Agenda item

·         An update on the Exmoor Ravine Land Slippage;

·         To review the membership of the Highways Sub-group;

Currently as follows:-

Cllr Steven Pugsley                                      (Chair)

Cllr Mike Ellicott                                           (Vice Chair / ENPA)

Cllr Frances Nicholson                                (Somerset Council)

Cllrs Roger Foxwell / Jeremy Hickman      (Hill - Top reps)

Cllr Andrew Bray                                           (Vale rep)

Sarah Buchanan (Clerk)                               (Brendan Hills rep)

Cllr Christine Dubery                                    (Dulverton Town rep)

Representatives from Somerset Council Highways

Andrew Turner          Kevin Bridgwater       Kali Martin    

Bev Norman   Luke Green/Ryan Chamberlain       Kate Brown

Craig Gowan.

·         To accept the recommendations of the meeting held on Thursday 3 August in respect of the Devolved Funding Requests;

·         To confirm frequency and meeting dates of future Highway Sub-group meetings.

• An update on the Exmoor Ravine Land Slippage;

A printed summary of the Roundwaters Retaining Wall Scheme and a Q&A sheet was distributed at the meeting. A lot of concern was expressed by those present on the timeline, and who the preferred contractor was likely to be.

Some slippage was reported, and it now looks likely that the work will commence in January 2024.

As the contract was currently out to tender, the preferred contractor had yet to be selected. This would be subject to a scoring process which would look at logistics as well as costs.

It was vitally important however, that essential vegetation clearance to prepare the site for the work takes place in October 2023. There is a very narrow window of opportunity for this ecology work and BT Openreach to co-ordinate and operate under a full road closure. The Highways Team agreed that it would also be useful to start working on the diversionary routes in preparation for this event.

It was reported that when the preferred contractor has been selected, and the timeline is confirmed, that a public meeting could be held with all parties to relay the information.

Further information can be obtained from Bridges@somerset.gov.uk.

• To review the membership of the Highways Sub-group;

Currently as follows:-

Cllr Steven Pugsley                                         (Chair)

Cllr Mike Ellicott                                             (Vice Chair / ENPA)

Cllr Frances Nicholson                                    (Somerset Council)

Cllrs Roger Foxwell / Jeremy Hickman           (Hill - Top reps)

Cllr Andrew Bray                                              (Vale rep)

Sarah Buchanan (Clerk)                                  (Brendan Hills rep)

Cllr Christine Dubery                           (Dulverton Town rep)

Representatives from Somerset Council Highways

Andrew TurnerKevin Bridgwater         Kali Martin     

Bev Norman    Luke Green/Ryan Chamberlain          Kate Brown

Craig Gowan.

There were no requests to change the group at the present time.

• To accept the recommendations of the meeting held on Thursday 3 August in respect of the Devolved Funding Requests;

Sam Murrell provided an update on the Highways Devolved Funding project as laid out in the agenda pack. It was requested that the LCN approve the recommendations made at the meeting with a show of hands.

• Immediate approval of £300 payment to Dulverton Town Council (as broker) to carry out survey on the Devolved Funding Requests / Jetting Schedule. This to be carried out by their preferred subcontractor – APPROVED.

• On receipt of the results of the survey to evaluate which jetting/ gully emptying requests can be progressed by Dulverton Town Council – APPROVED.

• To give authorisation to Dulverton Town Council on behalf of the Exmoor LCN to undertake the work, (jetting/gully emptying and disposal of all waste material) up to an agreed limit order and not to exceed the available budget – APPROVED.

John Levenson (Cutcombe PC) proposed to accept the recommendations and was supported by all parishes in the room.

• To confirm frequency and meeting dates of future Highway Sub-group meetings.

To be confirmed at the next Highways sub-group meeting which is scheduled for Friday 22 September at the Dulverton Sports Pavilion,

Update on Temporary Event Notice Fees (TENS)

Cllr Nicholson advised that due to changes in legislation and escalating printing costs, the charges for advertising Road Closures had dramatically increased. It would be a sensible approach for several parishes to advertise their TEN collectively and split the fee, rather than each pay separately. It was something to consider with the Christmas events programme about to start.