Agenda item

For the Select Committee to scrutinise the proposals for revenue savings for areas within the Environment and Transport portfolio under the Transformation to 2019 programme, in advance of consideration by the Executive Member for Environment and Transport on the afternoon of 19th September 2017.

The Select Committee received a presentation from the Director of the Economy Transport and Environment regarding the revenue savings proposals for the Economy Transport and Environment Department under the ‘Transformation to 2019’ Programme. (see Item 7 in the Minute Book)

Members heard that the savings target for the Economy Transport and Environment Department was £19 million from the cash limited revenue budget. Members were reminded of the budget position for the Council overall, and the savings already made in the Economy Transport and Environment Department under the ‘Transformation to 2017’ Programme.

It was noted that following consideration by the Select Committee, the proposals would go to the relevant Executive Members for consideration later that day, then the Cabinet would consider the collective proposals in October, and put the whole package to full Council for decision in early November 2017. For those proposals that directly affect the public, further consultation would be undertaken in due course on specific proposals, and further decisions would be taken on the detailed changes required.

The following Members declared an interest in this item by virtue of being Members of Hampshire District or Borough Councils, and remained for the debate: Cllr Heron, Cllr Warwick, Cllr White, Cllr Philpott, Cllr Tod, Cllr Kyrle and Cllr Simpson. 

Members heard that one of the areas where it was proposed to make savings was through no longer funding school crossing patrols. It was noted that this was a discretionary service, and it cost around £6,000 per year to provide each one. The County Council would be open to continuing to provide school crossing patrols if a third party were to fund them e.g. the relevant school, parish council or other community group. Some Members expressed concern that in areas of deprivation it may be harder to fund school crossing patrols from the community. Some Members commented that they would like to see a safety audit of school crossing patrols, to take into account when considering withdrawing this service.

Another area where savings were being targeted was waste. It was noted that the Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs)  were the only non demand led element of the waste budget, therefore this area had to be considered to find the required savings. It was reported that Hampshire currently has more HWRCs than comparable areas. However, some Members did not support the proposal to reduce the number of HWRCs. Discussions were also underway with District Councils regarding recycling rates and opportunities to improve e.g. by capturing more recyclable materials through kerbside collections.

Savings were also being proposed from the budgets for bus subsidies and community transport. It was reported that 87% of bus journeys were commercially viable. Some Members expressed concerns that the Equality Impact Assessments indicated that the proposals had a disproportionate impact on older and disabled people, for example those groups were most likely to use buses and community transport.

Other Members noted the need to balance the budget, and considered that the proposals were the best method to achieve that, given the constraints.

Cllr Humby, Executive Member for Environment and Transport, encouraged all Members to lobby their local MP regarding the funding situation for local government, and provided reassurance that the Cabinet were regularly discussing the issue at Westminster.

Cllr Tod suggested consideration be given to opportunities to derive income from renewable energy, as an opportunity to generate income and therefore avoid the need for savings. It was indicated that this topic would fall within the remit of the Culture Communities and Business Services Department. 

Following questions and debate, the Chairman proposed the recommendation which was carried 9 for and 3 against:

RECOMMENDED:

The Economy Transport and Environment Select Committee support the submission to Cabinet of the proposed savings options contained in the report to the Executive Member for Environment and Transport and its Appendix 1.