Hampshire County Council

Policy and Resources Policy Review Committee

Item 10

1 February 2007

Proposal for Scrutiny

Report of the Chief Executive

1. Name of proposer

Environment and Transportation Policy Review Committee (Councillor Hutcheson, chair)

2. Subject of review

Street Lighting

3. Aim

- to contribute towards the shaping of key aspects of the service changes being proposed in the outline business case

4. Type of scrutiny

Policy development

5. Factors prompting the topic

In February 2006 Hampshire County Council submitted an expression of interest to the government for Private Finance Initiative funding to renew and upgrade its street lighting stock.

Cabinet authorised a submission based on completely replacing 57% of the Council's stock.

In July 2006 the government asked the council to proceed to submission of an outline business case, working with West Sussex County Council and Southampton City Council to examine the opportunities for joint working. Parish, town and district councils have also been offered the opportunity to join in the development.

In view of the widespread impact of the proposed change to street lighting services for the residents of Hampshire, and prior to decisions being made on proposals to be included in the outline business case submission, scrutiny of aspects of the business case proposals has been proposed by the Environment Department and accepted by the Environment and Transportation Policy Review Committee.

6. Outcomes to be achieved

- recommendations relating to:

* the impact on the public of proposed street lighting service changes

* the implications of the development in terms of energy efficiency and energy consumption

* the proposed partnership approach with parish, town and district councils

7. Proposed methodology

One off workshop, open to all Councillors with non executive responsibilities

8. Resourcing

Support to the scrutiny workshop will come from the Policy Unit Scrutiny Team.