Previous reference: Minute 32 (2015/16)

The Strategic Director, Regeneration, will present a report (Document “P”) which details how the Planning, Transportation and Highways service currently manages the Local Highway Maintenance (LHM) function and allocates resources.

The report also provides an update with regard to current operations being undertaken on the network and the indicative costs of works undertaken in the current financial year.

Recommended –

(1)  That the current operational methods adopted for Local Highway Maintenance be noted.

(2)  That the indicative costs to date for the 2016/17 financial year be noted.

(3)  That the list of competed and proposed CAT 3 works shown at Appendix 5 to Document “P” be noted.

(Environment and Waste Management Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

(Andy Fisher – 01535 618297)

Resolved –

(1)       That the current operational methods adopted for Local Highway         Maintenance be noted.

(2)       That the indicative costs to date for the 2016/17 financial year be           noted.

(3)       That the list of competed and proposed CAT 3 works shown at Appendix 5 to Document “P” be noted.

ACTION: NO ACTION

(Environment and Waste Management Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

(Andy Fisher – 01535 618297)

The Chair invited Principal Engineer to make his presentations to the Committee. Following his outline, the Committee moved to questions, as follows:

·         An explanation was sought on Appendix 6?

o   The Appendix was a snapshot of total number of gullies cleaned throughout the Keighley area through the Operations budget. This work was undertaken in the Keighley Constituency on a 2 year cycle period. The cleaning of gullies on main roads was undertaken every year;

·         When would Keighley West be programmed in?

o   The first round of cleaning had been completed and Keighley West was yet to follow;

·         What was the position of Worth Valley?

o   79.2% had been cleaned over a 2 years period;

·         Had there been issues of the service being under pressure and overstretched due to the significant amounts of extreme downpour of rain during the last Christmas The period?

o   The service had not waited for gullies to take action but continued work as normal;

·         Would it be practical to review or redefine the operations network of Keighley due to the Keighley area being significantly rural, consisting of longer roads?

o   This factor was already reviewed every year and Bradford Council did considerably more than neighbouring authorities. The service also gave detailed attention to hotspot areas and therefore worked closely with the Cleansing Department and in consultation with the ICT in relation to identifying such areas through the GIS mapping system;

·         Was it possible to have a permanent blockage between two gullies?

o   It was rare for gullies to be connected;

·         Were there pipes under roads that were permanently blocked?

o   Yes. Blocked or not running smoothly due to householders and restaurant owners disposing of fat or other liquids into their gullies; and,

·         How was the service raising awareness of difficulties encountered if waste was being disposed of in gullies?

o   The public was being educated continuously and Wardens were also being briefed on educating the community.

The Chair concluded the item by thanking officers for their efforts in the area of cleaning services.

Resolved –

(1)       That the current operational methods adopted for Local Highway         Maintenance be noted.

(2)       That the indicative costs to date for the 2016/17 financial year be           noted.

(3)       That the list of competed and proposed CAT 3 works shown at             Appendix 5 to Document “P” be noted.

ACTION: NO ACTION