Contact: A L Stephens, ext 6938 email [email protected]

1. Introduction

1.1 This report comments on the progress made in Street Lighting Maintenance, Column Replacement, Community Safety Initiative and the purchase of energy from April 2004 onward.

2. Street Lighting Maintenance

2.1 The maintenance contract continues to produce good results with over 99% of all lights on at any one time. Three of the five contract key performance indicators (KPIs) are currently being met to the standard set down for the first year of the contract. However, for various reasons, the completion of ordered works and the reduction in repeat visits has not yet reached the desired level. It is hoped that further progress will be made towards achieving the second year KPI targets whilst at the same time continuing the partnering arrangement with the contractor to achieve further improvements in the service. For reference, the KPIs are listed in the Appendix.

3. Column Replacements

3.1 Phase I of the column replacement programme for the present year commenced on time and is currently on target for completion at the end of March 2004. Phase II is due to start in September with a similar completion date.

3.2 The list of sites where street lighting is being replaced during this current year is as follows:

2003/4 Column Replacement Programme Phase 1

(i) Hounsdown Close, Totton - works completed;

(ii) Water Lane, Hythe - works currently under way; and

(iii) Beech Crescent, Hythe - awaiting commencement.

3.3 The County Council did consider making an `expression of interest' for Private Finance Initiative (PFI) funding from the Government for the replacement of its street lighting stock. However, after taking into consideration all the factors it was decided that a bid at this stage would not be successful due to the estimated low rate of return on the investment. Other means of funding the £50 million required to replace approximately 50,000 lighting units over the next 10 years will now need to be considered.

4. Community Safety Initiative (CSI)

4.1 The CSI programme for 2003/04 has been confirmed by the Executive Member for Environment and work will now proceed to install approximately 120 columns between now and the end of the current financial year. The programme for the New Forest area is as follows:

2003/04 Community Safety Initiative Programme

(i) Lyndhurst Road, Beaulieu;

(ii) Betsy Lane, Bransgore;

(iii) Romsey Road, Copythorne;

(iv) Greenbanks Close, Milford-on-Sea;

(v) Long Lane, Marchwood;

(vi) Main Road, Marchwood; and

(vii) Twiggs Lane, Marchwood.

4.2 The contractor's work programme is currently being prepared and it is therefore not possible at this stage to report on the timing of works on the ground.

5. Energy

5.1 The present energy supply contract with Scottish and Southern Energy will end on 31 March 2004.

5.2 Steps are now being taken to procure the supply of energy from April 2004 which, in all probability, will be through the Local Government Central Buying Consortium (CBC). Rates for a range of options are being requested, which include 100% brown to 100% green energy. Whilst the final solution will in part depend upon the price, the County Council will endeavour to increase the percentage of `green' energy it purchases.

Recommendation

That this report be noted.

8175/ALS