Contact: Linda Tartaglia-Kershaw, ext 6815

email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

That approval be given for the following schemes to be included within the two year programme of the Hampshire Villages Initiative for 2004/05 and 2005/06, to meet the unallocated balance of £43,250:

2. Reason

2.1 This decision supports the following Aims of the Corporate Strategy:

(i) Aim 1 (Maximising Life Opportunities) and Aim 4 (Building Strong and Safe Communities) by creating opportunities for village communities to address local environmental and traffic safety issues through partnership working, and enabling them to gain a better understanding of the local sense of place.

(ii) Aim 2 (Stewardship of the Environment) by implementing environmental improvement schemes which enhance the distinctiveness and quality of Hampshire's villages and ensuring Hampshire remains a place where people want to live.

2.2 In order to implement the Hampshire Villages Initiative programme, which currently has an annual budget provision of £80,000 per annum and a further £40,000 per annum ring-fenced from the Highways Maintenance budget for contributions to appropriate projects in the programme.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 Some suggested schemes have been considered in consultation with District Councils and others, having regard to their content and scale, but rejected in order to maintain a balance between competing interests or because they did not meet the wider aims and objectives of the Hampshire Villages Initiative.

3.2 The report to the Executive Member for Environment on 13 July 2004 sets out the schemes approved for inclusion in the Hampshire Villages Initiative 2004/05-2005/06 Programme and is attached as Appendix 1.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or Other Executive Member Consulted - None.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: Date:

Councillor K B Estlin

9072Decn/LT-K