Hertfordshire County Council s5

HERTFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCILMINUTES of the meeting of the County Council held at County Hall, Hertford, on Tuesday 31 March 2009.MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCEN E Agar D J Drake D E Lloyd E N Singam D A Ashley D S Drury R Mays R H Smith S A Batson K F Emsall J T Metcalf L J B Spencer M V Bayes B C Engel A Mitchell W A Storey D Beatty S B A Giles-Medhurst Morton S J Taylor N Bell P V Goggins M D R Muir R A C Thake D E Billing R I N Gordon S M P Newton R Thomas N K Brook(Chairman) B N W Hammond A Oaten M J Tucker P T J Channell T C Heritage R G Parker J W A Usher G R Churchard D J Hewitt D A A Peek C J White R J Clarkson D W Hills S J Pile A S M Witherick R S Clements N A Hollinghurst J Pitman M D Colne S M Holmes S Quilty G Cook A F Hunter E T Roach M Cowan S E Jones R Roberts M E Coxage I H Laidlaw-Dickson P A Ruffles D W Cullen B J Lamb H M Saunders A D Dodd B Lee D T F Scudder M Downing D B Lloyd A M R SearingUpon consideration of the agenda for the meeting of the County Council held on 31 March 2009, as circulated, action was taken or decisions were reached as follows:-1. MINUTESThe minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 24 February 2009 were confirmed.S B A Giles-Medhurst recorded his dissent from this decision in relation to the recording of a question from him to the Executive Member for Highways, Transport and Rural Affairs. 2. CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS2.1 Retirement of Finance, Information and Commercial Services Director, Chris Sweeney and Corporate Director (People & Property), Alan WarnerThe Chairman referred to the forthcoming retirement of two members of the 0250ee67485e4a9c364597997db773f1.doc 1 Council’s senior management team.Chris Sweeney had served 38 years within the public sector and had worked for the County Council since 1981. Alan Warner had served 41 years within the public sector and had worked for the County Council since 1986. The Council paid tribute to the outstanding service of both officers and wished each of them well in their retirement.2.2 Deputy Lieutenants of HertfordshireThe Council congratulated Robert Gordon and Sherma Batson on each becoming Deputy Lieutenants for the County.2.3 Stevenage Borough Football ClubThe Council also congratulated Stevenage Borough FC on once more reaching the final of the FA Trophy to be played at Wembley on 9 May.2.4 Retiring MembersThe Chairman referred to the Members of the Council who would be retiring at the forthcoming County Council elections and invited M D Colne, H M Saunders and R Mays to speak as the longest serving retiring Members in their respective Groups.3. PUBLIC QUESTIONS – STANDING ORDER 7 (10)None were notified.4. QUESTIONS: HERTFORDSHIRE POLICE AUTHORITY – STANDING ORDER 7 (6)None were notified.5. REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR MEMBERS OF THE HERTFORDSHIRE POLICE AUTHORITYThe Council received a report from County Councillor members of the Hertfordshire Police Authority, under Standing Order 7A, presented by the Vice- Chairman of the Police Authority, R H Smith.6. PUBLIC PETITIONS – STANDING ORDER 14None were notified.0250ee67485e4a9c364597997db773f1.doc 2 0250ee67485e4a9c364597997db773f1.doc 3 7. LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972 – SECTION 85The following motion proposed by R I N Gordon, and duly seconded, was CARRIED: “That the absence of T J Price from meetings of the Council on grounds of ill health be approved.”8. HONORARY ALDERMEN FOR HERTFORDSHIREThe following motion proposed by R I N Gordon, and duly seconded, was CARRIED:“That the Council adopt the principle of appointing Honorary Alderman and resolve that an Extraordinary Meeting of the Council be held immediately following the Annual Meeting on 16 June 2009 for the purpose of making the first appointments.”9. CONSULTATION ON SCHOOL ADMISSION ARRANGEMENTS FOR 2010/ 2011Prior to consideration of this business, Michael Bouvier presented a petition containing 260 signatures opposing the proposed local over-subscription arrangements for Bovingdon Parish on the grounds that children from Nash Mills and adjacent parts of Hemel Hempstead and Apsley would be excluded from attending Kings Langley High School.The petition was referred to the Director of Children, Schools and Families for report to the local Member(s) and Group Spokesmen.The following motion proposed by K F Emsall, and duly seconded, was CARRIED:“That County Council approve: i The proposed admission rules and arrangements for community and voluntary-controlled