Hampshire County Council
Councillors:
78
Wards:
76
Committees:
49
Meetings (2025):
165
Meetings (2024):
156
Meeting
Economy, Transport and Environment Select Committee - Hampshire
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Thursday, 14th January 2021
10:00 AM
Thursday, 14th January 2021
10:00 AM
End:
Thursday, 14th January 2021
1:00 PM
Thursday, 14th January 2021
1:00 PM
Actual Time
Started:
Thursday, 14th January 2021
12:00 AM
Thursday, 14th January 2021
12:00 AM
Finished:
Thursday, 14th January 2021
12:00 AM
Thursday, 14th January 2021
12:00 AM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
14 Jan 2021
14 Jan 2021
Location:
Virtual Teams Meeting - Microsoft Teams
Virtual Teams Meeting - Microsoft Teams
Meeting Attendees
Liberal Democrats Deputy
Council Staff
Sam Horne
Expected
Independent Group Spokesperson
Councillor John Bennison
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Councillor Charles Choudhary
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Councillor Gary Hughes
Present, as expected
Liberal Democrats Spokesperson
Councillor David Simpson
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Councillor Michael White
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Conservative Deputy
Councillor Fred Birkett
Not required
Independent Group Deputy
Councillor Michael Westbrook
Not required
Secretary
Administrator
Expected
Committee Member
Agenda
1
Apologies for absence
To receive any apologies for absence.
Minutes
Apologies were received from Councillor Rupert Kyrle. Councillor Gavin James attended as a deputy.
2
Declarations of interest
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.
Minutes
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.
3
Minutes of previous meeting
To confirm the minutes of the meeting on the 8 October 2020.
Attachments:
- Document Minutes 06 Jan 2021
Minutes
It was noted that the meeting had been a virtual meeting on Teams and not in Winchester. The minutes of the last meeting were then agreed.
4
Deputations
To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.
Minutes
There were no deputations for the meeting.
5
Chairman's Announcements
To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.
Minutes
The Chairman welcomed Dave Martin and Gordon Wilson from the Environment Agency to the meeting. Councillor Charles Choudhary was also welcomed to the Committee to replace Councillor Roland Dibbs, who was thanked for his contributions to the Select Committee. Richard Kenny, the new Interim Assistant Director for Economic Development was also introduced and welcomed to Committee.
HCC staff and particularly those in ETE were thanked for their hard work during Storm Bella in December with clearing roads and highways.
The Chairman also updated the Select Committee on the Active Travel fund, as well as proposing the formation of a new informal working group around Hampshire Highways in which volunteers were sought.
HCC staff and particularly those in ETE were thanked for their hard work during Storm Bella in December with clearing roads and highways.
The Chairman also updated the Select Committee on the Active Travel fund, as well as proposing the formation of a new informal working group around Hampshire Highways in which volunteers were sought.
6
Information Items for Discussion
Minutes
6
.1
Climate Change Action Plan
To receive a presentation and update on the Climate Change Action Plan.
Attachments:
- Document Item 6a Presentation - Climate Change 06 Jan 2021
Minutes
The Select Committee received a presentation from the Strategic Manager for Climate Change, who explained the County Council’s focus on tackling emissions and how priority areas were being balanced against work on climate change. There were four key areas being worked on, being transport, residential emissions, energy generation/distribution and business/green economy.
Members queried the work being done with Districts and it was confirmed that the County Council was disseminating information via working groups to ensure good communication and successful joint projects.
Officers were thanked for their work on climate change management.
Members queried the work being done with Districts and it was confirmed that the County Council was disseminating information via working groups to ensure good communication and successful joint projects.
Officers were thanked for their work on climate change management.
6
.2
Flood Defence and Mitigation Strategy
To receive a presentation from Simon Cramp, Strategic Manager alongside the Environment Agency on flood defence and mitigation strategy within Hampshire.
Attachments:
- Document Item 6b1 - EA Presentation 06 Jan 2021
- Document Item 6b2 - HCC Presentation 06 Jan 2021
Minutes
The Select Committee received a presentation from the Strategic Manager for Environment and also the Environment Agency on flood defence and mitigation across Hampshire.
The seven priorities as part of the new strategy were detailed and the importance of collaborative working was emphasised. New solutions were being investigated for natural flood management but it was accepted that high intensity rainfall (flash floods) were very difficult to mitigate with any system. It was important to identify hotspots and monitor the drainage network to ensure it was running efficiently.
Members queried the issues of water run-off from fields and rural areas, particularly in north Hampshire, but sediment pathways were a technique for intervention to capture run-off before it got too far.
Councillor Humby confirmed to the Select Committee that ongoing work and collaboration was taking place with the Environment Agency to look at long-term solutions with flood management and a better use of technology to monitor trends.
Officers were thanked for their presentation and the Environment Agency were thanked for attending the Select Committee meeting.
