To receive any written questions.

Councillor J.P. Thomas asked:

"I made a request for an extension to the 30 mph limit  south-westwards along the Barons' Cross road ( A44 ) in August 2000.  A Traffic Regulation Order indicating such extension, some 677 metres south-westwards, was 'signed off' in March 2003.  At least until Wednesday 3rd March 2004, this TRO had still not been implemented.

Is this a record 'slow' time, and, if so, can members be assured that it will not be broken?"

Councillor Wilson, Cabinet Member (Highways and Transportation) replied that there had been delays in erecting speed limit signs because of a lack of resources.  Arrangements were in place to reduce the backlog.  The signs at Barons Cross had been ordered and would be installed as soon as the contractor could arrange to do so.  He thought this was likely to be during April.

Councillor J. Stone asked:

"Will the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation support local efforts to persuade the Highways Agency to improve road safety at Ashton and the Woofferton junction on the A49?"

Councillor Wilson replied that the A49 was the responsibility of the Highways Agency who had recently completed a Route Management Strategy.  The Strategy was yet to be published, but he understood that it recognised the problems at both Woofferton and Ashton.  He said he was happy to support road safety improvements at these locations.

In response to a further question by Councillor Stone, Councillor Wilson said he would be willing to meet with representatives of the respective parish councils once the strategy was published, but reminded Councillor Stone that he had no remit for trunk roads.

Councillor R.I. Matthews asked:

"Could you please update Members on the A4103 Roman Road improvement scheme because we were recently informed that the hedgerows would be removed in Feb 2004 but to date nothing has happened?   Also can you give us a firm date when general construction work will commence because I was under the impression that £580,000 had been allocated to this scheme for this financial year?"

Councillor Wilson reported that Alun Griffiths Ltd had been selected as the preferred contractor for the Roman Road improvements and that work on the main contract should start in late summer.  The felling of two mature oak trees was scheduled to take place in the second half of March.  Delays had been experienced because one contractor had been unable to carry out specialist hedge relocation work intended to begin in February/March.  This had now been re-assigned and the alternative contractor was due to commence work shortly.  He advised that the original budget for the scheme in 2003/04 was £800,000 and that current estimates put the spend in excess of £600,000.

In answer to a further query about future supervision of the scheme, Councillor Wilson undertook to discuss Councillor Matthews concerns with the Director of Environment.

Councillor Mrs. M.D. Lloyd-Hayes asked:

"The Supporting People programme is responsible for £7.5m in 2003-2004  and £7.3m in 2004-2005.  Why is there no Member representation on the Herefordshire Supporting People Partnership Commissioning Body, i.e. Member of Social Care and Housing Scrutiny Committee?"

Councillor Mrs. Barnett, Cabinet Member (Social Care and Strategic Housing) thanked Mrs Lloyd-Hayes for her question and referred to the guidance supplied from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister specifying that the Commissioning Body should comprise seniors officers charged with responsibility for making commissioning decisions and holding overall budgets for their organisation.  Their decision would be within the remit of a Supporting People strategy agreed by elected members and approved by other partners including the police and the primary care trust.  Recent government guidance issued by the Audit Commission has indicated that there should be a shadow commissioning body comprising elected members, non-executive members of the PCT and members of the probation board.  She invited Councillor Mrs Lloyd-Hayes to assist with such a group.  She confirmed that the Supporting People programme had a budget of £7.5 million but that 90% of this was committed to existing contracts.

Councillor Mrs. M.D. Lloyd-Hayes asked:

"There is a rumour that Local Area Forums will be reinstated, is this the case?"

The Leader referred to the Chairman's announcement earlier in the meeting.