Contact: Jonathan Crabb, ext 6047 email [email protected]

Debbie Vaughan, ext 7330 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 In November 2003 the County Council approved the rationalisation of the ten strategy areas into four larger areas. This report sets out the terms of reference and scope for the new panels and the relationship between these and other relevant panels, in particular the Highway and Transport Advisory Panels (HTAPs).

1.2 It also sets out the proposed working arrangements between the County Council and district councils. It discusses the role of the steering groups and working groups in assisting the workings of the panels.

1.3 This approach is also complemented by a strengthening of local involvement at district level through Local Strategic Partnerships and HTAPs.

2. Greater Local Involvement

2.1 It is important that a rationalisation of area transport strategies should complement the development of Community Strategies and the increasing importance of HTAPs. Community Strategies at district council level will play an increasing part in County Council service delivery planning.

2.2 The rationalisation of the panels means that the revised area transport strategies will be able to concentrate more on strategic issues, with implementation and delivery being considered more at the district councils and LSP level. The area transport strategies are complemented by specific action plans covering individual areas, including specific towns.

2.3 The proposals would also allow for a strengthening of the HTAPs. These Panels are based on district council areas. They meet twice a year, spring and autumn, and look at the present year's capital programme delivery as well as local maintenance and traffic management matters. These Panels advise the Executive Members for Environment and Spatial Strategy and provide an opportunity for district council Members to have direct contact with County Council staff and Members.

3. Revised Arrangements for Panels

3.1 The new arrangements will need to recognise the Executive Member arrangements now in place and must be efficient, to make best use of both County and District Council staff resources.

3.2 The role of Area Transport Strategy Panels should be to set medium-term strategies and share views on priorities within such strategies. They would influence the Capital Programme, monitor progress of delivery, and review priorities and achievements against a range of targets such as Local Transport Plan (LTP), Comprehensive Performance Assessment and other performance indicators. The new Panels would also consider integration of transport with other policy areas, especially spatial planning.

3.3 The Panels are a fundamental part in the process of delivering the LTP, which is considered under Agenda item 6. The new Panel arrangements will need to be developed in the context of:

(i) Community Strategies, Local Strategic Partnerships and Local Development Frameworks; and

(ii) Regional Spatial Strategy and Regional Transport Strategy.

4. Terms of Reference of the Panels

4.1 In support of the new arrangements detailed above, at its meeting on 27 November 2003 the County Council approved Terms of Reference for the new Area Transport Strategy Panels, which are set out in the attached appendix.

4.2 The Panels will meet twice a year, spring and autumn, with any additional meetings being convened as required. The County Council's Executive Member for Environment will be the Chairman of these Panels and all administrative support will be provided by the Chief Executive of Hampshire County Council.

5. Relationship between these Panels and other Relevant Panels

5.1 It is important that the new Area Panels liaise effectively with other panels which also have a responsibility for developing and implementing policies and schemes within their areas. The boundaries of the area strategies are deliberately denoted by broad lines to encourage joint working by adjoining panels on cross-border issues. Where there are cross-boundary issues, for example a route strategy, then it may be appropriate that both panels consider the issue. A degree of flexibility will be required to deal with issues on an individual basis depending upon their circumstances.

5.2 To ensure that the organisations work effectively together it is incumbent upon the representatives to use their best endeavours to resolve any outstanding differences. Officers of the County and District Councils should also endeavour to keep other panels informed of progress on key issues. In addition there will be a need to liaise with, and involve, neighbouring authorities as appropriate.

5.3 The HTAPs have responsibility for advising the Executive Members for Environment and Spatial Strategy on the implementation of all transport schemes, rather than just traffic management schemes as previously within the former Highway Management Advisory Panels.

6. Proposed Working Arrangements

6.1 A structure of officer steering groups and working groups will continue through the revised area strategies to engage the district councils in the direction and delivery of the strategies and capital programmes. The Panel meetings will consider the development of the area strategies and other items for forthcoming meetings.

6.2 Some district councils have informal meetings between their Executive Member and the County Council's Executive Member to discuss matters in detail, plan future joint working and resolve areas of difference which complements the work of the new Panels.

Recommendation

That this report be noted.

8552/JC/DV

APPENDIX

SOLENT TRANSPORT STRATEGY PANEL

Terms of Reference, Constitution and Administrative Arrangements

1. Title

The Panel shall be known as the Solent Transport Strategy Panel and shall act in an advisory capacity only.

2. Terms of Reference

To advise the County Council's Executive Member for Environment on the development and implementation of transport strategies in the Panel area, as defined in the attached map. The Panel can advise on the implementation of individual schemes, although the primary responsibility for this advice will rest with the relevant Local Strategic Partnerships and Highway and Transport Advisory Panels, with whom the Panel will be expected to liaise. The Panel shall ensure consistency with overall policy objectives of the constituent Authorities. District representatives will be expected to facilitate liaison between their Councils and the County Council as Highway Authority, and to disseminate information within their Councils regarding deliberations of the Panel.

To consider the transport aspects of development plan proposals at regional, sub-regional and local level.

3. Constituent Authorities

The Panel is constituted by:

Hampshire County Council

Test Valley Borough Council

Winchester City Council

East Hampshire District Council

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

4. Membership

The Panel shall consist of five elected members from:

Hampshire County Council

And four elected members from each of:

Test Valley Borough Council

Winchester City Council

East Hampshire District Council

And two elected members from:

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council

5. Chairman

The Chairman of the Panel shall be the Executive Member for Environment, Hampshire County Council and his standing deputy shall be the Executive Member for Spatial Strategy, Hampshire County Council.

6. Protocol

All representatives shall use their best endeavours to resolve any outstanding differences, and agreement at the Panel will normally be by general consensus. Where this is not possible, the different views expressed will be reported to the Executive Member for Environment, Hampshire County Council for final determination.

7. Officer Support

The Principal Adviser to the Panel on transportation issues will be the Director of Environment. District officers shall be responsible for supplying advice and reports on development control/local planning issues in their areas.

8. Secretarial Support

Secretarial support will be provided by the Chief Executive, Hampshire County Council.

9. Conduct of Meetings

The conduct of meetings of the Panel shall be regulated by the Standing Orders of Hampshire County Council so far as the same are applicable to Committees.

10. Quorum

A quorum for meetings of the Panel shall be three of whom at least one shall be a member of the County Council as Highway Authority.

11. Powers to Commit Expenditure

The Panel shall have no powers to commit expenditure.