Archived decisions
Hampshire County Council Executive Member - Environment 19 April 2005 Environmental Programmes and Service Providers for 2005/06 Report of the Director of Environment |
Item 7 |
Contact: Linda Tartaglia-Kershaw, ext 6815
email: [email protected]
1. Summary
Environmental Initiatives
1.1 The Regeneration of Older Urban Areas Programme, Country Towns Initiative and Hampshire Villages Initiative are established environmental improvement programmes. Over the years they have brought significant benefits to raise the quality of life for Hampshire communities. The aims and objectives of these programmes are to raise the quality of life of all who live, work and visit Hampshire, demonstrating the benefits of making the best of high quality design; life long solutions and materials; and appropriateness to the local sense of place.
1.2 The Regeneration of Older Urban Areas Programme and the Country Towns Initiative have three year rolling programmes. The Hampshire Villages Initiative has a two year rolling programme. Both the Country Towns Initiative and the Hampshire Villages Initiative have approved programmes for 2004/06, subject to the availability of finance. These are attached as Appendices 1 and 2 and were approved by the Executive Member for Environment on 15 October 2003, 13 July 2004 and 7 December 2004 respectively.
Environmental Service Providers
1.3 Since 1997 the County Council has provided funds to support the provision of services which assist it in delivering both statutory responsibilities and discretionary environmental initiatives. These payments are subject to individual annual service agreements and arrangements to provide services in 2005/06.
2. Introduction
2.1 Each of the three Environmental Initiative programmes is unique in the way schemes are initiated, developed and delivered. All of them have in common the aim of environmental enhancement, partnership working, sustainable development, emphasis on quality, and local sense of place.
3. Regeneration of Older Urban Areas
3.1 The Regeneration of Older Urban Areas Programme responds directly to the urban renaissance agenda, which is a continuing objective for the County Council, and directly to the regeneration needs and priorities identified by County Members, District Councils and Parish Councils.
3.2 The programme is delivered in partnership with external agencies, including Local Authorities and the private and voluntary sector. Since it was established in 1984 the programme has delivered a broad range of schemes within public areas, but not necessarily on highways. Each project is managed to demonstrate best practice as a landmark project to raise the quality of life for all who live, work and visit urban areas.
3.3 Links to other County Council initiatives and strategies are made to achieve added value by merging environmental, economic, and quality of life objectives. Match funding for each scheme is secured from external partners and the Transport Capital Programme.
3.4 The Regeneration of Older Urban Areas Programme operates on a three year rolling programme. The 2005/06 programme is set out in Table 1 of Appendix 1, together with a possible pool of future projects for 2006/08 (Table 2 of Appendix 1). The latter will be submitted to the Executive Member at a later date. The programme for 2003/05 which was approved by the Executive Member for Environment on 23 July 2003 is set out in Appendix 4 along with the Aims and Objectives of the programme in Appendix 5.
4. The Country Towns Initiative
4.1 The Country Towns Initiative reflects Government and County Council corporate strategies and objectives towards conservation and economic regeneration and the creation of sustainable, small and rural centres. It acts as a catalyst to inspire further investment in the locality by demonstrating a climate of future confidence.
4.2 The Initiative was established in 1990 to focus on the main areas of activity, normally the town's historic core, where the beneficial impact and ability to enhance the commercial and social vitality is greatest. It concentrates on land owned by public authorities, usually the highway and highway related land. Schemes are principally within public streets and consequently the Initiative has close links with the County Council's highways capital and maintenance programmes. Added value is achieved by merging highways and environmental design objectives.
4.3 At a practical level the Initiative addresses the distinctive needs of rural communities, working closely with the Market Towns Programme for promoting "health checks" and capacity building in rural towns.
4.4 The selection guidelines are to target opportunities in rural towns which have historic or environmental importance, serve a substantial local rural catchment and represent a service centre support. The guidelines reinforce the objective of maintaining sustainable, local communities; target those areas which exhibit significant environmental opportunities; where highways are programmed; and additional funding from other sources has been identified and there is broad public support. The Aims and Objectives and selection criteria are detailed in Appendix 6. The emphasis on partnership working brings together resources from other County Council budgets (particularly highways) and from outside sources, principally District and Parish Councils and Central Government.
5. Hampshire Villages Initiative
5.1 The Hampshire Villages Initiative was established in July 2004 in line with Hampshire County Council's commitment to maintain and extend investment in the rural community. The emphasis is on partnership working to address local environmental and traffic safety issues through schemes which enhance the distinctiveness and quality and unique sense of place of Hampshire's villages.
