Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors Prad Bains, Graham Burgess, Rob Mocatta and Tanya Park. Councillors Wayne Irish and Gavin James attended as the Liberal Democrat substitutes and Councillor Stephen Parker attended as a Conservative 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 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 Personal Interest in a matter being considered at the meeting should consider, having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 4 of the Code, whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 5 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 5 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.

No declarations were made.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting held on 22 January 2024.

The minutes of the last meeting held on 22 January 2024 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.

There were no deputations on this occasion.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

o   The Chairman welcomed new members to this Committee, Councillors Russell Oppenheimer, Patricia Stallard and Malcolm Wallace following their appointment at Full Council in May 2024.

o   Members were reminded of the deferral of the SP25 discussions to its meeting on 12 September, given the current pre-election period. This meeting would consider the feedback from our Task and Finish Working Group, led by Councillor Rod Cooper, which had reviewed the consultation process over the last 6 months. It would then also consider in detail the relevant 2 Savings Proposals relating to Competitive Grant Schemes and the Hampshire Cultural Trust Grant. At this point, the Chairman took the opportunity to thank all Members who had put themselves forward and contributed to this Group.

To consider a report of the Director of People and Organisation regarding the Annual Corporate Performance and Productivity Assurance report for 2024.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of People and Organisation on the annual Corporate Performance and Productivity Assurance report 2024 (Item 6 in the Minute Book).

The report included for the first time, data on the new Government requirement for local authorities to produce Productivity Plans, These Plans are centred around the four key themes requested by Government - transformation, opportunities offered by technology, reducing wasteful spend, and barriers preventing activity. The County Council is required to submit its Productivity Plan to Government by 19 July 2024.

It was noted that further performance measure data for the County Council could be found on the Oflog website. Oflog, which is part of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, provides comparative performance data on all local authorities against a set of key indicators, via its Local Government Data Explorer.

After a full discussion, Members expressed their disappointment regarding the performance measures against “condition of the highways” (page 38) and waste (page 39) especially in the context of the SP25 Proposals. Members were informed that in common with all areas in the UK, the County Council continued to face unprecedented challenges in maintaining Hampshire’s local road network and that the waste data was influenced by weather conditions, i.e. a warm, wet summer would yield a higher tonnage of garden waste than a long, dry summer.

At this point, the Executive Member for Hampshire 2050 (Climate Change, Culture and Partnerships) and HR, Communications and Performance assured the Committee that she would raise their concerns with Cabinet.

RESOLVED:

That theHampshire 2050,Corporate Servicesand Resources Select Committee:

1.    notesthe CountyCouncil’s framework of performance assurance for the past year;

2.      notesthe County Council’s Productivity Plan which will be submitted to Government in July 2024.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director – Legal Services and Monitoring Officer detailing complaints received and investigated by the Ombudsman during 2023-24.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of People and Organisation – Assistant Director – Legal Services and Monitoring Officer regarding the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman determinations 2023/24 (Item 7 in the Minute Book).

The Director highlighted that this report was a new, stand-alone document designed to enhance the visibility and discussion of the data. The Committee was informed that the number of determinations remained consistent with the previous year, with the financial redress having reduced over the last 3 years.

Members were advised that each determination was reviewed and key lessons learnt. Further context was provided for those complaints regarding Adults Health and Care and Children’s Services. The Committee heard that both of these Directorates had adopted a strength-based approach involving early engagement with parents, which had resulted in a reduction in the number of complaints. Examples of these were given at the meeting.

The Committee thanked officers for their diligent work in this area.

RESOLVED:

That the Hampshire 2050, Corporate Services and Resources Select Committee notes the determinations of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) in 2023-24.

To receive a report of the Director of People and Organisation detailing the activity of each of the Select Committees during 2023/24, for submission to Full Council.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of People and Organisation summarising the activity or each of the Select Committees during 2023/24 (Item 8 in the Minute Book).

RESOLVED:

That the Hampshire 2050, Corporate Services and Resources Select Committee approves the summary of work of each of the Select Committees over the past year, for submission to Full Council on 18 July 2024 as the Annual Scrutiny Report.

To consider and approve the Hampshire 2050, Corporate Services and Resources Select Committee Work Programme.

The Committee considered the Work Programme (Item 9 in the Minute Book).

During discussion, Members requested the inclusion of an item on the Local Nature Recovery Strategy prior to it being discussed by Cabinet and a focus topic alongside the annual Climate Change report.

RESOLVED:

That the Hampshire 2050, Corporate Services and Resources Select Committee discussed and agreed the work programme, with the above additions, which would be prioritised and allocated by the Chairman of the Hampshire 2050, Corporate Services and Resources Select Committee in consultation with the Directors of Corporate Operations, Hampshire 2050 and People and Organisation.