Archived decisions

AT A MEETING of the ENVIRONMENT POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE held on Monday 17 September 2001 at The Castle, Winchester.

PRESENT:

Councillors: J.K. Glen (Chairman); Mrs P.G. Banks; Mrs E.M. Byrom; J.E. Coles; A.P. Collett; C.R.H. Davidovitz; Mrs P.M. Devereux; A.G. Dowden; M.S. Geddes; K. House; P.R.C. Hutcheson; R.J. Kimber; T.G. Knight; S. Leyland; P. Luffman; R.C. McIntosh; M.J. Roberts; Miss J.D. Wride.

1. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

    (i) Committee Members and Officers

    The Chairman welcomed Members to the first meeting of the Environment Policy Review Committee and introduced Officers.

    (ii) Transport Network Improvements Challenge Workshops

    A list of workshops being run by the County Surveyor's Department, was circulated. The following Members would attend:

    Councillor J.K. Glen, Councillor K. House and Councillor P. Luffman.

2. POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEES AND THE CONSTITUTION

The Committee received and noted the report of the Chief Executive (Item 1 in the Minute Book) setting out the provisions of the Constitution insofar as they related to Policy Review Committees. The Committee were reminded of their three areas of core business:-

    (i) Policy Development

    (ii) Scrutiny of Executive Member decisions

    (iii) Best Value

3. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

The Minutes of the Best Value Review Panel (Environment) (Item 2 in the Minute Book) were confirmed by the Committee as a correct record and signed by the Chairman subject to the deletion of the word "to" bullet point 2 of Item 27 - Chairman's Communications.

4. THE BEST VALUE ROLE AND PROGRAMME FOR THE ENVIRONMENT POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Executive (Item 3 in the Minute Book) outlining the County Council's approach to Best Value, the five year programme and the current review programme for this Committee.

The Committee received a presentation by Duncan Savage, Corporate Best Value Team, Chief Executive's Department, followed by a question and answer session. In particular the County Council's statutory obligation to deliver a copy of the Best Value Performance Plan to every household in Hampshire was noted. It was confirmed that a summary version of the Performance Plan had been distributed via the County Council's Hampshire Now publication.

A publication by the Audit Commission entitled "Another Step Forward" was circulated to Members for information. Additional copies could be obtained from the Corporate Best Value Team.

The Best Value Review timetable for the Committee was noted and Members were aware of the opportunities to be involved in the reviews.

5. A NEW FOREST NATIONAL PARK: PROPOSED BOUNDARY
A NEW FOREST NATIONAL PARK: PROPOSED SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS

The Committee considered the report of the County Planning Officer (Item 4 in the Minute Book) on two consultation documents published by the Countryside Agency relating to the proposed boundary and proposed special arrangements for the establishment of a National Park Authority for the New Forest and the issues involved.

A full discussion ensued during the course of which a number of detailed amendments were made to the recommendations in response to Members' concerns.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet on 19 September 2001 be recommended to inform the Countryside Agency that:

    (i) the boundary for the New Forest National Park as proposed by the Countryside Agency be supported; and

    (ii) that the County Council is not convinced that a traditional National Park Authority is the appropriate solution because of the special characteristics of the area and its lack of direct democratic accountability and accordingly the County Council strongly urges that a tailor made solution be devised for the New Forest and wishes the following observations to be taken into account in respect of drawing up special arrangements for a New Forest National Park Authority:-

    Issue 1    : The County Council would wish a tailor-made solution to be devised for the New Forest, involving new or amended existing legislation, which would take full account of the needs of commoning and the integration of Crown land. In the absence of a tailor-made solution, then it is essential that the Government publishes a circular emphasising the unique qualities of the New Forest.

    Issue 2    : The County Council is concerned at the lack of direct democratic accountability associated with National Park Authorities but agrees that, in the absence of a tailor-made solution, the Verderers, the Commoners, the Forestry Commission and English Nature should be represented on the proposed National Park Authority.

    Issue 3    :     The County Council supports the proposal for issuing special advice to promote integrated working between the proposed National Park Authority and other parties.

    Issue 4    : The County Council would prefer transfer of responsibility for preparation of development plans back to the Local Authorities but the County Council accepts the Countryside Agency's preferred option for the preparation of development plans.

    Issue 5    : The County Council welcomes the proposal to recommend the delegation of development control to the existing local authorities.

    Issue 6    : The County Council agrees that how land is managed is crucial to conserving the New Forest, but requests that further consideration be given to the respective roles of the Forestry Commission and the proposed National Park Authority in the management of Crown land.

    Issue 7    : In respect of visitor management the County Council agrees that rights of way should remain the responsibility of the highway authorities; it further requests that the Countryside Agency addresses heritage-related issues more specifically and, in particular, how the historical, archaeological and architectural character of the New Forest is to be conserved and enhanced.

    Issue 8    : The County Council supports the need to involve local expertise in the work of the proposed National Park Authority and suggests that this can be developed from existing structures.