The seven priorities as part of the new strategy were detailed and the importance of collaborative working was emphasised. New solutions were being investigated for natural flood management but it was accepted that high intensity rainfall (flash floods) were very difficult to mitigate with any system. It was important to identify hotspots and monitor the drainage network to ensure it was running efficiently.
Members queried the issues of water run-off from fields and rural areas, particularly in north Hampshire, but sediment pathways were a technique for intervention to capture run-off before it got too far.
Councillor Humby confirmed to the Select Committee that ongoing work and collaboration was taking place with the Environment Agency to look at long-term solutions with flood management and a better use of technology to monitor trends.
Officers were thanked for their presentation and the Environment Agency were thanked for attending the Select Committee meeting.
7
Pre-Scrutiny of the 2021/22 Revenue Budget for ETE
To pre-scrutinise the 2021/22 revenue budget for Economy, Transport and Environment.
Attachments:
- Document Cover Report 06 Jan 2021
- Document Decision Day Report 06 Jan 2021
- Document Item 7&8 Budget Presentation 06 Jan 2021
Minutes
The Select Committee received a presentation from the Senior Finance Business Partner and Director for Economy, Transport and Environment regarding the revenue and capital programme positions for the department from 2021 to 2024.
Members were given a high-level overview and it was confirmed that there were no new proposals for transformation to 2021 savings. The reserves position was summarised, along with a strategy for dealing with the impacts of Covid. The current savings programme was also summarised.
During questions it was accepted that the highway network had deteriorated and resources were being looked at to address maintenance issues, although there were no imminent concerns.
With waste, the County was still awaiting direction from Central Government before being able to commit or invest, but different options were still being looked at for the time being.
Bus subsidies had largely remained the same due to contracts being in place, but lost fair income had been subsidised to keep buses open for key workers during lockdown and significantly reduced passenger numbers.
RESOLVED
The Select Committee supported the recommendations being proposed to the Executive Member for Economy, Transport and Environment
Members were given a high-level overview and it was confirmed that there were no new proposals for transformation to 2021 savings. The reserves position was summarised, along with a strategy for dealing with the impacts of Covid. The current savings programme was also summarised.
During questions it was accepted that the highway network had deteriorated and resources were being looked at to address maintenance issues, although there were no imminent concerns.
With waste, the County was still awaiting direction from Central Government before being able to commit or invest, but different options were still being looked at for the time being.
Bus subsidies had largely remained the same due to contracts being in place, but lost fair income had been subsidised to keep buses open for key workers during lockdown and significantly reduced passenger numbers.
RESOLVED
The Select Committee supported the recommendations being proposed to the Executive Member for Economy, Transport and Environment
8
Pre-scrutiny of the ETE Proposed Capital Programme for 2021/22 2022/23 and 2023/24
To pre-scrutinise the proposed capital programme for 2021/22 2022/23 and 2023/24.
Attachments:
- Document Cover Report 06 Jan 2021
- Document Decision Day Report 06 Jan 2021
- Document Appendix 1 06 Jan 2021
- Document Appendix 2 06 Jan 2021
Minutes
This item was discussed along with the revenue item on the agenda (item 9).
RESOLVED
The Select Committee supported the recommendations being proposed to the Executive Member for Economy, Transport and Environment
RESOLVED
The Select Committee supported the recommendations being proposed to the Executive Member for Economy, Transport and Environment
9
School Streets Scheme
To consider an update on the School Streets scheme and potential pilot following discussion at the October 2020 Select Committee meeting.
Attachments:
- Document Report 06 Jan 2021
- Document Item 9 Presentation - School Streets 06 Jan 2021
Minutes
Members received a follow-up presentation and update on School Streets after it initially going to the October 2020 Select Committee meeting.
Officers detailed the trial proposed and how this would operate using barriers, cones and trained volunteers to manage the closure and reopening of roads. Engagement would happen with local schools and businesses to ensure a collaborative approach. It was acknowledged that there may be delays due to Covid and school closures.
Whilst £66,000 had been secured from the Active Travel fund for a pilot, it was accepted that funding would need to be looked at for anything longer term going forward. Teams were working with Children’s Services and schools direct before promoting the initiative more widely.
Officers were thanked for their work on the project to date.
Officers detailed the trial proposed and how this would operate using barriers, cones and trained volunteers to manage the closure and reopening of roads. Engagement would happen with local schools and businesses to ensure a collaborative approach. It was acknowledged that there may be delays due to Covid and school closures.
Whilst £66,000 had been secured from the Active Travel fund for a pilot, it was accepted that funding would need to be looked at for anything longer term going forward. Teams were working with Children’s Services and schools direct before promoting the initiative more widely.
Officers were thanked for their work on the project to date.
10
Work Programme
To review and approve the current work programme for the ETE Select Committee.
Attachments:
- Document Work Programme 06 Jan 2021
Minutes
The programme was agreed by the Select Committee and it was agreed that public transport and how it was recovering would be looked at once the pandemic had eased.
Previous Meetings
Future Meetings
Join the Discussion
You need to be signed in to comment.
Sign in