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 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) Brownhill Road - works programmed to start 15 October 2003

(ii) Forest Road - works started 11 August 2003

(iii) Adamson Close - works started 11 August 2003

(iv) Terriote Close - works programmed to start 15 October 2003

(v) Brownhill Close - works programmed to start 15 October 2003

(vi) Somerset Crescent - works completed

(vii) Falcon Square - works completed

(viii) Magpie Lane - works completed

(ix) Robin Square - works completed

(x) Dove Dale - works completed.

3.3 The County Council did consider making an `expression of interest' for Private Finance Initiative 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 and the budget implications. Other means of funding the £50 million required to replace approximately 50,000 lighting units over the next ten years will now need to be considered.

4. Community Safety Initiative

4.1 The Community Safety Initiative 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 Eastleigh area is as follows:

2003/04 Community Safety Initiative Programme

(i) Woodhouse Lane - awaiting confirmation of programme

(ii) Ashdown Close footpath - awaiting confirmation of programme

(iii) Walnut Close footpath - awaiting confirmation of programme

(iv) Peverells Close footpath - awaiting confirmation of programme.

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. 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.

8176/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.