Agenda item

·  NCS Scrutiny Panel, 17^th January 2017 – Slough Road Network: Alternative Provisions to Market Lane.

That the recommendations of the Neighbourhoods and Community Services Scrutiny Panel (17th January 2017) on the matter of the possible alternative provisions for the local road network in the Market Lane area be noted.

and;

Revenue Budget 2017-18 – the reference in relation to fees and charges was considered during item 6 of the agenda.

Reference from Overview & Scrutiny, 2^nd February 2017:  Revenue Budget 2017/18

The Cabinet considered the recommendation to review proposed increases to burial and cemetery fees and charges during item 6 of the agenda (Minute 110 refers).

Reference from Neighbourhoods & Community Services Scrutiny Panel, 17^th January 2017:  Slough Road Network – Alternative Provisions to Market Lane

The Cabinet considered the following matters referred from the Neighbourhoods & Community Services Scrutiny Panel from it’s meeting on 17th January relating to the closure of Market Lane:

1.  The Panel recommend that, given the fact that only permanent counters are currently collecting data relating to the impact of the bridge closure, Cabinet ends the experimental scheme at the first opportunity.

2.  The Panel recommend that Slough Borough Council develop a package based on the reopening of Market Lane and a realigned bridge (as offered by High Speed Two Limited (HS2)).

The Commissioner for Transport & Highways commented that recommendation 1 was effectively redundant as the road had reopened at the end of January following the six month period of closure previously agreed by the Cabinet.  In relation to recommendation 2, the Commissioner provided assurance that the Council would continue to negotiate with relevant bodies to secure the best possible mitigation package.  In response to a question from the Leader, the Commissioner reiterated that any funding secured would directly support schemes for Langley.

The Chair of the Neighbourhoods & Community Services Scrutiny Panel, Councillor Plenty, and Councillor Swindlehurst addressed the Cabinet under Rule 30 and highlighted a number of issues including the inadequacy of the information provided to the scrutiny panel; perceived lack of engagement from Transport for Slough; and the need to work with local MPs to lobby for improvements that would resolve long standing traffic issues in the locality.  The Leader confirmed that he would be happy to engage with MPs and other relevant parties to secure the best outcome for Langley and Slough more widely.  The Leader and the Commissioner confirmed that the Council would continue negotiations with HS2 and Western Rail Link to Heathrow and the Cabinet noted the recommendations from the Panel.

Resolved –  That the recommendations of the Neighbourhoods and Community Services Scrutiny Panel (17th January 2017) on the matter of the possible alternative provisions for the local road network in the Market Lane area be noted.