Contact: Chris Williams, ext 6720 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

That, subject to the availability of finance, approval be given to the Country Towns Initiative programme for 2004/05 and 2005/06 as follows:

Expenditure (£000s)

2004/05

Hythe Promenade 95

Romsey, Church Place 76

Andover High Street 50

Odiham town centre 30

Supplementary Schemes: Fordingbridge Market Place 2 5



Total 256



2005/06

Odiham town centre 200

Supplementary Schemes: Swanmore Centre 50

Unallocated 6



Total 256

2. Reason

2.1 In order to implement the Country Towns Initiative programme which currently has an annual budget provision of £256,000

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 Alternative candidate schemes have been considered in consultation with district councils, having regard to their content, scale and timing, but rejected in order to maintain a balance between competing interests and compliance with the approved objectives of the programme.

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

7. Introduction

7.1 This report makes recommendations regarding the allocation of the 2004/06 Country Towns Initiative (CTI) budget. Normal practice is to maintain a three year rolling programme and this has proved successful.

7.2 Uncertainty regarding the future Local Transport Plan capital programme and the difficulty, therefore, of identifying highway schemes as possible candidate partners have delayed the roll forward of the programme. To maintain momentum the programme for the current year - 2003/04 - was approved on 24 June 2003 and it was noted that a further report be brought forward as soon as possible for 2004/06, the remaining years of the programme. In view of the long lead-in times required for partnership projects of this sort it is important to complete the roll forward of the programme.

8. Aims and Objectives of the Programme

8.1 The broad aim of the programme is to improve the environmental, commercial and economic attractiveness of rural centres by carrying out environmental enhancements, improving safety and making them more attractive and functional places in which to live, work and shop. It reflects County Council corporate strategies towards conservation, economic regeneration and the creation of sustainable rural centres. Working closely with local communities and councils is a key aspect of the programme. This addresses the County Council's aim of creating strong, local partnerships and brings together resources from outside sources.

8.2 The programme's objectives and selection criteria were approved on 24 June 2003 and are attached as an appendix. The recommended schemes have been appraised against these objectives and the extent to which they support the Council's strategic aims and initiatives.

9. Current Programme for 2002/04

9.1 The approved programmes for 2002/03 and 2003/04 comprise the following schemes:

2002/03 Expenditure (£000)

Hythe Promenade 150

Church Place, Romsey 100

___

Total 250

2003/04 Expenditure (£000)

Hythe Promenade 23

Church Place, Romsey 203

Supplementary Schemes: Alton town centre 25

Fordingbridge Market Place 1 5

___

Total 256

The budgets for Hythe Promenade and Church Place, Romsey both include a £3,000 allowance for inflation.

9.2 Schemes at Hythe Promenade and Church Place, Romsey have been the subject of successful public consultation and detailed design and preparation of contracts are in hand. Works in Alton town centre and Fawley Square are in the final stages of completion, whilst works from an earlier programme in Petersfield town centre have recently been officially opened. Works in Fordingbridge Market Place are expected to start later this calendar year.

10. Proposed Programme for 2004/06

10.1 The proposed programme for 2004/06 comprises additional funding for schemes included in the current programme, together with new partnership schemes. All schemes have been assessed against the programme's selection criteria, aims and principles, following consultations with local authorities.

10.2 Project appraisals, where appropriate, will need to be approved before works are authorised to start on site.

10.3 The proposed programme for 2004/06 is as follows:

2004/05 Expenditure (£000)

Hythe Promenade 95

Romsey, Church Place 76

Andover High Street 50

Odiham town centre 30

Supplementary Schemes:

Fordingbridge Market Place - Phase 2 5

___

Total 256

2005/06

Odiham 200

Supplementary Schemes: Swanmore Centre 50

Unallocated 6

___

Total 256

Support for Previously Approved Schemes

10.4 Revised cost estimates for schemes in the approved programme at Hythe and Romsey, details of which are set out below, indicate a shortfall in funding to allow them to proceed as planned. This has arisen for a variety of reasons, including the need to make revisions following public consultations; unforeseen technical issues arising during detailed design work; the specialist, bespoke nature of many items and cost inflation during a lively period of civil engineering construction in the region. The schemes have been reviewed to identify opportunities both for reducing costs and implementing phased arrangements, whilst adhering to the design and quality objectives which guide the programme.

10.5 At the current CTI budget levels, the allocation of funds from the 2004/06 programme to assist currently planned schemes would necessarily limit both the number and scope of future new projects in the programme. However, it is recommended that the benefits of proceeding with schemes which are expected to deliver major benefits, are of a high quality and are known to have strong local support make a strong case for allocating funds to allow them to proceed. It is proposed, therefore, that in the absence of funding from alternative sources, additional support from the 2004/06 programme is sought for the proposed schemes at Hythe and Romsey.

