To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.
Minutes:
The Chairman introduced his announcements by highlighting that on Friday 4 November the Arts Council announced their future National Portfolio. National Portfolio Organisations (NPO’s) receive annual revenue funding from the Arts Council. It was heard that overall, it is very good news for Hampshire with many existing NPO’s retaining their funding, and new organisations joining the National Portfolio for the first time representing a diverse arts and cultural offer, spread across the County. Of particular note to this Committee is that Hampshire Cultural Trust have been awarded £500,000 per year. In addition, many organisations have been awarded funding to work in Arts Council priority places (Rushmoor, Gosport, New Forest). The Chairman informed that overall this represents a good deal for Hampshire, with hundreds of thousands of pounds coming into arts and culture in Hampshire every year for the next few years. It is a huge credit to the organisations involved for the hard work they have put in, but also speaks more broadly to the confidence that the Arts Council has in the pan-Hampshire region and the opportunities here for the cultural and creative sector.
The Chairman also announced that the County Council’s Keep Warm, Keep Well initiative has been launched. This one-stop web page provides advice, support and information to help those suffering hardship this winter. As part of this, Hampshire Libraries have been promoting their Warm and Welcome messaging to ensure wider community awareness of the free, safe and inclusive community space they provide for all. As well as the usual range of fun and free activities, courses and groups, there are a range of new initiatives including Coat Exchanges; Uniform Swaps; Period Poverty Stations; a new Community Fridge partnership at Hythe; the planned launch of ChatAbout in partnership with Public Health and an after-school club in partnership with Food Pantry at Hayling Island. Targeted Cost of Living events have been held at 11 libraries (one per district). Library managers worked with local partners and community organisations to target those most in need and to connect them to relevant local advice and services; attendees were offered Warm Bags and supermarket vouchers as part of the Household Support Fund. These events proved extremely popular. Further activity will continue through the winter, and the Chairman advised Members to check Hampshire Libraries social media information on what is going on in their local Library.
The Chairman also informed Members that Hampshire Registration has been recognised at the Local Registration Service Association annual awards. Katie Thompson has won the LRSA Young Person’s Award as someone who stands out and is already making a notable contribution to your team and is a registration professional of the future. Meanwhile Jeff Martin has been awarded with the Long Service Award as a registrar with 25 years or more experience in registration who has made a significant contribution to the profession. The Chairman extended congratulations to Katie and Jeff.
In relation to Country Parks, the Chairman highlighted that Lepe, River Hamble, Royal Victoria, Queen Elizabeth, and Staunton Country Parks have all once again gained Green Flag status in recognition of their excellent facilities. Staunton Country Park and Royal Victoria Country Park have also once again scooped Green Heritage Accreditation for the management of these sites’ unique historic features.
Lastly the Chairman informed Members that in July a Parish Pollinator networking event was attended by 11 parishes followed by a site visit to Reeds Farm in Empshott. This enabled parishes to share their projects and ideas as well as receiving training on meadow restoration, plant identification and survey methods. It was heard that there is a huge amount of enthusiasm for the project with two of the parishes promoting the pollinator theme for their village fete this year. This was led by parishes but supported by the Countryside Service who provide advice support and training as well as access to some resources. The Chairman highlighted the aim to grow the number of parishes involved and he hoped Members of the Committee will share this information and point their parishes to the HCC Parish Pollinator webpages.