Agenda and minutes

The Chairman provided the following statement:

‘In the light of the situation with Covid-19 case rates, Dorset Council's Chief Executive - Matt Prosser has exercised his delegated powers to continue to hold virtual informal committee meetings.

Where a decision is required, committee members will express a ‘minded to’ decision in respect of recommendations set out in officer reports, with decisions being taken under officer delegated authority in the light of ‘minded to’ decisions expressed by members in the virtual meetings.  Any decisions or recommendations required will be confirmed by the appropriate officer at the conclusion of the committee’s debate on an agenda item.’

The Chairman welcomed M Roe to her first meeting as a recently appointed member of the committee.

To disclose any pecuniary, other registrable or non-registrable interests as set out in the adopted Code of Conduct. In making their declaration councillors are asked to state the agenda item, the nature of the interest and any action they propose to take as part of their declaration.

If required, further advice should be sought from the Monitoring Officer in advance of the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive any updates from the Chairman of the Place and Resources Overview Committee.

The Chairman thanked the Vice-chairman, L Fry, for chairing the previous two meetings.  She also thanked D Turner for his work as former Chairman of the committee.

To receive questions or statements on the business of the committee from town and parish councils and members of the public.

Public speaking has been suspended for virtual committee meetings during the Covid-19 crisis and public participation will be dealt with through written submissions only.

Members of the public who live, work or represent an organisation within the Dorset Council area, may submit up to two questions or a statement of up to a maximum of 450 words.  All submissions must be sent electronically to lindsey.watson@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk by the deadline set out below.  When submitting a question please indicate who the question is for and include your name, address and contact details.  Questions and statements received in line with the council’s rules for public participation will be published as a supplement to the agenda.

Questions will be read out by an officer of the council and a response given by the appropriate Portfolio Holder or officer at the meeting.  All questions, statements and responses will be published in full within the minutes of the meeting.  The deadline for submission of the full text of a question or statement is 8.30am on Monday 13 December 2021.

There were no questions or statements from members of the public or local organisations.

To receive questions submitted by councillors. The deadline for receipt of questions is 8.30am on Monday 13 December 2021.

There were no questions from councillors.

To consider a report of the Head of Highways.

The committee received and considered a report of the Head of Highways in respect of the Dorset Highways Skidding Resistance Strategy Review 2021.  The Place and Resources Overview Committee was invited to review and support the proposed strategy and operational guidance document, which if supported would be subject to approval by the Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment.

Councillors considered the issues arising from the report and during discussion, points were covered in the following areas:

·            Questions were asked in respect of section 3 of the strategy and operational guidance document – Defining the Scrim Survey Network – which was that part of the highway network on which skidding resistance would be managed according to the strategy

·            Reference to ‘experienced persons’ in the document would be linked to requirements set out in relevant job descriptions

·            This was a complex area for officers to deal with

·            Support was expressed for the document and the work undertaken by the highways team

·            Statistics would be reviewed to measure the impact of the strategy and operational guidance

·            All incidents were reviewed with the Police for lessons learnt

·            Skid resistance surveys were undertaken during spring, summer and autumn.

It was proposed by R Tarr seconded by S Jespersen

Decision

That the Place and Resources Overview Committee has reviewed and support the proposed Skid Resistance Strategy and Operational Guidance document.

The Executive Director of Place, having heard the debate, confirmed the ‘minded to’ decision, under delegated powers on behalf of the informal meeting of the Place and Resources Overview Committee.

To review the Place and Resources Overview Committee Forward Plan.

To review the Cabinet Forward Plan.

Councillors noted the committee’s forward plan and items scheduled for future meetings.

To consider any items of business which the Chairman has had prior notification and considers to be urgent pursuant to section 100B (4) b) of the Local Government Act 1972. The reason for the urgency shall be recorded in the minutes.

There were no urgent items.

To move the exclusion of the press and the public for the following item in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of paragraph x of schedule 12 A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

The public and the press will be asked to leave the meeting whilst the item of business is considered.

There is no exempt business.

There was no exempt business.