Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Corporate Director for Growth, Environment & Transport to consider and endorse or make recommendations to the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport on the proposed decision to make changes to the Street Lighting Policy, including the introduction of optimised all night lighting (Option 3) as new LED streetlights are installed and commissioned on the Central Management System

1.            The Cabinet Member for Environment and Transportation, Mr Balfour, introduced the report that outlined the consultation process, presented the results and proposed changes to the Street Lighting Policy, including the introduction of optimised all night lighting (Option 3) as new LED streetlights were installed and commissioned on the Central Management System.

2.            The Chairman welcomed Miss Tina Brooker, representative of the Right to Light Campaign, Miss Angela Harrison County Councillor for Sheerness who had been given permission to speak at the meeting.  A letter from the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, a supporter of the Right to Light Campaign, was tabled.

3.            Miss Brooker, representative of “Right to Light Campaign” spoke in favour of all night lighting but queried the consultation process questioning that certain groups within the community had not been consulted particularly the disabled, vulnerable and those residents with dementia. 

4.            Miss Harrison, County Councillor for Sheerness, said that she endorsed the recommendation for all night lighting.  In response to a question Mr Balfour confirmed that there was the technology to control the street lights from a Central Management System.  This would enable the complete management of the street lighting including dimming and switch on/off.  The initial setting of the lights would be determined by the Contractor. However, if a community wished to alter the pattern of the light levels, it was proposed that in these instances such requests would be made by Parish Councils and or District Councils which would then be taken to the relevant Joint Transportation Board (JTB).  The JTB would consider those requests and make a recommendation to the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport.

5.            The Interim Director of Highways, Transportation and Waste, Mr Wilkin, explained that the report presented changes to the Street Lighting Policy that encompassed the needs of the community, the environment and responded to the challenging budgetary circumstances faced by the County Council.  He commended option 3 in the report to the Cabinet Committee as the sensible way forward.

6.            Mr Balfour, Mr Wilkin and Mr Clark noted comments and responded to questions by Members as follows:

a)     A comment was made that the consultation document, was detailed and well balanced and the views on the elderly within the document were shared.

b)    Mr Wilkin advised that it would have been a mistake to specify a percentage of light as it would not be appropriate for all streets all of the time.  Each street’s lighting would be individually tailored.  It was clear to the providers that illumination needed to be at a level that people could see eg the edge of curb, faces and feel safe which would vary from street to street.  Mrs Dean thanked Mr Wilkin for his reply but queried that this was not part of the consultation and this may be creating complications with residents coming back to the council to alter their lights.

c)    Mr Balfour advised that the JTBs had discussed the issue of street lighting many times.  He considered that it would have  ...  view the full minutes text for item 152