Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Cllr Heron and Cllr House. Cllr Carter attended as the conservative substitute Member. Cllr Thornton attended as the liberal democrat substitute 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

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 had no announcements on this occasion.

To consider a report providing an update on Phase Two (2015-20) of Hampshire’s Supporting (Troubled) Families Programme (STFP). The programme serves as a key element of the County Council’s work with partners to address crime and disorder. 

The Select Committee received a report and supporting presentation from the Lead for Hampshire Supporting (Troubled) Families Programme, on behalf of the Director of Children’s Services, providing an update on Phase Two of Hampshire’s Supporting Families Programme (see Item 6 in the Minute Book). The Chairman introduced the item, reminding Members that it was a requirement for this committee once a year to consider issues relating to how the County Council works in partnership with other bodies to prevent and reduce crime and disorder. 

It was noted that, as requested by committee members, the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight had been invited to attend the meeting. However, he had given apologies. It was noted that the County Council works with the PCC on a number of programmes. Members were reminded that scrutiny of the PCC was undertaken by the Hampshire Police and Crime Panel, on which the County Council was represented by Councillor Jan Warwick.

Members heard that the Supporting (Troubled) Families Programme in Hampshire had been independently evaluated and found to be successful in avoiding costs to public services. The County Council had submitted an Expression of Interest to the Department for Communities and Local Government for ‘earned autonomy’, which would provide funding in place of Payment by Results in the last two years of the programme.

Members heard that 5,540 families in Hampshire would be targeted for support in phase two of the programme, of which around 1,200 would receive intensive support. For phase two, multiple providers were involved in supporting the programme, which was anticipated to help ensure there would be enough capacity to meet demand.

Members asked questions and discussed the topic. Members heard that ‘safetynet’ software was used as a secure location that any agency working with a family could use to access relevant documentation, including Hampshire constabulary.

Members noted that a high number of the Supporting Families Programme cohort were identified as having mental health issues. It was reported that this may not mean a diagnosis by a mental health professional, but could be identified by those working with the family e.g. depression. For issues to be recorded in the families Plan they would need to be agreed between the multi agency professionals involved and with the consent of the family member.

Members heard that when Children’s Centres transitioned to the Family Support Service, there was a slow down in success rates on the Supporting Families Programme during the change over. However, now the Family Support Service was in place this was working well.

It was noted that a report on the impact of phase two was due to be provided by Southampton Solent University. An interim report was due in early 2018, the final report in early 2019. Current funding for the Supporting Families Programme runs until 2019/20 and at present further funding was not anticipated. It was considered that the programme running for eight years was a good amount of time to embed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

To consider a report covering the latest Medium Term Financial Strategy, for the Select Committee to fulfil it’s role to scrutinise ‘Relevant Financial Management (e.g. budget setting and monitoring final accounts, capital programme, capital receipts)’.

The Select Committee received a report and supporting presentation from the Head of Finance, on behalf of the Director of Corporate Resources – Corporate Services, regarding the Medium Term Financial Strategy (see Item 7 in the Minute Book). The report had been considered by Cabinet on 16 October 2017 and County Council on 2 November 2017, and was considered by the Select Committee as part of it’s role to scrutinise financial management.

Members were reminded of the background to the County Council’s current financial position, and heard that the financial strategy was to apply the same percentage reduction to all departments to meet the savings target under the transformation to 2019 programme. However, additional funding was provided where there were particular pressures e.g. social care demand growth.

It was reported that a section on Commercialisation had now been added to the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS). Members queried why the County Council did not invest in property. It was responded that advice had been received that in order to spread risk, a minimum portfolio of £400 million would be recommended. The County Council did not plan to invest in property on this scale. However, the County Council did invest some funds in pooled property funds.

A Member commented that in previous decades the County Council had invested in land which was later used for development. It was responded that this was still the case, however there were less opportunities available to do so.

It was noted that the feedback to the public consultation undertaken in the summer of 2017 showed 65% of those responding supported the current financial strategy.

Members heard that the Better Care Fund and Adult Social Care Council Tax precept were anticipated to cover adult social care pressures up to 2019/20. Pressures were now increasingly being experienced in children’s social care and schools budgets.

Cllr Perry reported that the Cabinet had asked officers to consider alternatives to avoid making the savings that affect community transport. He had received notice that the Secretary of State was willing to meet to hear the County Council’s proposals regarding concessionary travel. The County Council was lobbying for the opportunity to introduce a charge for concessionary passes and potentially a contribution to bus journeys, in order to subsidise community transport and bus subsidies. However it was not clear yet whether this approach would be acceptable.

It was discussed that the County Council was willing to devolve some tasks to parishes e.g. grass cutting, however not all areas are parished. Cllr Collett declared a non-pecuniary interest – that he was Chair of a Town Council and a member of another (he remained in the meeting). Cllr Collett reported that Fleet became parished seven years ago and it had been a success, and encouraged areas that aren’t already to consider setting up parish or town councils. The Chairman suggested this was something that could be explored through HIOWLGA.

A Member queried why the County Council had not considered running bus services directly. The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

To approve the initiation of two Task & Finish Working Groups by the Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee.

The Select Committee received a report on behalf of the Director of Transformation and Governance (see Item 8 in the Minute Book) regarding the approval of task and finish groups planned by the other Select Committees. Members noted that the Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee was planning to hold two task and finish groups.

RESOLVED:

That the Policy & Resources Select Committee support the proposed Task & Finish Groups being undertaken by the Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee:

·         Working Group on Sustainability and Transformation Partnerships (STPs)

·         Task and Finish Working Group on Social Inclusion Services

To review the work programme of topics to be considered by the Select Committee in future.

The Chairman presented the proposed work programme for the Select Committee, as updated since the last meeting (see Item 9 in the Minute Book).

RESOLVED:

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