ITEM 2

AT A MEETING of the HART HIGHWAY MANAGEMENT ADVISORY PANEL held at Hart Borough Council, Fleet on 24 October 2003.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillors: J. Stocks (Chairman); J. Glen; Mrs C. Leversha

Hart District Council

Councillors: S. Holden; N. Lambert; S. Parker.

Also in attendance -

29. 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 declare their personal 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, any declaration to be made at the time of the debate.

30. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 21 March 2003 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Arising thereon:

Minutes 27 - Elvetham Road, Fleet


Attention was drawn to the resolution, which had been noted by the Executive Member for Environment.

31. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

There were none.

32. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

33. DEVELOPMENT CONTROL SERVICE REVIEW AND UPDATE ON DISTRICT AGENCY ARRANGEMENTS

The Panel considered the joint report of the Director of Environment (Item 5 in the Minute Book).

Members were advised that a report had been presented to the Environment Policy Review Committee (EPRC) in May 2003 following formal consultation with District Council officers and members.

Before giving their advice to the Executive Member for Environment the EPRC resolved that the Executive Member for Environment and the Cabinet be advised that discussions be undertaken with the Hampshire Districts to implement changes within the following agreed service areas:

· Strategic Planning Applications


· Minor Planning Applications


· Section 106/278 Agreements


· Section 38 Agreements and Advance Payments Code


· Design Checks


· Land Charges Searches


The changes were formally confirmed by the Executive Member for Environment on 23 July 2003, and were being undertaken within the proposed time-scale between 1 October 2003 and 31 March 2004.


RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

34. HIGHWAYS MAINTENANCE AND MINOR CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMMES 2003/04

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 6 in the Minute Book) outlining progress with the 2003/04 Highways Maintenance and updating on the 2003/04 Highways Maintenance Budget.

The Highways Maintenance Budget for 2003/04, approved by the Executive Member for Environment, was £46,889,000. The sum comprised £19,615,000 revenue funding and £27,274,000 funding from the capital programme provision.

The total allocation for Hart for 2003/04 was £420,000 for the Revenue Maintenance Budget and Programme. Progress had been in line with the spend profile and was expected to be completed within time and budget constraints.

The Capital Maintenance Budget Programme allocation for Hart for 2003/04 was £1,455,000, which included £247,000 from the £3.5m countrywide additional funding previously reported.

An additional £30,000 had bee allocated to surface dressing work at Church Crookham.

RESOLVED :

That the report be noted.

35. STREET LIGHTING

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 7 in the Minute Book) on progress made in Street Lighting Maintenance, Column Replacement; Community Safety Initiative and purchase of energy from April 2004.

The maintenance contract continued to produce good results with over 99% of all lights throughout the County on at any one time. Three of the five contract Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) were currently being met to the standards set down for the first year of the contract.

Phase 1 of the 2003/04 Column Replacement Programme had been completed. The Community Safety Initiative (CSI) programme for 2003/04 had been confirmed by the Executive Member for Environment. The present energy supply contract with Scottish and Southern Energy would end on 31 March 2004.

RESOLVED :

That the report be noted.

36. TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PROGRAMMES 2003/04

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 8 in the Minute Book) regarding the main traffic management work in the Hart area in 2003/04.

Traffic Management issues were raised in a number of ways, usually by the District or County Members or the public. These issues were prioritised and investigated which resulted in schemes being proposed for the inclusion in the programme. The current list of potential schemes for the 2003/04 in the Hart area was shown in Appendix 1 attached to the report.

Reference was made to motorists continuing to park on streets in Blackwater and the need for a Traffic Regulation Order to prevent it and persuade greater use of a new car park in the town. The County Council would follow this up with Surrey County Council.

Traffic Regulation Orders set out in Appendix 1 regarding parking control in Fleet were to be combined into one advertisement to be published shortly.





RESOLVED:


That the report be noted.