schools, including the over-subscription criteria for nurseries and Tring School, subject to the amendment of Paragraph 1 of Section 6 of the arrangements to read:“1. Distances will be measured using the ‘shortest designated route’ which is one or more of the following: . A public right of way, with a proper made-up surface, such as tarmac or concrete; . A road with a proper made-up surface, which does not need to have a separate pavement; . A cycleway adopted by Hertfordshire County Council.” ii The schemes of co-ordination for primary and secondary schools for 2010/11 0250ee67485e4a9c364597997db773f1.doc 4 iii The published admission numbers for community and voluntary controlled schools, as documented in Appendix 4 iv The publication of notices where the published admission number (PAN) is lower than the indicated admission number (IAN), together with the supporting reason for determining a lower PAN. v The sixth form arrangements for community and voluntary controlled schools. vi The Countywide proposals 2, 3, 4 and 5 as follows: Introduce a single under 11s allocation day (proposal 2), and move the allocation date to later in the year (proposal 3); To introduce an amendment to the Primary Admission Rules for Twins/Multiple Births (to give priority at Rule 5);  Tighten the definition of Rule 4 for community secondary co- educational schools to read as follows;“Children who live in the priority area and for whom it is their nearest Hertfordshire maintained non-faith, co-educational, non- partially selective school. Note: Non-partially selective means that the school does not offer any places based on academic ability.” vii In support of the fair access issue for Bovingdon, to agree model 2 over- subscription criteria for The Kings Langley School. “10. TREASURY MANAGEMENT STRATEGYThe following motion proposed by D E Lloyd, and duly seconded, was CARRIED:“That Council approve:1. The prudential indicators and limits set out in section 7 of the report .2. The proposed Treasury Management Strategy for 2009/10 outlined in section 6 of the report. 3. The lending policy for 2009/10 set out in Appendix A to the report. “11. CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE’S PLAN 2009/2011The following motion proposed by J M Pitman and duly seconded, was CARRIED: “That Council approve the Children and Young People’s Plan 2009/11 0250ee67485e4a9c364597997db773f1.doc 5 incorporating the amendments from the Hertfordshire Children’s Trust Partnership Executive.”12. GENERAL REPORT FROM THE CABINETThe following motion proposed by R I N Gordon, and duly seconded, was CARRIED:-“ That the general report from the Cabinet be received13. REPORT OF THE HEALTH SCRUTINY COMMITTEEThe following motion proposed by D B Lloyd, and duly seconded, was CARRIED:-“That the report of the Health Scrutiny Committee be received”. 14. THE COUNTY LEGACY AMBITIONS TO BE DELIVERED THROUGH LONDON 2012 – THE OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC GAMESThe following motion proposed by D A Ashley and duly seconded, was CARRIED: “The County Council:1. Congratulates the Hertfordshire Ready For Winners Partnership in securing a broad range of support across both the public and private sectors and developing an effective program making efficient use of both County Council and other partners' resources.2. Supports the ambitions and activities set out in section 5 of the report3. Asks the Director of Environment to bring annual updates on the activities of the ready for Winners partnership to future meetings of this Council.15. KEY DECISIONS/FORWARD PLANThe following motion proposed by R I N Gordon, and duly seconded, was CARRIED:-“That the position of Key Decisions in the decision-making process shown in the current edition of the Forward Plan be noted.”0250ee67485e4a9c364597997db773f1.doc 6 16. ITEMS OF BUSINESS REQUESTED BY MEMBERS UNDER STANDING ORDER 6 (2)(m)None were notified.17. NOTICES OF MOTION – STANDING ORDER 8 (5)None were notified.18. QUESTIONS UNDER STANDING ORDER 7(1)18.1 S J Taylor asked:-“How does the County Council intend to promote and support a widespread increase in the number of apprenticeships in the county and what is the target number of new apprenticeships both within the County Council itself and generally in Hertfordshire. In conjunction with this promotion of new apprenticeship schemes will the County Council be introducing a Hertfordshire- wide and funded apprenticeship scheme to make apprentices available to small businesses at low cost? “D E Lloyd replied:-“The LSC and the network (which is the FE Colleges and private providers) are currently talking