Archived decisions

Contact: Brian Millen, tel 01256 764444

1. Summary

1.1 This report informs Members of:

(i) Reorganisation of the Environment Department.

(ii) Blueprint update.

2. Reorganisation of the Environment Department

2.1 The County Surveyor's and Planning Departments of Hampshire County Council have, during the past few years, worked together in the form of the `Environment Grouping' with a Joint Management Board and common support services. John Ekins, the County Surveyor, retired in January 2003 and the opportunity has been taken to restructure the two departments into a single Environment Department under the control of a Director.

2.2 The new Director, Alison Quant, took up the post on 28 October 2002, having joined the County Council from the London Borough of Richmond-upon-Thames, where she held the post of Director of Environment. Prior to that she was Assistant Director of Environment and Transport at Cambridgeshire County Council.

2.3 The former Deputy County Surveyor, David Tarrant, has been appointed to the post of Deputy Director of Environment, with responsibility for Strategy and Resources. The various branches within the former departments have been reorganised, each under the management of an Assistant Director. Appointments have been made to these 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.

3. Blueprint Update

3.1 Hampshire Highways North has been fully operational in Hart and Basingstoke from 1 October 2002. The Assistant Chief Engineer for Hart is Phil Samms and for Basingstoke Peter Eade.

3.2 Arrangements with Rushmoor are being finalised, the date for ending the agency arrangements is 1 April 2003.

3.3 The Hart Sub-Unit is currently operating from the Motorway Compound at Hook, but will relocate to Hart District Council's offices in Fleet from April 2003.

3.4 In addition to the Assistant Chief Engineer for Hart, the Sub-Unit also includes Peter Rooney as Principal Engineer and three local Highway Engineers - Colin Harris, Robert Hopkins and Donald Richards. An administrative assistant will also be appointed to coincide with the transfer to Fleet.

3.5 The local Highway Engineers are responsible for the day-to-day maintenance of the highway in specific areas of Hart. These area are defined by parish boundaries and major roads. A summary of each of the areas covered is included in Appendix 2.

Recommendation

That this report be noted.

7893/BGM

APPENDIX 2

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR

LOCAL HIGHWAY ENGINEERS IN THE HART AREA