37. PROGRESS UPDATE ON APPROVED CAPITAL SCHEMES

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 9 in the Minute Book) updating on progress on Capital transport schemes approved by project appraisal for implementation in the Hart District Council area.

A review of the existing traffic calming features along the whole length of Elvetham Road had been undertaken by Atkins, on behalf of the County Council. The report had concluded that the scheme was providing a positive contribution to road safety by reducing vehicle speeds. The findings of the report, along with the recommendations to modify aspects of the original scheme, had been presented to the Executive Member for Environment in April 2003. It had been agreed to implement the modifications set out in the report to the Panel at paragraph 2.6.

District Council Members maintained a critical attitude to the scheme. The Panel was advised that many incidents in Elvetham Road were due to vehicles speeding.

It was intended to await the results of the Road Safety Audit (Stage 3) and then consider undertaking further surveys and consultations, before deciding whether any further action would be appropriate.

It should be noted that removal of the traffic calming features (valued at £110,000) would cost approximately £20,000. This would result in increased traffic speeds and would not discourage extraneous traffic.

Progress with the Transport Capital Programme for 2003/04 was set out in the report.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

38. OTHER PROGRAMMES 2003/04

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 10 in the Minute Book) outlining progress with regard to other programmes and initiatives with the Environment Department.

Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS)

The ITS Group of the Environment Department was responsible for the feasibility, design, implementation, operation and maintenance of traffic control and traffic and travel information systems for Hampshire.

Common land issues were yet to be resolved for the new Puffin pedestrian crossing site at Fleet Road, Hartley Wintney. These issues were being pursued and public consultation was in hand.

The use of mobile safety cameras was considered to be contributing to the reduction in serious accidents throughout the County.

The co-operation and participation of schools in promoting School Travel Plans was vital in achieving the aims of the Safer Routes to School programme (SRTS). The Executive Member for Environment was to publish details of progress in due course.

The Hampshire County Towns Initiative (HCTI) programme for 2004/05 and 2005/06 included a phased allocation of £225,000 towards environmental improvements in Odiham. The proposed works had been the subject of consultation with Hart District Council, Odiham Parish Council and other local stakeholders.

The County Council was working in partnership with Hart District Council, Yateley Town Centre Management Group on Regeneration of Older Urban Area proposals for Yateley. It was planned to carry out consultation on the emerging framework and phase one proposals in November 2003. It was hoped that implementation could commence in summer/autumn 2004.

Work continued on proposals for the Malthouse Bridge, Church Crookham. Alternative designs were being detailed and further consultations were to take place. It was intended to build a new footbridge later in the 2003/04 financial year.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

39. CONTROL OF RAGWORT

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 12 in the Minute Book) regarding the control of common ragwort within the confines of the public highway in Hampshire.

The County Council as highway authority had a duty to control ragwort on roadside verges and other public highway land and, more generally, on land that it owns. The ragwort control bill was shortly to become law, placing a duty of responsibility on public authorities, such as highway authorities, "to take all reasonable steps to remove ragwort from relevant land occupied by them and to prevent the growth or regrowth of ragwort on such land".

It was expected that a draft Code of Practice, having been the subject of a consultation during the summer, would be laid before Parliament early in 2004, thus placing further responsibilities on to the County Council.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

40. THE CONSTRUCTION OF VEHICULAR CROSSINGS FOR PRIVATE ACCESS

The Panel considered the report of Director of Environment (Item 13 in the Minute Book) detailing the changes to the procedure for dealing with the construction of vehicular accesses, enabling works to be carried out by either Hampshire Highways or an approved private contractor.

The new arrangements gave customer choice to residents or occupiers, who could either have the work carried out by the County Council or an accredited contractor, and would give more flexibility in methods of payment, which would include payment by credit card. (American Express excepted).

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

41. DATE OF FUTURE MEETINGS

Monday, 8 March 2004 at 10.00 a.m. at Hart District Council Offices.
Thursday, 7 October 2004 at 10.00 a.m. at Hart District Council Offices.

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