Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Tanya Park.

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 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 30 November 2023.

The minutes of the last meeting held on 30 November 2023 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.

The Chairman advised the Committee that two topics for possible inclusion on the work programme had been received, both of which related to updates and progress of other Executive Member Decisions. He advised it was not appropriate for this Committee to scrutinise these at the current time.

Clearly as future decisions are taken on any scheme or strategy, we would then appropriately consider them for Select Committee scrutiny at the right moment in time.

For the Select Committee to pre-scrutinise the proposed 2024/25 revenue budget and capital programme for the Hampshire 2050 Directorate.

The Chairman agreed to receive the joint presentation and allow questions and debate for items 6 and 7 of the agenda together under item 6.

Members heard each Directorates’ key challenges and priorities and highlighted that the local government finance settlement for 2024/25 would leave the Council with a with a predicted gap of at least £86m.

During discussion, Members heard details on:

·         IT spend, in particular cyber security investment, which was an area of priority for the County Council.

·         Strategic land programme

·         Staff performance and how it is measured

·         Impact of the transfer of LEPs to the County Council 

At this point, the Chairman invited the Leader to speak who advised:

·         A number of MPs, including 7 from Hampshire, had written to the Prime Minister demanding extra funding for councils in England to avoid big cuts to services

·         The County Council was seeking further meetings with the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State around social care and special educational needs

·         The County Council was in a better position than most other local authorities

·         The creation of an Economic Growth Board which was currently meeting in shadow form with partners including business and other employers. It also had two sub-boards, namely, Skills Board and Business Forum

RESOLVED:

The Select Committee supported the recommendations being proposed to the Leader and Executive Member for Hampshire 2050 and Corporate Services in section B of the attached report.

For the Select Committee to pre-scrutinise the proposed 2024/25 revenue budget for Corporate Services.

This item was taken alongside Item 6 on the agenda.

RESOLVED:

The Select Committee supported the recommendations being proposed to the Leader and Executive Member for Hampshire 2050 and Corporate Services regarding the 2024/25 Revenue Budget for Corporate Services.

To review the work programme for the Hampshire 2050, Corporate Services and Resources Select Committee.

The Committee considered the Work Programme (Item 8 in the Minute Book).

During discussion of the preceding two items on the agenda, Members agreed the inclusion of the following potential items to the programme:

·         Strategic land policy

·         Cyber security

RESOLVED:

That the Hampshire 2050, Corporate Services and Resources Select Committee discussed and agreed potential items (shown above) for the work programme that can be prioritised and allocated by the Chairman of the Hampshire 2050, Corporate Services and Resources Select Committee in consultation with the Directors of Corporate Operations, Hampshire 2050 and People and Organisation.