Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were reported on behalf of Cllr Gary Hughes and Cllr Michael Thierry. Cllr Jan Warwick, conservative Substitute, attended in their place.

All Members who believe they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting must declare that interest 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 is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore all Members with a Non-Pecuniary interest in a matter being considered at the meeting should consider whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 2 of the Code, consider whether it is appropriate to leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

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.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting

The minutes of the last meeting were reviewed and agreed.

Under matters arising: under minute 6, circulation of information about topics previously scrutinised by this committee was requested. It was noted that the scrutiny officer had emailed members weblinks to the annual report of scrutiny for 2016/17 and the previous two years annual reports, which covers this information.

To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.

No deputations were received at this meeting.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman encouraged Committee Members to attend one of the forthcoming briefings at Hampshire’s highway depots due to take place in October.

The Chairman also drew attention to future Member Briefings relevant to the remit of this Select Committee:

·         11 October 2017 regarding the New Hampshire Highways Service Contract and the new Shadow Sub National Transport Body -  Transport for the South East

·         6 February 2018 - an Overview of the Economic Development Function

·         22 March 2018 - Tourism

The Chairman also announced that it was planned to arrange a workshop style event for Members of the Select Committee on ‘Managing the decline of the highway asset’ and on ‘future proofing Hampshire’s approach to waste management’. Members would be informed once dates had been arranged for these. 

For the Select Committee to scrutinise the revenue savings proposals for the Economic Development function under the Transformation to 2019 programme, in advance of consideration by the Executive Member for Economic Development on the afternoon of 19th September 2017.

The Select Committee received a presentation from the Director of the Economy Transport and Environment Department regarding the Revenue Savings Proposals for the Economy Transport and Environment Department under the ‘Transformation to 2019’ Programme. (see Item 6 in the Minute Book)

Regarding the budget for Economic Development, Members heard that the proposed revenue savings would be achieved via operating model changes. This included reductions in posts or moving to part funding posts with other organisations (for example the Local Enterprise Partnerships).

Members asked questions to clarify points and debated the proposals. Following the debate the Chairman proposed the recommendation, which was carried by 9 to 3:

RECOMMENDED:

The Economy Transport and Environment Select Committee support the submission to Cabinet of the proposed savings options contained in the report to the Executive Member for Economic Development. 

For the Select Committee to scrutinise the proposals for revenue savings for areas within the Environment and Transport portfolio under the Transformation to 2019 programme, in advance of consideration by the Executive Member for Environment and Transport on the afternoon of 19th September 2017.

The Select Committee received a presentation from the Director of the Economy Transport and Environment regarding the revenue savings proposals for the Economy Transport and Environment Department under the ‘Transformation to 2019’ Programme. (see Item 7 in the Minute Book)

Members heard that the savings target for the Economy Transport and Environment Department was £19 million from the cash limited revenue budget. Members were reminded of the budget position for the Council overall, and the savings already made in the Economy Transport and Environment Department under the ‘Transformation to 2017’ Programme.

It was noted that following consideration by the Select Committee, the proposals would go to the relevant Executive Members for consideration later that day, then the Cabinet would consider the collective proposals in October, and put the whole package to full Council for decision in early November 2017. For those proposals that directly affect the public, further consultation would be undertaken in due course on specific proposals, and further decisions would be taken on the detailed changes required.

The following Members declared an interest in this item by virtue of being Members of Hampshire District or Borough Councils, and remained for the debate: Cllr Heron, Cllr Warwick, Cllr White, Cllr Philpott, Cllr Tod, Cllr Kyrle and Cllr Simpson. 

Members heard that one of the areas where it was proposed to make savings was through no longer funding school crossing patrols. It was noted that this was a discretionary service, and it cost around £6,000 per year to provide each one. The County Council would be open to continuing to provide school crossing patrols if a third party were to fund them e.g. the relevant school, parish council or other community group. Some Members expressed concern that in areas of deprivation it may be harder to fund school crossing patrols from the community. Some Members commented that they would like to see a safety audit of school crossing patrols, to take into account when considering withdrawing this service.

Another area where savings were being targeted was waste. It was noted that the Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs)  were the only non demand led element of the waste budget, therefore this area had to be considered to find the required savings. It was reported that Hampshire currently has more HWRCs than comparable areas. However, some Members did not support the proposal to reduce the number of HWRCs. Discussions were also underway with District Councils regarding recycling rates and opportunities to improve e.g. by capturing more recyclable materials through kerbside collections.

Savings were also being proposed from the budgets for bus subsidies and community transport. It was reported that 87% of bus journeys were commercially viable. Some Members expressed concerns that the Equality Impact Assessments indicated that the proposals had a disproportionate impact on older and disabled people, for example those groups were most likely to use buses and community transport.

Other Members noted the need to balance the budget, and considered that the proposals were the best method to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

For the Select Committee to scrutinise a report regarding major transport schemes and strategies, in advance of its consideration for a decision by the Executive Member for Environment and Transport on the afternoon of 19th September 2017. 

The Select Committee received a report on behalf of the Director of Economy Transport and Environment regarding strategic transport funding and policy (see Item 8 in the Minute Book).

It was reported that the Housing Infrastructure Fund had been launched this summer, and at their meeting the previous week the Cabinet had approved two bids to submit for this national funding.

Hampshire County Council had been successful in developing schemes and bidding for funding when the opportunity arose. Investment would be required to continue developing schemes.

The government was also developing a highway maintenance funding stream for maintenance of the ‘major route network’ (significant roads managed by Local Authorities). The Sub National Transport Body would be giving consideration to priorities for this funding for the South East.

Some Members commented that there should be a higher priority given to cycling and walking in transport reports in support of public health aims regarding obesity.

Following questions and debate, the Chairman proposed the recommendation which was agreed:

RECOMMENDED:

The Economy Transport and Environment Select Committee support the recommendations being proposed to the Executive Member for Environment and Transport in Section 7 of the report.

To agree arrangements for a Task and Finish Working Group on the topic of Road Safety.

The Chairman presented the proposed terms of reference for the task and finish group on Road Safety (see Item 9 in the Minute Book). The Chairman proposed Membership of the Group.

RESOLVED:

The Terms of Reference for the Task & Finish Group on Road Safety be agreed.

The Membership of the Working Group be as follows:

Cllr Charles Choudhary (to Chair the group)

Cllr Edward Heron

Cllr Michael Thierry

Cllr Bill Withers

Cllr Martin Tod

Cllr Rupert Kyrle

To consider the work programme for the Economy Transport and Environment Select Committee.

The Chairman presented the proposed work programme for the Select Committee, as updated since the last meeting (see Item 10 in the Minute Book).

RESOLVED:

The Work Programme is agreed.