Archived decisions

Contact: Philippa Smart ex 7336

e-mail: [email protected]

1. Role of the Committee and Purpose of the Report

1.1. The role of the Environment and Transportation Policy Review Committee (E&TPRC) is to consider how effectively the policies, services and decisions of Hampshire County Council support a positive and sustainable environment, accessibility to services for all and effective management of natural resources. The purpose of this cover sheet is to alert Members of the Environment and Transportation Policy Review Committee to a range of relevant issues that relate to this aspect of the work of the County Council and the services it delivers. This provides a route through which members can receive and assess different topics that impact on the functioning of the County Council and identify those matters that may benefit from additional scrutiny by the Committee.

1.2. Items put forward for consideration by the Committee will be informed by a wide variety of sources. Information included in this sheet will therefore be drawn from

_ Forthcoming cabinet/executive members decisions

_ National and local policy development

_ Performance management reports and programmes

_ Other sources as appropriate

1.3. In addition Items for Consideration includes responses from the County Council to any general queries or specific requests for information from members as well as issues that are subject to routine monitoring by the Committee.

1.4. This process provide members with an opportunity to influence and inform the delivery of Hampshire County Council services and supports the Corporate Strategy aim of enhancing our quality of place.

Items for consideration

2. Programme of Cabinet/ Executive decisions

The Chairman considered items contained within forthcoming Executive

decisions lists, and identified one which has Hampshire wide significance

and which may be of interest to members:

- Environmental Design Guidelines Draft Programme and Progress Report (Item 5 (a))

3. Disability equality duty consultation feedback (Item 5 (b))

Hampshire County Council is consulting on its Disability Equality Scheme 2006-2009. The Scheme is part of the Council's overarching equality and diversity plan which sets out the vision which it has to eliminate unlawful discrimination and to promote equal opportunities for all people.

In order for the public to influence the development of the Scheme, a series of public meetings have taken place, with partner agencies, where transport issues have been aired by those attending.

The Strategic Equalities and Diversity Manager will lead a short presentation on the issues that have been raised.

It is proposed that members identify any further actions required following information received.

4. Eligibility criteria for patient transport services (PTS) (Item 5 c))

The Department of Health has published draft guidelines on `Eligibility

Criteria for patient transport services (PTS)' and is consulting stakeholders

on their views before the 16^th February 2007. The guidance covers patient

transport services as well as the hospital travel costs scheme (HTCS).

Patient Transport Services (PTS)

The guidance specifically relates to non-emergency patient transport

services to convey people with a medical need for transport to, from and between premises providing NHS healthcare. While this healthcare has been hospital based traditionally, with advances in care, and with changes to models of healthcare services, treatments may be provided now in community settings as well as hospitals.

The consultation seeks views about extending eligibility to PTS to procedures now available in a community setting. In putting forward this extension, it is not proposed to extend the criteria of `medical need' to include `social need'. Local transport plans should address issues of access to health services to enable integrated transport provision. Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) and local authorities should be

working together to ensure that new services are accessible by public transport. It is possible under current legislation for the NHS to use income generation powers to charge patients for the provision of

transport for social rather than medical need.

Hospital Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS)

The HTCS provides financial assistance to those patients who do not have a medical need for ambulance transport, but who require assistance in meeting the cost of travel to and from their care. The proposal is to widen eligibility so that patients receiving services under the care of a health professional, not just a consultant, are eligible.

It is proposed that members agree whether and how they wish to comment on

the consultation document.

5. Street Lighting Private Finance Initiative (Item 5 (d))

A member of the Environment Department will talk to a paper on the issues

relating to choices to be made about this initiative before the submission of

an outline business case at the end of January/early February.

It is proposed that this be considered for any additional action by the PRC.

6. Prioritised topics for the Scrutiny work programme (Item 5 (e))

Following discussion at the October E&TPRC meeting of the possible topics

arising from the September Briefing Session, the Topic Areas matrix was

circulated for additional comment and scoring has been applied.

It is proposed that members consider which topics they wish to be prioritised

for scrutiny.