Archived decisions

AT A MEETING of the BASINGSTOKE AND DEANE HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORT ADVISORY PANEL held at Basingstoke Borough Council, Civic Offices, London Road, Basingstoke on 5 April 2006

PRESENT :

Hampshire County Council

p Councillor P. A. Heath (Chairman)

Councillors :

p K.G. Chapman p J. J. Maxwell

p Mrs. J. Frankum p Mrs A. M. Mc Nair-Scott

p B. T. Gurden p S. H. Reid

a Jo Kelly p Mrs M. J. Tucker

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council

Councillors :

p Mrs. S. M. Allen p G. C. Hood

p M. Biermann p S. Parker

p Mrs W. A. Court p Mrs A. B. Rowland

Also in attendance: Councillor Mrs P. Baker from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council

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. There were no

declarations of interest.

2. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 9 November 2005 were agreed as a correct

record and signed by the Chairman.

Arising thereon :

Minute 10 - Passenger Transport - 9 November 2005

A Member had requested information regarding a fatality on the A340 at

Pamber End and he was given a letter of explanation. This would be circulated

by the Clerk to all Members of the Panel.

3. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman reported that Hampshire County Council has been reviewing its

democratic structures and processes with a view to improving the way it engaged

with local communities and in terms of value for money.

As part of the review consideration had been given as to how to create the best

balance between the three main elements of the work of County Councillors in

terms of decision making, the local role of Members and Scrutiny & challenge.

At the County Council meeting on the 30 January it was agreed to make changes,

including a new approach to supporting Members in their local role, which is

being called Hampshire Action Teams and Networks. The aim is to improve the

way information is used and shared locally to focus on action and adding value in

the local community. In order to resource the new approach some current

activities will need to end and it has been agreed that the current Highways and

Transport Advisory Panels and Transport Strategy Panels are no longer required

in their previous form. Both of these mechanisms will therefore be ended

following this round of Highways Transport Advisory Panels making this the last

meeting of this group.

The new arrangements for Hampshire County Council will be much more

Informal and focus on problem solving including highways and transport issues.

The Environment Department is moving more staff out to area offices, so the Area

Manager will be able to cover traffic management, implementation of local

improvement projects and developing solutions to local transport problems. I

couple of times a year to decide which problems are the highest priority to

investigate within the staffing and funding available, consider priorities for the

following year's capital programme and look back at the things that have been

done to see if they have been successful in addressing the priorities for

improvement. It is envisaged that there will be more informal contacts and

discussions with Area Managers in the Highway and Transport Service to keep

members abreast of developments and progress on local issues.

The Chairman thanked people for their participation in these groups previously

and assured all partners about the intentions for the future. It did not mean that

District Members would no longer be able to provide ideas about possible

highways projects nor that information would no longer be provided about

progress on local projects; it simply meant that things would be arranged

differently and improved for Members. District Members should liaise directly

with their County equivalents and no doubt would want to act jointly when this

involved actions by both Councils. The new mechanisms would be talked about

with all partners as they are put in place. It is intended that there would be an

improved level of local information provided to Members and that local

discussion of key matters would still take place.

The Chairman thanked everyone for all their hard work to date, hoped that

everyone would continue to work together to secure ongoing improvements to the

services to provide to the people of Hampshire in ever more effective ways.

4. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

5. UPDATE ON SCHEMES IN THE CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 5 in the

Minute Book) providing an update on transport schemes within the 2005/06

Capital Programme together with schemes for the 2006/07 Capital Programme.

It was reported that the Brighton Hill Roundabout was subject to a three year

evaluation programme, during which maintenance issues had arisen. The

carriageway was found to be substandard and major refurbishment work was

brought forward.

A Member requested information on the Brighton Hill Pedestrian Access

Improvements Scheme footpath network and whether by pooling resources it

might be possible to upgrade the Scheme.

RESOLVED:

That progress with the schemes in the Transport Capital Programme be noted

and that those schemes approved for inclusion in the Capital Programme for

2006/07 be supported.

6. UPDATE ON HIGHWAY AND MINOR WORKS PROGRAMMES

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 6 in the

Minute Book) outlining progress with the 2005/06 Highway Maintenance

Programme; 2006/07 Highway Maintenance Budget; the 2006/07 Highways

Maintenance Programme and progress on the 2005/06 Minor Capital works and

proposals for the 2006/07 programme.

Attention was drawn to channels of communication which the public could use

as follows :

The prospect of forthcoming utility works in the north of Basingstoke were

outlined, and there was some discussion of the disruption which these would

cause over the next two years.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the report be noted.

