Archived decisions

Councillors:

p I.F.E. Beagley

p A.S. Carew

a Anne Edwards

p Mrs K. Heron

p Keith House

p G.M. Hockley

p Sam Payne

a David Simpson

p Mrs M. Tucker

p John K. West

p S.A. Wheale

Action

42.

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 normally at the time of the debate 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, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with paragraph 12 of the Code. No such interests were declared on this occasion.

43.

MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 19 July 2007 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

44.

CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman reported that in relation to the Committee's Work Programme there would be a briefing on Vehicles in the Countryside, on Friday, 19 October 2007 at 10 a.m. at Falcon House, Winchester; and that there would be a briefing on Monday, 8 October on Climate Change, to be held in the Hampshire Record Office Cinema.

With regard to the Lyndhurst Bypass Scrutiny, he explained that the Scrutiny Review Group would take evidence from witnesses in November and formulate their recommendations to go to Cabinet in December 2007: as a means of involving the committee, in the absence of a formal meeting during this period, a copy of the report would be forwarded to the Committee at that stage.

45.

FUTURE FUNDING ARRANGEMENTS FOR COMMUNITY TRANSPORT SCHEMES

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 5(i) in the Minute Book), which was due to be considered by the Executive Member for Environment at his Decision Day on 9 October. Kevin Ings, Environment Department, explained the rationale for the changed arrangements in detail. He explained that the current pattern of service level agreements was no longer a lawful option in the light of changes to EU procurement regulations and the County Council's own standing orders.

During their consideration of the report, Members drew attention to the following salient points:

· The need to show that the tendering exercise would deliver satisfactory outcomes in terms of costs and services.

· The need to keep in close contact with District Councils and Parish Councils in the event that rising costs or diminished levels of service meant that they had to make a financial contribution towards community transport.

· The possibility of innovative solutions such as combining tenders for Dial a Ride and Call and Go services.

· The possibility that tenders could be packaged to enable community transport groups to tender for adult services/school transport contracts as well as Dial a Ride Services.

· Further discussion needed with operators and with District Councils on suitable fares and on removal of anomalies whereby there were concessionary fares in some districts and not in others.

· The need to make some sense of arrangements for transport to and from hospital, where current policy is that Dial a Ride is not allowed to provide such transport services. Changes in the configuration of hospital services and longer distances for patients to travel may mean that other solutions need to be found to enable people to attend appointments at more distant hospitals.

· The role of community transport needs to be looked at in the round as part of the Committee's scrutiny of transport in the community.

· The need for dialogue with and cooperation between operators to ensure that vehicles are effectively and fully used, and are not left idle and empty for long periods.

Councillor Kendal indicated that he would take into account the various points made by the Committee as summarised above, and would also take into account any further individual representations received from Members. His decision would be constrained by the current legislative framework, but he was hopeful that cooperation between providers and the various local authorities would result in a pattern of services which would meet the majority of needs, particularly access to hospitals.

Colin Hinxman to notify Committee Members of Councillor Kendal's decision on this item in the usual way

46.

CAPITAL PROGRAMME 2007/08 PROGRESS AND REVISIONS

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 5(ii) in the Minute Book) which had already been agreed by the Executive Member for Environment at his meeting on 11 September 2007. In response to questions, the Director of Environment would inform Councillor Beagley on prospects for a household waste recycling centre in the Waterlooville Area, perhaps in the context of the emerging proposals for the major development area. An explanation was also given of the rationale behind postponing the majority of improvement works within the Lyndhurst gyratory, since they would be premature in advance of the scrutiny review currently being undertaken. Limited works to improve surfaces and visibility near the primary school would go ahead, but the remaining work, primarily on air quality, would remain on hold for the time being.

Subject to the above observations, the report was received and noted.

Helen Ackerman to send details to Councillor Beagley

47.

REVENUE BUDGET MONITORING 2007/08

The Committee considered the report of the County Treasurer and Director of Environment (Item 5(iii) in the Minute Book), which had been considered by the Executive Member for Environment at his September meeting. Reference was made to the significant change involving an increase of £1,500,000 for the County Council's contribution to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Safer Roads Partnership to reflect new funding arrangements; to the welcome overall reduction in levels of waste; underspending on school crossing patrols; and planned maintenance and repair of potholes in roads. The report was received and noted.

48.

LOCAL TRANSPORT PLANNING PERFORMANCE

The Committee received a PowerPoint presentation from John Buckett in the Environment Department. A copy of the presentation is set out as Item 6 in the Minute Book. The presentation gave details of the various targets which the Environment Department was expected to meet and on progress being made in achieving them.

49.

SCRUTINY REVIEW UPDATE

The Scrutiny Officer reported on progress with the two current subjects for scrutiny as follows:

· Transport in the Community - The first session of evidence from witnesses has been held and another one was due to be held the following week. All the information, both in written form and from witnesses, would be collated and analysed with a view to a report coming back to the Committee at its April 2008 meeting.

· Lyndhurst Bypass - The Review Group had met and would be holding a session to receive evidence from witnesses at Lyndhurst on 5 November. The aim was to report back to Cabinet in December, with the prior opportunity for Members of the Committee to see the final report (see Minute 44 above).

A question was raised as to why the Director of Environment had implied that the scrutiny review on transport in the community was "dragging its feet". The context of the alleged remark would be investigated and Members notified of the outcome.

50.

SCRUTINY PROGRAMME REPORT

The Committee considered the report of the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Select Committee (Item 8 in the Minute Book) on the activities of select committees and on the Environment and Transportation Select Committee's current work programme. Members indicated that they would like to add to the programme regular monitoring of the changed arrangements for community transport schemes (see Minute 45 above)

Philippa Smart to amend the work programme accordingly