Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Fred Birkett.

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 held on 15 June 2017.

The minutes of the meeting held on 15 June 2017 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.

No deputations were received.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman announced that she had recently enjoyed a trip Staunton Country Park and also noted that the Select Committee had taken part in a site visit to Staunton. Members heard that work was progressing on developing a new visitor centre and ongoing restoration projects following the injection of Lottery grant funding. It was also announced that Staunton had received funding from Sport England.

The Chairman informed the Committee that the Summer Reading Challenge had continued to prove successful throughout the 2017 school holidays. This year’s total of ‘finishers’ was expected to exceed the previous amount of 15,000.

Members were pleased to hear of the launch of a new partnership project with the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). The project was launched to create suitable working spaces for MoJ staff to enable them to work remotely. The Chairman noted that the scheme was running in both Farnborough and Basingstoke Libraries and had received excellent feedback.

Finally, the Chairman announced that a new Micro:Bit programmable computer lending scheme was due to launch on 18 September which was intended to operate across 10 Libraries. The Committee heard that this new technology was aimed at inspiring young people to be creative and confident with digital skills such as coding.

To consider a report from the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services outlining the detailed savings proposals that have been developed as part of the Transformation to 2019 Programme.

The Committee received a report and presentation of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services (CCBS) and the Director of Corporate Resources, Corporate Services (Item 6 in the Minute Book) outlining the detailed savings proposals for Culture, Recreation and Countryside (CRC) Services that have been developed as part of the Departmental Transformation to 2019 Programme (Tto2019).

The wider County Council context incorporating the need to reduce budgets by 19 percent, amounting to a saving requirement across the Council of approximately £140 million by 2019/20 was set out. It was explained that proposals in the report were for savings equal to approximately £3.661 million from CRC services and the individual proposals were presented to the Select Committee. The Director of CCBS also gave an overview of the Balancing the Budget public consultation feedback.

Following Members’ questions, it was clarified that the CCBS department had existing partnerships with private organisations to facilitate service provision and that officers were continuing to look for opportunities, such as partnerships, to support the delivery of the Tto2019 proposals. It was confirmed that the department worked with Parish Councils and that the Hampshire Association of Local Councils was a useful forum to discuss the Tto2019 programme with other authorities. It was noted that the support of Parish Councils for the proposals, and for the work of the County Council generally, was highly valued.

Members expressed their support for improving income generation as opposed to the removal of existing services. Discussion was held regarding possible options for generating additional revenue and the Committee were aware of the balance between any initial capital outlay and the return pay back period to ensure that any investment was worthwhile.

The decision making route for the proposals, through the Executive Member for Culture, Recreation and Countryside, Cabinet and finally County Council, was explained. The attached Equality Impact Assessments relating to the savings proposals were acknowledged.

RESOLVED:

That the Culture and Communities Select Committee recommends to the Executive Member for Culture, Recreation and Countryside that he approves the submission of the proposed savings options contained in this report and Appendix 1 to the Cabinet.

To receive an update presentation from the Chief Executive Officer of the Hampshire Cultural Trust.

The Committee received a presentation from the Chief Executive of the Hampshire Cultural Trust (HCT). Members heard about the history of the Trust and the work that it had undertaken since it was founded in 2014.

Visitor figures were outlined as were the range of cultural locations across Hampshire which were contained within the HCT portfolio. Members were pleased to hear how the 2017 Big Theme, Jane Austen 200, had received international interest and acclaim.

In response to Members’ questions, it was confirmed that HCT was fully committed to supporting the future of arts provision County-wide, including through the Ashcroft Arts Centre and other facilities based in Fareham and Gosport. Furthermore, HCT was focused upon developing aspects of partnership working across its venues but that, at the present time, this did not include joint marketing or joint ticketing.

Members heard that HCT received some funding from the County Council and that this was currently based upon a 5 year framework. It was noted that, the Trust continued to be creative, resilient and seek opportunities to generate income and operate on a more commercial basis.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee notes the content of the presentation.

To receive an update presentation from the Chief Executive of Energise Me.

The Committee received a presentation from the Chief Executive of Energise Me with information about the organisations, its vision, purpose and governance arrangements.

Members heard about some of the grants and bursaries that athletes, coaches and clubs were able to apply for. The Committee were also informed of Energise Me’s links to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s Strategy for tackling inactivity. 

RESOLVED:

That the Committee notes the content of the presentation.

To receive a presentation from the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services with an update on the Library Service Strategy to 2020.

The Committee received a presentation from the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services with an update on the Library Service Transformation Strategy to 2020.

Members were given an overview of the Library Service, its facilities, employee and volunteer figures and were reminded of the Strategic Aims of the Strategy to 2020. The national perspective for libraries across the country was compared to the current circumstances for Hampshire libraries and the Committee were provided with key statistics to enable this comparison. Furthermore, Members were pleased to hear of the completion of two major refurbishments projects, the implementation of community hubs in library buildings and successful bids for project funding.

In response to Members’ questions, it was confirmed that a community hub is an umbrella building, primarily a library, which houses a range of facilities and services which can be accessed to collectively enhance the service provision available at one location.

Discussion was held regarding the opportunities for community organisations, including Parish Councils, to acquire Self Service technology and access other models such as Book Exchange. Members also recognised and praised how the Library Service was continually adapting to suit customer requirements, providing a comprehensive suite of facilities and services to the residents of Hampshire.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee notes the content of the presentation.

To consider the Committee’s forthcoming Work Programme.

The Committee received a report from the Director of Transformation and

Governance - Corporate Services (Item 10 in the Minute Book) which set out the Committee’s work programme.

In preparation for the presentation planned for the 13 November meeting, Members proposed that a site visit be arranged to Basingstoke Canal in advance of this meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee notes the Work Programme.