Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors M Collins, E Culverhouse, S Guy, A Poland-Goodyer and L Sullivan. Councillor S Guy had been substituted for Councillor G Smith.

Apologies had also been received from Daniel Clancy (EA), Gary Moreira (HS2), Ian Thompson and Dr Laura Leech (Buckinghamshire Council).

There were none.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 2 February 2023 be confirmed as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 2 February 2023 were confirmed as an accurate record.

Councillor S Broadbent, Cabinet Member for Transport, provided an update to the Committee on Public Transport. Since the last meeting, a trial would commence from 1 April – 1 August 2023 whereby concessionary travel fares would now be applicable before 9am.

Public Questions is an opportunity for people who live, work or study in Buckinghamshire to put a question to a Select Committee. The Committee will hear from members of the public who have submitted questions in advance relating to items on the agenda. The Cabinet Member, relevant key partners and responsible officers will be invited to respond.

Further information on how to register can be found here: https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/your-council/get-involved-with-council-decisions/select-committees/

One public question was considered at the meeting as attached to the agenda and a verbal response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment. The question and answer are appended to the minutes.

The Committee will receive an update on the HS2 project in Buckinghamshire.

Contributors:

HS2

David Emms, HS2 Project Client Director

Gary Moreira, HS2 Senior Traffic Manager

Alasdair Hassan, HS2 Head of Engineering and Environment

Simon Matthews, EKFB Interface and Stakeholder Director

Joel Sykes, HS2 Senior Engagement and Interface Lead

Patrick Kelly, Buckinghamshire Lead

Andrea Davidson, HS2 Head of Environmental Sciences

Aaron Heer, HS2 Traffic Manager

Ed Warner, Align Head of Environment and Sustainability

Environment Agency

Matthew Wales, Project Manager Phase 1 and Permitting lead – HS2

Daniel Clancy, Flood Risk Specialist – HS2

Buckinghamshire Council

Cllr Steve Broadbent, Cabinet Member for Transport

Cllr Peter Martin, Deputy Cabinet Member for Transport (HS2 and EWR)

Steve Bambrick, Service Director for Planning & Environment

Dr Laura Leech, Head of Major Projects

The Chairman welcomed representatives from HS2 Ltd and Matthew Wales from the Environment Agency to the meeting and invited the Cabinet Member for Transport, Councillor S Broadbent, and the Deputy Cabinet Member for Transport, Councillor P Martin to introduce the officer report. The HS2 project continued to have a significant impact in Buckinghamshire and the Council worked to mitigate the project’s impact by holding HS2 Ltd to account on its activities. In the last 12 months, there had been a significant increase in works as the project entered the first of its envisaged three-year peak. The Cabinet Member highlighted the project’s effect on the Highways asset, notably through diversionary routes and HGV movements which had caused deterioration of roads. The Council had been able to access an annual HS2 pothole fund of £93,000 however it was felt this value was insufficient. Additionally, the Council was required to bid for extra funds for road repairs which had been a protracted process; one example being King’s Lane which was unresolved one-year after the Council’s bid. Nonetheless, dialogue had improved recently which the Cabinet Member welcomed.

The Cabinet Member highlighted the importance of preventative works to ensure that roads did not deteriorate so that road closures caused by safety concerns could be avoided; a recent example was the five-week closure of Station Road, Quainton, around Christmas 2022. The Cabinet Member was optimistic through his upcoming attendance at a roundtable discussion with Ministers and the Department for Transport in Parliament on 24 April and would continue to reiterate the project’s impacts on Buckinghamshire residents and businesses.

The Cabinet Member highlighted the importance of collaborative and open working on issues such as flooding which required information from HS2 e.g. works to woodlands and hedgerows and flooding impacts. It was acknowledged that positive steps had been taken to reduce HGV movements through the use of rail access and the A413 conveyor which was welcomed.

The Deputy Cabinet Member for Transport, Councillor P Martin, underpinned the importance of collaborative working and planning applications. The Council found it challenging to make timely decisions on planning applications due to a lack of supporting information. Monthly meetings on forthcoming applications had been helpful however these were now three-monthly. The last planning application was received on 6 January and Deputy Cabinet Member was concerned that the planning service would receive an influx of applications for urgent decisions.

The Chairman invited David Emms, Aaron Heer and Alasdair Hassan to give their presentation to the Committee. Prior to the presentation, David Emms acknowledged the importance of the A413 to Buckinghamshire residents and that whilst there was collaborative working with the Council, elements of it could be improved. The following points were noted during HS2 Ltd’s presentation:

·       Align was responsible for the Colne Valley Viaduct and the Western Valley Slopes, HS2’s Chiltern Tunnel, five shafts along the route of the tunnel and the north portal of the tunnel (located near Great Missenden). EKFB was responsible for HS2 between Great Missenden and Turweston  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

The Committee will hear details regarding the mobilisation of the new Highways model which commences on 1 April 2023.

Contributors:

Cllr Steve Broadbent, Cabinet Member for Transport

Richard Barker, Corporate Director for Communities

Kevin Goad, Service Director for Highways & Technical Services

The Cabinet Member for Transport introduced the report and highlighted a number of key points:

·       There were a number of organisations involved in the new model which allowed the Council greater control of programmes. Residents should see the benefits of improved works and service response as the alliance format intended to work together to deliver ‘right first time’. The Cabinet Member was confident that the service was ready to be launched.

