Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment.

Decision

(a)     That the acquisition of the land and the drainage works on the east side of Dinah's Hollow, Melbury Abbas be progressed immediately at a total cost of £130k.

(b)     That Cabinet notes the scale of additional resource required to stabilise slopes throughout the hollow and that the affordability of the scheme should be considered alongside other priorities as part of the 2021/22 budget setting process and MTFP.

Reason for Decision

The impact of a major slope failure would be high in respect of health and safety and financial implications. Possible consequences are loss of life or major injury and legal action. There would also be reputational damage, impact on service delivery and disruption to the highway network affecting a key north-south route.

The Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment set out a report in respect of Dinah’s Hollow slop stabilisation.  He advised that the impact of a major slope failure would be high in respect of health and safety and financial implications. Possible consequences are loss of life or major injury and legal action. There would also be reputational damage, impact on service delivery and disruption to the highway network affecting a key north-south route.

The Portfolio Holder reported that he had received a number of emails from local residents in recent days and advised that all those comments would be logged and form part of discussions going forward.  He expressed his concerns about the site and understood the issues involved. Previous works would need to be revisited and the latest financial position in respect of the Local Enterprise Partnership was reported including the need to secure future funding.

In response to a question from the local ward member, the Portfolio Holder confirmed that he would respond direct to all of the recent emails and comments sent to him, including those of the Parish Council. 

Decision

(a)     That the acquisition of the land and the drainage works on the east side of Dinah's Hollow, Melbury Abbas be progressed immediately at a total cost of £130k.

(b)     That Cabinet notes the scale of additional resource required to stabilise slopes throughout the hollow and that the affordability of the scheme should be considered alongside other priorities as part of the 2021/22 budget setting process and MTFP.

Reason for Decision

The impact of a major slope failure would be high in respect of health and safety and financial implications. Possible consequences are loss of life or major injury and legal action. There would also be reputational damage, impact on service delivery and disruption to the highway network affecting a key north-south route.