5.2 Projects within the programme reflect the wishes of the local community, expressed through the Parish Council or other local organisations. It ties in with local aspirations through parish and district councillors or identified in Parish Plans, Village Design Statements and other Government initiatives including the emerging Community Strategies. The Aims and Objectives and selection criteria are attached as Appendix 7.
5.3 Whilst the Hampshire Villages Initiative may be involved in the implementation of projects identified on their own merits, it builds principally on existing projects. These seek to add value by working in partnership with those communities where projects are already proposed, and which would benefit by having additional funds to ensure that the quality of work reflects the unique sense of place of Hampshire's villages.
5.4 Match funding of 50% is normally required as the level of contribution from the Initiative's partners, normally Parish and District Councils, and will usually be an integral element of the partnership working. However, there may be instances where a minimum 20% funding contribution can be accepted. Funding is also secured from the County Council's Highways capital and maintenance programmes and the Safer Routes to School programme.
5.5 To enable suggestions from local communities of schemes that might be included within the programme, consultations are undertaken with the Hampshire Association of Parish and Town Councils; District Councils, County Councillors and Community Action Hampshire.
6. Environmental Service Providers
6.1 The Environment Department has worked closely with specialist Hampshire organisations and independent Hampshire Trusts for many years to deliver the County Council's environmental policies, aims and objectives and more specifically direct services to support the Department's wider environmental programmes. The Trusts influence a wide range of environmental activities in Hampshire with their breadth of membership and specialist skills.
6.2 The service to be delivered by each organisation, with respect to the funding contribution received from the County Council, is set out in a service level agreement (SLA) with specified aims and primary objectives. The way the service is delivered ranges from agreed days per year dedicated to specific activities to a broader influencing role. Reports on activities undertaken to deliver the SLA objectives are provided by the organisations for monitoring purposes. Performance targets are included where appropriate to assist in the monitoring of the services delivered.
6.3 Monitoring of the services delivered over the last financial year has demonstrated excellent value for money, the provision of high quality services which are achieving the targets, aims and objectives set out in the SLAs.
6.4 A schedule is attached as Appendix 8 setting out a departmental breakdown of the County Council's funding contribution to each organisation over the last four years.
6.5 Information from the individual organisation's annual reports, where available, on funding from other bodies is set out in Appendix 8 to provide a wider context for the County Council's funding contribution.
6.6 A summary of the support provided by each Environmental Service provider for 2004/05 is set out in the report approved by the Executive Member for Environment Decision on 7 April 2004.
6.7 It should be noted that in paragraph 2.2 of the report to the Executive Member for Environment on 7 April 2004 a sum of £15,000 was identified as still to be allocated in 2004/05 to support work for furtherance of the Biodiversity Action Plan for Hampshire. This has subsequently been allocated as follows:
Botanical Society for the British Isles £8,000
Woodnet £2,000
The Herpetlogical Conservation Trust £5,000
6.8 The proposed funding for Environmental Service Providers is cash limited at 2003/04 budget levels and has been reduced from the 2004/05 budget allocation by £21,000. This is in response to the need to make departmental savings of £15,000 for 2005/06 and that the commitment of £6,000 to funding the work of the Danebury Trust will be concluded in March 2005. It is proposed that the following SLAs be discontinued in 2005/06:
Danebury Trust
Botanical Society for the British Isles
Woodnet
The Herpetological Conservation Trust.
Recommendations
1. (i) That, subject to funding being available, the following decisions are sought:
(a) approval be given to fund the following environmental programmes from the capital budget for 2005/06:
Regeneration of Older Urban £921,000
Areas Programme
Country Towns Initiative £258,000
Hampshire Villages Initiative £ 82,000
and the proposed outline pool of possible Regeneration of Older Urban Area projects for 2006/08 be noted (Appendix 1, Table 2), for further consideration at a future meeting; and
(b) approval be given to the allocation of £218,200 revenue funding for the provision of environmental services for 2005/06 to support the County Council's objectives.
(ii) That the County Council enters into agreements with the following voluntary sector and other bodies providing services and support to the County Council's objectives:
British Trust for Conservation Volunteers £ 23,000
Hampshire Buildings Preservation/Bursledon £ 15,000
Brickworks Trusts
East Hampshire Area of Outstanding Natural £ 30,000
Beauty - Joint Advisory Committee
Forest of Bere Partnership £ 15,000
Forest of Eversley Partnership £ 15,000
The Hampshire and Surrey Farming and Wildlife £ 15,000
Advisory Group
Hampshire Gardens Trust £ 15,000
Hampshire Wildlife Trust (Community Project £ 7,700
Officer)
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Trust for Maritime £ 19,000
Archaeology
Learning Through Landscapes Trust £ 22,000
Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre £ 20,500
Hampshire Wildlife Trust(Habitat Management £ 15,000
Advisory Project)
Hampshire Ornithological Society £ 3,000
Butterfly Conservation £ 3,000
Total £218,200
2. The budget is provisionally allocated to projects pending consideration of alternatives to achieve 2.5% efficiency savings on all projects and programmes, work with the local community and more detailed design work.
