Agenda item

What can we do / want to do locally regarding asset and service devolution?

a.     What are the opportunities and risks?

b.     What information do we have and what do we need?

c.      How can we work together to achieve agreed actions?

Kate Hellard (Service Manager LCNs) provided a brief presentation to give an overview of the concept and work that could be undertaken by a Highway Steward from April if parishes were interested in buying into the scheme. The steward would be employed by the Highways contractor (Kier) – sick pay, risk assessments, equipment and insurance etc would be the responsibility of Kier. She advised the cost for a single full-time steward was approximately £50k per year – a parish doesn’t have to have a whole steward and the steward could be split between a cluster of parishes but this would need to be a geographical cluster to reduce costs.

Note – the presentation slides for this meeting can be viewed at the end of the printed minutes pack or online at: https://democracy.somerset.gov.uk/documents/s23509/LCNpresentationJan2024.pdf

There was then a short breakout session regarding what can we do / want to do locally regarding asset and service devolution. The Chair referred to the savings options (dated 5 January 2024) as circulated to Clerks from Cllr Bill Revans (Leader of the Council). Each table was asked to briefly look at the options and to consider the discussion points:

(a)   What are the opportunities and risks?

(b)   What information do we have and what do we need?

(c)   How can we work together to achieve agreed actions?

Following the breakout session, each group was asked to briefly feedback key comments for each of the discussion points, and comments included (including additional comments made on flipcharts):

Group 1

Opportunities

·         Easier access to decision makers at Somerset Council

·         Speed limits on local roads - extensions to 30mph and 40mph limits

·         Clearance of roads (flood debris)

Information

·       Costs of purchasing a service or signposting to activities

·       What are Somerset Council actually going to continue to do? Need this information as soon as possible.

Working Together

·       With other parishes e.g to have a Highway Steward.

·       With other organisations including Somerset Council

Group 2

Opportunities

·         Highway stewards

Information

·         Similar comments to group 1 – need information.

Working Together

·         Need confirmation of what Somerset Council will continue to do. Timeframes for budgets and precepts is very short.

Group 3

General comments

·         Generally very disappointed with lack of useful intel on costs / precept requirements.

·         Lengthsman / Highway Steward

o  Insufficient scope (no pothole work), often the work required would be ootside the remit of a steward.

o  No allowance for delivery / management / capacity within Parish Council (part time clerk)

o  Insufficient local knowledge by contractors

·         Flytipping / street cleansing

o  How will recycling centre closures be handles?

o  Flytipping is already a problem – will parish councils be expected to manage?

Group 4

General comments

·         Not keen on the Highways Steward idea – would rather employ own person and get trained to the required standard. Major problems are with potholes rather than general tidying up.

The Chairman noted that as this had only been a brief discussion item – all points noted on the flip charts would also be included in the notes from the meeting.