Contact : Laura Hoskins/Stephanie Garfield Ext5122

1 Summary

1.1 The following decisions are sought:

1) That approval be given for a county level local strategic partnership (LSP) to be set up as a prerequisite to preparing a county level Community Strategy.


2) That a county level meeting be held in the first half of 2002 to consider the development of a county level LSP.


3) That Hampshire County Council's involvement in the HIOWLA Standing Conference be endorsed.

2. Reason- To progress the County Council's development of a Community Strategy under the LG Act 2000.

3. Other Options considered and rejected - Not applicable

4. Conflicts of Interest declared by the decision maker or a member or officer consulted - Not applicable

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable

6. Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent - Not applicable

Approved by the Cabinet Date:

Councillor T.K.Thornber CBE

Chairman

Contact : Laura Hoskins/Stephanie Garfield Ext5122

1. Summary

1.1. To seek Cabinet approval for the proposed county level arrangements.

1.2. To seek approval to hold a county level meeting bringing together partners to discuss setting up a county level local strategic partnership (LSP).

1.3. To seek Cabinet endorsement of the HIOWLA (Hampshire, Isle of Wight Local Authorities) standing conference as approved at HIOWLA meeting in March 2001.

2. Introduction

2.1. As outlined in the paper to Cabinet on 19 September 2001 the process of developing community strategies at District level has evolved. All eleven Cabinet level bi-lateral meetings with the Districts of Hampshire will be completed on 11 December. In many Districts the next stage of bringing partners together has started and the County Council has been represented at all of these meetings for the most part by Councillor Kirk, or his nominated Councillor representative, plus an officer from the corporate community strategy group.

2.2. This report looks at the need to consider arrangements at the county level and Cabinet members will need to consider how the County Council is best represented in these arrangements.

3. County level Arrangements

3.1. Government guidance on community strategy states that for principal local authorities to comply with the legislation (LG Act 2000) and prepare a Community Strategy for their area, an LSP must also be set up.

3.2. Informal talks are taking place at officer level with agencies with county level or greater remit on their role within the community strategy process, including the three current Health Authorities, Hampshire Constabulary, Hampshire Fire and Rescue, Hampshire Probation service, Community Action Hampshire, the Hampshire Association of Parish and Town Councils and the Compact Development Group. In each case the organisations involved have suggested that they meet at a county level and their devolved agencies such as the Primary Care Trust or the Police Divisional Commander meet at District level. Parish Town Councils would be represented at the county level by HAPTC and at district level by the District Parish Associations.

3.3. A county level LSP will:

_ develop the County Council's role in community leadership at a Hampshire level

_ be responsible for devising, monitoring and reviewing the county level Community Strategy

_ ensure access to any funding from Government where membership of an LSP is a requirement

_ provide a strategic overview of the issues affecting the county in the longer term and in relation to district level strategies

_ liaise with other LSPs and regional bodies such as SEEDA and GOSE.

4. County level Meeting to develop the approach

4.1. It is proposed that a meeting be convened in order to bring together the potential partners of a county level LSP. The purpose of the meeting will be to bring potential partners up to date on the development of community strategies and LSPs across Hampshire, agree the draft membership and terms of reference and a proposed structure and mode of operation of the county level LSP, which will then be subject to consultation. The meeting will also consider results of community-based research and consultation to date. This will enable the partnership to begin looking at possible themes for a draft Community Strategy, which will then be prepared by the LSP for wider public consultation.

4.2. Cabinet is therefore asked to approve an initial meeting to discuss these arrangements with the following list of potential partners and to recommend additional agencies where appropriate:

_ Hampshire County Council

_ Health Authorities

_ Probation Service

_ Learning and Skills Council

_ Hampshire Constabulary

_ Hampshire Economic Partnership

_ Community Action Hampshire

_ Hampshire Fire & Rescue

_ Ambulance Service

_ HAPTC

_ SEEDA

_ GOSE

_ SACRE (Faith Groups)

_ Transport providers/operators/consultative bodies

_ Hampshire Association of Youth Councils

_ Hampshire Council for Voluntary Services

_ Southern Tourist Board

_ Wessex Youth Offending Team

_ Voluntary Sector Compact Development Group

_ Police Authority

- HIOWLA Standing Conference

5. The HIOWLA Standing Conference

5.1. The difference between the above arrangement for a county level LSP and the HIOWLA proposals for a Standing Conference are that the county level LSP will be for strategic partners whose operations impact at a strategic level across the county and who have a role of delivering the county Community Strategy. The HIOWLA Standing Conference will bring together all local LSPs ie 11 district LSPs, 3 unitary LSPs, and the county level LSP. The HIOWLA Standing Conference would meet at most twice a year. It will be an opportunity for all those involved to exchange ideas, experiences and best practice. Responsibility for running and convening the Standing Conference will rest with HIOWLA. The conference will also provide an opportunity to consider cross cutting and cross boundary issues within the HIOWLA area.

5.2. Cabinet is asked to endorse Hampshire County Council's involvement in the HIOWLA Standing Conference.

Recommendations

1. That approval be given to a county level local strategic partnership (LSP) to be set up as a prerequisite to preparing a county level Community Strategy.

2. That a county level meeting be held in the first half of 2002 to consider the development of a county level LSP.

3. That Hampshire County Council's involvement in the HIOWLA Standing Conference be endorsed.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB the list excludes:

1. Published works

2. Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

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