Contact: Hannah Walton, ext 6824 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

That the Executive Member for Policy and Resources approves the Project Appraisal for environmental improvements to The Square at Hamble at an estimated cost of £880,000, including external funding.

1.2 The Executive Member for Environment: South Hampshire and Resource Management recommends this proposal.

1.3 The Buildings, Land and Procurement Panel considered this proposal on 24 January 2006.

2. Reason

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

(i) Aims 1 and 4 (Maximising Life Opportunities and Building Strong and Safe Communities) by creating opportunities to improve conditions for pedestrian safety, particularly for those with disabilities, the elderly and children; enhance access to community facilities and services; and promote local pride for the village within the community;

(ii) Aim 2 (Stewardship of the Environment) by enhancing the distinctiveness and environmental quality of Hamble and ensuring it remains a place where people want to live; and

(iii) Aim 3 (Achieving Economic Prosperity) by improving the setting for economic activity, raising confidence in the business community and encouraging inward investment.

2.2 The County Council's Regeneration of Older Urban Areas (ROUA) programme is managed to implement landmark projects to raise the quality of life for all who live, work and visit in urban areas. All projects are designed to demonstrate the benefits of making the best use of land and property; high quality design; long life solutions and materials; and appropriateness to the local sense of place.

2.3 Budget savings have been sought by means of securing and harnessing contribution funding of £575,000 from the District Council. Savings have also been achieved by contribution funding toward the feasibility and consultation exercises. This would have otherwise been funded through this capital expenditure.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 Alternative layouts were considered and some were taken forward to sketch scheme stage and consulted upon. The proposed scheme offers the best solution which can be achieved in this sensitive area to a complex set of design problems, which include traffic circulation and pedestrian flow.

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

512Decn/HW