(ii) That the A340 Pamber End / New Road be given priority for inclusion in the

Minor Capital Works Programme for 2006/07; and the Executive Member

for Environment : South Hampshire and Resource Management be advised

accordingly.

7. PASSENGER TRANSPORT REPORT

The Panel received and noted the report of the Director of Environment (Item 7

in the Minute Book) detailing the latest position on concessionary fares, bus

services, Quality Bus Partnerships, Community Transport and rail issues.

The latest position regarding concessionary fares was described. It was reported

that the scheme had not worked out as well as expected in that some districts had

received insufficient funding to offer free travel for a

A Member requested information regarding Overton Railway Station,

particularly car parking arrangements and this was to be sent to her direct.

8. TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME

The Panel received and noted the report of the Director of Environment (Item 8

in the Minute Book) covering the main programmes of traffic management work

in the Basingstoke and Deane area in 2005/06 and 2006/07.

It was reported that Decriminalised Parking Enforcement (DPE) had been

introduced in 8 of the11 boroughs. County Councillor Mrs P. Dickens had been

appointed Assistant Chairman of the National Parking Adjudication Service

(NPAS) Joint Committee.

Members expresses concerns regarding the B3400 at Overton. 7 safety

schemes on the road had reduced accidents by 50%.

A Member drew attention to railway stations with inadequate or no car parking

facilities, particularly Bramley. These matters need to be addressed in the

renewal of South West Trains franchise negotiations.

Officers undertook to provide a written answer regarding the possible use of

speedlights to reinforce the 30mph limit at Baughurst.

9. CASUALTY REDUCTION PROGRAMME

The Panel considered report of the Director of Environment (Item 9 in the

Minute Book) outlining progress on the Hampshire County Council and

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Safety Camera Partnership casualty reduction

programmes for 2005/06 together with the proposed shape of the Second Local

Transport Plan (LTP) and supported programmes commencing in 2006/07.

It was explained that the County Council had made £1 million available to

support the low cost / high yield casualty reduction programme, which included

surface dressing measures. The proposed level of casualty reduction engineering

funding for inclusion in the County Council's second LTP submission would, if

successful, enable £13.53 million to be spent over five years.

It was noted that the County Council continued to achieve favourably against

Government targets and this aim would be pursued against a baseline of 2004.

Successes were noted with the following awards:

    · Prince Michael of Kent Road Safety Awards 2005 - Commendation

    · GCap radio- Creative Excellence

    · Prime community Safety Award 2006

The rules for funding were to change from 1 April 2007, when Camera Safety

Partnerships would cease. In future funding would come in the form of

supplementary funding through the LTP process.

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) providing an update on the workplace and school travel

planning programmes for the Basingstoke area and an update on the Basingstoke

Safer Routes to Schools programmes.

It was reported that the new engineer had been appointed for the Safer Routes

to School together with two support staff. 433 schools in the county had

developed or were in the course of developing School Travel Plans, with 8 new

applications. Members expressed disappointment at the low level of take up in

Basingstoke. It was felt that some schools were holding back, for example, in

Popley where development was taking place in the area.

The Chairman announced that Basingstoke had been chosen to participate in an

American Style ` yellow school bus ` scheme, which had been approved by the

Leader of Hampshire County Council.

RESOLVED:

That progress made with the delivery of the workplace and School Travel Plans

and Safer Routes to School programmes in the Basingstoke area be noted.

11. OTHER HIGHWAY RELATED PROGRAMMES

The Panel received and noted the report of the Director of Environment (Item 11

in the Minute Book) detailing the programmes for Intelligent Transport Systems,

Hampshire Villages Initiative, Bridgeworks, Intelligent Systems, Pedestrian

Crossings and Development Related Works.

It was noted that the County Council had bid for £83 million Private Finance

Initiative (PFI) funding for the lighting column replacement. This funding would

be essential to facilitate the replacement of columns.

Members attention was drawn to two Community Safety Initiative Schemes

which had been withdrawn, but which would be required when funds became

available. These were:

      · Mount Pleasant Drive, Tadley

      · Cuffell Close / Gabriels Lea Footpath, Chineham

12. POSSIBLE TRANSFER OF HIGHWAY WEED-KILLING TO THE

DISTRICT COUNCIL AGENTS

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 12 in the

Minute Book), regarding the possible transfer of weed-killing to the district

councils.

It was noted that Basingstoke Borough Council would give further consideration

to the matter, so that a decision could be made by autumn 2006. Basingstoke

Borough enjoyed a high level of service and they would not wish to lower this

standard.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the report be noted.

(ii) That the matter be referred to the officers with responsibility for Street Care,

and to the appropriate Portfolio Holder for consideration.