· To submit the following Notice of Motion by Councillors K P Hughes and Bryan Owen :-
‘That this Council supports in principle, subject to the outcome of relevant statutory processes, the residents of Llanfachraeth in their efforts to reduce the speed limit through the village from 30mph to 20mph.’
· To submit the following Notices of Motion by Councillors Bryan Owen and Shaun Redmond :-
1. This Motion seeks the Members of Council to reject Officers recommendations not to fully finance schools to the full cost of all the budget pressures faced by schools 2019/20.
Members are asked to support the full funding to most of their budgetary pressures 2019/20.
2. This Motion seeks the Members of Council to support the retention of all Teaching Staff in all Anglesey Schools for the duration of the administration to 2022.
In addition, Members support the employment in all Teaching posts commensurate with recommended levels to pupil numbers over the same period.
Minutes:
· Submitted – the following Notice of Motion by Councillors K P Hughes and Bryan Owen :-
‘That this Council supports in principle, subject to the outcome of relevant statutory processes, the residents of Llanfachraeth in their efforts to reduce the speed limit through the village from 30mph to 20mph.’
Councillor K P Hughes said that he had received a petition from the residents of Llanfachraeth with 310 adult and 26 children’s signatures as regards to concerns that a serious accident is likely to occur due to excessive speeding through the village. He said that during a speed test undertaken at the village, the highest speed recorded was 62mph for cars and 47mph for lorries. During the last few weeks 4 vehicles have been involved in traffic accidents with 2 incidents having the emergency services in attendance. Councillor Hughes noted that the Highways Department is aware of local concerns and attended a meeting with representatives from the village, Local Members, Police, Member of Parliament and the Portfolio Holder for Highways, Property and Waste was also in attendance. He further noted that the Assembly Member was unable to attend the meeting but had been in contact with the local community as regards to this matter. He expressed the view that the road through Llanfachraeth is not adequate to cope with the traffic that travels through the village. Following the meeting, all the attendees were in agreement that the issue of speeding through the village needs to be addressed. North Wales Police expressed that they were willing to train individuals from the village to use a speed monitor (speed gun) as similar to other villages; however the offer has not been accepted. Councillor Hughes also drew attention to three blind corners within the village and that lorries are unable to pass each other without having to mount the curb which is dangerous for pedestrians and children walking from the school bus. Furthermore, Councillor Hughes said that the Welsh Government Minister with responsibility for Transport is supportive of 20mph zones within local communities.
Councillor Bryan Owen seconded the motion.
The Portfolio Holder for Highways, Property and Waste responded that he is aware of the traffic in the village of Llanfachraeth but said that all villages on the Island experiences traffic issues within their villages. He said that an application had been received by the Highways Department for a speed restriction of 20mph on the A5025 in Llanfachraeth. He further noted that if the Wylfa Newydd project had proceeded it was anticipated that a by-pass at Llanfachraeth would have been built. He confirmed that Highways Authority can impose a 20mph speed limit through villages or speed humps where it is considered appropriate under Section 84 of the Road Traffic Act. A legal process would entail before imposing the restriction of 20mph through a village and if any objections received the matter would need to be considered by the Planning and Orders Committee of the Council. However, National Guidelines notes that speed restrictions should not be introduced without consulting and gaining the support of the Police. The Police Authority do take note of speed surveys and the Portfolio Holder said that the average speed recorded through the village was 28mph. North Wales Police has offered to help establish a community speed-watch scheme in the village; some villages in Gwynedd have established such a scheme which has resulted in the reduction of speeding through the villages. The Portfolio Holder said that whilst the Welsh Government Minister for responsibility for Highways supports 20mph zones within residential areas the cost associated with such a scheme through the Island would be substantial.
The Portfolio Holder for Highways, Property and Waste said that he was making recommendations which he clarified would be implemented in any case:-
· To establish an internal Steering Group in order to confirm the procedure outside schools and to introduce measures on the recommendations of the Steering Group;
· That a new speed survey be undertaken through the village of Llanfachraeth and to consider the request for imposing the 20mph speed limit through the village after assessing the results of the speed survey and following discussions with North Wales Police when there is more certainty about the effects of increase in traffic on the villages along the A5025 as a result of the Wylfa Newydd development;
· To work the North Wales Police, Llanfachraeth Community Council and Local Members to established a Community Speed-Watch group in Llanfachraeth;
· To ensure that Anglesey County Council Offers are part of a National Group which investigates 20mph policies and which reviews local arrangements according to any new national guidance.
Members of the County Council raised the following main issues:-
· Vehicles speeding near schools and roads through local villages and towns within the Island is of concern;
· The issue of excessive speeding is an issue in all towns and villages and measures needs to be put in place to control excessive speeding within 30mph limits;
· Motorist should be prosecuted if they are found to exceed the speed limit;
· Problems occur as to excessive speeding through narrow streets and parking issues are also a concern.
Councillor Carwyn Jones said that it is important to bear in mind that if motorists exceed the speed limit they are breaking the law and therefore needs to be prosecuted. He proposed to include under the Portfolio Holder’s recommendations that an invitation be extended to North Wales Police to attend Members Briefing Sessions to discuss the issue of speeding. The Portfolio Holder accepted the proposal and that a representative from the Police Authority needs to be part of the Steering Group.
The Leader of the Council said that it is important that the issue of speed restrictions should be considered on an Island basis. She noted that motorists need to be aware of speed restrictions and should be prosecuted if exceeding the speed limit. The Leader supported the recommendation of the Portfolio Holder for Highways, Property and Waste that a Steering Group be established and that it should have a cross party membership from all political groups together with representatives from the North Wales Police in attendance.
Councillor Hughes noted that it is important that the concerns of local people are considered and listened upon.
The Chair took a vote on the Motion and a majority vote was in favour of the motion.
The motion was carried.
· Councillor Shaun Redmond said that he wished for the Notices of Motion he put forward be withdrawn.
1. This Motion seeks the Members of Council to reject Officers recommendations not to fully finance schools to the full cost of all the budget pressures faced by schools 2019/20.
Members are asked to support the full funding to most of their budgetary pressures 2019/20.
2. This Motion seeks the Members of Council to support the retention of all Teaching Staff in all Anglesey Schools for the duration of the administration to 2022.
In addition, Members support the employment in all Teaching posts commensurate with recommended levels to pupil numbers over the same period.