with HCC about a possible Apprenticeship Agreement for us as an employer. Planning is in place for a LSC funded post in Youth Connexions for a year to work on public sector (not just local authorities) apprenticeship opportunities. And then with the County Council as a major employer – we have signed the Skills Pledge, which includes the programmes already established for Train to Gain and Skills for Life. These include HCC staff working through NVQ programmes (127 completed in 07/08 and 102 current learners).The County Council are also giving some thought to the possibility of establishing a Local Employment Partnership with Job Centre Plus, with a focus of getting people off benefit and into work. The issue of creating a Hertfordshire wide and funded apprenticeship scheme for SMEs will need to be looked at in detail by the new Economic Partnership.”S J Taylor then asked the following supplementary question:-“Would the portfolio holder agree with the Labour Government that every 16 to 19 year old should be offered an apprenticeship if they want one?”D E Lloyd replied:-“I am quite happy to agree that. I just wish that the Government had not got us 0250ee67485e4a9c364597997db773f1.doc 7 into such a place that it is so difficult to find one.”18.2 S J Taylor asked:-“What is the percentage of small businesses in Hertfordshire that do not take advantage of the small business rate relief scheme and what is the County Council doing to promote the take up of small business rate relief?”D E Lloyd replied:-“As some Members will be aware, obviously not all, HCC is not responsible for Business Rates administration. This is the responsibility of District and Borough Councils and we will be asking them to provide information to us on the level of small business rate relief across Hertfordshire and how they are promoting this. The existence of small business rate relief will be promoted through the Economic Recession Task Force and via the Herts Chamber of Commerce and Industry.”S J Taylor then asked the following supplementary question:-“I hope that you will be assisting in a campaign to ensure that small businesses receive this rate relief as an automatic process and not have to apply for it?”D E Lloyd replied:-“We will continue to try to help but all is firmly in the court of the Labour Government.”18.3 S J Taylor asked:-“What is the current average time taken to pay county council bills to businesses and what is being done to ensure we pay local and small businesses as quickly as possible?”D E Lloyd replied:-“The County Council does not distinguish between local and other suppliers in the payment of invoices. We pay 95% of undisputed invoices within 30 days, 41% of these within 10 days. The average time taken to pay all undisputed invoices was 15.75 days.”S J Taylor then asked the following supplementary question:-“What is the portfolio holder doing to improve that because 30 days is too slow for small businesses? And what is the County Council doing to ensure that those contracts that can be placed with small businesses where possible are being so that we get the opportunity to pay their invoices within 10 days?D E Lloyd replied:-“You will know that we started Build East specially for building contractors so that we could get more work put through local contractors. That is a very 0250ee67485e4a9c364597997db773f1.doc 8 important way forward. There is a point at which actually we will not be able to pay within one or two days, that is almost going to be impossible because there must be a due process for payment. We will continue to look at it and continue to encourage that small businesses as paid as quickly as possible. And I would like to compare that with other public sector providers within the area.” 18.4 S J Taylor asked:-“Has the County Council considered setting up a special delivery vehicle which would enable it to release funds from the European Investment Bank for local small and medium size businesses?”D E Lloyd replied:-“We are aware of the difficulties faced by small businesses at this time and note that some local authorities are developing proposals to set up banks or other special delivery vehicles to provide loans. We are also aware of the measures developed by the European Investment Bank to devolve EUR 30bn to SMEs in Europe in the form of new loans granted via a commercial bank.Through its involvement in Hertfordshire Forward, the County Council is supporting the work of the Recession Task Force which has developed the Hertfordshire Pledge. This includes a number of initiatives to support all businesses and residents through the recession, include