Contact: Tony 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 attached appendix.

3. Column Replacements

3.1 The replacement of columns is determined from inspections and subsequent reports on the structural integrity of these structures from the maintenance contractor on a two year cycle. Columns may appear to look in poor shape due their appearance but provided they are structurally sound, they are considered safe. 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:

2003/04 Column Replacement Programme Phase 1

(i) Field Way, Aldershot - works completed

(ii) Kings Road, Aldershot - works completed

(iii) Westmead, Farnborough - works completed

(iv) Canterbury Road, Farnborough - works completed

(v) Giffard Drive, Farnborough - works completed

(vi) Houseman Road, Farnborough - works completed

2003/04 Column Replacement Programme Phase 2

(i) Aldwick Close, Farnborough - awaiting confirmation of programme

(ii) Hawley Lane, Farnborough - awaiting confirmation of programme

(iii) Holt Close, Farnborough - awaiting confirmation of programme

(iv) Sherwin Crescent, Farnborough - awaiting confirmation of programme

(v) Cherrywood Road, Farnborough - awaiting confirmation of programme

(vi) Broomhill Road, Farnborough - awaiting confirmation of programme

(vii) Cripley Road, Farnborough - awaiting confirmation of programme

(viii) Birchett Road, Farnborough - awaiting confirmation of programme

3.3 It is not possible at the present time to create an overal picture of the areas within the Borough where columns require replacement but the draft programme for 2004/05 is now being considered and designs agreed and this process will continue provided funding is available. The draft programme is as follows:

(i) Denmark Square, Aldershot

(ii) Rowhill Avenue, Aldershot

(iii) Deadbrook Lane, Aldershot

(iv) York Road, Aldershot

(v) Queen's Road, Farnborough

(vi) Beta Road, Farnborough

(vii) Pinewood Park, Farnborough

(viii) Beverley Crescent, Farnborough

At the same time other one-off replacement will take place as and when deemed necessary via the maintenance ordering system.

3.4 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. There is however, no CSI programme for the Rushmoor Borough Council area this year.

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.

6. Proposed Lighting Improvement

6.1 The proposed lighting improvement for Elles Road, Farnborough has received provisional approval or 2004/05 but the proposals will be the subject of a project appraisal and provided that is accepted then the scheme should be completed by the end of March 2005.

Recommendation

That this report be noted.

8179/ALS

APPENDIX

Street Lighting Contract Key Performance Indicators

KPI 1 - Performance on reactive repair attendance by the contractor - this is the attendance at site following a scout or public report of a defect such as a light out.

KPI 2 - Performance on the completion of more extensive work which takes 10 or 25 days to complete - covers complete replacement of columns and lanterns within a quality threshold.

KPI 3 - Performance of the contractor in completing planned maintenance work within a quality threshold

KPI 4 - Performance of scouting - a check on the night scouts picking up defect reports of lights out

KPI 5 - Performance of the contractor in quality of repairs under KPI 1 - ie not having to return to site again within 35 days of the initial repair.