Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors Keith Evans, Anna McNair-Scott, Kirsty North and Bill Withers.

Councillor Chris Carter attended the meeting as the 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 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 June 2019.

The minutes of the last meeting held on 13 June 2019 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.

No announcements were made on this occasion.

For the Select Committee to scrutinise the proposals for revenue savings for areas within the Policy and Resources budget under the Transformation to 2021 programme, in advance of consideration by the Executive Member for Policy and Resources on the afternoon of 24 September 2019.

The Select Committee received a joint presentation from the Director of Corporate Resources – Corporate Services and Director of Culture Communities and Business Services, in summary of a report regarding the Transformation to 2021 Revenue Savings Proposals for the Policy and Resources Budget (see Item 6 in the Minute Book).  

Members noted that for the Culture, Communities and Business Services Department, over 50% of its savings target sits within the library service. The Director answered a number of detailed questions and in particular around  the Library Service. In response, the Director reported that a Task and Finish Group had been set up to develop a “Library Strategy 2025”, the results of which would be reported to the Culture and Communities Select Committee and Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage in the summer of 2020. An interim update would also be presented to the Culture and Communities Select Committee at its meeting in January 2020. 

RESOLVED:

That the Committee supports the recommendations being proposed in Section 2 and the savings options contained in Appendix 1 of the report to Cabinet.

To receive a report from the Director of Transformation and Governance on the guidance recently published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government regarding overview and scrutiny (O&S) in local and combined authorities.

The Committee considered a report from the Director of Transformation and Governance (Item 7 in the Minute Book) regarding the guidance published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on overview and scrutiny (O&S) in local and combined authorities.

The Committee were made aware that the County Council currently met all the guidance which was evidenced in Appendix 3 of the report.

During discussion, one consistent area of focus was the availability of scrutiny training for Councillors and Co-opted members of the County Council. The Committee noted that the Member Briefing  programme was seen as an established mechanism for Select Committee members to keep abreast of a range of topics. The Chairman requested that the option of including a scrutiny training refresher session to the Member Briefing Programme be explored.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee noted the guidance and endorsed the County Council’s existing approach as detailed in Appendix 3 of the report.

To receive an update from the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services on the Broadband programme.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services providing an update on the Broadband Programme (Item 8 in the Minute Book).

The Director gave an update on the Broadband programme and informed the Committee that the Government had launched several schemes to encourage the rollout of full fibre broadband. Most of these schemes were applicable to residents and businesses in Hampshire and were being promoted, especially those that were beyond the scope of the County Council’s current programme.

During discussion, it was noted that the Universal Service Obligation (USO) would become available from March 2020 which would guarantee download speeds of at least 10Mbps and upload speeds of at least 1Mbps.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Transformation and Governance – Corporate Services on the Committee’s forthcoming Work Programme.

The Committee received a report of the Director of Transformation and Governance - Corporate Services on the Committee’s forthcoming Work Programme (Item 9 in the Minute Book).

RESOLVED:

That the work programme be agreed.