Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Peter Chegwyn and from Councillor Pal Hayre. Councillor Adam Carew, the Conservative deputy member, was in attendance from 10.30.

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 18 January 2018.

The minutes of the last meeting held on 18 January 2018 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.

There were no deputations.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman was pleased to announce that a fundraising campaign by the Friends of Royal Victoria Country Park had been shortlisted for a Museums and Heritage Award. The Committee heard how the ‘Raise the Roof’ campaign, which had incorporated a ‘sponsor a slate’ initiative, had raised almost £7,000.

The Chairman noted how valuable the recent member visit to the Hampshire Record Office (HRO) had been. Members were pleased to hear that HRO had been awarded Archive Service Accreditation, the national quality standard, for recognition of good practice. Furthermore, the Chairman announced that a recent publication by the UK National Commission for UNESCO ( (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation)  showed how HRO had put Hampshire on the UNESCO map, highlighting its national cultural significance in relation to the stewardship of the celebrated Winchester Pipe Rolls dating from 1208 to 1711.

To consider a report and presentation of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services with an update from the Archives and Records Service.

The Committee received the report and presentation of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Service (Item 6 in the Minute Book) regarding the Archives and Records Service and Transformation to 2019 (T19).

Members noted how the service had robust plans in place to deliver the required T19 savings, via reducing costs and generating additional income, whilst maintaining the excellent service provision that had recently seen the service awarded Archive Service Accreditation. Members praised the work being conducted by the Archives and Records Service.

In response to Members’ questions, it was confirmed that:

• The service was developing a policy to charge for collections that were being held on behalf of individuals and external organisations.
• ‘Behind the scenes’ tours of HRO, which had previously proved successful in terms of generating  income and engaging members of the public with the important archiving work being undertaken, were now being offered to individuals as a new initiative which was already proving popular.
• Plans were in place to mitigate the reductions in staffing including the retirement of the conservator. The plans included exploring opportunities for an apprenticeship alongside a grant funded role, extending the input of volunteers and investigating the possibility of working in partnership with other organisations to jointly secure resources.

RESOLVED:

That the Culture and Communities Select Committee notes the content of the report and supports the strategy to meet the Transformation to 2019 financial targets for the Archives and Records Service.

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

The Committee received an update presentation on the Hampshire Cultural Trust from the Chair of Trustees and the Chief Executive Officer (Item 7 in the Minute Book).

Members noted that the recent negative press regarding the re-organisation of the Trust had been managed efficiently and professionally by the Trust team and that the Trust was developing as an organisation which was suitable for the future. Members were grateful to the presenters and also noted their thanks to the County Council’s Assistant Director of Culture and Heritage for the support and guidance regarding negative communications that had been received.

The Committee received an update on the financial position of the Trust, upcoming future workstreams and the governance structure in place.

In response to Members’ questions it was confirmed that:

·         The reduction in staffing amounted to 12 full time equivalent (FTE) roles and that the Trust currently had 104 FTE roles included within the central Winchester team and countywide. It was also confirmed that the Trust had strong voluntary support consisting of over 400 volunteers.

·         No venues were due to close and that, conversely, additional resource was being deployed across Hampshire venues to enhance the experience for visitors.

RESOLVED:

That the Culture and Communities Select Committee notes the presentation.

To receive a presentation from the Chief Executive of Energise Me.

The Committee received a presentation from the Chief Executive of Energise Me (Item 8 in the Minute Book) regarding the Strategy for Physical Activity 2017-2021.

It was outlined how levels of inactivity across Hampshire compared to national statistics and the Committee noted those demographic groups and geographical areas which had the lowest levels of activity. Members were shown the model being used to tackle inactivity looking at the individual attitudes and beliefs through to the social and physical environment through to national policy setting which had the potential to encourage physical activity.

In response to Members’ questions it was confirmed that:

·         The County Council’s Public Health team were working with departments to establish a detailed action plan to work towards the aim of beating inactivity.

·         The Public Health team were due to evaluate how it informs local members of activities and events within their divisions.

·         It would not necessarily be possible to designate outdoor spaces as non-smoking areas without relevant central government legislation.

RESOLVED:

That the Culture and Communities Select Committee notes the presentation.

To consider the Committee’s forthcoming Work Programme.

The Committee received the report of the Director of Transformation and Governance – Corporate Services (Item 9 in the Minute Book) which set out the Committee’s upcoming work programme.

It was agreed that the following updates would be requested and the Work Programme amended accordingly:

·         That the 5 July 2018 meeting be cancelled and the date used to arrange a visit for Committee members to the Council’s Country Parks.

·         A Library Service item be added for the 3 September 2018 meeting

·         A Country Parks item be added for the 14 January 2019 meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee notes the content of the Work Programme including the updates as outlined above.