Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors Adrian Collett and Wayne Irish.

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 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 Personal Interest in a matter being considered at the meeting should consider, having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 4 of the Code, whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 5 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 21 April 2022.

The minutes of the last meeting were reviewed and agreed

To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.

The Committee received a deputation from Jonathan Booth in relation to Item 6 – Broadband update.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman made no announcements on this occasion.

To receive a presentation from the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services giving an update on Broadband matters within Hampshire.

A deputation was received from Jonathan Booth on this item.

The Committee received presentations from both the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services and Openreach giving an update on the

Hampshire Superfast Broadband Programme. It also gave an overview on the developing Government plans for gigabit coverage.

During questions, Members heard:

·         Details of wayleave agreements

·         Necessity for broadband to be installed in all new-build homes

·         schemes progressing more quickly

The Chairman thanked officers and Openreach for their very interesting presentation.

RESOLVED:

That the presentation be noted.

To consider a report of the Director HR, OD, Communications and Engagement giving an update on the year end performance against the Serving Hampshire Strategic Plan for 2021-2025.

The Committee considered a report of the Director HR, OD, Communications and Engagement giving an update on the year end performance against the Serving Hampshire Strategic Plan for 2021-2025.

The Director introduced the report and examples were highlighted of strong performance against key strategic objectives, including apprenticeships, recycling and the resettlement of refugees. A number of questions were answered which included; labour market and skills, developer contributions, inclusion and diversity and complaints to Ombudsman.

RESOLVED:

That the Select Committee:

a) notes the County Council’s performance for 2021/22;

b) notes progress to advance inclusion and diversity;

c) notes progress against the Council’s Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan 2020-2025; and

d) notes the overview of Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) Determinations in 2021/22, and assessment decisions contained in the LGSCO 2020-21 annual report letter.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive on the County Council’s scrutiny activity during April 2021 to March 2022, for submission to Full Council.

The Committee received a report of the Chief Executive providing a summary of the work of each of the Select Committees over the last 12 months.

RESOLVED:

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

To consider the Committee’s forthcoming work programme.

The Committee received the work programme for the coming year. During discussion, it was agreed that an item on Apprenticeships would be added for the November meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the work programme be agreed.