working with business support agencies to provide support and advice and working with employers to develop skills investment and identify new job opportunities. The Recession Task Force will look at the possibility of providing loans to SMEs as part of its current work plan.”S J Taylor then asked the following supplementary question:-“I hope that the portfolio holder will consider strengthening the Hertfordshire Credit Union so that is in a position to provide funding to small/ micro businesses and social enterprises?”D E Lloyd replied:-“We have already worked very hard with county-wide Herts Savers and I think that is now a county-wide business.”18.5 S J Taylor asked:-“Our local branches of Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) are doing an excellent job in providing sound advice and support for Hertfordshire people who are concerned about their jobs, homes and personal finances. What funding support is provided to CAB from the County Council and what increase in this funding support will be provided to help CAB with the increase in casework they are facing?”D E Lloyd replied:-“I am currently in contact with the Hertfordshire Citizens Advice Managers 0250ee67485e4a9c364597997db773f1.doc 9 Group, as is Rob Gordon, about the rapid and significant increase in demand for specialist debt advice across the county. The Group has made a request for funding to support 5 new debt advice workers, 1 worker covering a pairing of 2 district areas over the next two years. We are sympathetic to this request as it is in the interests of Hertfordshire as a whole to have a strong well resourced CAB service to provide the critical support to families and individuals at this time of recession. Rob will be taking a paper to the Herts Leaders Group on 1st April asking them to raise this issue in conjunction with their LSPs as a matter of urgency so that we can hold further discussions with the Herts CAB Managers Group.”S J Taylor then asked the following supplementary question:-Would the Portfolio holder agree that the response to the CAB has been, to use the word that he used last night, somewhat sedate?D E Lloyd replied:-“No I wouldn’t but I do think it is important to get the right things in the right places.”18.6 J T Metcalf asked:-“The minutes of the meeting the Highways and Transport Panel on 13 January 2009 record that "The Panel held the view ... [that] schemes or action that would discourage parking on pavements and verges should be pursued."Could the Executive Member tell us how this will be pursued in Borehamwood and elsewhere in the county?”S J Pile replied:-“The most practical approach is to control verge and footway parking by way of a Traffic Regulation Order. Both the County Council and the District Council have powers to promote parking related Traffic Regulation Orders, whilst the District Council’s are responsible for enforcement. Tackling verge and footway parking issues is rarely a simple case within Hertfordshire. Road safety, accessibility and amenity objectives need to be balanced by consideration of social justice and pragmatism given the lack of residential off-street parking and narrow road widths in many of our towns. Based on all the above factors, it is important that both District and County Council agree that it is appropriate to prioritise and take forward such an initiative and who is going to lead.For the majority of cases (and particularly amenity issues) it would be appropriate for initiatives to be considered and prioritised by the local Joint Member Panels with potential funding from the District Councils or the County Council’s Discretionary budget.0250ee67485e4a9c364597997db773f1.doc 10 If the impact of footway and / or verge parking is of a scale that it seriously affects existing accessibility and safety at the town level, or prevents future transport improvements around a town then the issue would need to be captured from within the relevant Urban Transport Plan and a proposed scheme prioritised against other initiatives within the plan. Funding opportunities and nomination of lead authority would be agreed through the Urban Transport Plan process. Given the sensitive nature of pavement and verge parking issues, it would be important that both the District Council and the local Joint Member Panel have considered and signed up to a proposed initiative.”J T Metcalf then asked the following supplementary question:-“Can we have a report to each of the Joint Member Panels to take this forward and I would urge him to go for a larger budget for this as I don’t think the discretionary budgets are quite adequate