    Issue 9    : The County Council supports the wide involvement of different interests in the work of the proposed National Park Authority and supports the further development of the New Forest Consultative Panel as a model for partnership working.

6. BEST VALUE SERVICE REVIEW - SCOPING REPORT FOR APPROVAL

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Executive (Item 5 in the Minute Book) seeking approval of the scoping report for the Service Review of Environment Grouping Policy Development. In support of the report the Committee received a presentation from Stuart Roberts, Team Leader in the County Planning Department.

The Committee considered that three Members should join the extended team for the review of Environment Grouping Policy Development.

RESOLVED:

    (i) That the scope of the review of Environment Grouping Policy Development be agreed as covering:

      · the preparation of policies within the Environment Grouping, advice on their implementation and progress monitoring

      and excluding the following functions which are included in other Best Value reviews:

      · the preparation of corporate policies and plans, which are included in the cross-cutting review of Policy, Planning and Performance

    (ii) That the approach to the review outlined in the project brief and the
    timetable provided in the project plan be approved.

    (iii) That Members be appointed to:-.

    (a) Review of Environment Grouping Policy Development
    (extended team)

    R.J. Kimber (reserve - Mrs P.G. Banks)
    K. House (reserve - A.G. Dowden)
    M.J. Roberts (reserve - P. Luffman)

    (b) Stakeholder Workshops

    Mrs P.G. Banks
    Mrs E.M. Byrom
    A.G. Dowden
    K. House
    R.J. Kimber
    R.C. McIntosh
    M.J. Roberts

7. 20 MPH SPEED LIMITS IN RURAL AREAS

The Committee considered the report of the County Surveyor (Item 6 in the Minute Book) reviewing the current position on 20 mph speed limits in rural areas. The County Surveyor reported on the proposal that the parish of Crondall be selected as a pilot project, with a view to a further report being submitted in due course on the results of monitoring and to consider whether the wider use of 20 mile per hour speed limits would be appropriate.

RESOLVED:

That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Executive Member for Environment that the implementation of the proposed 20 mph speed limit at Crondall, as a pilot project be approved; and that a further report be considered in due course on the effects of this scheme and the other pilot projects at Ringwood, Havant and Liphook.

8. HAMPSHIRE PARKING STRATEGY AND STANDARDS 2001

The Committee considered a report of the County Surveyor (Item 7 in the Minute Book) detailing the revised Hampshire parking strategy and standards 2001. The County Surveyor gave a presentation, during which he explained that in Appendix 3, page 6, Table 3 under the heading Car Parking Standard - Maximum Parking Limit, the box against "Food Retail" should have read "1 space per 14 sq.m. covered areas" rather than "per 18 sq.m."

RESOLVED:

    (i) That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Executive Member for Environment to approve the revised `Hampshire Parking Strategy and Standards 2001' as amended for consideration as Supplementary Planning Guidance.

    (ii) That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Hampshire Strategic Planning Joint Advisory Panel to adopt the revised `Hampshire Parking Strategy and Standards 2001' as approved by the Executive Member of the Environment as Supplementary Planning Guidance to the County Structure Plan (Review).

    (iii) That the process and result of the consultation be noted.

9. LOCAL BUS SERVICE BUDGET - 2001/02

The Committee considered the report of the County Surveyor (Item 8 in the Minute Book) informing Members of pressures within the budget for the support of local bus services and action required. A short presentation was made and an amendment to paragraph 7.1 was brought to Members' attention as follows:-

The over-commitment quoted in the first line of paragraph 7.1 was corrected from "£197,200" to "£203,400".

The Committee considered the options numbered (i) to (iv) in paragraph 7.1. The Committee's preferred options, to be forwarded to the Executive Member for Environment as a matter of urgency, were options (i) and (iv) together with a further option as reflected in the resolutions.

RESOLVED:

That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Executive Member for Environment:

    (i) that contributions to be confirmed from District Councils, with the aim of securing at least £100,000 by this method by the end of September;

    (ii) that additional funding totalling up to £73,400 be identified for 2001/02 assuming that option (i) is successful, rising to £173,400 if this is not the case and that accordingly additional funding of £100,000 be identified for contingency purposes.

    (iii) that the County Council makes representations to Government for extra funds.

10. BLACKWATER VALLEY BUS SERVICE 1 PRIORITY ROUTE

The Committee considered the report of the County Surveyor (Item 9 in the Minute Book) reviewing the progress made on the main transport strategy scheme in the capital programme for the north-east of the county and seeking approval to implement Phase 1. It was intended that construction of the first Phase would commence in early 2002.

RESOLVED:

That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Executive Member for Environment to approve Phase 1 of the Blackwater Valley Bus Service 1 Priority Route for implementation.

11. REVIEWING THE ADOPTED HAMPSHIRE COUNTY STRUCTURE PLAN

The Committee considered the report of the County Planning Officer (Item 10 in the Minute Book) and endorsed commencement of the review of the Hampshire County Structure Plan.

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