3. A total allocation of £406,000 is included in the 2005/06 capital budget, of which the Country Towns Initiative is £258,00. The remaining £148,000 is allocated to a variety of Environmental Initiatives (Appendix 2).
Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers | |
The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report. | |
NB the list excludes: | |
1. |
Published works. |
2. |
Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act. |
TITLE |
LOCATION |
Executive Member for Environment, 23 July 2003, Regeneration of Older Urban Areas Programme-Proposed Programme for 2003/04 and 2004/05 Executive Member for Environment, 15 October 2003, Country Towns Initiative Proposed Programme 2004/06 Environment Policy Review Committee, 21 January 2004, Executive Member-Environment, 23 January 2004 - Proposed Capital Programme 2004/05 to 2007/08 and Revised Transport Programme 2003/04 Executive Member for Environment, 7 April 2004, Environment Policy Review Committee, 5 May 2004 - 2003/04 Transport Capital Programme Progress and Revisions Executive Member-Environment, 7 April 2004 - Proposed Environmental Service Providers for 2004/05 Executive Member-Environment, 13 July 2004 - Hampshire Villages Initiative-Future Programme Executive Member for Environment, 7 December 2004 - Hampshire Villages Initiative- Supplementary Programme |
Environment Department Room 418 Room 418 Room 418 Room 418 Room 418 Room 418 Room 418 |
291/LT-K
APPENDIX 1
REGENERATION OF OLDER URBAN AREAS
TABLE 1 - RECOMMENDED NEW STARTS PROGRAMME FOR 2005/06
District Project *Estimated
Total £000
Eastleigh The Square, Hamble 200
Hart Church End Green, Yateley 200
New Forest Old Totton 300
Programme/Project Fees 221
Total 921
The proposed allocations are not cost estimates and are liable to change as projects are developed.
* Proposed financial allocation from the 2005/06 Capital Programme.
TABLE 2 - POSSIBLE FUTURE POOL OF PROJECTS FOR 2006/08
District Project
Basingstoke Brookvale, Basingstoke
Gosport Forton Road, Gosport
Havant Havant Town Centre
Rushmoor Cove, Farnborough
Discussions are still ongoing with the districts about the scope of future schemes.
The future pool includes those projects considered to best fulfil the ROUA programme criteria at this stage, subject to future priorities.
APPENDIX 2
COUNTRY TOWNS INITIATIVE
Other Environmental Initiatives 2005/06
APPENDIX 3
HAMPSHIRE VILLAGES INITIATIVE
FUTURE PROGRAMME
2004/05-2005/06 Expenditure
Horndean £50,000
Hurstbourne Tarrant £10,000
Rowlands Castle £3,250
Headley £6,500
Wherwell £3,000
Kimpton £5,000
Little London £15,000
Easton £3,000
Steep £3,000
Ashford Hill £15,000
South Warnborough £3,000
Other schemes to be identified £45,250
Total £162,000
SUPPLEMENTARY PROGRAMME
2004/05-2005/06 |
Expenditure |
Mottisfont Village Entrance signs |
1,800 |
River Itchen Access Enhancements, Bishopstoke |
7,000 |
Moyles Court Ford Protection, New Forest |
5,000 |
Hursley Village War Memorial |
5,000 |
West Liss Village Green Enhancement |
17,450 |
Contingency |
9,000 |
Total |
45,250 |
APPENDIX 5
REGENERATION OF OLDER URBAN AREAS PROGRAMME
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
Background
Established in 1984, the ROUA programme is an ongoing Hampshire County Council led initiative that responds directly to the regeneration needs and priorities identified by County Members.
The programme currently works in partnership with the following district councils: Basingstoke and Deane; Eastleigh; Fareham; Gosport; Hart; Havant; New Forest and Rushmoor.
The ROUA programme responds directly to the urban renaissance agenda and is a continuing objective for the County Council.
Philosophy and Principles
Investment in the following principles, values local distinctiveness, promotes the best use of existing assets, and represents the most effective long term commitment to urban renaissance:
(i) making the best use of land and property;
(ii) high quality design;
(iii) long life solutions and materials; and
(iv) appropriateness to the local sense of place.
