Hampshire County Council Policy and Resources Select Committee Meeting

Apologies were received from Councillors Peter Latham and Stephen Philpott. Councillor Stephen Parker attended as the Conservative deputy.

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 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

There were no deputations on this occasion.

The Chairman made the following announcements:

Honorary Alderman Sharyn Wheale

It was with great sadness that the Chairman advised the Committee of the passing of former County Councillor and Honorary Alderman Sharyn Wheale earlier this month. Members gave tributes and expressed deepest sympathies to her family.

LGA article "Getting Under the Skin"

The Chairman advised Members of the recently published Local Government Association article on “Getting under the skin of council budgets” and announced that this could feature on the Committee’s work programme at the appropriate time.

The Committee considered a report from the Chief Executive on the draft County Deal prospectus which set out the continuing work and positive direction of travel of a potential County Deal for Pan Hampshire and the surrounding area, which was endorsed by Cabinet in December last year.

The key points of the report and accompanying presentation were highlighted.  During discussion, Members expressed general support to the paper and the opportunities it offered.

Several questions were answered around finances and the levels of devolution and which was being applied to Pan-Hampshire. Members were advised that close attention was being paid to the governance models being progressed in Devon, which had a similar mixture of County and Unitary authorities.

RESOLVED:

The Committee noted the opportunities contained in the White Paper and the current progress being made across Pan-Hampshire and the wider area.

The Committee considered a report from the Chief Executive regarding the work programme.

In considering the report, Members requested that a focus topic on restorative justice accompany the update on work of Hampshire Community Safety Strategy Group, which is to be considered at its meeting in November 2022. The Committee also asked that the Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner be invited to this meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the work programme be approved.