Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies. Councillor Carew attended the meeting to observe at the agreement of the Chairman.

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.

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 September 2019 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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 noted that the Consultation on proposed changes to Hampshire's Library Service was live and there had been over 7000 responses so far.

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 2020/21 in accordance with the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy.

The Committee received a report from the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services (CCBS) and Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Corporate Resources covering the Revenue Budget Report for Recreation and Heritage services.

The Committee were provided with the context in relation to the wider County Council budget, the Local Government Finance Settlement and the Council’s reserves strategy.

Members were reminded that a savings target of £80m was agreed as part of the Medium Term Financial Strategy in 2018, and the proposals to meet this target were agreed in November 2019. It was noted that the focus is now on implementation and delivery, including service specific public consultations, to engage with service users and key stakeholders.

The Committee were also provided with an overview of the key departmental challenges including;

·         balance of funding, cash limit, income and recharges,

·         delivering Transformation to 2021 savings.

The recommendation was proposed, and a vote was held with the following outcome;

For                  11

Against          3

Resolved: That the Culture and Communities Select Committee support the recommendations being proposed to the Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage as set out in Section B on page 11 of the pack.

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 2020/21 in accordance with the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy.

The Committee received a report from the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services (CCBS) and Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Corporate Resources providing the Revenue Budget Report for Countryside and Rural Affairs services.

This item was considered alongside the previous item.

The recommendation was proposed, and a vote was held with the following outcome;

For                  11

Against          3

Resolved: That the Culture and Communities Select Committee support the recommendations being proposed to the Executive Member for Countryside and Rural Affairs as set out in Section B on page 23 of the pack.

To consider the Committee’s forthcoming Work Programme.

The Committee received the report of the Director of Transformation and Governance which set out the Committee’s upcoming work programme.

The following items were proposed to be added:

·         Energise Me – Update Briefing

·         Transforming the County Council’s Country Parks

·         Climate Change and Environmental Briefing

These items would be considered by the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services (CCBS) along with the Chairman of the Select Committee to find the most suitable timings and meeting allocations.

Resolved: That the Work Programme, subject to the additions set out above, was agreed.