Contacts:

Alison Quant, ext 5099 email: [email protected]

Trevor Wallis, tel 02392 834347 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions are sought:

(i) That the Director of Environment be authorised to prepare and return an Expression of Interest to the Department for Transport based upon Scenarios 2 and 4.

(ii) That the Director of Environment shall consult with District, Town and Parish Councils on the opportunity to benefit from a Hampshire Private Finance Initiative, and engage with other authorities outside Hampshire to develop a joint bid, if this would be beneficial to the County Council and the residents of Hampshire.

(iii) That the Director of Environment be authorised to appoint the necessary resources, as required, to develop the project, in the event that the Expression of Interest is approved.

1.2 The Environment Policy Review Committee considered these proposals on 18 January 2006. Members' comments will be reported orally at the meeting.

2. Reason

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

(i) Aim 2 (Stewardship of the Environment) - as the new lighting will reduce light pollution and increase the efficiency of energy use;

(ii) Aim 4 (Building Strong and Safe Communities) - as the new lighting columns will reduce the risk of injury from defective columns collapsing and ensure a minimum standard of lighting on all roads that are deemed to require lighting; and

(iii) Aim 5 (Improving Services) - as the level of investment in a new system of lighting will improve the level of service the County Council provides to its residents. This service level will then be maintained for the length of the contract and not be affected by Government funding to local authorities.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 Other options considered and rejected:

(i) Funding from Revenue is not a viable option due to the level of investment required and the availability of funding.

(ii) Prudential Borrowing would not provide the level of funding required and would incur a high level of debt charges which would appear in the Council Tax.

(iii) Funding from the Local Transport Plan is unlikely to be sufficient for a scheme of the size being contemplated, even if spread over the next 15 to 20 years.

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 T K Thornber

753Decn/AQ