38.

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.

39.

MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 4 March 2003, were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

40.

CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman drew Member's attention to a set of leaflets and quick reference cards advertising three new night bus services to be introduced on 14 November 2003 under the Eastleigh Bus Partnership scheme:

N5 - Chandlers Ford - Eastleigh - Fair Oak

N6 - Bitterne - West End - Hedge End

N7 - Bursledon - Netley - Hamble

The buses would to run at 12.15 am, 1.15 am and 2.15 am on all three

routes.

41.

DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

42.

LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN - ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT 2003

The Panel considered a report of the Director of Environment (Item 5 in the Minute Book) updating Members on the delivery of the Local Transport Plan which was the chief mechanism for reporting back to Central Government on how Hampshire was implementing the Plan, and showing progress in working towards national and local objectives and targets.

A full discussion ensued and in answer to Members questions, the Chairman outlined County Council officers/Police liaison arrangements following major accidents. The County council would be investing in the region of £750,000 to help provide, where possible, quick low cost solutions to hazardous road "black spots".

RESOLVED:

That performance on transport improvements as set out in the Local Transport Plan Annual Progress Report, and County Council performance in relation to meeting its objectives and targets, be noted.

43.

DRAFT TRANSPORT CAPITAL PROGRAMME 2004/05 AND 2005/06 FOR CONSULTATION

The Panel considered a report of the Director of Environment (Item 6 in the Minute Book) on the indicative programmes for the Integrated Transport Capital Programme for 2004/05 and 2005/06.

Members were advised of the Government's recent decision to provide £25 million of funding for the A3 priority bus corridor between Horndean and the centre of Portsmouth, and that this would ease pressure on other area strategy programmes.

During discussion on the Safer Routes to School programme, funding for which was to be dependent on completion of a School Travel Plan (STP) at "level 3", Members were advised that Central Government had offered £165,000 for each of the years 2004/05 and 2005/06 for additional travel advisors to help schools prepare STP's.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Environment be advised that:-

(i) there was a consensus of agreement for the South West Hampshire Transport Strategy Draft Capital Programme for 2004/05.

(ii) an individual request for the Test Valley Cycle Route between North Baddesley and Rownhams be brought forward to the 2004/05 programme was noted; and

(iii) any additional formal comments on the Draft Capital Programme to be received by the County Council no later than Friday 14 November 2003.

44.

POLICY AND PROGRESS UPDATE

The Panel considered a report of the Director of Environment (Item 7 in the Minute Book) that outlined progress on key planned schemes and key strategy issues in the South West Hampshire Transport Strategy Areas.

The Panel welcomed news from the Executive Member for Environment that the County Council had made a bid seeking funding for public transport/pedestrian/cycle measures on the A27 corridor and the bus only link on Botley Road between Hedge End and Southampton. (paragraph 3.5 refers).

Members were pleased to note that the draft capital programme proposed an allocation of £600,000 for Totton town centre (paragraph 5.1 refers), and were keen for work to start, and for Totton residents to be kept informed of progress.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the position of the schemes within the Capital Programme be noted.

(ii) That work continue on developing the overall package of transport proposals for Totton Town Centre, which would enable it to be submitted as a major scheme bid to Central Government.

45.

PUBLIC SERVICE AGREEMENT BUS MARKETING PROGRAMME

The Panel considered a report of the Director of Environment (Item 8 in the Minute Book) outlining the intensive marketing programme that would commence shortly on a number of the best performing bus routes in the county.

Members welcomed the news that the County Council had recently won a `Bus Industry Award' for the Cango initiative. It was hoped that when sufficient resources became available this initiative could be extended to other areas of rural Hampshire.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

46.

CENTRAL EASTLEIGH TRANSPORT STRATEGY

The Panel considered a report of the Director of Environment (Item 9 in the Minute Book) summarising the results of the local public consultation undertaken in June 2003 on the principles of the draft Central Eastleigh Transport Strategy.

Members noted that 650 people attended the public exhibition in the Swan Centre at Eastleigh over a two day period and this resulted in 188 responses being received. It was noted that a summary of the responses was attached to the report as Appendix 2, the outcome of which was general agreement of the proposals.

RESOLVED:

That an Action Plan be developed for the delivery of the Central Eastleigh Transport Strategy.

47.

HAMBLE AREA TRANSPORT STRATEGY DOCUMENT

The Panel considered a report of the Director of Environment (Item 10 in the Minute Book) outlining the results of the targeted consultation which was undertaken in February/March 2003 on the draft Hamble Area Transport Strategy. The consultation invited comments from key stakeholders and interested parties, including parish councils, the local business community, interest groups, transport operators and public service providers. Twenty five responses were received initially and a summary of the most frequently asked issues was attached to the report as Appendix 3.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Environment, Hampshire County Council and the Executive Member for Transport and Infrastructure, Eastleigh Borough Council be advised that the Hamble Area Transport Strategy document and Action Plan be formally adopted.

48.

CONSIDERATION OF CHANGES TO MANAGEMENT OF NEW FOREST DISTRICT COUNCIL OFF-STREET CAR PARKS

The Panel considered a report of the Head of Consultancy Services, New Forest District Council (Item 11 in the Minute Book) reviewing the District Council's approach to traffic management, off-street car parks and the introduction of decriminalised parking.

A full discussion ensued during which it was noted that the cost of purchasing a parking clock was low, £5 per annum, and it would only make a minimal contribution to a change in modal split from car to public transport. However the relatively low public transport accessibility in the New Forest was noted.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the views of the Panel on the changes to car parking management put forward by New Forest District Council be noted; and

(ii) That the County Council's Executive Member for Environment be advised of these views to help inform him in making his decision on the proposed Order on Tuesday 11 November 2003.

49.

REVIEW OF TRANSPORT STRATEGY AREAS AND TRANSPORTATION STRATEGY PANELS

The Panel considered a report of the Director of Environment (Item 12 in the Minute Book) detailing proposals to reorganise the current Area Transportation Strategy Panels, to determine the best way forward for implementing transport policy for Hampshire.

Members were invited to comment on the review of the Transportation Strategy Panels. A final report was circulated which would be considered by the Executive Member for Environment on 11 November and by the County council on 27 November 2003. It is proposed that four new panels with flexible boundaries be established to cover the following sub regions: the Solent area; the North East; the New Forest and the largely rural Central Hampshire area. These new Panels would replace the current Transportation Strategy Panels and would advise the Executive Member for Environment on long term strategic transport and spatial strategy issues. Additional changes were also being considered for the Highway Management Advisory Panels, potentially leading to an expansion of their terms of reference.

A full discussion followed and it was noted that Members were generally in support of the proposals.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Environment be advised that:-

(i) the outline proposals for the review of transport strategy areas and

Transportation Strategy Panels be noted and the comments made in

discussion by this Panel be considered by the Executive Member for

Environment and the County Council, as appropriate;

(ii) copies of the report to the Executive Member for Environment on the

proposals be forwarded to the relevant portfolio holders of all Hampshire

District Councils; and

(iii) subject to the approval of the proposals by the County Council, the Chief

Executive would liaise with District Council's in due course in respect of

arrangements for an inaugural meeting of each of the Area Transport Panels.