Hampshire County Council

Recreation & Heritage Policy Review Committee

27 June 2002 Item 5

Executive Member - Recreation and Heritage Item 4

18 July 2002

Recreational Cycling Strategy 2002-2006

Report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage

Contact: Julie Amies ext 6029

1. Introduction

1.1 This report seeks approval for the Recreational Cycling Strategy (subject to consultation with the Executive Member for the Environment) and the permanent appointment of the Recreational Cycling Officer (subject to 50% funding from Environment). It also requests that the Executive Member for the Environment be asked to consider providing financial support, up to £100k, for the implementation of the strategy via the Local Transport Plan (LTP).

2. Background

2.1 At a meeting of the Policy Review Committee on 27 June 2002, members welcomed the report on the Recreational Cycling Strategy.

2.2 Members requested that an additional section be included in the draft strategy to work with transport organisations to encourage the provision of carriers for cycles as part of an integrated transport plan. The draft strategy has been amended accordingly.

3. Legal Implications

3.1 The County Council is able to utilise its powers under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 to provide assistance of any kind for recreational facilities. The powers include the provision to provide for buildings, equipment, supplies and assistance of any kind relating to athletic, social or recreational purposes.

4. Financial Implications

4.1 The appointment of the recreational cycling officer will incur a cost of approximately £24,000 (pay award pending) per annum. It is proposed that the existing arrangement of meeting these costs 50:50 with the Environment Grouping be continued. The Recreation and Heritage Department's contribution can continue to be met from the existing sports development budget.

4.2 An assessment of costs to implement the strategy on a year on year basis is expected to reach £100k with additional income being raised externally from District Councils, sale of off-road cycle packs, commercial partners and various sources of grant funding, including a potential share, albeit a small one, of the £2m `Cycling Projects Fund'. Progress on implementation will very much depend on the availability of LTP funding.

5. Recommendations

5.1 That subject to consultation with the Executive Member for the Environment, that the Recreational Cycling Strategy 2002-2006 be adopted.

That, subject to matched funding from Environment, the post of Recreational Cycling Officer be made permanent.

That the Executive Member for the Environment be asked to give consideration to making a contribution of £100k from the Local Transport Plan budget to support the completion of the strategic network of cycle routes.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - Background Documents

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB the list excludes:

1. Published works

2. Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the act.

None