Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies.

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 13 November 2017.

The minutes of the meeting held on 13 November 2017 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 new assault course was due to open the following weekend at Queen Elizabeth Country Park. Members heard that this had been partly funded by the Armed Forces Covenant and also that a new dog activity course, play area and community space had been introduced at the Park.

The Committee heard that grant awards as part of the Hampshire Talented Athlete Scheme had been proposed to support almost 200 athletes across the county. The Chairman praised the previous successes of the scheme and noted that it had supported the development of five gold medal winners at the 2016 Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games.

At this point the Chairman requested that the Assistant Director – Culture and Heritage address the Committee regarding recent emails related to the Hampshire Cultural Trust which had been received by Members. The Committee were reassured that the Trust’s governance arrangements were clear and effective and were informed that an email to all County Councillors had been distributed with some further contextual information.

To consider a report of the Directors of Culture, Communities and Business Services and Corporate Resources – Corporate Services setting out proposals for the Culture, Recreation and Countryside budget for 2018/19 in accordance with the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy.

The Committee received a report and presentation from the Directors of Culture, Communities and Business Services and Corporate Resources – Corporate Services (Item 6 in the Minute Book) regarding the 2018/19 Culture, Recreation and Countryside revenue budget.

The overall financial position for the County Council was outlined and Members were updated on progress with the Council’s Transformation to 2019 programme. It was reported that the budget proposals had been made in accordance with the County Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) which had been approved by the Council at it’s meeting on 2 November 2017.

Key challenges for the department were highlighted including the focus upon generating income from the wide range of departmental services and major transformation programmes which were underway.

The Appendix provided a summary of proposed budgets for service activities for 2018/19.

In response to Members’ questions it was confirmed that:

·         The increase in the pay bill, resultant from the governments’ proposed pay award is likely to be 6% for Hampshire County Council over the next two years. In addition whilst the governments’ proposal incorporated a core increase of 2% per year the changes to the lower pay scales, to reflect the impact of the National Living Wage, significantly exceeds 2%.

·         Officers with commercial acumen skills were employed throughout the department, and particularly within Business Units, to enable services to maximise potential opportunities for generation of external income.

·         The Library Service was tracking the number of e-downloads and was looking to implement more advanced techniques to enable more detailed data to be tracked and analysed.

The Chairman proposed that a vote be taken on the proposals contained within the report. Eleven members voted in favour of supporting the recommendations to the Executive Member for Culture, Recreation and Countryside. Three members abstained from the vote.

RESOLVED:

That the Culture and Communities Select Committee recommends to the

Executive Member for Culture, Recreation and Countryside that he:

i)        Approves the arrangements for the future grant to Hampshire Cultural Trust as set out in paragraph 9.1.

Approves for submission to the Leader and the Cabinet:

ii)         The revised revenue budget for 2017/18 as set out in the Appendix.

iii)       The summary revenue budget for 2018/19 as set out in the Appendix.

iv)       The annual capital allocation for Community Building Grants of £125,000.

To consider a report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services with proposals for grant awards to cultural and community organisations.

The Committee received the report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services (Item 7 in the Minute Book) outlining grant applications from cultural and community organisations.

Members discussed the level of grant award for 2018/19 for the Hampshire Playing Fields Association (HPFA) and also the arrangements for future grant funding reductions. Some members felt, given the significant level of reserves held by the organisation in relation to the grant funding criteria, that the grant amount should be reduced by 50% from the previous year. Following further debate, it was agreed that the Committee would recommend that a reduction of a minimum of 20% from the previous year should be recommended and that this be conditional to the Executive Member for Culture, Recreation and Countryside meeting to discuss any future arrangements with the HPFA Chairman.

RESOLVED:

That the Culture and Communities Select Committee recommends to the Executive Member for Culture, Recreation and Countryside that he:

i)     Approves grants from the Culture and Recreation Investment Fund to the Live Theatre Winchester and to the Phoenix Arts and Theatre Centre as outlined in Appendix 2.

ii)    Approves a grant from the Culture and Recreation Investment Fund to the Hampshire Playing Fields Association (HPFA) at a minimum of 20% reduction from the amount awarded in 2017/18. That this grant award be conditional to a discussion between the Executive Member and the HPFA Chairman regarding the operating model and future funding arrangements.

iii)   Agrees that £150,000 of the Culture and Recreation Investment Fund be ring-fenced for 2018/19 Culture and Community Activity Grants.

iv)   Agrees that, pursuant to the approval of recommendation iii, the remaining funds within the Culture and Recreation Investment Fund be transferred to the Community Buildings Capital Fund scheme.

To receive a report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services with an update on the Country Parks Transformation Programme.

The Committee received the report and presentation from the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services (Item 8 in the Minute Book) with an update on the Country Parks Transformation Programme.

Members praised the positive work that had been undertaken so far and were pleased to hear of the success and achievement that had already been attained.

In response to Members questions it was confirmed that:

• School groups visiting the facilities who were led by Park rangers were charged for their sessions.
• The strategic direction for any future improvements at Titchfield Haven was under consideration.
• The Countryside team were working with Marketing to develop and maintain the marketing approach and ensure that social media was used to best effect.

RESOLVED:

That the Culture and Communities Select Committee:

i)     Acknowledges the achievement of the Programme in securing £7m in external funding, £2.8m above the original £4.2m target, to invest in the Country Parks Transformation.

i)     Supports the continued delivery of the transformation projects at each country park and car parking improvements as part of the Country Park Transformation Programme.

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:

·         The 12 February 2018 meeting be cancelled and the date used to arrange a visit and tour of the Hampshire Records Office in Winchester.

·         An update from the Hampshire Cultural Trust be added for the 26 April 2018 meeting.

·         A joint presentation from Energise Me and Public Health regarding a new strategy for Physical Activity and Sport be added for the 26 April 2018 meeting.

RESOLVED:

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