Aim
To improve the quality of life of all those living, working and visiting our urban areas by making the best use of our cities, towns and suburbs; and providing a consistent approach from strategic planning to detailed design.
Objectives
1. To provide long term planning, design and management guidance for the redevelopment of urban areas.
2. To set out detailed area master plans promoting an integrated approach to social, economic and environmental issues.
3. To create bespoke, high quality solutions that celebrate local distinctiveness.
Criteria
1. Projects will demonstrate commitment to the programme's aim and objectives.
2. Projects will provide a consistent approach from strategic planning to detailed design.
3. Projects will demonstrate commitment to the programme's principles.
4. Projects will be based on assets (land and buildings) representing stability, continuity, long term worth and the best use of public money.
5. Projects will utilise traditional and natural materials, and craftsmanship, combined with a contemporary and innovative approach.
6. Projects will have recognisable value as a `landmark scheme' demonstrating the advantages of good practice and delivering clear benefits for the public.
7. Projects will flow from the strategic context by supporting County Council initiatives and strategic including:
(i) the Corporate Strategy;
(ii) Hampshire County Council's High Priorities 2003/04;
(iii) PSA targets;
(iv) Urban Living Strategy;
(v) Sustainable Development Strategy;
(vi) Local Strategic Partnerships; and
(vii) Local Transport Plan.
8. Projects will engage the local community and show the capacity for benefits to spread to the surrounding environment.
9. Projects will work across sectors and disciplines.
10. Projects will secure the commitment of other parties to contribute to achievement of the objectives.
11. Projects will make the best use of available delivery mechanisms, tap into new and alternative sources of support, and influence the direction of revenue and capital expenditure.
12. Projects undertaken in partnership with the district council will attract their active commitment to properly resource the project through match-funding and the support of appropriate staff resources.
13. Projects will be embedded in local policy, strategies and initiatives, eg Community Plan and Local Development Frameworks, and will be consistent with, or at least promote, a properly established and adopted long term vision.
14. Projects will deliver demonstrable economic, social and environmental benefits delivered in a comprehensive and coordinated way.
15. Projects will receive long-term commitment to maintain, manage, sustain and develop the investment.
APPENDIX 6
COUNTRY TOWNS INITIATIVE
Aims And Objectives
The programme reflects Government and County Council corporate strategies towards conservation, economic regeneration and the creation of sustainable, small and rural centres. It acts as a catalyst to inspire further investment in the locality by demonstrating a climate of future confidence.
The Initiative brings into sharp focus the three Council Corporate Aims:
(i) developing the Quality of Life in Hampshire;
(ii) stewardship of the Environment; and
(iii) achieving Economic Prosperity.
Working in partnership with the local community and local councils is a key aspect which implements the Corporate Strategy aim of developing `Partnership for Strong Communities in Hampshire'.
This emphasis on partnership working brings together resources from other County Council budgets (particularly highways) and from outside sources, principally district and parish councils and Central Government.
Links to Other County Council Programmes
The Initiative carries out works principally within public streets, so it is inevitable that the programme links closely with the County Council's Highways Capital and Maintenance Programmes. Added value is achieved by merging highways and environmental design objectives.
The programme links specifically to the following County Council Initiatives:
(i) Corporate Strategy and High Priorities 2003/04;
(ii) Sustainable Development Strategy;
(iii) Crime Reduction Strategy;
(iv) Hampshire County Structure Plan;
(v) Local Transport Plan;
(vi) Market Towns Programme; and
(vii) Local Strategic Partnerships.
The CTI shares many common values with Regeneration of Older Urban Areas and the Market Towns programmes - environmental quality and community engagement amongst them. At a practical level, the programme addresses the distinctive needs of the rural communities. It also works closely with the Market Towns programme for promoting `health checks' and capacity building in the rural towns.
Selection Criteria
The selection guidelines are to target opportunities in rural towns which:
(i) have historic or environmental importance, serve a substantial local, rural catchment and represent a service centre the support of which would reinforce the objective of maintaining sustainable, local communities;
(ii) exhibit significant environmental problems/opportunities which have been identified, for example in Local Plans, studies or `health checks';
(iii) where highways works are programmed and additional funding sources from the highway authority, central government or local authorities have been identified;
(iv) where the scheme ties in with a wider appraisal of needs of the locality, eg a town centre or regeneration initiative; and
(v) where the formation of partnerships, eg with local authorities, parish/town councils, can be expected and where there is broad public support.
The Initiative focuses on the main areas of activity, normally the historic core, where the beneficial impact and ability to enhance the commercial and social vitality of the town is greatest. It concentrates on land owned by public authorities, usually the highway and highway related land, although some work on private land may also be carried out.
