Archived decisions

Contact: Tony Stephens, ext 6938

1. Summary

1.1 This report covers:

(i) Street Lighting Maintenance Contract;

(ii) Column Replacement Programmes 2002/03 and 2003/04;

(iii) Energy Contract;

(iv) Community Safety Initiative 2002/03 and 2003/04; and

(v) Street Lighting Policy.

2. Street Lighting Maintenance Contract

2.1 The Street Lighting Maintenance Contract continues to provide a high percentage of 'lights on' across the county. There are still some administrative issues to be resolved by the contractor, including completion of the supply of specialist vehicles.

2.2 In addition, the contractor is considering administrative changes which it is hoped will reduce overheads and ensure the consolidation of Southern Electric Contracting's lighting services within the county.

3. Column Replacement Programmes 2002/03 and 2003/04

3.1 The column replacement programme was instigated some 10 years ago to counter the problem of decaying street lighting columns. Initially, this was a problem with concrete columns, but it became apparent that steel columns were also corroding - some from within - and there was an urgent need to start a programme of replacement.

3.2 In 1997 a programme of detailed visual and tactile structural inspection was introduced as part of the cyclic maintenance programme. Since then the information gleaned from those inspections has been used to plan and prioritise the annual programme. Now recording of these inspections is being transcribed onto the Street Lighting Information Management System computer database to provide a more easily accessible stream of information. This will also be supplemented by a system of electronic testing when a suitable inexpensive system becomes available. In 2003/04 the budget for this work will, subject to confirmation, be £1.2 million.

3.3 This aspect of the county-wide maintenance contract is generally working well and, whilst there has been some overall slippage, the 2002/03 programme should be completed by the end of March 2003.

3.4 There were no replacement lighting schemes scheduled for completion in the Test Valley area for the year 2002/03.

3.5 During 2003/04 street lighting in The Harrage, Romsey is, subject to confirmation, scheduled to be replaced.

4. Energy Contract

4.1 The energy contract continues to operate in a satisfactory manner. A problem of underpayment due to inventory summary problems at Scottish and Southern Energy will be resolved by the end of February.

4.2 Discussions with the Local Authority Central Buying Consortium will recommence in mid-summer to consider the form of a new supply contract for April 2004, when the possibility of increasing the `green' energy content of this contract will be considered.

5. Community Safety Initiative 2002/03 and 2003/04

5.1 The programme for 2002/03 for this popular partnership initiative has now been completed. Additional street lights have been erected in the following roads:

(i) A27 Chilworth Road, Chilworth;

(ii) Nutburn Road, North Baddesley;

(iii) Rectory Lane, Penton Grafton;

(iv) Eastfield Road/London Road footpath, Andover; and

(v) Belmont Close, Andover.

A further scheme at Suffolk Road, Andover is held in abeyance pending the outcome of public consultation.

5.2 Letters requesting bids for the forthcoming financial year have been sent out, with the anticipation of a further programme of value £120,000 county-wide for 2003/04.

6. Street Lighting Policy

6.1 Following a service review in 1999, the County Council revised its street lighting policy, which was confirmed by the Executive Member for Environment in early 2002. The document has now been published and engineering and planning departments of local authorities throughout Hampshire will be sent copies, which should assist them in dealing with planning applications. The aim is to reduce the effects of light pollution, light trespass and energy wastage. Further copies of the Policy Document will be supplied by the Lighting Section on request.

Recommendation

That the report be noted.

7727/ALS