Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Leader of the Council declared the following personal interests in:

Item 4 – member of the Oxfordshire Growth Board.

Item 9 – member of the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership.

Forward Plan Ref: 2019/150

Contact: Chanika Farmer, Transport Development Control Lead – Cherwell, West Oxfordshire and Oxford Tel: 07557 082590

Report by Director for Planning & Place (CMDE4).

The report discusses the licensing of the A40 VISSIM Model to 3^rd parties.

Oxfordshire County Council commissioned Wood PLC to construct a VISSIM transport model for the A40 corridor.  The intellectual property rights in the developed model are owned by the council.

The A40 VISSIM Model models the existing conditions and expected future growth including the West Eynsham and Oxfordshire Cotswold Garden Village allocated sites. The model was initially designed to help OCC assess the A40 corridor and help unlock growth in Oxfordshire. Whilst not used for the Eynsham Park & Ride site due to time constraints, the model will help to inform the Eynsham Area Action Plan (AAP) and the subsequent planning applications.

It is proposed that the A40 VISSIM model be licensed to transport consultants on a non-exclusive basis in return for a one-off license fee equal to 25% of OCC’s development costs.

The license agreement will enable the transport consultant, using the A40 VISSIM model, to assess the impact of the planning application and fully mitigate any impact of the proposals.

OCC Legal services will be involved in the grant of the necessary licence grant.

The Cabinet Member is RECOMMENDED to approve the sharing of the A40 Transport Model subject to the license agreement being signed.

The Leader of the Council considered (CMDE4) a report setting out a proposal for Oxfordshire County Council to license a VISSIM transport model for the A40 corridor commissioned from Wood PLC to model existing conditions and expected future growth including the West Eynsham and Oxfordshire Cotswold Garden Village allocated sites. The model initially designed to help the County Council assess the A40 corridor and help unlock growth in Oxfordshire would help to inform the Eynsham Area Action Plan (AAP) and subsequent planning applications. The intellectual property rights in the developed model were owned by the County Council.

The current proposal was that the A40 VISSIM model be licensed to transport consultants on a non-exclusive basis in return for a one-off license fee equal to 25% of OCC’s development costs. The license agreement would enable the transport consultant, using the A40 VISSIM model, to assess the impact of the planning application and fully mitigate any impact of the proposals. Oxfordshire County Council’s Legal services would be involved in the grant of the necessary licence grant.

Will Madgwick presented the report and confirmed that the current expectation was that the model would only be used on the West Eynsham and Oxfordshire Cotswold Garden Village sites although that could be expanded to include other schemes if or when required.

The Leader of the Council welcomed the report along with confirmation that it could be expanded and, therefore, having regard to the information set out in the report before him and the representations made to him at the meeting confirmed his decision as follows:

approve the sharing of the A40 Transport Model subject to the license agreement being signed.

Signed…………………………………………

Leader of the Council

Date of signing……………………………….

Forward Plan Ref: 2019/066

Contact: Hugh Potter, Team Leader – Area Operations Hub Tel: 07766 998704

Report by Director for Community Operations (CMDE5).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation to improve and convert the above footway links on the north west quadrant of the roundabout to a shared use footway/cycle track put forward as part of wider plans to improve safety and amenity for cyclists along the B4493 at Didcot and, if approved, would be funded by the Great Western Park residential development. The proposal is seen as integral to the goal of encouraging cycle trips as an alternative to the use of private cars, including for residents of the new development, thereby serving to help reduce congestion in the town and encourage active and low-carbon travel.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve the conversion of the existing footway link between the north side of the B4493 Wantage Road and the west side of the B4493 Foxhall Road to a shared use footway/cycle track as advertised.

The Leader of the Council considered (CMDE5) responses received to a statutory consultation to improve and convert a footway link to a shared use footway/cycle track as part of wider plans to improve safety and amenity for cyclists along the B4493 at Didcot and funded by the Great Western Park residential development. The proposal was seen as integral to the goal of encouraging cycle trips as an alternative to the use of private cars, including residents of the new development, thereby serving to help reduce congestion in the town and encourage active and low-carbon travel.

The Leader of the Council was keen to see an increased provision for cycle priority.

Mr Moore confirmed that although there was nothing in current regulations that would allow any markings on the road other than possibly Give Way markings that, along with the retention of the proposed give way signs on the cycling approach, should further improve priority awareness for drivers.

