Item 2

AT A MEETING of the RUSHMOOR HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORTATION PANEL held at Rushmoor Borough Council, Farnborough on 7 October 2005.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillors:

p R.J. Baulk (Chairman)

p Mrs. P.M. Devereux

p R.J. Kimber

p Mrs. C.A. Leversha

p E.J. Neal

Rushmoor Borough Council

Councillors:

p M. Roberts

p R.G.L. Dibbs

p J.P. Matthews

p J.J. Matthews

p D.E. Clifford

1. 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 declare their interest and, having regard 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. Any declaration to be made at the time of the debate. There were no declarations of interest.

2. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 18 March 2005 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

3. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman announced that the report containing items raised by District Council Members had been moved up the agenda to item 5.

4. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

5. ITEMS RAISED BY RUSHMOOR MEMBERS

The Panel considered the report of the Head of Street Services (Item 5 in the Minute Book) containing items raised by Borough Council Members.

The Chairman reported that a meeting had been held between the County Council and Borough Council and that the outcome had been positive. He explained that whilst the County Council nominated conservation areas, and that where work over and above "the basic standard" was requested, the additional costs would fall on the requesting Authority. Where special features were taken away, the County Council would replace on a "like with like basis".

It would be necessary for the County Council and the District Council to continue to work together to identify, designate and jointly fund areas which required work.

The Head of Street Services requested that it would be necessary to define boundaries of some conservation areas to protect buildings, streets or trees and to make such plans 4 or 5 years ahead to ensure that quality schemes emerged.

Members requested that the limited resources available be applied so as to maintain standards once achieved in all areas.

Referring Members to paragraph 4.1 of the report, the Chairman explained that the Panel, although advisory, had contributed many positive achievements in the Borough.

The future of the Highway and Transport Advisory Panels were under review and a report would be made to the next meeting in Spring 2006. Members were keen to retain the channel of communication between the Authorities should an area committee structure be devised by the County Council. Officers undertook to consider these requests.

RESOLVED:

(a) That the report be noted.


(b) That in the event of Area Committees or other arrangement being proposed by the County Council, Highway and Transport Advisory Bodies remain or a similar communication body be put in place.

6. PROGRESS UPDATE ON SCHEMES IN THE CAPITAL PROGRAMME

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 6 in the Minute Book) on progress schemes in the Capital Programme.

The scheme at North Camp Farnborough would not now be completed in October 2005. Members wished that the scheme should be further considered after the survey had been completed.


RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

7. UPDATE ON HIGHWAY AND MINOR WORKS PROGRAMME 2005/06

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 7 in the Minute Book) outlining progress with regard to the 2005/06 Highways and Minor Capital Works Programmes and giving an update on the 2005/06 Highways Maintenance Budget.

It was reported that Members had been consulted on Minor Capital Works Schemes before implementation.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

8. TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PROGRAMMES

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 8 in the Minute Book) concerning the main programme of traffic management work in the Rushmoor area in 2005/06.

RESOLVED:

That, the report be noted.

9. CASUALTY REDUCTION PROGRAMMES

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 9 in the Minute Book) outlining progress on the Hampshire County and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Safety Camera Partnership casualty reduction programmes for 2005/06, together with road casualty reduction progress in Hampshire.

Good progress had been made towards casualty reduction targets with figures considerably ahead of profile at the present time.

Attention was drawn to traffic speeds in Ordnance Road, Aldershot and consideration of Traffic control measures was requested. District Council Members signified their support for the principle of speed indicator signs.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

10. TRAVEL PLAN PROGRAMMES

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 10 in the Minute Book) updating on progress on the workplace and school travel planning programmes for the Rushmoor area. The report also included an update on the Safer Route for Schools programme.

Fifteen organisations in the Rushmoor area were developing travel plans. The School Travel Planning Team's work would continue to be supported by government funding. The Team were now engaged with 32 of the 41 schools in the Rushoor area, with 11 final travel plans having been submitted and approved.

RESOLVED:

That progress with the delivery of the workplace and School Travel Plans and Safer Routes to Schools programmes in the Rushmoor area be noted, together with the outcome of the recent InforMotion personalised travel planning project.

11. OTHER HIGHWAY RELATED PROGRAMMES

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 11 in the Minute Book) covering a range of activities undertaken by specialist teams within the Environment Department.

It was noted that finance for the Puffin Crossing at Solartron Road had been moved to the Farnborough Town Centre scheme.

The level of street lighting maintenance continued to ensure that 99.4% of all street lights in the Borough were functioning at any one time.

Members were anxious that all lighting columns be brought up to modern standards.

Members were advised that bridge protection measures continued as a priority.

The Director of Environment was to supply Councillor Roberts with figures relating to bridge works.

No bids had been received for this year and Borough Council members were advised to notify Mr. Pettit of bids against the Community Safety Initiative for this year (2005/06).

RESOLVED:

That, the report be noted.

12. PASSENGER TRANSPORT REPORT

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 12 in the Minute Book) detailing the position on local bus service support this year, describing the evolving Passenger Transport Strategy for the future and providing updates on three schemes under the umbrella. Blackwater Valley Quality Bus Partnership and enhancements to Community Transport. Members were critical that the report had not included the full appraisal and that appropriate officers were not in attendance.

Discussion ensued regarding poor disabled access to the northern side of Farnborough Railway Station. The need for improvements had been brought to Rail Track's attention and although they had indicated that finance was unavailable, and it was felt that this should be progressed as a matter of urgency. Potentially, disabled passengers would be obliged to travel to Basingstoke to safely cross the line.

Officers undertook to take the matter up with Rail Track. Bids for 2007 would be made shortly and both the County Council and the Borough Council would seek to influence the applicants to achieve better facilities and improvements at Farnborough Station.

The meeting was adjourned and would re-convene at Rushmoor Borough Council Offices on Friday, 28 October 2005 at 10.00 a.m.

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