Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Hayre.

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 the circumstances described in 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 Non-Pecuniary interest in a matter being considered at the meeting should consider whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 2 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.

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.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting held on 3 September 2018.

The minutes of the meeting held on 3 September 2018 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.

There were no deputations.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman welcomed Felicity Roe, the newly appointed Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services (CCBS). The Chairman also welcome Sue Lapham, the Finance Business Partner for CCBS.

Members heard of the success of the official opening of the Chapel at Royal Victoria Country Park which was conducted by the Countess of Wessex GVCO.

The Chairman congratulated Hampshire Records Office on gaining an Archive Service Accreditation demonstrating the important role that Hampshire County Council plays in ensuring the long term collection, preservation and accessibility of the nation’s archive heritage.

The Committee noted the increase in digital ebook loans through the Library Service and were pleased to hear how the Service were funding 12 officer candidates towards professional accreditation via The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals.

To consider a report of the Directors of Culture, Communities and Business Services and Corporate Resources – Corporate Services setting out proposals for the Recreation and Heritage budget for 2019/20 in accordance with the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy.

The Committee received a report and presentation from the Directors of Culture, Communities and Business Services and Corporate Resources – Corporate Services regarding the 2019/20 Recreation and Heritage revenue budget.

The overall financial position for the County Council was outlined and Members were updated on progress with the Council’s Transformation to 2019 programme. It was reported that the budget proposals had been made in accordance with the County Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) which had been approved by the Council at its meeting on 20 September 2018.

Key departmental challenges and areas of focus were highlighted, including the emphasis upon income generation across many services and collaborating with other departments to deliver services that were accessible to all.

In response to Members’ questions it was confirmed that:

·         An item to outline the future steps for the management and funding arrangements for Basingstoke Canal would be brought to the next meeting of the Select Committee. Members also requested that information be circulated via email which detailed the timescales for further investment.

·         That the current local government funding methodology includes retention of 50% business rates raised locally. In two-tier areas, such as Hampshire, 9% is allocated to the County Council, 1% to the Fire and Rescue Service and 40% to districts and boroughs.

The Chairman proposed that a vote be taken on the proposals contained within the report. Ten members voted in favour of supporting the recommendations to the Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage. Three members voted against the recommendations.

RESOLVED:

That the Culture and Communities Select Committee recommends to the

Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage that he approve for submission to the Leader and the Cabinet:

    i.          The revised revenue budget for 2018/19 as set out in Appendix 1.

   ii.          The summary revenue budget for 2019/20 as set out in Appendix 1.

 iii.          The annual capital allocation for Community Building Grants of £125,000 for inclusion within the Executive Member for Policy and Resources’ capital programme

To consider a report of the Directors of Culture, Communities and Business Services and Corporate Resources – Corporate Services setting out proposals for the Countryside and Rural Affairs budget for 2019/20 in accordance with the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy.

The Committee received a report and presentation from the Directors of Culture, Communities and Business Services and Corporate Resources – Corporate Services regarding the 2019/20 Countryside and Rural Affairs revenue budget.

The overall financial position for the County Council was outlined and Members were updated on progress with the Council’s Transformation to 2019 programme. It was reported that the budget proposals had been made in accordance with the County Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) which had been approved by the Council at its meeting on 20 September 2018.

Key departmental challenges and areas of focus were highlighted, including the emphasis upon income generation across many services and collaborating with other departments to deliver services that were accessible to all.

The Chairman proposed that a vote be taken on the proposals contained within the report. Ten members voted in favour of supporting the recommendations to the Executive Member for Countryside and Rural Affairs. Three members voted against the recommendations.

RESOLVED:

That the Culture and Communities Select Committee recommends to the

Executive Member for Countryside and Rural Affairs that he approve for

submission to the Leader and the Cabinet:

    i.       The revised revenue budget for 2018/19 as set out in Appendix 1.

   ii.       The summary revenue budget for 2019/20 as set out in Appendix 1.

To consider a report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services with proposals for grant awards to cultural and community organisations.

The Committee received the report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services outlining grant applications from cultural and community organisations.

RESOLVED:

That the Culture and Communities Select Committee supports the grant awards as outlined within the report and recommends to the Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage that he:

      i.        Approves grants from the Recreation and Heritage Investment Fund

totalling £416,000, as set out in Appendix 2a.

    ii.        Approves grants from the Community Investment Fund totalling £37,000, as set out in Appendix 2b.

   iii.        Approves a grant of £100,000 to Energise Me for 2020/21.

To consider a report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services regarding proposals to change the culture and communities grant schemes.

The Committee received the report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services outlining proposals to change the culture and communities grant streams.

Members’ attention was drawn to the detail in the report which outlined the extensive consultation with individual organisations which had taken place in advance of making the proposals and had helped to shape the criteria for the grants scheme. It was noted that amalgamating the existing multiple grant streams would be a more straightforward and inclusive approach to awarding culture and community grants, opening up the criteria to enable a wider range of organisations to apply.  Discussion was held regarding the impact that proposed future funding arrangements may have on different organisations. Members agreed that the lower funding would have more of an impact on some groups than others.

In response to Members’ questions, it was confirmed that:

·         The launch of the new grants scheme would be promoted widely.

·         There would be a clear timetable put in place for applications and that this information would be made available to applicants. 

·         Any grant applications for £1,000 or under would continue to be signposted towards the Councillor devolved grants scheme.

It was proposed by Councillor Chegwyn, and seconded by Councillor Hiscock, that recommendation iv be amended as below.

iv.        From 2020/21 onwards, Community Associations will normally only be eligible for a grant if they are also in receipt of match funding from their District or Parish Council.

The Committee supported and agreed the amendment.

RESOLVED:

That the Culture and Communities Select Committee supports the proposed changes as outlined below and recommends them to the Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage for approval:

      i.        Recreation and Heritage Investment Fund grants will cease after

2019/20 to the following organisations:

·           Forest Forge Theatre Company, Ringwood

·           Gilbert White and the Oates Collection Museum and Field Studies Centre, Selborne

·           Making Space (Leigh Park Craft Initiative), Havant

·           QE2 Activity Centre, Bursledon

·           The Anvil, Basingstoke

·           The Point, Eastleigh

    ii.        Recreation and Heritage Investment Fund grants will cease after

2020/21 to Phoenix Theatre and Arts Centre, Bordon; Proteus Theatre

Company, Basingstoke and Whitchurch Silk Mill.

   iii.        Discussions are held with Winchester’s Theatre Royal and The Spring

about future grant funding beyond 2020/21 and 2021/22 respectively.

   iv.        From 2020/21 onwards, Community Associations will normally only be eligible for a grant if they are also in receipt of match funding from their District or Parish Council.

    v.        A new Recreation and Heritage Community Fund is set up for 2019/20,

as detailed in Section 8 of the report.

   vi.        The Community Investment Fund, Community Buildings Capital Fund

and the Activity Grants are all amalgamated into the new Recreation and Heritage Community Fund.

To consider the Committee’s forthcoming Work Programme.

The Committee received the report of the Director of Transformation and Governance – Corporate Services setting out the Committee’s upcoming work programme.

It was agreed that the following updates would be requested and the Work Programme amended accordingly:

·         An update on the Basingstoke Canal to be prepared for the 25 February 2019 meeting.

·         An update from Energise Me to be requested for the 23 May 2019 meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee notes the content of the Work Programme including the updates as outlined above.