Emphasis on Quality
The Initiative leads by example, aiming for high standards of workmanship and materials, and stressing appropriateness, quality and long life. Works are mainly (not exclusively) on public land or highways and include:
(i) landscape planting and paving, often associated with remodelling the highway, traffic calming/safety works and pedestrian priority;
(ii) creating opportunities for developing street activities, markets, outdoor eating, etc as part of a strategy for the economic and social development in the town;
(iii) removing unsightly street clutter, for example overhead wires and redundant signs, whilst inserting underground services for markets, Christmas events, etc;
(iv) creating attractive, new features, for example seating areas, community spaces, works of public art; and
(v) repairing and improving buildings, boundaries and some highly public areas in private ownership.
The programme aims for works to be carried out to a very high standard of workmanship and materials, with the intention being to lead by example. A number of national and local awards have been gained in this respect. As a general rule, schemes will:
(i) encourage street activity during both day and evening, including enhanced street lighting for highways safety and personal security;
(ii) shift the emphasis to beyond `standard' treatments so far as resources permit, using materials only which enhance the street scene, including the use of traditional materials; and
(iii) use heavier than normal landscape planting to create an immediate impact, ensure that all street furniture is attractive and well coordinated and, where possible, promote opportunities for public art.
APPENDIX 7
HAMPSHIRE VILLAGES INITIATIVE
The Hampshire Villages Initiative was set up to carry out schemes of environmental enhancement in Hampshire's villages. In recent years countryside issues have increasingly become a focus for the Government and other organisations and the Hampshire Villages Initiative is in line with Hampshire County Council's commitment to maintain and extend investment in the rural community.
Aims and Objectives
The Initiative, with its emphasis on partnership working to address local environmental and traffic safety issues through schemes which enhance the distinctiveness and quality of Hampshire's villages, brings into focus the three Council corporate aims:
(i) Maximising Life Opportunities;
(ii) Stewardship of the Environment;
(iii) Building Strong and Safe Communities.
Within the remit of these strategic aims a number of specific objectives have been formulated to establish guidelines for future projects. The Hampshire Villages Initiative will:
(i) Facilitate schemes of enhancement which are of the highest standard
A pre-requisite of any project undertaken by the Hampshire Villages Initiative is that it should be of a high standard of design. This objective applies to the whole project and encompasses the overall design through to the choice of materials.
(ii) Impact on the public domain
This does not imply that projects necessarily have to be carried out on land within the public ownership, but they must contribute to the overall scene within a village and be of benefit to the community at large.
(iii) Reflect the wishes of the local community
All projects should reflect the wishes of the local community, expressed through the Parish Council or other local organisations, or be the subject of a consultation exercise undertaken expressly to elicit a response to a particular scheme.
(iv) Reflect local character
Each village has its own unique sense of place which may well be defined in a Village Design Statement. Schemes must reflect this character through, for example, design solutions, the choice of materials, the use of plants and the selection of street furniture.
Selection Criteria
Within the four overall objectives, schemes to be included within the programme should be within the public domain and seek to achieve the following:
(i) create a sense of identity and place, including on arrival at the village;
(ii) remedy an existing eyesore;
(iii) have an individual treatment based on the distinctiveness of each village;
(iv) have immediate and significant impact;
(v) reduce street clutter; and
(vi) partnership match funding of 50%, or in special circumstances a minimum of 20%.
Priority will be given to schemes which:
(i) inspire a continuing programme of improvement beyond the immediate project;
(ii) link and add value to the existing highway or other environmental schemes;
(iii) offer the likelihood of attracting additional funding from other public and private sources; and
(iv) enjoy a high level of local support.
Links to Other Programmes
The Initiative will tie-in with local aspirations expressed through parish and district councils, local councillors or identified in Parish Plans, Village Design Statements and other Government Initiatives including the emerging community strategies. While the Hampshire Villages Initiative may be involved in the implementation of projects identified on their own merits it is anticipated that the Initiative will principally build on and add value to existing programmes including those initiated by local and parish councils as well as the County Council's own Highways Capital and Maintenance Programmes and the Safer Routes to School Programme.
Emphasis on Quality
The Initiative will aim for high standards of workmanship and ensure that landscape planting, paving and street furniture with which the Initiative is likely to be involved reflect the quality and appropriateness reflective of the unique sense of place of Hampshire Villages. To this end the emphasis will be on:
(i) the use of heavier than normal landscape planting to create an immediate impact;
(ii) the use of materials which exceed `standard' treatments;
(iii) the inclusion of street lighting and street furniture which is attractive and well coordinated; and
(iv) the promotion of opportunities, where possible, of public art.