Contact: Andy Wren, 01962 857444 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions are sought:

(i) That the procedure for dealing with development related travel plans, as set out in the County Council's document "A Guide to Development Related Travel Plans" dated May 2008, is formally adopted and that approval is given for charging developers for advice given to them in relation to the establishment and monitoring of the travel plans in accordance with section 3 of the report, and that the County Council appoints additional staff to undertake this work, funded by fees from developers.

(ii) That delegated authority be given to the Director of Environment to review the guidance document, charging mechanisms and fees referred to in (i) above.

2. Reason

2.1 Having a formal document setting out the County Council's requirements in respect of development related travel plans will assist developers in preparing travel plans and reduce the demands on Business Travel Plan Advisers

2.2 Advice to developers on travel plan requirements is currently provided free of charge by the Business Travel Plan Adviser. Demands on this service are continually increasing, which has meant the County Council has been unable to dedicate resources to working with existing businesses in developing their own travel plans, or monitor any development related travel plans that have been secured. By freeing-up and recruiting additional staff resources, the County Council will be able to help develop more travel plans contributing to the corporate aims of maximising well-being and enhancing quality of place.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 It would be possible to provide travel planning advice and monitoring to developers at no charge, however there would not be any additional funding to provide staff to advise on travel plans or recruit extra staff to monitor plans following development. Furthermore existing staff would be unable to find time to work with businesses to develop voluntary travel plans. This would make it much more difficult to hit Local Transport Plan (LTP) targets related to workplace travel.

3.2 Withdrawal of advice to developers could be pursued, however this would reduce the influence the County Council has on the travel plans, leading to sub-standard plans and the potential for increased impact of car-borne traffic from new developments. There would also be no resources to monitor existing plans to ensure delivery. This would also make it more difficult to hit traffic growth, public transport and cycling targets in the LTP and add to congestion on the road network.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or Other Executive Member Consulted - None.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - None.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - None.

Approved by: Date:

Councillor M J Kendal

Executive Member for Environment

1474Decn/ACW