Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Hiscock. Councillor Dowden was in attendance as the Liberal Democrat deputy member.

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 26 April 2018.

The minutes of the meeting held on 26 April 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.

With sadness, the Chairman announced the death of Enda Ryan who had made a significant and greatly valued contribution to Hampshire County Council as Head of the Hampshire Outdoor Centres. The Committee passed on their condolences to family members.

The Chairman announced that the refurbishment works at Totton Library and Gosport Discovery Centre had completed with new rooms for community hire and improved facilities. Members were pleased to hear that the Winchester Discovery Centre café had received a Gold Award from Winchester Access for All. The Chairman noted that funding for the next academic year had been allocated for more than 3000 adults to embark upon learning new skills at their local library.

The Chairman also made announcements regarding the County Council’s Country Parks as below:

• Following investment at Lepe Country Park, the new restaurant, The Lookout, had  experienced a successful launch and had opened on 4 May 2018.
• The Chapel at Royal Victoria Country Park re-opened on 1 August 2018 with significant local media interest.
• The transformation project at Staunton Country Park had received planning permission and had received an excellent response from the local community in a recent advertisement for volunteers.
• The Chairman had visited Queen Elizabeth Country Park with her family and noted that it had been a fantastic visit enjoyed by everyone.

To receive a report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services with an update on the progress with the Library Service Strategy to 2020 and to consider proposals for setting up a Task and Finish Group to develop a new Strategy to 2025.

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services with an update on the progress with the Library Service Strategy to 2020 and proposals for setting up a Task and Finish Group to develop a new Strategy to 2025.

Members were presented with the background and contextual information which had led to the development of the current strategy to 2020. The aims and objectives of the current strategy, which had been set by the previous Task and Finish Group, had been largely met or were in delivery. In particular, major refurbishment and improvement works had been undertaken and were ongoing within a number of Hampshire libraries and had been very well received. Members heard that the emphasis was to develop a sustainable service and to focus upon community need. Integration with other County Council functions was also discussed as an important factor.

In consideration of the proposed Terms of Reference attached at Appendix 1 to the main report, it was explained that as the Task and Finish Group was informal, it was possible, but not necessary that it be formed on a proportional basis. It was proposed and agreed that the Terms of Reference be amended in order that this be on a “cross Party basis” in order that all three political Parties represented on the Select Committee be included.

In response to Members’ questions it was confirmed that:

·         As the Transformation to 2019 savings were predicted to exceed the initial 14% target, the £500,000 transfer from the Development Fund was intended to remain as a permanent re-allocation of funding.

·         That since the closure of the mobile library service, fewer than 50 service users had moved to using the home library service. The majority of customers had accessed their local static library.

·         The School Library Service offer, an optional sold service to schools, and the way in which the service was marketed, was under review.

RESOLVED:

That the Culture and Communities Select Committee:

i)             endorse progress made on the Library Strategy 2020 since it was published in April 2016.

ii)            set up a Task and Finish Group to develop a new Library Strategy to 2025, with the Terms of Reference set out in Appendix 1 and that the membership of the group be as below with nominations to be sent to the Chairman:

·         four Conservative Members

·         two Liberal Democrat Members

·         one Community Campaign (Hart) Member

To receive a presentation from the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services with information on the culture and recreation grant stream.

The Committee received a presentation from the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services regarding the future structure of Culture and Recreation grant funding.

The intention to reduce reliance on year on year revenue funding from the County Council was discussed and it was proposed that most revenue grants would cease over the coming two to five years. Members heard that a stronger emphasis on capital funded, one off projects would be developed to help enhance the sustainability of applicant organisations.

Members noted that the Director intended to bring a further report, outlining potential future options for grant funding to the November meeting of the Select Committee for further consideration.

RESOLVED:

That the Culture and Communities Select Committee notes the content of the presentation.

To receive a presentation from the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services with information regarding the ongoing transformation programme.

The Committee considered the presentation of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services with updates on the recently completed Country Parks Transformation (CPT) Programme projects at Lepe and Royal Victoria Country Parks.

Members were pleased to hear that both launch events had been extremely successful, despite some challenges given the complexity of the individual projects, and the sites had experienced high visitor numbers throughout the summer months. It was noted that the introduction of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) had increased both income and parking compliance and within the initial few months.

RESOLVED:

That the Culture and Communities Select Committee notes the content of the presentation.

To consider the Committee’s forthcoming Work Programme.

The Committee received the report of the Director of Transformation and Governance – Corporate Services setting out the Committee’s upcoming work programme.

It was agreed that the following updates would be requested and the Work Programme amended accordingly:

·         An item regarding the options for Culture and Recreation grants would be added to the agenda for the 8 November meeting (in accordance with Minute Number 54).

·         An update on the Basingstoke Canal would be added to the agenda for the 8 November meeting.

RESOLVED:

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