Hampshire County Council Policy and Resources Select Committee Meeting

Apologies were received from Councillor Graham Burgess and Councillor Derek Mellor attended the meeting as the 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.

The minutes of the last meeting held on 19 November 2021 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

There were no deputations on this occasion.

The Chairman drew Members attention to the report on the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee arrangements being considered by the Executive Member for Policy and Resources at his Decision Day on 25 January 2022. The report detailed the County Council’s plans to support the celebrations for the Jubilee, including the unveiling of the statue of Licoricia outside Winchester Discovery Centre, Tree Planting for the Queen’s Green Canopy, the lighting of Beacons, events in our Country Parks, ‘climbing Everest’ at Calshot Climbing Wall and archive video footage for educational and reminiscence uses.

The Select Committee received a joint presentation from the Head of Finance and Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services regarding the four revenue reports and capital programme report for CCBS (Items 6 to 10 in the Minute Book).

The increasing financial pressures and key challenges were highlighted, which included inflation (energy and construction costs), recruitment and retention of staff and the impact of Covid.

Members were also made aware of the priorities going forward. The Director highlighted the Climate Change approved funding programme, with several pilot projects already underway and drew Members attention to the significant capital schemes in 2022/23, including the Basingstoke Canal Swan Cutting restoration and various school building improvements.

During the presentation, questions were asked on:

·         adult residential care market is 16% - 18%, what it was in children’s social care

·         explanation and break down on the recharges figure given in the presentation

The Head of Finance advised that this information would be sent to them after the meeting.

During debate, Members discussed the price and uptake of school meals during the pandemic, HC3S and other business units. The Committee thanked staff for their efforts in helping to deliver healthy meals to our school children during this period.

RESOLVED:

The Select Committee supported the recommendations being proposed to the Executive Member for Policy and Resources regarding the revenue budget for Corporate Services.

This item (item 7 in the minute book) was discussed along with item 6 on the agenda.

RESOLVED:

The Select Committee supported the recommendations being proposed to the Executive Member for Performance, Human Resources and Partnerships regarding the 2022/23 revenue budget for corporate health and safety.

This item (item 8 in the minute book) was discussed along with item 6 on the agenda.

RESOLVED:

The Select Committee supported the recommendations being proposed to the Executive Lead Member for Economy, Transport and Environment regarding the 2022/23 revenue budget for emergency planning.

This item (item 9 in the minute book) was discussed along with item 6 on the agenda.

RESOLVED:

The Select Committee supported the recommendations being proposed to the Executive Member for Commercial Strategy, Estates and Property regarding the 2022/23 revenue budget for CCBS services within that portfolio.

Councillors Glen and Davies declared an interest in this item as both were members of the Basingstoke Canal Joint Management Committee.

This item (item 10 in the minute book) was discussed along with item 6 on the agenda.

RESOLVED:

The Select Committee supported the recommendations being proposed to the Executive Member for Commercial Strategy, Estates and Property regarding the 2022/23 to 2024/25 capital programme for CCBS services within that portfolio.

The Committee considered a report of the Director HR, Organisational Development and Communications and Engagement regarding County Council’s performance for 2021/22 to date (Item 11 in the Minute Book).

The Director outlined the main points in the report. The Committee were advised that the County Council had performed well in the delivery of core public services during the first half of 2021/22 against its Serving Hampshire Strategic Plan, with nearly three quarters of performance measures showing improved or maintained performance. Despite the continuing impact of COVID-19, budget constraints and other on-going externally driven challenges, no areas of performance were identified as high risk.

It was noted that this report was due to be considered by Cabinet at its meeting on 8 February 2022 and would contain the outcome letter of the Joint Targeted Area Inspection (JTAI) undertaken in November 2021.

Members requested responses on current vacancy rates which would be sent to them shortly after the meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the Policy and Resources Select Committee note the County Council’s performance for 2021/22 to date.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Corporate Operations on the main IT activity undertaken over the last year (Item 12 in the Minute Book).

The Director summarised the main points in the report including how the service enabled the County Council, including the democratic process, to operate effectively during the Coronavirus pandemic and subsequently enabling staff to return safely to the office.

The Committee was advised on the key priorities going forward which included:

·         Implementation and rollout of the CareDirector and Mosaic social care platforms.

·         Implementation and rollout of the HPSN 3 services, replacing HPSN 2.1

·         A Device Refresh programme

·         Delivery of Chatbots for a number of services

During discussion, a number of questions were answered around IT Help Desk out of hours service and use of County Council IT equipment when it had reached the end of its life.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Executive regarding the setting up of a 20mph Speed Limit Policy Review Task and Finish Working Group (Item 13 in the Minute Book).

RESOLVED:

That the Policy and Resources Select Committee supports the proposed 20mph Speed Limit Policy Review Task and Finish Working Group to be undertaken by the Economy, Transport and Environment (ETE) Select Committee.

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Executive regarding the Committee’s work programme (Item 14 in the Minute Book)

During discussion, it was agreed to include a focus topic on restorative justice to run alongside the annual Hampshire Community Safety Strategy Group report being presented in November.

RESOLVED:

That the work programme be agreed with the inclusion of a focus topic on restorative justice to run alongside the annual Hampshire Community Safety Strategy Group report.