Communities and Environment

The Committee received a report and presentation on the Council Plan – Year End assessment of Performance and Delivery 2016/2017. An update on the performance and delivery of the Council Plan 2015-2020 was also provided.

Targets for 2020 were set as part of the Council’s Performance Management Framework, for the period 2015/2016 to 2019/2020 to enable performance to be monitored to ensure continuous improvement. These targets were approved by Cabinet on 12 July2 016.

The year end 2016/2017 assessment of performance report relates to the remit of the Communities and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee and focuses on achievements, areas identified for improvement and future actions.

The Committee asked officers specific questions relating to the indicators contained in the report, most of which were answered in the meeting, the remainder will be circulated in due course.

Report of the Strategic Director, Communities and Environment

The Committee have agreed that the focus of its review in 2016-17 will be the role of the Council and its partners towards roads and highways. During the course of the review it is proposed that the Committee will consider evidence of the approach principally in the four areas of road safety/accidents, road and pavement repairs, bus lanes and traffic congestion.

It is proposed that the review will take place over a ten month from 19 June 2017 to 13 April 2018. It will involve the presentation of expert evidence, research and may, if appropriate, also include site visits.

The suggested scope of this review includes a consideration of a number of factors affecting the road network, and its ability to meet the needs of residents and businesses in Gateshead now and in the future. The four areas proposed to be covered in the review are:-

·         Road safety/accidents

·         Road and pavement repairs

·         Bus lanes

·         Traffic congestion

Evidence will be sought from a variety of sources including Department, Transport and Public Protection and Street Scene. It is envisaged that external bodies from which evidence will be sought will include Highways England, NECA, the emergency services, Nexus and Go Ahead.

RESOLVED - that the scope, process and timescale of the Review of the Council                        and Partners’ approach to roads and highways be agreed.