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 normally at the time of the debate, declare their 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 of the Panel held on 28 February 2003, were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

31.

CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICTIONS

The Chairman advised that the Terms of Reference were to be slightly expanded, whereby the Panel would in the future, look at schemes where capital approval had been granted. This would bring the Highway Management Advisory Panel in line with changes to the Transport Strategy Panels. The name of the Panel was likely to be changed to "Winchester Highway Management and Transportation Panel". This new Panel would accept three Members from the Local Strategic Partnership. The new Members would be chosen by the Local Strategic Partnership and would not be Councillors.

32.

DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

33.

UPDATE ON THE PROGRESS OF APPROVED TRANSPORT CAPITAL PROGRAMME SCHEMES

The Panel considered a report of the Director of Environment (Item 5 in the Minute Book) updating Members on the progress of transport schemes within the Capital Programme that had been approved by project appraisal for implementation in the Winchester area.

The following were among the main issues raised in discussion:-

(a) Chesil Street/Bar End Road Traffic Management£260,000

Members expressed concern that the pavement outside Avalon House was

potentially dangerous. A safety audit was to be carried out and it was agreed

that officers would report further on this at the next meeting of the Panel.

(b) City Road and Station Interchange £930,000

Members raised a number of complaints they had received about the timing of

the traffic signals. It was reported that the completed scheme had gone over

budget and that this would impact on other planned schemes.

(c) Winchester Car Park Improvements £50,000 (Contribution)

Winchester Members thanked the County Council for the contribution.

(d) Bar End Park and Ride Extension Winchester £2,150,000

It was reported that Traffic Regulation Orders for this scheme had been

completed, and that there was to be a full discussion on the scheme at the

next meeting of the Panel.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

34.

TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PROGRAMMES 2003/04

The Panel considered a report by the Director of Environment (Item 6 in the Minute Book) outlining the main programmes of traffic management work in the Winchester area in 2003/04.

Members sought clarification on who to contact for information on specific day-to-day traffic management issues. Members were advised to contact:-

Ruth Olczyk on (09162) 857823 or e-mail: [email protected]

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

35.

HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE AND MONOR CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMMES 2003/04

The Panel considered a report of the Director of Environment (Item 7 in the Minute Book) outlining progress on the Highway Maintenance and Minor Capital Works programmes for 2003/04 and an update on the Highway Maintenance budget for 2003/04.

Members thanked officers for the work done on the road at Otterbourne Hill.

Members were advised that due to the unusually hot summer, some roads had suffered from clay shrinkage and would require repair work. Funding for this emergency work may displace some schemes.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

36.

OTHER PROGRAMMES 2003/04

The Panel considered a report of the Director of Environment (Item 8 in the Minute Book) outlining other programmes and initiatives within the Environment Department.

The following were among the main issues raised in discussion:-

(a) Casualty Reduction Programme

Members thanked officers for the speed at which work had been carried out

expeditiously on Andover Road following an accident there in August.

Members were advised that, as well as regular monitoring of around 80 areas

across the County, officers liaise with Police as soon possible after an

accident to find quick, low cost solutions to hazardous road conditions.

(b) Hampshire Safety Camera Partnership

Members were advised that the Police were due to appoint new mobile

camera operators to increase the level of monitoring in Hampshire.

(c) Safer Routes to School Programme

The Chairman drew attention to the scope for improvements in the level of

completed school travel plans in line with Eastleigh Borough Council. It was

appreciated that the commitment of schools was a vital step to achieving

School Travel Plan (STP) "level 3" (appendix 2 of the report) in order for

finance to be approved by the County Council. A complete list of schools

would be presented to the next meeting, indicating the STP level of each

school.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

37.

DEVELOPMENT CONTROL SERVICE REVIEW AND UPDATE ON DISTRICT AGENCY ARRANGEMENTS

The Panel considered a report of the Director of Environment (Item 9 in the Minute Book) updating Members on the current position on the District Agency arrangements and the Highways Development Control Review.

The Executive Member for Environment referred to paragraph 1.2 section (iii) of the report, entitled "Section 106/278 Agreements", and confirmed that the threshold levels would be increased for works undertaken by the City, however, the effect on workload at Winchester City would be minimal.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

38.

EUROPEAN UNION - CIVITAS INITIATIVE - MIRACLES PROJECT

The Panel considered a report of the Director of Environment (Item 10 in the Minute Book) detailing progress made in developing and implementing the MIRACLES Project.

Members were shown new posters advertising the project which they welcomed. The Chairman advised that there would be a detailed report on the project issued at the meeting of the Panel on 14 October 2004..

RESOLVED:

(i) That the report be noted.

(ii) That a detailed report on progress be presented to the Panel in one year's

time.

39.

STREET LIGHTING

The Panel considered a report of the Director of Environment (Item 11 in the Minute Book) describing the progress made on street lighting issues in the City.

The Street Lighting maintenance contract continued to produce good results with 99.1% of all lights in the Winchester urban and rural areas on at any one time. Members raised the issue of problems in identifying which authority is responsible for a particular street light, and were advised to contact Tony Stephens (e-mail: [email protected]) of Hampshire County Council in the first instance.

Officers advised that new columns throw light downwards to avoid light pollution.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

40.

CONTROL OF RAGWORT

The Panel considered a report of the Director of Environment (Item 12 in the Minute Book) outlining the problems associated with common ragwort, measures for its control within the confines of the public highway, and related issues.

In addressing Member's concerns, officers advised that pictures of the weed would appear in the next addition of the Hampshire Highways Newsletter.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

41.

THE CONSTRUCTION OF VEHICULAR CROSSINGS FOR PRIVATE ACCESSES

The Panel considered a report of the Director of Environment (Item 13 in the Minute Book) detailing changes to the procedure for dealing with the construction of vehicular crossings for private accesses, together with safeguards and methods of payment.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

42.

AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT AREA FOR CENTRAL WINCHESTER AREA

The Panel considered a report of the Director of Environmental Health and Housing at Winchester City Council (Item 14 in the Minute Book) describing the Air Quality Management Area declared for Winchester city centre and the financial implications associated with the declaration.

Officers expanded on the report at the meeting to the interest of the Members.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the report be noted.

(ii) That the Executive Member for Environment be advised of the financial implications of air quality monitoring in Winchester in accordance with the requirements for the Air Quality Management Area.

43.

DATE, TIME AND VENUE FOR MEETINGS OF THE PANEL IN 2004

RESOLVED:

That the 2004 meetings of the Panel be held on:

Tuesday 23 March 2004 at 10am in the Walton Room, Guildhall, Winchester.

Thursday 14 October 2004 at 2pm in the Walton Room, Guildhall, Winchester.