Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

No apologies were received for this meeting. Councillor Chris Carter attended this meeting as the Conservative Substitute Member for Councillor Adam Carew.

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 5 March 2020.

The minutes of the last meeting were reviewed and agreed as a correct record.

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.

The Chairman welcomed Councillors Keith Mans, Stephen Reid and Judith Grajewski to this meeting.

To receive and consider a report and presentation from the Director of Corporate Resources regarding the financial impact of Covid-19.

The Committee considered a report and presentation from the Director of Corporate Resources regarding the financial impact of the Covid-19 crisis (Item 6 in the Minute Book).

The report was introduced by way of a presentation. It was explained that it gave the first snapshot of the financial consequences of the crisis and confirmed this data would be provided to MHCLG and shared with the LGA.

Members were made aware of the unfunded shortfall of £21.6m and that this was expected to increase by £18.5m for each subsequent month. The Director advised that this shortfall would have a significant impact on the County Council’s financial sustainability going forward and therefore would continue to lobby the Government to underwrite all of the financial consequences of the crisis.

During discussion, a number of detailed questions were answered which included; lost income for the County Council and schools, the Bellwin Scheme  and the track and trace service.

The Committee placed on record their appreciation of the officers’ hard work and commitment since the beginning of the Covid pandemic.

RESOLVED:

The Committee noted the contents of the Covid-19 Financial Impact report and the changes that have taken place since.

For the Select Committee to consider a report providing oversight of the County Council’s performance during 2019/20 against the Serving Hampshire Strategic Plan for 2017-21.

The Committee received a report from the Chief Executive and Head of Law and Governance regarding the County Council’s performance during 2019/20. It also detailed the findings of the 2019/20 Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman report (Item 7 in the Minute Book).

Details of the report were presented to the Committee on the County Council’s performance. Members were advised on the work already being undertaken by the Council on how performance data would be reported in line with the new Strategic Plan. The new-style performance report would be brought to this Committee in autumn 2021.

It was confirmed that the Climate Change slide relating to “plan for a rise in temperature” is 2°C” and not 2%.

Members were advised that it was considered best practice for the County Council to publish its statement on Modern Slavery. The statement is the County Council’s commitment to reducing human trafficking and modern slavery throughout its business activities.

The Committee were also updated on the findings of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsmen. Since the publication of this report, it was noted that all actions required by Ombudsman shown in Appendix 5 of the report have now been addressed and completed.

RESOLVED:

The Committee noted:

a.    The County Council’s performance during 2019/20;

b.    Progress to advance inclusion and diversity;

c.    The recommendation for Cabinet to approve the Modern Slavery Statement contained in Appendix four of the accompanying report; and

d.      The findings of the 2019/20 Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman report.

To consider a report of the Director of Transformation and Governance – Corporate Services on the activity of the scrutiny function for the period from April 2019 to March 2020, for submission to County Council.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Transformation and Governance (Item 8 in the Minute Book) providing a summary of the work of each of the Select Committees over the past year.

RESOLVED:

That the Policy and Resources Select Committee approves the summary of work of each of the Select Committees over the past year, for submission to County Council as the Annual Scrutiny report.

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

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Transformation and Governance – Corporate Services detailing the Committee’s work programme (Item 9 in the Minute Book).

During discussion of this item, the Committee agreed to receive a further update on the financial impact of Covid-19 and reinstate the overview of the Consultations Policy.

RESOLVED:

That the Work Programme be agreed with the inclusion of a further update on the financial impact of Covid-19 and reinstating the topic on the Consultations Policy.