Contact: Kevin Ings, ext 6986

1. Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

That the annual report and work programme for the Accessible Transport Strategy be agreed.

2. Reason

2.1 To agree the new work programme for the Accessible Transport Strategy for implementation and circulation.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 Taking no action.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or a Member or Officer consulted - None.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: Date:

Councillor K B Estlin

7. Introduction

7.1 This report outlines a work programme for implementing the Accessible Transport Strategy over the next 12 months.

8. Background

8.1 The Accessible Transport Strategy was formally launched by the County Council in September 2000. The strategy was the culmination of two years' work, involving over 1,000 voluntary and statutory organisations and transport providers. Older people and disabled people also played a significant part in the process.

8.2 The Accessible Transport Strategy sets out a series of policy objectives which the County Council can take to improve the transport system and make it more accessible for older and disabled people. It aims to guide the County Council in developing a more accessible transport system in Hampshire over the next decade. It also seeks to ensure that the County Council, working in partnership with others, can substantially improve travel opportunities for older and disabled people.

9. Work Programme and Annual Report

9.1 A work programme for implementing the strategy is agreed and announced each year. It sets out the initiatives for each area of the strategy that will be introduced over the following 12 months. This is reviewed at the end of each year through an annual report to ensure that the momentum of implementing the strategy is maintained.

9.2 An annual report on the work which has been undertaken during the last 12 months can be found in the attached appendix. This also contains a proposed work programme for the next 12 months for progressing the strategy. The work programme takes into account the availability of resources to progress the strategy. Once agreed, details of the work programme will be circulated to interested parties to keep them informed about the progress in implementing the strategy. A further annual report will then be presented at the end of the proposed work programme.

10. Conclusion

10.1 This report includes an annual report on how the Accessible Transport Strategy has been implemented over the last year and a work programme for continuing the implementation of this next year.

7677/KI