Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Debbie Curnow-Ford, Councillor Sarah Pankhurst and Councillor Stephen Reid.

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.

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.

There were no deputations for the meeting.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

There were no formal announcements.

To pre-scrutinise a report for the Executive Member for Countryside and Regulatory Services regarding proposed changes to the governance and operation of the Basingstoke Canal Authority – which acts as a delivery agent for the management of the Basingstoke Canal on behalf of Hampshire County Council.

Councillor Rod Cooper declared an interest as a member of the Basingstoke Canal Society.

The Select Committee pre-scrutinised a report for the Executive Member for Countryside and Regulatory Services (item 6 in the minute book) on Basingstoke Canal.

The Committee received a presentation that summarised the report, highlighting the current operating model and a review that had taken place to look at how it could be best managed going forward in light of partner funding withdrawals and reductions. It was also noted that reference to the Joint Management Committee in the report should be the Board.

The preferred option included the commercial activity associated with Navigation. The requirement to keep the canal navigable was necessary to ensure access for key maintenance, therefore the additional cost to enable [Leisure] Navigation, would primarily reside with the employment of Lock Keepers to ensure safe passage through the canal system. The additional cost would be comfortably offset with the additional commercial income received by Moorings and associated reduced draw on reserves. 

During questions of the Committee, the following points were clarified:

·         Despite a recent news article, it was confirmed that there were not changes proposed to the services provided along the canal, only the responsibility and governance arrangements.

·         There was a good working relationship with Surrey County Council, which would make a decision on the 26 March on the proposals.

·         The canal would need careful and efficient management in the medium term and the number of boats traversing the canal that as deemed acceptable to Natural England would continue to be discussed in order to establish a suitable balance of protecting the SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) element as well as enabling the canal to be as commercially sustainable as possible.

·         There had been no legal obligations for financial contributions as part of the original governance model and the Basingstoke Canal Authority (BCA) could not own anything or employ anyone itself, only via a landowner as it had no corporate identity.

·         The disused Greywell tunnel had more roosting bats than anywhere else in Britain.

·         Hampshire County Council self-insured and had insurance reserves without anything specifically budgeted for the Canal. There was a risk register in place.

·         Residential and visitor moorings fell within the Surrey section of the canal and any income from those was put towards SCC’s contribution costs.

Councillor Jonathan Glen spoke as the Chairman of the Basingstoke Canal Joint Management Committee, thanking the Assistant Director for her work in enabling the canal management to be explored fully. Councillor Glen looked forward to working with the Basingstoke Canal Society going forward in order to help the Basingstoke Canal continue to flourish.

Councillor Russell Oppenheimer, Executive Member for Countryside and Regulatory Services thanked the Committee for the questions and discussion and welcomed the benefits the Canal brought to Hampshire both environmentally and recreationally. Councillor Oppenheimer informed he would discuss writing to Rebecca Pow MP, Minister for Nature with the Executive Member at Surrey Council Council following their decision to enforce the importance of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

To review the current work programme for the Universal Services Select Committee.

The Work Programme (item 7 in the minute book) was approved by Committee and it was confirmed that the ‘waste and collaborative working’ item did extend to recycling.

RESOLVED

The Universal Services Select Committee discussed and agreed the current items for the work programme, which would be prioritised and allocated by the Chairman of the Universal Services Select Committee in consultation with the Director of Universal Services.