Hampshire County Council Transport and Environment Select Committee Meeting

All Members were present and no apologies were noted, but apologies were received from Executive Members Councillor Edward Heron and Councillor Nick Adams-King.

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 5 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 welcomed new Members to the Committee and thanked those that had previously sat on Committee for their work and contributions. Councillor Rob Mocatta, Chairman of the Culture, Communities and Business Services Select Committee was also welcomed as an observer.

The Committee received a presentation and verbal update on the work to date of the 20mph Speed Policy Task & Finish Group.

Officers summarised what the Task & Finish Group had learned so far and it was confirmed that future sessions would be planned to assist in the group concluding and formulating recommendations to the Select Committee.

The consultation around 20mph speed limits was due to be published imminently, accompanied by a press release. Due to the consultation being published later than planned, it was agreed that the deadline for responses should be extended into September to accommodate the summer break.

The Committee received a presentation and update on electric vehicle charging (item 7 in the minute book).

Members were updated on progress with the Local Transport Plan, future electric chargepoint schemes and given an introduction to LEVI funding.

In the presentation, Members also learned the following:

·         There was currently not a large demand for electric vehicle charging;

·         Rapid chargers were a popular method of charging;

·         Residential charging needed further investigation with build-outs not being suitable for a lot of locations due to how narrow the pavements were. Cable covers and cable channelling were other methods for research;

·         Electricity infrastructure was also another important consideration and whether this could be strengthened to provide the amount of electricity required for expanding the charging network;

Some Members feared investing in potentially redundant technology if hydrogen cells was developed further in the longer term and acknowledged that it was unlikely that there would be any further financial support from central government, so any funding would need to be generated with private investors.

Councillor Warwick thanked officers for their work on the pilots that had taken place and the data that had been gathered to assist in future work.

The Committee considered the current work programme (item 8 in the minute book).

Members discussed potential future items for the Select Committee including:

·         LTP4 pre-scrutiny

·         Highways management

·         Biodiversity and nature recovery plans, following the implementation of the Environment Bill

It was agreed that existing items related to the Hampshire economy and economic development would also be removed now they were no longer within the remit of the Select Committee.

RESOLVED

The attached work programme was agreed, and proposed items from the meeting would be taken forward for discussion with the Director of Economy, Transport and Environment to arrange suitable timings and placement on the work programme.