Hampshire County Council Economy, Transport and Environment Select Committee Meeting

Apologies were received from Councillors Adams-King, Dunning, Kyrle, Still and Withers. Councillors Burgess, Drew and Hiscock attended as deputies for the meeting.

Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter considered at the meeting they must declare that interest at the time of the relevant debate and, having regard to the circumstances described in Part 3, Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members' Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Non-Pecuniary interest in a matter being considered at the meeting they considered whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 2 of the Code, considered whether it was appropriate to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

The minutes of the last meeting were reviewed and agreed.

There were no deputations for the meeting.

The Chairman confirmed that the first meeting of the Task & Finish Working Group on the 20mph Speed Limit Policy had been set and the working group would report back to the September 2022 Select Committee.

Councillor Martin Tod declared an interest as the Cabinet Member for

Economic Recovery at Winchester City Council

The Select Committee reviewed and considered the draft Local Transport Plan (Item 6 in the minute book).

The presenting officer summarised the significance and purpose of the plan along with introducing the four areas within the document and guiding principles.

The Select Committee made the following observations regarding the plan:

·         In Part C is was agreed that where it discussed ‘promoting’ walking and cycling, “enable” or “support” would be better to strengthen the importance of the statement and the County Council’s commitment to it;

·         It was noted that not all travel was being discouraged, only ‘unnecessary’ travel;

·         There was concern from some Members that the plan was too forceful and ‘anti car’, but it was clarified that the focus was on providing suitable alternatives to driving and giving people more options;

·         In Part D of the plan that discussed bicycle parking, it was noted that this should include cargo bicycles, which were often too wide for regular bicycle parking stands.

·         The term ‘hierarchy’ should be changed with more of a focus on the vulnerability of road users, as it was felt the term ‘hierarchy’ implied the importance of road users.

·         It was agreed that a footnote would be helpful alongside section C4 to demonstrate that there was a social, economic and environmental balance to consider with all policies contained within the plan;

·         Horse and riders are not mentioned in the plan and it was felt that they should be;

·         Some wording within the plan, particularly around biodiversity, would need strengthening now the Environment Act had been passed;

·         In Part 7 it was noted that the term ‘mass’ was not measurable and could be changed to ‘substantial’ or ‘significant’;

·         On page 92 of the plan/page 108 of the pack, it was suggested that the workplace parking levy be removed;

·         On page 94 of the plan/page 110 of the pack, it was felt that the opening sentence of the paragraph should end at “It will be important to ensure that realistic, affordable alternative travel options are available.”;

The Executive Lead Member for Economy, Transport and Environment thanked officers for their work on the plan and acknowledged comments made by the Select Committee.

RESOLVED

The Select Committee considered and made comments on the draft Local Transport Plan, as captured in the minutes.

The Work Programme was deferred until the March 2022 Select Committee meeting.