Contact: Peter Bayless, ext 6882

1. Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

That existing Agency arrangements with District Councils for the delivery of highway related services on Traffic Management, Development Control, grass cutting and tree maintenance, and capital programme scheme preparation, design and implementation continue from 1 April 2003, for a period of six months or until such time as a further Agreement is concluded to supersede these arrangements (if sooner).

2. Reason

2.1 Existing Agency arrangements with District Councils for highway functions were extended until 31 March 2003. The highway maintenance elements of these functions have been transferred to direct delivery by the County Council in all districts except Rushmoor, where the transfer will take place on 1 April 2003.

2.2 The offer has been made to district councils to continue with or take up traffic management responsibilities and many have accepted in principle, subject to finalising a legal agreement. Discussions are in progress on a draft legal agreement but this may not be signed in all cases by 31 March 2003. At the same time, it has become clear that it would be desirable to consider further agreements to provide for the continuation of grass cutting and tree maintenance activities by district councils and also the delivery of some capital programme schemes.

2.3 A review is in progress of Development Control functions which are also included in existing Agency arrangements. Consultations are currently in progress but it is not certain when decisions will be made on how these functions will be delivered in future. Some district councils are postponing a decision on whether to take up the Traffic Management option until the outcome of the Development Control review is known.

2.4 It would be sensible, therefore, for the existing arrangements covering those functions still undertaken by district councils to be extended until such time as these issues are resolved and new agreements concluded.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 To allow the current arrangements to expire on 31 March 2003, before new agreements with District Councils are in place, would lead to immediate difficulties in the delivery of these services.

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

7790/PDB