AT A MEETING of the ENVIRONMENT POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE held at The Castle, Winchester on Thursday 24 November 2005.

PRESENT:

Also in attendance: Councillors K. G. Chapman, J. K. Glen, T. G. Knight, J. K. West and M. J. Woodhall.

53. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors A. S. Carew,

Mrs K. Heron and Seán D. T. Woodward.

54. 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 the debate 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.

55. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 6 October 2005 (Item 2 in the Minute

Book) were confirmed by the Committee and signed by the Chairman.

56. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

There were no Chairman's communications.

57. MEMBERS' QUESTIONS

No questions to the Executive Member for Environment : North Hampshire

and Spatial Strategy and the Executive Member for Environment :

South Hampshire and Resource Management had been received.

58. REVENUE BUDGET MONITORING 2005/06

The Committee considered a report of the County Treasurer and Director of

Environment presenting an interim update report on the Revenue Budget

monitoring position, to be considered by the Executive Member for

Environment : South Hampshire and Resource Management at his meeting on

8 November 2005.

RESOLVED:

That the action being taken to manage the cash limit before the budget is

revised in January 2006 be noted.

59. ENVIRONMENT CAPITAL PROGRAMME

The Committee received, discussed and noted a report of the Director of

Environment (Item 8 in the Minute Book) summarising the progress in

delivering the 2005/06 Environment Capital Programme including a review of

the transport programme spending plan at the half-year point.

In response to a question about the Derby Road/Passfield Avenue roundabout

scheme at Eastleigh being withdrawn from the transport capital programme, the

Director of Environment advised that Officers had looked at the design for the

mini roundabout and concluded that initial disappointing results of the

assessment of the scheme should be further examined and reconsidered. The

Director of Environment clarified that the scheme was being deferred at this

stage to allow this further consideration, rather than dropped altogether from the

programme.

60. LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN UPDATE (PASSENGER TRANSPORT)

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Environment (Item 9 in

the Minute Book) introducing a set of five passenger transport strategy

documents for inclusion in the full Local transport Plan (LTP).

Members noted the LTP proposals to address transport problems through an

overall policy framework of reduce, manage, invest and that the passenger

transport strategies were a key part of this approach. Members also noted that

the Bus Strategy and the Passenger Transport Information Strategy documents

were statutory requirements to be included in the LTP. The proposed Passenger

Transport Strategies recognise the importance of bus, ferry and community

transport services as a key area for investment with a focus on punctuality and

reliability to meet passenger needs together with delivering the best mix of

conventional, flexible and community based transport to meet social needs

within the funding available.

RESOLVED:

That the key elements of the five passenger transport strategies to be included

in the full Local Transport Plan be supported.

61. LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN UPDATE (INTELLIGENT TRANSPORT

SYSTEMS)

The Committee received a report of the Director of Environment (Item 10 in the

Minute Book) providing a strategy for Intelligent Transport Systems for

inclusion in the full Local Transport Plan (LTP).

Members noted that the Intelligent Transport Systems linked closely with

delivery of LTP2 objectives to reduce, manage and invest and contribute to the

shared priority areas of congestion, accessibility, air quality and safety. There

was an emphasis in the proposed strategy on the need to find solutions before

the problems become too embedded and on the opportunity to raise awareness

through better advance information to travellers.

RESOLVED:

That the principles and emphasis of the draft Intelligent Transport Systems

Strategy annex to the second Local Transport Plan be supported.

62. SOUTH EAST PLAN

The Committee received and noted a presentation by the Director of

Environment setting out progress to date in delivering the South East Plan with

a focus on the outcome of the recent District Housing Provision consultation.

Further consideration will be given to the issues at the Cabinet meeting on

28 November and then the County Council meeting on 8 December 2005.

Members noted the number and source of responses received to the

questionnaire included in the "Where shall we live" and Hampshire Now

Special consultation documents. In addition to the analysis presented of the

responses to the main questions. Members were also advised of the responses to

the open text questions included in the survey. Stakeholders comments

included: current transport infrastructure, schools, health and utilities;

development must be preceded by infrastructure, brownfield development must

precede building on greenfield sites and the existing shortfall on affordable

housing. Residents comments included: current roads already congested,

schools over stretched and no provision for new schools and the number of

new homes too great.

63. ENVIRONMENT POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE -

FORWARD PLAN

The Committee received and noted a report of the Chief Executive and

Director of Environment (Item 12 in the Minute Book) setting out issues for

future consideration.