Hampshire County Council Hampshire 2050, Corporate Services and Resources Select Committee Meeting

Apologies were received from Councillor Louise Parker-Jones.

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.

No declarations were made.

The minutes of the last meeting held on 19 January 2023 were agreed and signed by the Chairman.

There were no deputations on this occasion.

The Chairman welcomed the new Members on the Committee to their first meeting.

He thanked Members who attended the recent Member briefing relating to Hampshire 2050 Vision Revalidation and mid-term review of Hampshire County Council’s Serving Hampshire Strategic Plan (Item 7 on the agenda), which gave a history on the 2050 Commission which ran in 2018/19.

He noted the County Council’s dual role in relation to the Hampshire 2050 commission:

·         Firstly our role as a convenor of the partnership – bringing together partners across government, health, education, business, VCS etc who all have a part to play in delivering this ambition.

·         Secondly our role in strategic delivery, recognising our responsibility like other organisations across Hampshire in playing our part in delivering the 2050 ambition.

The Committee received a report of the Director of People and Organisation on the Serving Hampshire 2022/23 Year End Performance Report. (Item 6 in the Minute Book).

Members were advised that performance against the County Council’s strategic outcomes and priorities had generally improved, building upon performance reported at half year. Most corporate performance measures had shown year on year progression, with around two thirds meeting targets set by their services at the start of 2022/23. This was despite ongoing inflation, resulting in increasing costs of materials and resources, as well as ongoing challenges in recruitment and retention of the workforce.

Members raised a number of questions on the data within the report, including the number of fostering enquiries, the impact long covid was having on our workforce and school admission preferences. Where the information was not readily available for certain questions, it was agreed that all information would be gathered and sent to the Committee separately.

During the debate, Members asked for an item to be included on the Committee’s work programme on Climate Change accountability. It was noted that this could be in advance of the Cabinet meeting in December.

RESOLVED:

The Select Committee:

      i.        noted the County Council’s performance for 2022/23;

    ii.        noted the determinations of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) in 2022-23, and the assessment decisions contained in the LGSCO 2021-22 report letter.

The Committee considered a report from the Directors of Hampshire 2050 and People and Organisation on the Hampshire 2050 Vision Revalidation and mid-term review of Hampshire County Council’s Serving Hampshire Strategic Plan (Item 7 in the Minute Book.

Members noted that a light touch review of the Serving Hampshire Strategic Plan 2021 – 2025 had been undertaken to ensure that the County Council’s

principle strategic document was fully aligned with the revalidated priorities

expressed for Hampshire ‘the place’ through the Hampshire 2050 Vision,

reflecting the County Council’s role as a partner in the delivery of the Vision.

The mid-term review had also sought to ensure the plan sufficiently reflected

the ‘post-Covid’ world and any resulting shifts in priorities for the County

Council, as well as any other relevant organisational focus.

Following detailed discussion, Members had concerns around the constraints placed on our collective ambition by factors which were outside of the County Council’s control. Examples were given of legislative constraints or policy issues which were within the responsibility of national government. In view of this concern, the Select Committee agreed that a fifth recommendation should be added, (e) below, to request that the County Council approached Government relating to constraints which may need to be overcome to achieve our vision.

RESOLVED:

That the Select Committee:

a.    noted the revised H2050 Visions, Policies and Recommendations;

b.    noted the wording of the ‘Strategic Overlay’ which brings the H2050 drivers together as set out in Appendix 5;

c.    noted the Serving Hampshire Plan 2021 – 2025 mid-term review;

d.    noted the proposed changes to the corporate performance framework

e.    That Hampshire County Council approaches Government relating to constraints which may need to be overcome to achieve our vision.

The Committee considred a report of the Director of People and Organisation detailing each of the Select Committees’ activity over the last year (Item 8 in the Minute Book).

RESOLVED:

That the Select Committee approved the summary of work of each of the Select Committees over the past year, for submission to County Council on 20 July 2023 as the Annual Scrutiny Report.

The Committee considered the Work Programme (Item 9 in the Minute Book). During discussion of other items on the agenda, Members requested an item on Climate Change Strategy be included, times to be confirmed in consultation with the Chairman and Director of Hampshire 2050.

RESOLVED:

That the work programme be agreed.