AT A MEETING of the LIGHT RAPID TRANSIT DEVELOPMENT PANEL held at the Castle, Winchester on Wednesday 21 April 2004.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillors: K. B. Estlin (Chairman); M.S. Geddes; T.G. Knight; R.H. Price; K.P.J. Searle.

Portsmouth City Council

Councillors: A. Bentley; J. Patey.

Fareham Borough Council

Councillors: J.V. Bryant; Mrs D.M. Harrison

Gosport Borough Council

Councillors: P.R. Edgar; M.G. Russell.

6. 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 debate declare their interest, and having regards 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.

Councillors Geddes, Searle, Russell and Edgar declared interests, Councillor Geddes being the tenant of a shop on the line of the proposed SHRT1 route; Councillors Searle and Russell as owners of property contiguous with the proposed line, and Councillor Edgar as a director of a taxi company within the locality of the SHRT1 route.

7. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 17 September 2003 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

8. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

There were no Chairman's communications.

9. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

10. SOUTH HAMPSHIRE RAPID TRANSIT (PHASE 1) (SHRT - 1) - PROGRESS TOWARDS A DECISION ON FUNDING

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 5 in the Minute Book) setting out the current position towards reaching a revised funding agreement between Hampshire County Council, Portsmouth City Council and the Government necessary to deliver the commercial bids received in March 2003.

The Project Director briefly explained the position of the SHRT bid for Government funding. It was hoped that a favourable response to the submission would be received by late July on the completion of the Department for Transport's spending review.

Following Members' questions, it was reported that the Department for Transport's (DfT) budget was oversubscribed and that not all proposed schemes would receive funding. However the SHRT project rated very highly against the DfT's own criteria and had the backing of the South East England Regional Assembly and the Government Office for the South East; it was therefore felt that there was reason to be optimistic of receiving Government funding.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

11. CORRIDOR DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FOR SOUTH HAMPSHIRE RAPID TRANSIT - 1: FAREHAM - GOSPORT - PORTSMOUTH CORRIDOR.

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 6 in the Minute Book) advising Members on the process to be undertaken to produce a Corridor Development Strategy for the South Hampshire Rapid Transit (Phase 1) (SHRT - 1) Corridor.

An additional appendix (item 6x in the Minute Book) was circulated at the meeting detailing a broad overview of cycle and bus infrastructure schemes identified by the County Council for inclusion in the Corridor Development Strategy. In Portsmouth, the City Council's plans included a new bus terminal adjacent to both the existing railway station and the proposed SHRT terminus, and refurbishment of The Hard interchange. There would be consultation with Fareham and Gosport Borough Councils on proposals to be included in both the County Council's and City Council's Local Transport Plans (LTP) for 2006-11.

Further discussion focused on the need for an effective communication strategy. There was a consensus that a newsletter should be drafted and ready to distribute as soon as the Government had announced its decision regarding funding. Thereafter, keeping local people and the Hampshire community well informed would be crucial.


RESOLVED:

(i) That the progress to date be noted and that the Corridor Development Strategy be finalised for the purposes of local consultation.

(ii) That, in consultation with lead Members of the Panel, the SHRT Project Board reassesses its communications strategy in order to ensure that local people, and the Hampshire community at large, are kept well informed of progress on the project, given Government approval.

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