1.

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.

2.

CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman welcomed Members to the meeting and confirmed that the name of the new Panel had been changed to "Central Hampshire Transport Strategy Panel", following a meeting of the full Council on 27 February 2004. He stated that there were to be two meetings of the Panel per year, although this could be increased as necessary. In addition working groups could be set up to look at special projects between meetings.

3.

DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

4.

ROLES OF THE NEW PANELS AND ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS

The Panel considered a joint report of the Chief Executive and the Director of Environment (Item 4 in the Minute Book) setting out the terms of reference and role of the new Area Transport panels and their relationship with other relevant panels, in particular the Highway and Transport Advisory Panels.

Members explored the ways in which the Panel would work, focusing particularly on how it would co-ordinate with other panels and Districts through working groups. The Chairman invited Members to meet with him as appropriate to discuss specific projects in greater detail.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

5.

REGIONAL AND SUB-REGIONAL SPATIAL STRATEGIES

The Panel considered a report of the Director of Environment (Item 5 in the Minute Book) outlining the new framework of regional and sub-regional spatial strategies, the progress being made on the preparation of strategies relating to Hampshire, and the progress on the Regional Transport Strategy and other regionally important transport studies and strategies.

The Panel discussed the challenges of accessing relevant information in a timely fashion in order to respond to external planning and strategy deadlines.

RESOLVED:

That this report be used by officers and Members as a background document to the preparation of the next Local Transport Plan.

6.

LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN AND TRANSPORT STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT

The Panel considered a report of the Director of Environment (Item 6 in the Minute Book) setting out the proposed development of the transport strategies for the new areas in tandem with the next Hampshire Local Transport Plan.

The Panel discussed the Local Transport Plan Draft Preparation Programme in the appendix and agreed that while it was not a definitive list, it represented a good starting point to work from.

RESOLVED:

That the Panel endorses the approach and timetable of developing strategies for the newly established transport strategy areas.

7.

POLICY AND STRATEGY UPDATE

The Panel considered a report of the Director of Environment (Item 7 in the Minute Book) setting out the progress made on several schemes being undertaken in the Central Hampshire Transport area.

Members discussed proposals to extend the Winchester Park and Ride scheme. They expressed support for the Safer Routes to School scheme, and were pleased to hear that advertisements had been placed for four new officers to advise Hampshire schools on how to complete travel plans.

There was broad support for the Hampshire Safety Camera Partnership and Members agreed that speed traffic cameras clearly reduced the level of serious accidents in areas where they had been installed. Leaflets explaining the work and of the Safety Camera Partnership were distributed at the meeting

RESOLVED:

That this report be noted and the progress on the various issues be endorsed.

8.

CAPITAL PROGRAMME

The Panel considered a report of the Director of Environment (Item 8 in the Minute Book) outlining the finalised Capital Programme for 2004/05, the draft programme for 2005/06 and the preparation pool of schemes to be considered beyond 2005/06, focusing particularly on the Central Hampshire area.

During a full discussion on the schemes in the 2005/06 Draft Capital Programme, the Chairman announced that six new community buses had recently been ordered by the County Council.

RESOLVED:

That the Panel notes the approved programme for 2004/05 and endorses the proposed programme for 2005/06.

9.

MINUTES

The Panel noted the Minutes of the meetings of the following former Panels:

(a) Andover and Western Hampshire Transportation Strategy Panel held on 16 October 2003 (Item 9(A) in the Minute Book);

Arising thereon:

Item 32: Draft Transport Capital Programme 2004/05 and 2005/06 for Consultation

The Winchester road traffic management measures had now been added to the preparation pool (Item 8, Appendix 4 refers).

(b) Central Hampshire Transportation Strategy Panel held on 7 November 2003;

(c) Winchester Movement and Access Plan Panel held on 6 November 2003.

10.

DATE, TIME AND VENUE FOR THE NEXT MEETING OF THE PANEL

Thursday 14 October 2004, at 9.30 am in the Council Chamber, The Castle, Winchester.