41.

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.

42.

MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 19 February 2003 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

43.

CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

There were no issues arising under this item.

44.

DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

45.

LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN - ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT 2003

The Panel received 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, with particular emphasis on performance against Public Service Agreement (PSA) targets. The level of serious road traffic accidents in the area was of concern and the Chairman advised Members that the County Council would be investing in the region of £750,000 on low cost safety schemes to tackle the problem. Members commented that where such schemes had already been introduced, they had worked very well, offering quick results.

RESOLVED:

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

46.

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 welcomed news that Central Government had offered £165,000 each of the years 2004/05 and 2005/06 to provide additional School Travel Plan (STP) advisors, and were informed that schools could contact Philippa Currie via e-mail: [email protected] or via tel: (01962) 857826 for information and advice on producing a STP. The Chairman urged Members to encourage schools in their areas to complete an STP at level 3, in order to qualify for Safer Routes to School funding in the next financial year.

Members were in broad agreement with the budget priorities as set out in appendix 4 to the report.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Environment be advised that:-

(i) there was a consensus of agreement for the Central Hampshire Area Rural Transportation Strategy Draft Capital Programme for 2004/05.

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

47.

POLICY AND PROGRESS UPDATE

The Panel considered a report of the Director of Environment (Item 7 in the Minute Book) detailing progress on several studies and schemes undertaken in the Central Hampshire Rural Transport Strategy area.

A plan of the A3 Hindhead Tunnel scheme was presented, and the Panel was advised of a web link for further information on this scheme as follows:

www.a3-hindhead.co.uk

A full discussion ensued on the schemes undertaken in the Central Hampshire Rural Transport Strategy area, as listed in paragraph 1.1 of the report.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

48.

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.

During the course of a full discussion, Members questions were answered. In addition, Members welcomed 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 the initiative could be extended to other areas of rural Hampshire.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

49.

REVIEW OF TRANSPORT STRATEGY AREAS AND TRANSPORTATION STRATEGY PANELS

The Panel considered a report of the Director of Environment (Item 9 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 new Area Transport

Panels.