COUNTY COUNCIL - ENVIRONMENT - 16 MAY 2002

REPORT OF THE

EXECUTIVE MEMBER

Environment

PART II

HIGHWAYS NETWORK AGENCY REVIEW - IMPLEMENTATION

1. The new Highways Network Management Structure is now being implemented incrementally. Arising from the Network Management Pathfinder Best Value Review, the new arrangements will improve efficiency and achieve greater accountability with regard to the Highways Network Management services.

2. The County will be divided into four Highways Units, each consisting of a number of sub-units based on district council areas as follows:-

North Rushmoor, Hart, Basingstoke and Deane

East East Hampshire, Winchester and Eastleigh

South Havant, Fareham and Gosport

West Test Valley and New Forest

Each Highway Unit will be headed by a Chief Engineer and supported by up to three Assistant Chief Engineers thus forming the Management Team for the Highways Unit. Each Assistant Chief Engineer will have Unit-wide responsibilities, including special maintenance works, inspections and regular maintenance coordination in addition to managing the Highways Team.

3. The implementation of the Highways Network Management Units will also see the introduction of a new Customer Service System, with a modern electronic database to provide a more uniform and streamlined service to the public. In the longer term, it is intended to provide links to existing district customer service systems to enable effective exchange of information between authorities.

4. The new arrangements commence in Fareham, Gosport, Havant, Test Valley and Winchester District Councils on 1 May 2002, to include traffic management partnership. It is anticipated that all district councils will have moved to the new arrangements by spring 2003.

5. At its meeting on 28 March 2002 the County Council approved the establishment of new, formal member liaison arrangements between the County Council and each district council for local highway management. Advisory Panels are being set up, the terms of reference of which are:

(a) To receive reports on highway management topics and programmes, to offer advice and recommendations to the Highway Unit Manager and to monitor and review highway management activities;


(b) To receive reports on the implementation of traffic management schemes in the Area Transport Strategy programmes relating to that district, to monitor and review progress on those schemes and to offer advice and recommendation as appropriate to the relevant project managers.


The County Councillors whose County Electoral Divisions fall within the area of the district will be the County Council's representatives on the panels together with a County Councillor as chairman, appointed by the Executive Member for Environment. Each district will appoint members in equivalent numbers to the number of County Councillors in the district.

The first formal meeting of each Panel will take place as soon as possible after the district concerned has moved to the new arrangements. Initially, there will be an informal meeting to enable the County Council to set the scene and outline its aims and objectives as to the role and function of the panel and operating arrangements. Meetings will be held in the locality of each district and it is anticipated that the first formal round of meetings for those Councils that have moved to the new arrangements will be held during the autumn.

6. A great deal of work has been done in close consultation with the district councils and with local Members to reach this position. All staff involved are to be congratulated on the successful outcome of the review. This good work will go on to ensure a smooth transition to the new working arrangements and continued efficiency and effectiveness.

KEITH B. ESTLIN

Executive Member

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