Having regard to the information set out in the report and the representations made to him at the meeting the Leader of the Council confirmed his decision as follows:

to approve conversion of the existing footway link between the north side of the B4493 Wantage Road and the west side of the B4493 Foxhall Road to a shared use footway/cycle track as advertised but with additional ‘Give Way’ signing to be provided on Glyn Avenue to advise clear cycle priority.

Signed…………………………………………….

Leader of the Council

Date of signing…………………………………..

Forward Plan Ref: 2019/051

Contact: Hugh Potter, Team Leader – Operations Hub Tel: 07766 998704

Report by Director of Community Operations (CMDE6).

A proposal to introduce additional waiting restrictions at Reading Road, Wallingford as a result of the development of adjacent land was deferred by the Cabinet Member for Environment on 31 May 2019 to enable a revised proposal to be considered.  The report sets out the responses to the original consultation which are pertinent to that deferral and presents the detail of the revised proposal.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve a reduced extent of additional waiting restrictions (rather than those as originally advertised) on Reading Road at Wallingford to protect the immediate vicinity of the new access to residential development and at the bridge as set out at Annex 2 to the report CMDE6.

The Leader of the Council considered a proposal to introduce additional waiting restrictions at Reading Road, Wallingford as a result of development of adjacent land and which had been deferred by the Cabinet Member for Environment on 31 May 2019 to enable a revised proposal to be considered.  The report (CMDE6) set out the responses to the original consultation pertinent to that deferral, presented detail of the revised proposal and a verbal update from officers on any further responses received from residents to the revised proposal.

Julian Richardson confirmed that he had met former County Councillor Lynda Atkins on site to discuss revised proposals and based on that residents had been contacted again. That had not resulted in any further objections or comments from them.

The Leader of the Council believed a good compromise had been reached but considered enforcement was essential.  Therefore, having regard to that along with the information in the report and the representations made to him at the meeting he confirmed his decision as follows:

to approve a reduced extent of additional waiting restrictions (rather than those as originally advertised) on Reading Road at Wallingford to protect the immediate vicinity of the new access to residential development and at the bridge as set out at Annex 2 to the report CMDE6.

Signed……………………………………

Leader of the Council

Date of signing………………………….

Forward Plan Ref: 2019/125

Contact: Hugh Potter, Team Leader – Area Operations Hub Tel: 07766 998704

Report by Director for Community Operations (CMDE7).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce additional waiting restrictions on Mill Road, Shiplake put forward due to residential development on the east side of Mill Road, Shiplake.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve proposed waiting restrictions on Mill Lane at Shiplake as advertised.

The Leader of the Council considered (CMDE7) responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce additional waiting restrictions on Mill Road, Shiplake put forward because of residential development on the east side of Mill Road, Shiplake.

The Leader noted comments received from Councillor David Bartholomew, the local member which confirmed that he and the parish council supported the proposal but had concerns that double-yellow lines on one side of the road would simply displace parking to the other side. They would have preferred yellow lines on both sides of the road but he had understood that that would now would involve a further consultation.  Therefore, supporting approval of the current proposal they asked that the restriction be monitored having regard to their concerns above.

Acknowledging support of the local member and the Parish Council but also their concerns regarding displaced parking and need for suitable monitoring to gauge the effect of the proposed restriction the Leader of the Council having regard to the information set out in the report before him together with the representations made to him at the meeting confirmed his decision as follows:

to approve proposed waiting restrictions on Mill Lane at Shiplake as advertised while noting both the support of the local member and parish council but also their concerns regarding displaced parking and need for suitable monitoring to gauge effect of the proposals.

Signed……………………………………..

Leader of the Council

Dated……………………………………..

Forward Plan Ref: 2019/112

Contact: Hugh Potter, Team Leader – Area Operations Hub Tel: 07766 998704

Report by Director of Community Operations (CMDE8).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce additional waiting restrictions on Church Road and Foxborough Road, Radley as requested by the Parish Council in response to concerns over road safety arising from parking in the area.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve proposed waiting restrictions on Church Road and Foxborough Road at Radley as advertised.

The Leader of the Council considered (CMDE8) responses to a proposal to introduce additional waiting restrictions on Church Road and Foxborough Road, Radley as requested by Radley Parish Council to address concerns over road safety arising from parking in the area.

