Contact: Tony Stephens, ext 6938 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report considers the various elements of the Street Lighting service which affect the New Forest area.

2. Street Lighting Maintenance

2.1 The maintenance of the street lighting stock continues much the same as advised in previous reports, in that approximately 99% of all lights are on at any one time. The contractor's performance has improved in the area of planned maintenance, but he is still experiencing problems in completing some ordered works on time and reducing repeat visits.

3. Column Replacement Programme

3.1 Problems associated with replacing the County Council's obsolete stock continue and a £1.8 million programme is in place for this year. However, the stock is still deteriorating and it is anticipated that funding of about £5 million per annum is required for each of the next 10 years to get back on track with the current backlog of work.

3.2 The programme of replacements for the New Forest area for 2004/05 contains one scheme: Ringwood Road, Totton - works programmed to commence 19 January 2005.

4. Community Safety Initiatives

4.1 The 2004/05 programme was agreed by the Executive Member for Environment in the spring and the County Council is currently in discussion with local councils to confirm the details of their respective schemes.

4.2 The CSI programme within the New Forest area for 2004/05 contains one scheme: Alfred Close, Totton - awaiting confirmation to proceed.

5. Energy

5.1 The new `green' energy contract commenced on 1 April 2004 with no problems to date and will continue until March 2006. Monitoring of this contract is ongoing.

Recommendation

That this report be noted.

8893/ALS