·       A schedule of rates also ensured value for money for residents.

·       Project Teams and Project Boards had overseen the transition to the new arrangements. Leaders from the main contractors had been involved in the Board.

·       Performance levels were graded which included Acceptable and Desirable. Funds would be withheld for non-acceptable performance until a fix reached the required standard.

·       Parish and Town Councils were being engaged on the upcoming arrangements.

·       The Atkins Design Team would ensure the new programme would be delivered from the model’s commencement on 1 April.

·       Work was underway to shift the staff culture.

·       An informal review of the contract would take place after three months. Cabinet would receive an update report after 6 and 12 months which the TECC Committee may also want to consider.

The following points were noted during the Committee’s discussion:

·       A number of Members commended the new arrangement and the communication to Councillors during the contract’s progression. Members recommended that should any performance issues be identified, all Councillors be advised so that resident queries could be answered.

·       The Local Area Technicians (LAT) were vital in identifying local needs and ensuring a service response particularly during post-winter pressures. Members would receive an updated list of LATs.

·       Balfour Beatty offered local social value by attending local job fairs and offering apprenticeship schemes.

·       Works scheduled to be carried out by Transport for Buckinghamshire (TfB) that had not been completed would not be paid for. Instead, these works would be identified and carried out under the new model e.g. painting white lines in Market Hill, Buckingham. It was hoped that most of the outstanding works would be completed within six months.

·       Communications would be improved to ensure accuracy e.g. temporary repairs would be identified as such on Fix My Street rather than being marked ‘completed’.

The Chairman thanked the Cabinet Member for the report.

To provide an overview of air quality monitoring across the county.

Contributors:

Cllr Gareth Williams, Cabinet Member for Climate Change & Environment

Lisa Michelson, Service Director for Economic Growth & Regeneration

Jacqui Bromilow, Head of Environmental Health & Trading Standards

Ben Coakley, Strategic Environmental Protection Manager

Cerys Williams, Environmental Protection Officer

Deborah Ferady, Environmental Protection Officer

The Chairman invited the Cabinet Member for Climate Change & Environment, Councillor G Williams to introduce the report. The Cabinet Member noted the following points:-

·       Local Authorities had a legal obligation to review and assess air quality. All the nine AQMA sites in Buckinghamshire were currently reporting below the annual mean nitrogen dioxide national objective of 40 ?g/m³.

·       Introducing further AQMAs required engagement with DEFRA and air quality improvement action.

·       Around 40% of poor air quality in Buckinghamshire was due to vehicles so the Council focused activities in this area e.g. promoting electric vehicles (EVs) and Euro 6 engine upgrades.

The following was noted during the Committee’s discussion:-

·       One non-Committee Member attended to query the lack of air quality monitoring in Buckingham West particularly given the amount of current and upcoming developments along the A421. The Cabinet Member advised that DEFRA provides guidance on AQMA monitoring and parameters and that assessments were undertaken on a risk basis as to where pollution levels are expected to be at their highest. Consideration had been given previously to installing a monitoring point along the A421 at Buckingham however after assessment the A421 did not meet concern criteria as it was a relatively open space with extensive vegetation. By comparison, Buckingham town centre had been monitored, due to airflow being more constricted by narrow streets with high walls, and found no exceedances of air quality standards. Each Community Board would soon receive DEFRA-funded monitoring equipment which could be utilised to monitor specific areas.

·       Members noted the reduction of pollutants over time, particularly during the Covid lockdowns.

·       One Member was concerned by East West Rail’s planned use of diesel rolling stock which would impact air quality. Consideration would be given on whether air quality data in the line’s vicinity could be monitored.

·       Members considered the benefit EV expansion would have on Buckinghamshire’s air quality. One Member noted that Char.gy was seeking to install fast EV chargers in Hazlemere, whilst another Member noted that Gerrards Cross wanted to expand its public EV infrastructure. The Cabinet Member advised that Hannah Joyce, Head of Transport Strategy & Funding, was leading a working group on EVs which was considering EV expansion (e.g. EV car-pooling and appropriate charger type and location). Challenges included Distribution Network Operator (DNO) costs.

·       On-road EV charging solutions were still in development with one gully trial to commence in Wendover. The process for using lamp posts and bollards for EV charging would be investigated and circulated to the Committee.

Action: C Ward

The Chairman thanked the Cabinet Member for the report.

The Select Committee will consider a scoping document for a proposed Rapid Review on Streetworks and Statutory Undertakers in Buckinghamshire.

The Committee received a scoping document to carry out a rapid review on streetworks and statutory undertakers. It was felt that this was topic was of great interest to the public due to works being carried out on the Highway asset.

The Chairman advised that he would lead the review group and asked Members to write to him if they were interested in being on the group.  

RESOLVED –

That the rapid review scope document be agreed.

Members are asked to suggest potential items so that they can be considered for the next municipal year’s work programme – these can be emailed to the Chairman and the scrutiny officer.

A work programme for the next municipal year would be drafted in due course. Members were asked to advise the Chairman and scrutiny officer of items they wish to be considered for the future work programme.

The date is to be confirmed and will be circulated in due course.

The next meeting date was to be confirmed.