Hythe Promenade

10.6 This is a partnership scheme with New Forest District Council and comprises improvements to the currently badly run-down part of this waterside conservation area, the creation of a public performance and amenity areas, revised car parking, seating, lighting and a public boardwalk. The scheme is linked to the local authority's strategy for conservation, heritage and tourism development and was shown to be very popular locally during the public consultations phase.

10.7 The report to the Executive Member for Environment on 24 June 2003 noted an anticipated shortfall in funding incurred by the necessary redesign of the boardwalk and reassessment of overall scheme costs. The proposed boardwalk is a specialised item and consultants have been commissioned to prepare a design. Current assured funding is £394,000, representing £173,000 CTI, £50,000 highways special maintenance, £169,000 from New Forest District Council and £2,000 from local sponsorship. A contribution of £10,000 is expected from Hythe Parish Council which, when confirmed, would provide total funding of £404,000. A further highways maintenance contribution for 2004/05 is being considered which would allow a later phase of works to be implemented.

10.8 Cost estimates are as follows:

Previous Current

(£000s) (£000s)

Main works 300 408

Contingencies 30 41

Fees 50 50

___ ___

Total 380 499

10.9 Estimated cost savings of £13,000 have already been identified in respect of preliminaries, materials and landscape planting. Some phasing of works will be required to tie in with funding availability. In order to maintain the quality and content of the scheme a contribution from the future budget of £95,000 is proposed.

Romsey, Church Place

10.10 Working in partnership with Test Valley Borough Council, proposals for a major townscape improvement scheme in the vicinity of the Abbey have been prepared with local stakeholders following extensive public consultation. The scheme is linked to the local authority's strategy for conservation, heritage and tourism development. It includes highway paving and traffic calming, planting, seating, lighting and car parking to create an attractive civic, pedestrian/vehicular space capable of being used for public events, as well as traffic and access. The area forms a central part of the footpath link between the Abbey, the tourist information facility, King John's House museum and public car parks. The opening up of a subterranean stream as a street feature is a popular element of the scheme.

10.11 Current estimates indicate a shortfall in funding to implement the full scheme. This includes works in Church Place and on the forecourts of the Social Services building in Church Street.

10.12 The current budget comprises the following:

(i) £303,000 CTI; and

(ii) £25,000 Highways.

A £10,000 contribution from Test Valley Borough Council for consultants' fees has already been spent by the Borough Council.

10.13 It is proposed to concentrate initially on the core part of the scheme, namely in Church Place, leading up to the Abbey. Subject to funding, the Council has approved major highways improvements in Church Street as part of a town centre improvement scheme. These are not included in the current capital programme and will be considered post 2006. Works to the Church Street forecourts may be considered as a future phase to link in to those works.

Current Estimate (£000s)

Main works 307

Contingencies 30

Fees 63

___

Total 400

10.14 In order to secure the core scheme it will be necessary to secure additional funding and a further contribution from the programme of £76,000 is proposed.

10.15 Whilst this scheme achieves high standards of quality and design, in order to achieve financial viability, concrete materials rather than natural stone are proposed for use in the carriageway, representing a cost saving of £50,000. Test Valley Borough Council is considering a further bid from its 2004/05 budget to contribute to the scheme which, if successful, would allow for elements of the wider scheme to be included and for natural stone to be used in the carriageway.

Proposed New Schemes

10.16 The following new schemes are proposed for inclusion in the 2004/06 programme.

Odiham Town Centre

10.17 This partnership scheme with Hart District Council and Odiham Parish Council has been the subject of consultations with Parish Council representatives and other local stakeholders following an earlier approach from the Parish Council. The scheme targets the two medieval footways linking the High Street to The Bury, the historic core of the town, and The Bury itself.

10.18 Works to upgrade the fabric of Stoney Alley and Terry's Alley would include repaving, lighting, signing and reviewing access arrangements. The alleys are important but very unattractive links to All Saints Church, the County Council Library and Police station in the Bridewell building. They are poorly paved, dark and uninviting, and personal safety is a key concern. They also form part of the proposed heritage trail, currently the subject of a proposed Heritage Lottery bid by the Parish Council. The future of the Police facility in the Bridewell building, which is being promoted by the Parish Council as a possible heritage centre, is under review. The alleys represent, therefore, important links to these areas of potential opportunity.

