Terms of Reference and Constitution for Welsh HAUC
Terms of Reference

The role of the Committee (Welsh HAUC) is to create a forum for discussion and generation of professional relationships leading to co-operation betwen Utilities and Highway Authorities and all other parties involved with new roads and street works (New Roads and Street Works Act 1991[NRSWA]) within Wales.

To achieve these objectives Welsh HAUC is committed to:-

  1. Acting as the regional focus for National Highway Authorities and Utilities Committee (NHAUC) and reporting to NHAUC through the national meeting of Regional HAUC representatives. Supporting NHAUC requests and initiatives.

  2. Accepting all relevant current Legislation, Codes of Practice and Specifications.

  3. Promoting the implementation of relevant guidance procedures within their organisations.

  4. Identifying topics where there will be scope for local incentives and interpretations and achieving agreement through Wales.

  5. Contributing to a free flow of information between organisations.

  6. Exploring all avenues and options designed to reduce the:-
      • impact of street works upon highways, highways users, the environment and the community in general
      • incidents of damage and to minimise the risk to health and safety generally.

  7. Monitoring the performance of both the Utilities and Highway Authorities under NRSWA.

  8. Promoting local liaisons and supporting local HAUC's by:-
      • Providing guidance
      • Acting as an advisory forum in the event of local disputes where good practices are at issue.
      • Disseminating information on National and Regional issues.
      • Receiving information/best practice from local HAUC's.
      • Assisting in the implementing concilliation and arbitration procedures.

  9. Reviewing the Terms of Reference and Constitution, if necessary, at the first meeting of the calendar year

Constitution

  1. The Committee (Welsh HAUC) shall consist of representatives form Utilities and Highway Authorities operating within Wales.

  2. Welsh HAUC may invite other interested parties to attend meetings.

  3. Anyone wishing to attend a meeting as an observer must seek permission form the Secretary prior to the meeting and shall not take any active part in proceedings, unless invited to do so.

  4. Welsh HAUC shall appoint the Committee's Officers, which shall comprise a Chairman and Secretary. The Officers will be appointed for a two-year term. WATOSWG and Welsh JUG will nominate the Chairman and Secretary and these two offices shall alternate annually between the two organisations. The Welsh HAUC Secretary will succeed the outgoing Welsh HAUC Chairman on an annual basis and a new Welsh HAUC Secretary will be appointed by the relevant organisation.

  5. A minute secretary may attend the meetings as required by the Welsh HAUC Secretary.

  6. Welsh HAUC will meet on a quarterly basis. Additional meetings will be at the request of either WATOSWG or Welsh JUG.

  7. Buisness for consideration must be included in the agenda, which will be published at least 5 working days prior to the meeting. The Minutes of the meeting will be circulated to Welsh HAUC members within 20 working days of the meeting.
  8. Business will be generated from the following:-
      • National Joint Utilities Group (NJUG)
      • National Street Works Highways Group (NSWHG) via WATOSWG
      • Local Government Association (LGA)
      • National Highway Authorities and Utilities Committee (NHAUC)
      • Highway Authorities within Wales (WATOSWG - Welsh Association of Technical Officers Street Works Group)
      • Utilities within Wales (Welsh JUG)
      • Members of Welsh HAUC where the subject has Wales wide implications
      • Local groups who have been unable to resolve issues locally and any other relevant bodies
      • National Assembly for Wales

  9. Welsh HAUC may nominate sub-groups to examine and to report back on topics of mutual concern and interest. Chairmanship of these working groups will be found from Welsh HAUC members and both WATOSWG and Welsh JUG will have the opportunity to appoint an equal number of delegates.

  10. Both the Welsh HAUC Chairman and Secretary shall approve Welsh HAUC Agreements, Guidance Notes and Standard Forms. The signed Agreements etc shall be held by the Chairman. A copy of each document shall be forwarded to National HAUC. Welsh HAUC Agreements, Guidance Notes and Standard Forms shall be reviewed annually.

  11. All Welsh HAUC correspondence shall be authorised by both the Welsh HAUC Chairman and Secretary.

  12. In the event that discussions at local level fail to resolve any issues, the Concilliation and Arbitration Procedure shall apply. The Concilliators shall be both the Welsh HAUC Chairman and Secretary. Where this is not possible, alternative Concilliators from WATOSWG and Welsh JUG may be appointed as necessary. Where concilliation fails NHAUC Arbitration Procedures shall apply.

  13. Welsh HAUC web-site will be maintained and funded through Welsh HAUC. Funds will either be generated by Welsh HAUC or by sponsorship.

  14. Where funds are generated by Welsh HAUC, a Treasurer shall be appointed and accounting procedures applied. This matter to be reviewed on an annual basis.

 

 

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