Supporting the proposal Councillor Bob Johnston the local member was confident that the proposed restrictions would greatly improve the situation in this area, which had deteriorated since charges had been introduced at Radley railway station.

Mr Turner confirmed that restrictions had been trialled for a week with no problems observed regarding migration of parking.

Acknowledging the undertaking locally regarding future monitoring and having regard to the information set out in the report before him along with representations made to him at the meeting the Leader of the Council confirmed his decision as follows:

approve waiting restrictions on Church and Foxborough Road, Radley as advertised

Signed……………………………………….

Leader of the Council

Date of signing……………………………...

Forward Plan Ref: 2019/130

Contact: Hugh Potter, Team Leader – Area Operations Hub Tel: 07766 998704

Report by Director for Community Operations (CMDE9).

This report considers responses to a consultation for a proposed Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) for two sections of the Icknield Way in order to deliver Route 1 of the Science Vale Cycling Network Project, presents arguments supporting and objecting to the proposed TRO along with background and supporting information and includes proposed amendments to the TRO based on submitted representations.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve the proposed prohibition of motor vehicles and horse drawn carriages from parts of the Icknield Way, with the single exception that subject to design constraints, technical approvals and project thresholds being satisfactorily met, permit light horse-drawn carriages that meet the stated weight and width limitations.

The Leader of the Council considered (CMDE9) a report setting out responses received to a consultation for a proposed Traffic Regulation Order for two sections of the Icknield Way in order to deliver Route 1 of the Science Vale Cycling network Project, presenting arguments supporting and objecting the proposed Order and a number of proposed amendments to the Order based on submitted representations.

Nicholas Berry a resident of Marlborough then made the following representations. Objecting to the proposed Order he referred to DfT Local Transport Note1/12 Section 3.3 which stated that “in general improved provision should only be made where there was (or would be) a demand for cycle trips and where existing conditions were unsuitable and not simply because an opportunity existed to do so”. He maintained that there was an existing scheme that was suitable and, therefore, no need to create a new opportunity. Regarding the proposed bridge at Ginge Brook the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges BD 29/17 stated that the total width for unsegregated pedestrian versus bicycles or equestrian use should be 3.5m and moreover the bridge should be aligned in such a way that all on-motorized users could see the entire length of the structure from the approaches and suitably sized equestrian waiting areas provided off the structure to allow users the option to cross when the deck was clear. The current design gave a clear width of just 2.5m which was well short of the mandated 3.5m.  Also the curved design of the bridge did not give clear vision across its deck. The report admitted that increasing the width to 3.5m was prohibitive in terms of cost and environmental damage bringing into question the need to build the bridge or impose a TRO. He then stated that an email sent by County Councillor Yvonne Constance to local parish councils on 17 July had, in his view, breached one of the 7 principles of public life that holders of public office should act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.

Ilse Lambert likewise a resident of Marlborough but also representing the Trail Riders Fellowship then spoke against the proposal. Access to the countryside for all was integral to the TRF’s ethos of sharing along with respect and responsibility and so rather than imposing a complete mechanically propelled vehicle TRO on the 2 byways in question the TRF saw no need to include motorcycles in the Order.

A TRO needed to be based on facts and not on expectations and prejudices but, unfortunate!y, in this case many of the county council’s arguments in support of the Order seemed to be guided by assumptions such as user numbers would increase substantially, cyclists and other non-motorised users would be deterred from using the route and that there was a strong likelihood that motorcyclists would continue to use the whole route. These were prejudices that the TRF refute and would suggest instead that the situation be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 68/19

The Leader of the Council considered a report (CMDE10) proposing adoption of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Management Plan 2019-2024. Setting out objectives and policies to direct the activities of the North Wessex Downs AONB and other individuals and organisations adoption of the Plan would also help the County Council meet its statutory duties under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.

It had been agreed that this item needed to be taken as urgent business at the Delegated Decisions meeting on 10 October 2019 as a decision on this matter would enable North Wesssex Downs AONB to draw down funding from DEFRA without undue delay.

Mr Mottram confirmed that the Plan, which had been approved by partnership members which included the County Council’s representative Councillor Charles Mathew would also be a material consideration in planning issues.

Having regard to the information set out in the report before him together with the representations made to him at the meeting the Leader of the Council confirmed his decision as follows:

to adopt the North Wessex Downs AONB Management Plan 2019 – 2024.

Signed………………………………………….

Leader of the Council

Date of signing………………………………..