AT A MEETING of the LIGHT RAPID TRANSIT DEVELOPMENT PANEL held at the Castle, Winchester on Wednesday 17 September 2003.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillors: K B Estlin (Chairman); T G Knight; K P J Searle

Portsmouth City Council

Councillor J Patey

Fareham Borough Council

Councillors: J V Bryant; Mrs D M Burton-Jenkins; A Mandry

Gosport Borough Council

Councillors: Mrs I Binfield; P R Edgar; M G Russell

1. 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 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.

2. MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting held on 29 January 2002 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

3. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

There were no Chairman's communications.

4. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

5. SOUTH HAMPSHIRE RAPID TRANSIT-1 PROCUREMENT

The Chairman invited Stephen Nicholson, SHRT-1 Project Director to give the Panel an overview of the current situation in respect of the Project.


The Project Director reminded Members that back in January 2002 confirmation had been received from the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) to proceed with the procurement process. Expressions of interest had been invited from the private sector to design, deliver and operate the SHRT-1 Concession for 30 years and three organisations had been selected to bid for the package. The Secretary of State had then indicated that support for the funding would not be forthcoming and that various options needed to be submitted which would be considered and a decision given by the end of October 2003. If the go ahead was given and it was in line with the request then the procurement process would be completed and bids invited from the two organisations still interested. It was hoped that the contract would be in place in Summer 2004, completed in Autumn 2004 and the trams operating by early 2008.

RESOLVED:

That the Panel noted the update.

6. CORRIDOR DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FOR SOUTH HAMPSHIRE RAPID TRANSIT-1 - FAREHAM-GOSPORT-PORTSMOUTH CORRIDOR

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment and City Engineer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) addressing the need to plan and secure complementary improvements on the South Hampshire Rapid Transit (SHRT-1) Corridor.

The Director of Environment reported that the draft strategy anticipated construction of the Light Rapid Transit and set out a series of proposed complimentary measures. It was an opportunity to provide a clear vision and lead through feeder networks. The strategy sought to set out the vision for the neighbourhood through which Light Rapid Transit would run and it was proposed that following limited consultation, an action plan be developed to underline the strategy and partnership links.

The Director of Environment took Members through the key issues which were Economy, Accessibility, Safety, Integration and Environment and highlighted the main points. Members were then invited to comment on each of the issues and actions to enable an outline plan to be presented for consideration at the next meeting.

Members considered that it would be useful for individual members to produce submissions as well as each Authority which would enable an Outline Plan with broad cost estimates to be produced.

The Chairman indicated that there would be plenty of opportunity for further in depth comments at future meetings of the Panel when the Secretary of State's decision was known and discussions on the key issues was required.



RESOLVED:

(1) That the Panel be invited to comment both as individual Panel Members and Local Authorities on the draft Corridor Development Strategy by the end of October 2003, prior to local consultation and subsequent adoption as a guide for planners, developers and others.


(2) That officers of the four authorities be tasked with identifying the financial implications and project management requirements of implementing the strategy.


(3) That an Outline Plan covering a proposed delivery programme and cost be prepared for consideration by the Panel at its next meeting.

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