Archived decisions

AT A MEETING of the POLICY AND RESOURCES POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE of the COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on 19 November 2001.

PRESENT:

Councillors: S.A. Hayes (Chairman); I.F.E. Beagley; P.J. Chegwyn; A.P. Collett;

B.D. Dash; C. Davidovitz; Mrs P.M. Devereux; R.J. Ellis; W.J. Filer; J.K. Glen; P.R.C. Hutcheson; M.J. Kendall; P. Luffman; P.A. Pierce; M.J. Roberts;

M.L. Sheehan; J.G.L. Wall; W.H. Wheeler.

4. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 25 September 2001 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Arising thereon

Policy Review Committees and the Constitution (Minute 1)

The Committee raised concerns about the role of the Policy Review Committee. They felt in particular that it should be more proactive in its involvement in Executive Member issues and kept more fully informed in relation to the County Council's Forward Plan. As a way forward, Members suggested an alternative timetable for Policy Review Committee meetings to give them an opportunity to see Executive Member papers in advance of decisions being taken. In conclusion, the Chief Executive was asked to include for each meeting an item on the County Council's Forward Plan.

5. BEST VALUE CROSS-CUTTING FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT REVIEW

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Executive and of the County Treasurer (Item 2 in the Minute Book) on the outcome report for the cross-cutting review of financial management.

Members supported the conclusions and recommendations of the review. Also, in response to individual Member questions, the Committee asked to receive progress on e.government for Councillors, particularly in relation to papers being available on line ahead of meetings, on risk management and on the County Council's job evaluation project. Accordingly, it was

RESOLVED:

    (i) That the outcome report for the cross-cutting review of financial management be approved.

    (ii) That a summary of the review be included in the Best Value Performance Plan.

    (iii) That the summary mentioned in (ii) above, together with the Improvement Plan be provided to the Executive Member (Policy and Resources) to effect implementation of the review outcome.

    (iv) That arrangements be made for this Committee to receive an annual progress report on the Improvement Plan, to be considered in January of each year starting from 2003 to facilitate reporting in the Best Value Performance Plan.

    (v) That the Chief Executive report to a future meeting of this Committee on the Risk Management Board's review of outcomes.

    (vi) That the Committee be informed by way of letter of progress on e.government for Councillors and on the timetable for the County Council's job evaluation project.

6. PFI PROCUREMENT PROPOSALS

The Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services reported upon a request from the Leader for this Committee to undertake research into sources of private finance, e.g. PPP, PFI and to make a recommendation on the appropriateness of its use. The Committee had in particular been invited to review best practice and the experiences of other local authorities, to comment upon the rate of return on capital so invested and to scrutinise private finance schemes provided elsewhere particularly in relation to the construction of schools and residential homes.

To begin the process, the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services gave an introductory presentation on Public Private Partnerships. Copies of the presentation material appears as Item 3 in the Minute Book.

Members fully supported their role in researching private finance initiatives and how they might be used by the County Council and passing their recommendations to the Leader for his consideration. Accordingly, it was

RESOLVED:

That the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services submit a detailed report on Private Finance Initiative/Public Private Partnerships to the January meeting of this Committee.

7. EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC

RESOLVED:



That, by virtue of Paragraph 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the matter contained in Minute 8 below.

8. COUNTY COUNCIL'S GYPSY LIAISON SERVICES AND MANAGEMENT OF PERMANENT GYPSY SITES

The Committee considered the confidential report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Head of Estates Practice) (Item 5 in the Minute Book) on the County Council's Gypsy Liaison Services and Management of its Permanent Gypsy Sites.

The Head of Estates Practice highlighted the key points relating to the existing permanent sites and explained the position concerning the Peak Copse Site at Dummer which had closed in October 1996. The Committee supported the proposals in the report to consult with District and City Councils and other interested parties to seek improvements in responding to unauthorised encampments on publicly owned land.

During a full discussion the Committee, in welcoming the proposed consultations to seek to improve the future management of short-stay facilities, wished to be given the opportunity to comment upon this and on the outcome of the investigations into the future use of the Peak Copse Site.

RESOLVED:

    (i) That the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Head of Estates Practice) prepare proposals, in consultation with the District and City Councils in Hampshire and Hampshire Constabulary, to achieve a more co-ordinated response to unauthorised encampments on publicly owned land with greater emphasis on the provision of short term facilities for camping.

    (ii) That options for the future use of the Peak Copse Site, including its possible re-opening, be investigated in consultation with other County Council departments, neighbouring District and Parish Councils and other interested parties, including representatives of gypsies.

    (iii) That the outcome of (i) and (ii) above be reported to this Committee prior to advising the Leader as Executive Member (Policy and Resources).

    (iv) That the County Council's other permanent Gypsy sites at Bury Brickfields, Penny Hill, Star Hill and Tynefield continue to operate.

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