Lead Member – Councillor Steve Charmley – Portfolio Holder for Physical Infrastructure, Highways and Built Housing

Report of Executive Director of Place attached

Contact:  Mark Barrow 01743 258919

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet: 

2.1  Approves the advertising policy and guidelines set out in Appendix 2  

2.2  Approves the proposal to allow highway assets namely roundabouts boundary signs, lampposts and verges to be used for advertising/sponsorship purposes and branding by businesses advertising on the assets in accordance with the advertising policy/guidelines set out in Appendix 2. 

2.3  Delegates to the Executive Director of Place in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Physical Infrastructure, Highways and Built Housing to conclude the process of a contract award to Community Partners Ltd for a 4 year contract for the provision of a management and advertising scheme for  roundabouts, boundary signs, lampposts and verges further to a direct award under the ESPO, Advertising Solutions Framework. This shall include implementation matters associated with the contract. 

2.4  Delegates to the Executive Director of Place in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Physical Infrastructure, Highways and Built Housing the decision to include additional highway assets for advertising purposes in accordance with appendix 2 and determine the most appropriate procurement method for this.  

The Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Physical Infrastructure, Highways and Built Housing presented the report providing details of the proposed scheme to award a contract to provide a management and advertising scheme for roundabouts, boundary signs, lampposts and verges.  He stressed that the signage would be small scale and would be in keeping with the Shropshire brand.  An income stream would be generated to help maintain the programme and would generate income to support maintenance of traffic islands etc.

During the debate on this issue the following comments were made:

·         Ongoing review would be essential to ensure that unnecessary clutter was avoided

·         Consultation would be undertaken as necessary with the appropriate Parish/Town Councils

·         It was recognised that the planning process was well established and the necessary permissions would be sought as needed on a case by case basis

·         There would be no impact on the Council’s biodiversity scheme, hedgecutting, verge cutting

·         Signage would be sympathetic to the area and retain the Shropshire brand

·         Additional revenue attracted by the scheme was understood and supported

·         Dozens of local authorities already successfully operated such schemes

·         The impact on business rates (Appendix 1) had already been assessed

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet: 

i)             Approves the advertising policy and guidelines set out in Appendix 2  

ii)            Approves the proposal to allow highway assets namely roundabouts boundary signs, lampposts and verges to be used for advertising/sponsorship purposes and branding by businesses advertising on the assets in accordance with the advertising policy/guidelines set out in Appendix 2. 

iii)           Delegates to the Executive Director of Place in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Physical Infrastructure, Highways and Built Housing to conclude the process of a contract award to Community Partners Ltd for a 4 year contract for the provision of a management and advertising scheme for  roundabouts, boundary signs, lampposts and verges further to a direct award under the ESPO, Advertising Solutions Framework. This shall include implementation matters associated with the contract. 

iv)           Delegates to the Executive Director of Place in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Physical Infrastructure, Highways and Built Housing the decision to include additional highway assets for advertising purposes in accordance with appendix 2 and determine the most appropriate procurement method for this.