AT A MEETING of the EASTLEIGH HIGHWAY MANAGEMENT ADVISORY PANEL held on Friday 11 April 2003 at the Civic Offices, Eastleigh.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillors: C.R.H. Davidovitz (Chairman); P.R. Brown; Mrs. P.G.E. Holden-Brown; P. Luffman

Eastleigh Borough Council

Councillors: D.J.A. Airey; W.J. Irish; M.J. Kyrle; G.G. Olson, OBE; P.E. Spearey.

13. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should normally at the time of the debate, declare their interest and, having regard to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the County Council's Code of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed.

14. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 14 October 2002, were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

15. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman announced that he was in consultation with officers at both Hampshire County and Eastleigh Borough Councils with a view to the re-introduction of the `Check It Out Sam' scheme which allowed residents to notify the Authority of minor highway defects. He stated that it was a potential pilot scheme for the whole of the County. It was hoped that Hantsweb and Eastleigh Borough Council's website would be used to publicise the scheme. It was proposed to rename the scheme `Hampshire Road Check', but this was to be discussed and the Chairman welcomed suggestions from Members.

16. DEPUTATIONS

No requests to make a deputation to the Panel had been received.

17. ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT REORGANISATION AND BLUEPRINT UPDATE

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 5 in the Minute Book) informing Members of the reorganisation of the Environment Department and a Blueprint update.

It was reported that the Management Team was now in place and that a further three appointments of Assistant Director had been made:

(i) Alan Mills - Management


(ii) Stuart Reynolds - Design and Implementation


(iii) Merrick Denton-Thompson - Performance and Innovation


RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

18. HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE PROGRAMMES 2002/03 AND 2003/04

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 6 in the Minute Book) outlining the progress with the 2002/03 Highways Maintenance Programme and detailing the 2003/04 Highways Maintenance Budget and Programme.

The Programme was discussed in detail and it was noted that whilst the priority for the work relied on the HAMP ratings the Panel's views would be taken into account.

The Panel welcomed the Additional Special Maintenance Scheme for footways (2003/04).

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

19. STREET LIGHTING PROGRAMMES 2002/03 AND 2003/04

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 7 in the Minute Book) detailing the Street Lighting Maintenance Contract, Column Replacement Programmes 2002/03 and 2003/04, and Street Lighting Policy.

Members raised detailed queries and Officers informed the Panel that a written response would be sent to them in due course.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

20. MINOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAMME 2002/03 AND 2003/04 AND OTHER CAPITAL SCHEMES

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 8 in the Minute Book) outlining the progress with the 2002/03 Under £10,000 Minor Capital Works Programme; the 2003/04 Minor Works Budget and the 2003/04 Under £10,000 Minor Works Programme.

The Panel agreed that the priority order of three schemes that should be put forward for inclusion in the 2003/04 Minor Capital Works Programme:

(i) Chestnut Avenue, Eastleigh


(ii) Hound Road, Hound


(iii) Fair Oak Road, Fair Oak


RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Environment be advised that the following schemes, listed in order of priority, be included in the Minor Works Capital Programme for 2003/04:


(i) Chestnut Avenue, Eastleigh


(ii) Hound Road, Hound


(iii) Fair Oak Road, Fair Oak

20. CASUALTY REDUCTION AND SAFER ROUTES TO SCHOOL CAPITAL PROGRAMMES

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 9 in the Minute Book) outlining the progress of the Casualty Reduction and the Safer Routes to Schools Programmes.

Officers gave brief details of work being carried out in nine schools in the Eastleigh Borough Council area. A list with these details was to be distributed to the Panel in due course.

Councillor Olson praised work carried out so far, but reinforced the importance of work carrying on and clarification of where funding came from.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

21. EASTLEIGH TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

The Panel considered the report of the Head of Engineering (Eastleigh Borough Council) (Item 10 in the Minute Book) bringing Members up to date on progress made in respect of traffic management and new issues arising.

The Panel welcomed progress reported on clearing the backlog of Traffic Regulation Orders together with the additional work associated with the preparation for the introduction of decriminalised parking in the Borough.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

22. HAMPSHIRE HIGHWAYS ABANDONED VEHICLES

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 11 in the Minute Book) outlining the issues associated with dealing with abandoned vehicles, the legislative framework and the division of responsibilities between authorities.

It was reported that there had been a steady increase in the costs involved when abandoned vehicles were removed and that Government only provide a small amount of money towards this. A new legislative framework was due to be implemented in 2007, which would mean the vehicle producer would be required to meet all or a significant part of the cost of collection and treatment of vehicles that have no or negative value.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

23. QUALITY BUS PARTNERSHIP AND PROJECT PHOENIX

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 12 in the Minute Book) updating Members on the development and implementation of the Eastleigh Quality Bus Partnership and Project Phoenix.

It was reported that Solent Blue Line had been awarded the contract for the bus network for Eastleigh and that a launch date of 18 May 2003 had been agreed. It was important that Hampshire County and Eastleigh Borough Councils work closely with Solent Blue Line and to aid them as much as possible to achieve an effective and efficient service.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

24. BEST VALUE PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment covering the Best Value Performance Indicators reported for 2001/02 concerning the condition of the highway network in Hampshire.

It was reported that Members of the Panel were to be invited to a workshop relating to how Highways are rated, details of this will be sent to Members direct.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

25. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

RESOLVED:

That the next meeting of the Panel be held on 17 October 2003 at 10.00 a.m. at Eastleigh Borough Council Offices.

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