for the scale of the problem in Hertfordshire?”S J Pile replied:-“I would agree with John there. I suggest that in these times of budget crunch the budget may not be sufficient but we do need to find out more information and I am happy that reports go to the Joint Member Panels.”18.7 J T Metcalf asked:-“Some local authorities have introduced, or are considering introducing, free travel for young people on buses .Could the Executive Member tell us how much it might cost to implement a scheme of free transport on the buses in Hertfordshire for all young people aged 11 to 18 living in the county if the free transport on the buses: is available only at weekends; is also available on weekday evenings from 17h00 onwards; is also available on weekdays from 09h00 onwards is also available all day in the school holidays?Also, what the effect of charging (say £10) for the free pass would be?”S J Pile replied:-“This is a very complicated area of work and would require significant investment of officer and/or consultant resource to determine accurate estimates. I am aware of a scheme in Kent that is being proposed for 11 – 16 year olds that they estimate may cost up to £10 million. I would expect Hertfordshire’s costs to be similar for a similar scheme.”J T Metcalf then asked the following supplementary question:-“Would the Administration support such a scheme if we got the figures? And if they wouldn’t support a scheme across the whole county would they at least support a pilot scheme in a town such as Borehamwood in order to get more accurate estimates of the cost? 0250ee67485e4a9c364597997db773f1.doc 11 S J Pile replied:-“I think that a competition really should come out for the best place to do it, but nevertheless, thorough the home-to-school transport review we should be picking these issues up.”18.8 D E Billing asked:-“The former HCC Youth Service used a number of properties in varying states of repair, as did Connexions. Now, as Youth Connexions, how many properties, broken down by District/Borough, are : a) owned by Youth Connexions and used for youth activities; b) leased or rented by Youth Connexions for youth activities; and c) used for youth activities in partnership with district/borough councils and other agents or the voluntary sector?In each case, how many of these are fit for purpose, i.e. in an appropriate condition, health & safety & DDA compliant, and with facilities suitable for activities needed by today's 11-18 year olds? “K F Emsall replied:-“Youth Connexions was established through the merger of the HCC Youth Service and the Connexions Service in April 2008. The new Youth Connexions Service inherited the existing stock of properties of both organisations.The number of properties in the categories listed by Dr Billing are: (a) 23, (b) 11 and (c) 19 and these are spread fairly evenly across the ten districts of the county. As might be expected the condition of these properties is mixed, as is whether they are, or not, fully DDA compliant.In its first year, Youth Connexions has focused on integrating delivery arrangements where appropriate and in identifying new external funding opportunities to support future improvements to facilities.New developments include: agreement to build a new youth facility in Borehamwood; the development of a new gymnasium in the Northgate Youth Centre in Bishops Stortford; and the development of a new multi-purpose outdoor area in Three Rivers.More recently a partnership bid for £5 M national ‘Myplace’ funding to build a new integrated centre in Hemel Hempstead has been successful. In addition a £3.5 M bid for new facilities in Watford and Three Rivers has been placed on the Myplace’ reserve list.Dr Billing has asked a very, very complicated question. He will be relieved to know that the next meeting of the Education Panel will receive a detailed report about Youth Connexions property strategy and I am sure he will be looking forward to that. D E Billing then asked the following supplementary question:-0250ee67485e4a9c364597997db773f1.doc 12 “Does the portfolio holder not think that it is regrettable that it has taken so long to get to this point given the report to the previous Education Panel meeting in March in its Annual Accommodation Statement says ‘Currently Youth Connexions uses buildings of variable quality. The minority are of acceptable standard, the majority need substantial renovation or development.’ ? I would invite him to respond to that in terms of the regrettable length of time it has taken?K F Emsall replied:-“ This is a complex job to sort out all these properties and in the words of Stanley Holloway, ‘you can’t do these things in two ticks’.”18.9 D E Billing asked:-“In each of the last 3 years, how much has been spent on capital projects on Hertfordshire Schools (broken down by nursery/primary, secondary and special), and how much of this came from government sources and how much from HCC sources? What are the projections for this proportion over the next 3 years (assuming continuation of existing spending plans)?”K F Emsall replied:-“Capital spending on schools and early years is as follows (this includes projections for 2010/11 onwards. Spend by Actual Actual Budget Budget Proj. Proj. Category 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 Nursery and 32,406 56,820 54,885 60,711 45,024 17,017 Primary Education Secondary 36,571 35,346 25,480 19,250 9,917 39,845 Education Special Education 3,382 3,275 2,388 2,379 1,556 7,792 Youth Service and Other Education 2,441 2,725 153 14,290 11,506 160 Services & Continuing Education TOTAL 74,800 98,166 82,906 96,630 68,003 64,814 Proportion funded by HCC 47.41% 50.06% 35.89% 18.93% 18.10% 13.17%The figures have been compiled using assumptions too numerous to list.The table includes spending undertaken by schools themselves (funded from the Locally Controlled Voluntary Aided programme and schools DFC) and capital expenditure funded via PFI. The table does not include expected substantial capital expenditure on Academies from 2011 onwards which is expected to exceed £20m per year.”0250ee67485e4a9c364597997db773f1.doc 13 D E Billing then asked the following supplementary question:-“Does the portfolio holder not agree that projections into the future which show a considerable falling percentage of county council funding and therefore by implication a considerable increase in Government funding shows the good wisdom of the present Government?”K F Emsall replied:-“Since County Council funded projects are added to the budget every year the figures for the years 2009/10, 2010/11, and 2011/12 do not recognise yet the fact that those proportions of funding provided by the County Council will certainly increase.”As the limit of time allowed for questions had been reached (30 minutes) the following questions received written replies (copies attached).18.10 D E Billing to J M Pitman“What assumptions about numbers of children at risk, children looked after, and children on the protection register are HCC's budgets based upon, for the coming year and the remainder of the Medium Term Financial Strategy?”18.11 J T Metcalf to D E Lloyd“The Business Link Mobile Office is an equipped bus provided by Business Link. It covers the whole of the East of England region. It was recently used very successfully for a single day in Tesco’s car-park in Borehamwood by Business Link and other organisations providing advice to people:  Needing help to set up a business;  Wanting to learn new skills;  Facing unemployment;  Wanting to get back into work;  Needing advice on debt or mortgages.Given the administration’s new found interest in economic development in the county, could the Executive Member tell us whether the administration would support a plan for the County Council and its partners to acquire a similarly equipped bus which could be used to concentrate on advising people in Hertfordshire?”18.12 S E Jones to D A Ashley“Can the Executive Member tell us how much was spent on Cat I pot hole repairs in the financial years 2007/08 and 2008 to present? Is this financial outlay spread relatively evenly across the County or are there hot spots and if so where and why?”18.13 “Can the Executive Member assure us that IWP items that are safety related e.g. the QEII Hospital pedestrian crossing improvement in WGC will not lose out0250ee67485e4a9c364597997db773f1.doc 14 to the inclusion of additional roads maintenance due to the severe weather?”18.14 N Bell to K F Emsall“Due to the economic downturn and the increased pressures on schools in the maintained sector from parents potentially switching from the private sector, what particular planning areas are the administration looking to alter?”18.15 “Following the recent changes to PANS for primary schools after consultation and agreed at the recent Cabinet on the 16th March, what further changes are you planning as a result of the downturn and your latest research and in what areas?”18.16 What measures are the administration taking in response to the shortage of primary places in the Watford, area in 2009/10 and beyond?18.17 “On secondary allocations for south-west Herts and Watford, when did the administration realise there would be a problem for so many pupils not getting one of