Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were noted from Cllr Ray Bolton. Cllr Chris Carter, Conservative Substitute, attended in his place. Apologies were also received from Cllr Michael Westbrook. The Labour Substitute Member had been invited but was unable to attend.

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

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 informed Members that the Leader of the County Council had announced that a ‘Future of Hampshire’ Commission would be undertaken, and the Chairman had added this to the Work Programme for this Select Committee to consider the outcomes of the Commission in 2019.

The Chairman also indicated that he had been giving consideration to other items for the work programme for this Select Committee, and was looking in to scrutiny of outside bodies that the County Council works with, for example the Local Enterprise Partnerships. 

To consider a report of the Chief Executive regarding the Transformation to 2019 programme. This report went to Cabinet on 16 April 2018.

The Select Committee received a report from the Chief Executive providing an update on the Transformation to 2019 Programme across the County Council (see Item 6 in the Minute Book). It was noted that the report had been to Cabinet earlier that week and the recommendations agreed.

Members heard that at full Council in February it had been agreed to remove the savings proposals affecting universal services provided by the Economy Transport & Environment Department. These savings would be met by alternative proposals and increased funding from Council tax. It was reported that of the overall Transformation to 2019 savings, 45% were either secured or there was high confidence in achieving those savings. Some of the remaining areas of savings would be challenging to deliver and may need more time to be achieved. Consultation would be undertaken regarding specific service proposals.

Enabling projects were making good progress, including deploying mobile devices to staff to enable increased contact time with service users, and use of robotic process automation to release staff time from repetitive administrative tasks.

Members asked questions for further detail. Members queried progress regarding lobbying for powers to levy a small charge for access to Household Waste Recycling Centres. It was reported that conversations were ongoing. Regarding alternative funding streams in Waste, Members discussed the ability to derive income from resale of items that could be re-used. It was noted that a profit sharing scheme was in place for this.

Members discussed the opportunity for the County Council to provide back office functions to district councils. It was reported that conversations were ongoing on various fronts, however different districts were in varying positions, and there would need to be sufficient economies of scale to make the proposition viable.

RESOLVED:

That the Policy and Resources Select Committee notes the key points of the Transformation to 2019: Report No.3.

To receive a presentation regarding the management of the Great Hall.

The Select Committee received a presentation on behalf of the Director of Culture Communities and Business Services regarding the management of the Great Hall (see Item 7 in the Minute Book).

Members heard that in 2015/16 the budget for running the service was negative compared to the cash limit. A programme of work had been undertaken to enable the service to become self funding. This had included a new team of staff, refreshed branding, and the introduction of an entrance charge in July 2017. Efforts had also been made to improve the social media presence of the Great Hall. The Hall was also hired out for events including weddings.

Members asked questions and discussed additional ways to promote the Hall to visitors. The Chairman suggested that a tour of the hall could be offered to Members. Councillor Carew made a number of suggestions to add to the visitor experience, and the Chairman suggested he follow up with the officers directly.

RESOLVED:

The Select Committee note the update and thanked officers for an excellent presentation.  

To approve the annual report of activity across the scrutiny function for the period April 2017 to March 2018, for submission to full County Council.

The Chairman presented the Annual Report of Scrutiny for approval (see Item 8 in the Minute Book). It was noted that the Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee provides a separate annual report.

RESOLVED:

That the Policy & Resources Select Committee approve the summaries of the work of each Select Committee over the past year, for submission to County Council as the Scrutiny Annual Report.

To consider the work programme of future topics for consideration by this Select Committee.

The Chairman presented the work programme for this Select Committee, as updated since the last meeting (see Item 9 in the Minute Book). Possible future topics were discussed, including those raised by the Chairman under his announcements.

Cllr Heron suggested the Committee receive an update on General Data Protection Regulations compliance by the County Council, once the new regulations had been in force for a few months.

RESOLVED:

That the Work Programme is agreed, subject to any amendments agreed at this meeting.