Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

No apologies were received for this meeting. Councillor Chris Carter attended the meeting as the Conservative 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 Personal interest in a matter being considered at the meeting they considered whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 5 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 25 June 2020.

The minutes of the last meeting were reviewed and agreed.

To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.

No deputations were received for this meeting.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman made no announcements on this occasion.

To receive a report of the Director of Economy, Transport and Environment regarding the County Council’s Climate Change Strategy which was recently agreed by Cabinet and Full Council.

Councillor Porter declared a non-pecuniary interest as the Cabinet Member for the Built Environment and Wellbeing at Winchester City Council.

Councillor Huxstep declared a non-pecuniary interest as a County Council trustee on Winchester Action on Climate Change (WINACC), one of the organisations working with the County Council on the Strategy.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Economy, Transport and Environment on the Climate Change Strategy (Item 6 in the Minute Book) which had also been considered by Cabinet at its meeting in July.

The development of impact assessment tools to integrate with the Council’s future decision making process was highlighted. It was confirmed that stakeholder events had been held and a number of projects to both engage with communities and provide advice were detailed. 

During discussion, it was agreed that the Committee receives an annual update on the Climate Change Action Plan and that this be included as an item on the Committee’s Work Programme.

The Committee welcomed the report and thanked officers for their work and the progress that had been achieved. It was recognised that the direct influence of local government was limited and therefore working with partners and communities was essential.

RESOLVED:

That the Select Committee notes:

a) the County Council’s Climate Change Strategy 2020-2025; 

b) the Climate Change Action Plan 2020-2025; 

c) the details on a range of climate change activity and programmes already underway within the Council towards meeting the climate change targets including the launch of three climate change projects

To receive a report of the Director of Corporate Resources – Corporate Services regarding the County Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy recently agreed by Cabinet.

The Committee considered a report of Director of Corporate Resources on the Medium Term Financial Strategy (Item 7 in the Minute Book).

The report was introduced and the level of unfunded loss to date were drawn to the Committee’s attention. The scenarios regarding government funding and various possible outcomes set out in the report were detailed.

In welcoming the report, the Committee highlighted the importance of engaging with government over the County Council’s financial situation. Members were made aware that liaison with Treasurer societies and the MHCLG was higher than ever.

Officers were thanked for their continued hard work since the Covid-19 outbreak.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee notes the contents of the Medium Term Financial Strategy update report.

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

The Committee considered a report of Director of Transformation and Governance – Corporate Services (Item 8 in the Minute Book) regarding the Work Programme.

During discussion, it was agreed that the following topics be included with timings to be confirmed:

·         Yearly update on the Climate Change Action Plan

·         Financial Impact of Covid

·         Work of the Local Enterprise Partnerships

·         Consultations Policy

·         Broadband and the Gigabit Voucher Scheme

RESOLVED:

That the Work Programme be agreed with the additions referred to above.