northlincs.gov.uk

30  (30) STREET WORKS MANAGEMENT PERMIT SCHEME – The Director of Places submitted a report seeking approval to implement the Yorkshire Common Permit Scheme for North Lincolnshire roads.

In January 2015, the former Cabinet Member for Highways and Neighbourhoods authorised officers to investigate the adoption of a Common Permit Scheme for North Lincolnshire (minute 155 refers). The decision was linked to the staffing review aiming to integrate the Highways and Neighbourhood Services teams together.  This review was now complete.

Implementing a permit scheme would improve the co-ordination of works on the council’s roads, reduce disruption to road users, assist public transport and help to reduce carbon emissions, resulting in the following benefits:

• Economic Growth
• Environment and Sustainability
• Safety and Security
• Equal Opportunities
• Health and Wellbeing

The Department for Transport had sought to deregulate permit schemes via the Deregulation Act 2015. This allowed councils the discretion to sign off local permit schemes rather than applying for permission from government, through an order.

Following a review of the traffic sensitive network in the autumn, officers had now completed work on joining the scheme previously reported as providing the best fit for North Lincolnshire’s needs, the “Yorkshire Common Permit Scheme” (YCPS).  The YCPS operated across a number of councils.

Resolved – That the Director of Places be authorised to implement the Yorkshire Common Permit Scheme for North Lincolnshire, subject to completion of the consultation process.

31  (31)INDEPENDENT TRAVEL TRAINING – The Director of Places submitted a report seeking approval for a new post to deliver independent travel training for eligible children and young people with disabilities and/or learning difficulties.

Officers had explored the opportunity to provide an Independent Travel Training (ITT) service aimed at helping eligible children and young people gain the necessary skills to travel independently. This would involve creating a new post of Assessment and Travel Training Officer.  The proposal contained in the report was initially to operate the new service as a pilot for a period of 24 months.

ITT was a structured programme to enable people with disabilities and/or learning difficulties to travel independently.  The council would initially look to provide the service for relevant secondary aged and post 16 students.

The main health and social benefits of ITT included the following:

• Increased independence and confidence, and improved self-esteem;
• Increased opportunity to participate in social and leisure activities, and generally broadened horizons;
• Improvement to general health and well-being, improved quality of life;
• Potential for recipients to gain a qualification and or recognition on completion of the training;
• Increased opportunity to access healthcare services
• Increased opportunity and likelihood of entering employment or education.
• The main benefit to parents and carers is a reduction in care responsibilities, enabling greater participation in employment, education and leisure activities.

The report set out full details of the proposed Independent Travel Training service, including financial implications.

Resolved – That the creation of a new post of Assessment and Travel Training Officer, as set out in the report and accompanying appendices, be approved.