Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Collett. Councillor Porter was in attendance as the Liberal Democrat substitute.

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 meeting held on 29  March 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.

There were no announcements.

To consider a report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services providing an update on the major programmes, projects and issues currently being progressed within the department.

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services (Item 6 in the Minute Book) which provided an update on major projects that were being progressed within the department.

Discussion was held regarding electric vehicles and members were pleased to hear of the electric charging point framework arrangement, led and managed by the County Council, which was currently being promoted. It was noted that interest from external public sector organisations continued to be strong.

The Panel also discussed the office accommodation arrangements and heard that utilisation studies had been undertaken across the Winchester office estate. Members heard that once ongoing refurbishment works to EII South had been completed it was intended that the office space would be occupied more intensively to make the most efficient use of the space. Furthermore, Members were supportive of the suggestion to rent existing office facilities to external organisations to generate income.

RESOLVED:

i)             That the Buildings, Land and Procurement Panel notes the progress being made on each of the programmes.

ii)            That the Project Appraisal for improvement works to Three Minsters

House is supported and recommended to the Executive Member Policy

and Resources for approval at an estimated total cost of up to £975,000

inclusive of fees.

To consider a report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services giving an overview of Property Services’ performance and financial outturn position for 2017/18 and the business strategy priorities for 2018/19 and beyond.

The Panel considered the annual report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services (Item 7 in the Minute Book) which provided an overview of Property Services’ financial outturn position for 2017/18.

In response to Members’ questions, it was confirmed that the County Council had a Joint Working Arrangement with the University of Winchester and that asset survey and management work had recently been undertaken for them by the service. The Panel noted the intention to continue to develop the working relationship as the University expands in capacity.

RESOLVED:

That the Buildings, Land and Procurement Panel notes the successful outturn for Property Services in 2017/18, in particular, the continuing strong performance of the service to generate external income to maintain capacity and skills as well as making a substantial contribution to overheads.

To consider a report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services summarising the financial and business performance of the three self-funding business units within the department for the 2017/28 financial year.

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services (Item 8 in the Minute Book) providing a summary of the financial performance of the self-funding business units namely County Supplies (CS), Hampshire Transport Management (HTM) and Hampshire County Council Catering Services (HC3S).

Members were pleased to hear of the successful year for the Business Units. Section 6.4 of the report outlined recent awards and accreditations which had been obtained by HC3S including a ‘Food for Life Served Here’ Bronze award from the Soil Association for all Hampshire primary schools.

RESOLVED:

That the Panel make the following recommendation to the Executive Member for Economic Development:

i)             That the 2017/18 annual report and accounts for the Business Services Group be approved.