their ranked schools?”18.18 “Can the Executive Member comment on the figures for "out of County" pupils to Herts Secondary and Upper schools?”18.19 M Downing to S M P Newton"How is the ACS department responding to the findings and recommendations of CSCI in relation to safeguarding adults?"18.20 S B A Giles-Medhurst to S J Pile“At the last council meeting in answer to my question at 18.1 of the minutes you said:S J Pile replied:- “There are difficulties in pursuing developers on this in order to bring pressure to bear. I will ask the officers to look into this further.”What have you and officers done since the last meeting to get on going difficulties that I have outlined both at council and to officers resolved?”18.21 “In order to safeguard the highway asset and to minimises cost to the council tax payer would the Executive Member agree with me that highways officers should take a pro active approach to new developments by ensure photograph evidence of the state of the roads and grass verges are taken before such developments start to enable costs of damage to be reclaimed?”18.22 “Does the Executive Member believe that all bus stops should have a proper base for waiting passengers so that their feet and shoes are dry?”18.23 “Does the Executive Member believe it acceptable for dangerous concrete "pyramid" paving that caused a number of pedestrians to fall over to take in excess of six months to get removed?”0250ee67485e4a9c364597997db773f1.doc 15 18.24 “ In relation to my question at the council meeting on 24th November at 17.3 the minutes show:S B A Giles-Medhurst then asked the following supplementary question:-“You will have been party to a recent exchange of emails in relation to a series of major faults where it has taken 6 weeks for EDF even to look at the issue. Would you agree that it is time for the matter to be raised higher up; if need be calling for an Early Day Motion debate in the House of Commons, in terms of what controls the Government and this authority should have over EDF, in regard to its contractual performance on behalf of our residents?”S J Pile replied:-“I agree entirely with you. When EDF inherited responsibility for this they immediately began to fall behind. The SLA is complex. For example, current major faults with lights on highways are supposed to be repaired within 24 hours. However in reality the SLA extends that to 10 days, and then only for 75% of cases; the remaining 25% could take forever. For that reason we are against the SLA, and may have to go up to ministerial level with it.”Given the above can the Executive member please state what he has done to bring EDF to account since my question and he has written to the Minister about these issues and if so when?”18.25 “In relation to my question at 16.7 of the 8th April 2008 meeting the minutes show:S B A Giles-Medhurst asked the following supplementary question:-“Would you agree that it is paramount in urban areas, or where development is undertaken right up to the highway boundary, that the highway is not unduly restricted or obstructed for any length of time, particularly when it involves pedestrians and young children?”S J Pile replied:-“I would agree with that. Members will be aware that the County Council has prosecuted a number of people (developers, statutory undertakers) for doing just that. This is a considerable issue, not just for pedestrians and young children but for cyclists and motorcyclists. By taking a stand, and by publicising the fact that we come down with a heavy hand, the situation will hopefully improve.We do include all these enforceable conditions and it is up to districts to take them on board and get us to make sure they are happening as part of our regular inspection regime.”Given the above can the Executive Member now detail the number of 0250ee67485e4a9c364597997db773f1.doc 16 prosecutions that have taken place in the last three years and what pro active measures highways officers have had to take to ensure that the highways and footways are not unduly restricted given that he agreed with on this issue last year?18.26 M Cowan to S J Pile“In view of the seemingly common occurrence of letters to residents about forthcoming roadworks being incorrect or badly distributed, can you give an assurance that in future, all such letters will be sent to the local member, with proposed distribution list, in sufficient time for any errors or omissions to be corrected before general distribution?”ANDREW LAYCOCK County Secretary0250ee67485e4a9c364597997db773f1.doc 17

Hertfordshire County Council s5

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