Agenda item

The Executive RESOLVED that

(i)            temporary liability be accepted for social distancing decals on the pavements across the borough which have been purchased and provided by the Council and/or Collectively Camberley BID until the removal of the decals;

(ii)          a letter be sent from the Leader and Acting Chief Executive to the Leader of Surrey County Council expressing concern about the boroughs and districts being asked to take on this liability.

The Executive was informed that Surrey County Council (SCC) Highways team had been working with borough and district authorities to identify and deliver measures to enable safer active travel in the context of social distancing during the Covid-19 pandemic. Some authorities, including this Council, had approached SCC about installing social distancing stickers/decals on pavements to delineate safe distances for queueing. 

It was reported that SCC’s original position had been to not allow these measures, given a host of issues they presented in respect of liability and maintenance, but it had subsequently recognised the need to enable spaces to be as safe as possible as people returned to the high street. SCC had agreed to allow these measures, including decals on pavements, for the period of social distancing; however, boroughs and district authorities would be expected to take over the liability required to ensure the Health and Safety of users of the public spaces.

Members agreed to undertake this liability for the duration that these social distancing measures were required, but also agreed to write to the Leader of SCC expressing concern about its decision to require borough and district authorities to take on this liability.

RESOLVED that

(i)        temporary liability be accepted for social distancing decals on the pavements across the borough which have been purchased and provided by the Council and/or Collectively Camberley BID until the removal of the decals;

(ii)      a letter be sent from the Leader and Acting Chief Executive to the Leader of Surrey County Council expressing concern about the boroughs and districts being asked to take on this liability.