Agenda item

To report on the current situation.

a)    To accept the report and to note the observations received.

b)    That a further report will be submitted to the committee to provide an update on the situation.

A foreword was received from Councillor Catrin Wager, the Cabinet Member for Highways and Municipal, reminding the Committee of the cuts made over the years which had led to community Councils taking responsibility for the salt bins.

It was explained that work had been commissioned to look at the provision as there was a sense that it was unfair on more rural community councils or those on different terrain that needed more provision.

The Head of Highways and Municipal Department added that the report highlighted the existing gritting arrangements and arrangements regarding the main priority and second priority roads.

During the discussion, the following observations were made by members:-

- The members were thanked for the report and the Chair and Vice-chair were congratulated on their appointments.

- It was asked whether it would be possible to work with local farmers and contractors in the area so that they had a supply to use and consequently salt bins would not be needed around the area.

- Enquiries were made as to whether town and community councils had insurance cover in the event of accidents when people went to fetch salt, or was this a responsibility of the Authority.

- It was noted that, in some areas, farmers had worked with the Council for years and enquiries were made as to whether this would continue, particularly in areas with steep roads, compared with more level towns.

- It was suggested that it would be fairer for the cost to be divided equally between town and community councils so that there was less pressure on smaller villages that needed to use it more.

- One member reminded the committee that we had not yet experienced a hard winter since this duty fell on town and community councils and enquiries were made about the cost of all the accidents that could occur should there be no supply.

- A question was raised about the £100,000 savings target as this had not been delivered and enquiries were made as to whether there were better options in order to avoid any difficulties for community and town councils.

- A member asked how many community and town councils had committed and whether the Council continued to fill bins in communities that had not committed.

In response to the observations, the Head of Highways and Municipal Department noted the following:-

- It was agreed, if the Council would be addressing the provision, that an opportunity to collaborate and keep the benefit local was needed here, by awarding contracts to local contractors or farmers.

- In terms of insurance, it was noted that the salt bins were there to use at the individual's own risk and so there was no subsequent liability against the community or town council.

- It was noted that if there was any risk, that the responsibility stood with the Local Authority to ensure that the roads were safe.

- It was agreed that there was a need to rationalise the communication method around making arrangements to re-fill bins with salt.

- It was noted that the department was looking at priority / second priority roads in order to ensure user safety.

- In relation to savings, the Head explained that he was eager to hear the views of the committee on the next steps around the salt bin arrangements.

- Reference was made to the appendix, which noted that 46 councils, which was over half the town and community councils, had committed to the current scheme.

RESOLVE

a)    To accept the report and to note the observations received.

b)    That a further report will be submitted to the committee to provide an update on the situation.