Contact: Chris Lait, tel: 01329 824485

1. Summary

1.1 This report details progress with implementation of:

(i) the Environment Department management structure;

(ii) the Highway Network Management Blueprint; and

(iii) Hampshire Highways South management arrangements.

2. Environment Department Management Structure

2.1 When the Panel met on 19 November 2002 the operational activities of the former County Surveyor's and Planning Departments had been restructured into four broad operational areas and the five posts forming the Environment Departmental Management Board were in the process of selection.

2.2 At that point, the former Deputy County Surveyor, David Tarrant, had been appointed to the post of Deputy Director of Environment, with responsibility for Strategy and Resources.

2.3 Appointments have now been made to the Assistant Director posts, as follows:

(i) Alan Mills - Management;

(ii) Stuart Reynolds - Design and Implementation; and

(iii) Merrick Denton-Thompson - Performance and Innovation.

The revised structure, broken down by function, is shown in Appendix 1.

2.4 Minor restructuring of some operational branches and teams will be required but the new management arrangements for the delivery of the network management and highway maintenance service will remain unchanged.

3. Highway Network Management Blueprint

3.1 As previously reported, the County Council commenced implementation of the Highway Network Management Blueprint in May 2002. The new arrangements have involved the transfer of highways maintenance staff from district and borough councils to the County Council. Currently, only Rushmoor Borough Council continues to deliver the highways maintenance service within its administrative area under a highway agency agreement. This agreement will cease on 31 March 2003, at which time the new arrangements will have been implemented in full and the service will be delivered in a consistent fashion county-wide under `Hampshire Highways'.

3.2 The draft traffic management agreement, including clauses to permit capital works design and environmental maintenance, has been forwarded to Gosport Borough Council for consideration. However, it is not expected that the full legal agreement will be signed and in place by March 2003. To ensure continuity of service, a further letter of extension to the existing agency arrangements has been issued.

3.3 Consultation on the review of Development Control Services is still ongoing. District Councils had requested an extension to the period for response to enable full member consultation to be carried out. The County Council have therefore extended the period for responses and on conclusion will report to future meetings of the Environment Policy Review Committee and the Executive Member for the Environment.

4. Hampshire Highways Gosport

4.1 The Gosport office is fully staffed and the office has been equipped to comply with Health and Safety standards. IT provision has also been completed with a link to the Geographical Information System established.

4.2 An updated establishment chart for Hampshire Highways South is attached as Appendix 2. In addition, a detail of staff and their main duties within Hampshire Highways Gosport, together with useful contact telephone numbers, is attached as Appendix 3.

Recommendation

That this report be noted.

7880/CL

APPENDIX 3

PRINCIPAL DUTIES FOR HAMPSHIRE HIGHWAYS GOSPORT STAFF

Andy Peryer (Assistant Chief Engineer) Overall management of Gosport local office, local member contact point, routine maintenance contractor liaison.

Dave Douglass (Principal Engineer) dealing with claims against the Highway Authority, road opening agreements, gully cleansing and general support to Assistant Chief Engineer.

Dave Gouge (Assistant Highway Engineer) highway inspections, routine maintenance for Elson, Town Centre and Southern Gosport, inspection of utility works.

Tony Batt (Assistant Highway Engineer) Highway inspections, routine maintenance for Lee on the Solent, Bridgemary and Rowner, inspection of utility works.

Leon Churchill (Highway Engineer) delivery of special maintenance schemes and routine maintenance.

Tim Coffin (Highway Engineer) delivery of special maintenance schemes, highway status enquiries, routine maintenance and vehicle crossings.

Ross Rawlings (Technician) skip, scaffold and materials licences, unauthorised vehicle crossings, surface dressing and will assist on safety inspections from April 2003.

Beverley Radcliffe and Carole Brailey - Administrative support.

All officers can be contacted by telephone on 02392 545570

Office hours 8.45 - 17.15 (16.45 Friday)

or e-mail at [email protected]

Out of hours calls for highway emergencies are handled by the police call centre

0845 045 45 45