Archived decisions

Contact: Peter Bayless, ext 6882 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

That, unless superseded by new agreements, existing Agency arrangements with District Councils for the delivery of highway-related services on Traffic Management, Development Control,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implementation continue from 1 October 2003 for a period of six months, or until such time as these arrangements are superseded, whichever is the sooner.

2. Reason

2.1 At the Decision Meeting on 11 March 2003 the Agency arrangements with District Councils which remained following the transfer of highway maintenance functions to the County Council were extended for a period of six months from 1 April 2003.

2.2 Discussions were already in progress at that time on new draft Agreements for Traffic Management and a review was also being undertaken of the Development Control function. At the same time it was recognised that separate agreements with District Councils would need to be considered for the continuation of grass cutting and tree maintenance and also for the delivery of some capital programme schemes.

2.3 A new Traffic Management Agency Agreement has been concluded with New Forest District Council and it is anticipated that a new Agreement will be signed by Winchester City Council shortly, but other District Councils postponed a decision on whether to take up the offer of Traffic Management Agency until the outcome of the Development Control review was known. In the event, the consultation process for the Development Control review took longer than anticipated and the decision on future arrangements was not taken until 23 July 2003, leaving insufficient time to conclude new agreements before 30 September.

2.4 To avoid any discontinuity and allow for a smooth transition in the delivery of services, it would be sensible to extend the existing arrangements for those functions still undertaken by District Councils for a further period of six months. It is felt that this would allow for further agreements to be negotiated or the necessary alternative arrangements put into place, including staff transfers, as appropriate.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 To allow the current arrangements to expire on 30 September 2003, before new agreements with District Councils or suitable alternative arrangements 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

8164/PDB