Hampshire County Council Policy and Resources Select Committee Meeting

Apologies were received from Councillor Graham Burgess. Councillor Stephen Parker attended the meeting as the Conservative substitute.

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.

No declarations were made.

The minutes of the last meeting held on 24 September 2021 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

No deputations were received for this meeting.

The Chairman welcomed Councillor Zoe Huggins to her first meeting of the Select Committee, replacing Councillor Elaine Still. He also welcomed Councillor Steven Forster, Executive Member for Commercial Strategy, Estates and Property to the meeting.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Adults’ Health and Care giving an update on the work of the Hampshire Community Safety Strategy Group (HSSG). Accompanying this report, Members also received a presentation on County Lines and local drugs networks.

The Director advised Members on the Group’s priorities going forward and gave a brief summary of the key objectives for each. Under Priority 2, it was noted that Maggie Blyth had recently been appointed as the National Police Lead for Violence Against Women and Girls, to coordinate police action across England and Wales.

The Committee noted the positive progress made by the Group, especially providing assurance around collaborative activities throughout, and emerging from the Covid-19 pandemic. It was also noted that it had set a sound, evidence-based set of priorities and an assurance framework for effective collaboration for the next two years.

The Select Committee then received a joint presentation from the Willow Team in Children’s Services and a representative from the Police Missing Exploited and Trafficked (MET) team, on the county-level multi-agency working on exploitation, serious violence and drug related harm through organised crime, including how this related to concerns regarding anti-social behaviour in local communities.

Members heard about the complex issues involved in child exploitation and the ‘county lines’ model used by organised criminal gangs, which included using children to carry and sell drugs. Often the arrangements cross local authority boundaries and that Hampshire children could be drawn in by gangs based in London. Members asked questions to clarify points and debated what they had heard.

The Committee thanked officers for their time and asked if a smaller session on County Lines could be included on the Member Briefing Programme. This suggestion would be followed up by officers.   

RESOLVED:

1.            That the Committee notes the progress on the work of the Hampshire Community Safety Strategy Group (HCSSG), including the role in providing oversight and assurance of collaborative arrangements at the Hampshire county-level to address community safety priorities.

2.            That the Committee notes the contents of the presentation.

The Committee received a report and presentation from the Director of HR, Organisational Development and Communications and Engagement on how the County Council conducted consultations.

Key elements of the County Council’s approach to consultation were outlined which included reference to the legal and policy framework for consultation. Practical examples of how these were applied were shown.

A number of detailed questions were answered including the needs of all residents wishing to take part in consultations and the ease of access.

RESOLVED:

That the report and presentation be noted.

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Executive seeking approval to the setting up of two working groups in relation to Income Generation for the Culture and Communities Select Committee and the SP23 Savings Programme Proposals for the Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the Policy and Resources Select Committee supports the proposed Income Generation Task and Finish Working Group to be undertaken by the Culture and Communities Select Committee.

2.    That the Policy and Resources Select Committee supports the proposed Working Group on Adults’ Health and Care SP23 Savings Programme Proposals to be undertaken by the Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee.

The Committee received a report of the Chief Executive regarding the Committee’s work programme.

RESOLVED:

That the work programme be approved.