10.19 The Bury is a space of great antiquity and importance, reputedly the site of the original settlement. It incorporates the unique, medieval stocks displayed under a timber structure. The space is used mainly for access and car parking, is run down in parts and is entirely tarmacadam surfaced. It provides an unattractive setting to the historic church of All Saints. Works to The Bury would improve the settings to historic features and buildings and would include resurfacing, lighting, traffic calming and revised parking arrangements. The Bury forms a central part of the proposed town trail and the setting to the approach to the Bridewell. Any scheme could also allow for a wider range of civic activities or events in The Bury to improve its use as an economic and cultural resource of the town. Rationalised car parking would improve the setting of the outdoor dining area outside The Bell public house to the benefit of the area's attractiveness.

10.20 Works to the alleys and to the Bury would link conservation objectives to local strategic aims for developing the heritage, cultural and economic base of the town. They fulfil the CTI objectives set out in the appendix and support Corporate Strategy objectives for improving the quality of life, stewardship of the environment and achieving economic prosperity. A contribution of £230,000 phased over two years 2004/06 is therefore proposed.

Andover High Street

10.21 This would be a partnership scheme with Test Valley Borough Council and the opportunity to link to a major scheme of highways and environmental improvement works for the lower High Street being promoted and implemented by the Borough Council.

10.22 The scheme follows the opening of the Chantry Centre extension in the 1990s when it was felt that, following local consultations, investment in the fabric of the town centre was an essential objective both for conservation reasons and also for retail customer attraction to the centre. Environmental enhancements to the upper High Street were completed earlier this year. Proposals for the lower High Street, approved in 1998, have been brought forward and include removal of extraneous car parking in favour of disabled parking and taxis, improved lighting and seating, repaving and resurfacing with high quality materials, the extension of the twice weekly market and the inclusion of a Time Ring feature to commemorate the millennium. Following a public inquiry in 2002 the Secretary of State gave approval for a prohibition of driving order. Approval for funding for the scheme was granted by the full Borough Council on 20 August 2003. Further approvals by the Borough Council regarding street lighting and traffic regulation will be required in due course.

10.23 The historic Guildhall is the focal point of the street, being located at the junction of upper and lower High Street. It is a Grade II* listed building and one of Andover's premier historic buildings at the heart of the town. This is the opportunity to give added value to the Borough scheme to improve the environment immediately around the Guildhall, which is not otherwise included in the proposed works. The works would enhance the setting of the building in its own right and the shopping area surrounding it. The proposed improvements would include remedial works to stone kerbs and paving adjoining the Guildhall, improving seating and street furniture on its forecourt, repairing the decorative Victorian flint surfacing directly to its front and introducing floodlighting, If resources permit, a contribution might also be made towards the proposed resurfacing of all or part of the surrounding highway surfacing with a more appropriate, natural material.

10.24 Test Valley Borough Council has approved funding of £1,142,000. The scheme is at an advanced stage of preparation and a start on site is expected early 2004. A decision on the contribution from the CTI programme is necessary in order to link in to the works contract of the Borough scheme currently in preparation. The proposed scheme accords with the criteria for the CTI programme and it is proposed that a contribution of £50,000 be made to achieve the works set out above.

Supplementary Schemes

10.25 The Supplementary Schemes heading was included previously to allow the programme to respond to unforeseen needs and assist smaller schemes linked to local authority highways and environmental projects. It is also well placed to support the Council's Market Towns programme. This approach has proved successful and it is proposed that it be adopted in the forthcoming programme. It is proposed that the following schemes be included.

Fordingbridge Market Place 2

10.26 The proposed highways improvement scheme for the Market Place, Fordingbridge is included in the highways capital programme and is likely to start this calendar year. A small sum has been approved from this year's CTI budget for tree planting and a future memorial artwork feature as part of the scheme. This element is being promoted and funded substantially by the Fordingbridge Society and Parish Council. The report approved by the Executive Member for Environment on 24 June 2003 noted that special seating would be installed at a future date when the scheme has settled in and a further bid would be submitted to cover the seating. It is therefore proposed that a sum of £5,000 be allocated from the CTI budget for 2004/05.

Swanmore Centre

10.27 Winchester City Council has formally approached the County Council on behalf of Swanmore Parish Council to be included in the CTI programme. Although relatively small, the centre serves a substantial rural catchment and is located at the junction of Church Road and New Road where the shopping parade, church and primary school are located.

10.28 Following its preparation of a Design Statement, the Parish Council recognises the need to create an improved sense of place in the centre and reinforce its role as a local shopping and social centre. Poor quality environment and unattractive front boundaries to the shopping area have an inhibiting effect on the commercial and social success of the centre. Improvement works would include all or some of the following:

(i) renovation of the front car park and boundary to the shopping parade;

(ii) provision of new seating, planting and lighting;

(iii) construction of boundary improvements to the primary school;

(iv) installation of under-grounding of power lines; and

(v) provision of footway improvements.

