Item No: 8
Date:21st January 2015
Report:De-cluttering the Surrey Hills Working Group
Written by:Rob Fairbanks
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Purpose of Report
To consider a proposal for re-establishing the De-Cluttering the Surrey Hills Working Group to include undergrounding of overhead power lines
Background
The Surrey Hills AONB Board has worked with colleagues in Surrey Highways on a range of related activities which were aimed at promoting and reinforcing the rural character of country lanes. Although the work on rural traffic management is generally appraised as successful, it has not been effectively integrated into the work of Surrey Highways. There are no adequate processes in place to promote best practice, quality standards and maintenance. It was proposed that the Working Group will address these issues.
The AONB Board established a Working Group in 2009 on the basis that one of the key threats to the Surrey Hills identified in the AONB Management Plan was the impact of clutter on country lanes. The Working Group last met in 2013 where the focus was on the Shamley Green Scheme as a pilot. This was undertaken with mixed success without a formal review. In the meantime, the AONB Director has been approached by colleagues and parish councils to engage in schemes including recent schemes as Compton, Shere and Albury The new AONB Management Plan includes the action (L10) to implement proposals that promote and reinforce the rural character of the Surrey Hills country lanes and villages.
The Statutory Members Group also requested that the AONB Director consider how to progress the undergrounding of overhead power lines in the Surrey Hills. Offgem has confirmed the allowances for both SSE and UK Power Networks whose distribution networks cover the Surrey Hills. As this activity aligns to the theme of “de-cluttering” and involves a similar process of working with local communities on survey and consultation work, it is proposed to include this within the revised terms of reference. The new AONB Management Plan includes the action (L9) to reduce the impact of overhead power lines with a target of 2 schemes per annum.
English Heritage has agreed in principle to support the Group following the partnership working with Colin Davis who has advised on many schemes in the Surrey Hills. This is also an opportunity to secure Colin’s services on the Group to promote his new Guidance, Streets for All which has recently been launched by the Department for Transport.
Liz Cutter has agreed to continue to Chair the Group. It is proposed that the Working Group will consist of up to 10 members, to include parish council representatives, CPRE, Surrey Hills Society and Surrey County Council engineers covering transport strategy, area highway management and signs. The Chairman of the Working Group and AONB Director will agree the Membership.
Recommendation
Members are asked to support:
- re-establishing the De-Cluttering the Surrey Hills Working Group to include undergrounding of overhead power lines.
2. the AONB Director agreeing the Membership and work programme with Liz Cutter
Surrey Hills Board Working Groups - Terms of Reference
This paper provides guidance for Working Groups to progress the priorities identified in the Surrey Hills AONB Management Plan 2014 – 2019
- Membership
1.1The Chairman will be drawn from the Surrey Hills Board, but other Members of the Board and the Partnership will be invited to attend, as appropriate. Membership of each Working Group will be at the discretion of the Chairman.
2Responsibilities
2.1 The Working Group will be accountable to the Surrey Hills Board. The Chairman of the Working Group will report back at regular intervals to the Surrey Hills Board and will represent the Board on these matters
2.2 The Working Group will be expected to identify targets and tasks to complete within a given period. The Group will examine any issues relating to management, development, administration and publicity and, where necessary, make recommendations to the Board and its partners
2.3 Regular press releases will be issued by the Board to communicate the activity of the Group, and all notes of meetings and the Members of the Group will appear on the Surrey Hills Board’s website (surreyhills.org). The Working Groups will consider holding a seminar to raise awareness of the Board’s work amongst local authorities, parish councils, partner organizations and amenity groups like the Surrey Hills Society.
3.Coordinator
3.1The Surrey Hills AONB Unit will allocate a Coordinator to undertake the administrative and financial arrangements relating to the work and meetings of the Group.
3.2The Coordinator will distribute agenda and papers for Working Group meetings at least five working days before each meeting. Decisions of the Group will be recorded and notes will be issued for approval at the next Working Group meeting.
4.Project Fund
4.1 The Surrey Hills Board will prioritise its Sustainable Development Fund (as and when funds are available) to support the activities of the Working Group. Members of the Group will submit applications to the Fund, following consideration and support of the Group. The members will be expected to deliver the projects and secure additional resources, in line with the requirements of the Fund. The Fund can be used for research, surveys, consultancy, practical work and promotion.