10.29 Winchester City Council has indicated a willingness to contribute £12,500 and Swanmore Parish Council expects to match this amount. The opportunity would be taken to seek additional sources of funding. Management of the scheme and works would be by the City Council. It is proposed, therefore, to contribute a sum of £50,000 from the Supplementary Scheme part of the budget to this scheme.

10.30 It is proposed that £6,000 of the 2005/06 budget is held for unforeseen circumstances, to be the subject of a further report.

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APPENDIX

HAMPSHIRE COUNTRY TOWNS INITIATIVE

The Country Towns Initiative programme was set up in 1990 to carry out schemes of environmental enhancement in the rural towns. The idea of environmental quality as a bedrock to commercial and social vitality is universally accepted. The main aim is to improve the commercial and social attractiveness of rural towns by carrying out environmental enhancements, improving highway safety and making their centres more economically and socially active.

Aims and Objectives

The programme reflects Government and County Council corporate strategies towards conservation, economic regeneration and the creation of sustainable, small and rural centres. It acts as a catalyst to inspire further investment in the locality by demonstrating a climate of future confidence.

The Initiative brings into sharp focus the three Council Corporate Aims:

(i) developing the Quality of Life in Hampshire;

(ii) stewardship of the Environment; and

(iii) achieving Economic Prosperity.

Working in partnership with the local community and local councils is a key aspect which implements the Corporate Strategy aim of developing `Partnership for Strong Communities in Hampshire'.

This emphasis on partnership working brings together resources from other County Council budgets (particularly highways) and from outside sources, principally district and parish councils and Central Government.

Links to Other County Council Programmes

The Initiative carries out works principally within public streets, so it is inevitable that the programme links closely with the County Council's Highways Capital and Maintenance Programmes. Added value is achieved by merging highways and environmental design objectives.

The programme links specifically to the following County Council Initiatives:

(i) Corporate Strategy and High Priorities 2003/04;

(ii) Sustainable Development Strategy;

(iii) Crime Reduction Strategy;

(iv) Hampshire County Structure Plan;

(v) Local Transport Plan;

(vi) Market Towns Programme; and

(vii) Local Strategic Partnerships.

The CTI shares many common values with Regeneration of Older Urban Areas and the Market Towns programmes - environmental quality and community engagement amongst them. At a practical level, the programme addresses the distinctive needs of the rural communities. It also works closely with the Market Towns programme for promoting `health checks' and capacity building in the rural towns.

Selection Criteria

The selection guidelines are to target opportunities in rural towns which:

(i) have historic or environmental importance, serve a substantial local, rural catchment and represent a service centre the support of which would reinforce the objective of maintaining sustainable, local communities;

(ii) exhibit significant environmental problems/opportunities which have been identified, for example in Local Plans, studies or `health checks';

(iii) where highways works are programmed and additional funding sources from the highway authority, central government or local authorities have been identified;

(iv) where the scheme ties in with a wider appraisal of needs of the locality, eg a town centre or regeneration initiative; and

(v) where the formation of partnerships, eg with local authorities, parish/town councils, can be expected and where there is broad public support.

The Initiative focuses on the main areas of activity, normally the historic core, where the beneficial impact and ability to enhance the commercial and social vitality of the town is greatest. It concentrates on land owned by public authorities, usually the highway and highway related land, although some work on private land may also be carried out.

Emphasis on Quality

The Initiative leads by example, aiming for high standards of workmanship and materials, and stressing appropriateness, quality and long life. Works are mainly (not exclusively) on public land or highways and include:

(i) landscape planting and paving, often associated with remodelling the highway, traffic calming/safety works and pedestrian priority;

(ii) creating opportunities for developing street activities, markets, outdoor eating, etc as part of a strategy for the economic and social development in the town;

(iii) removing unsightly street clutter, for example overhead wires and redundant signs, whilst inserting underground services for markets, Christmas events, etc;

(iv) creating attractive, new features, for example seating areas, community spaces, works of public art; and

(v) repairing and improving buildings, boundaries and some highly public areas in private ownership.

The programme aims for works to be carried out to a very high standard of workmanship and materials, with the intention being to lead by example. A number of national and local awards have been gained in this respect. As a general rule, schemes will:

(i) encourage street activity during both day and evening, including enhanced street lighting for highways safety and personal security;

(ii) shift the emphasis to beyond `standard' treatments so far as resources permit, using materials only which enhance the street scene, including the use of traditional materials; and

(iii) use heavier than normal landscape planting to create an immediate impact, ensure that all street furniture is attractive and well coordinated and, where possible, promote opportunities for public art.