Hampshire County Council

Cabinet

22 April 2002

Annual Report of the Major Achievements of the County Council in 2001

Report of the Chief Executive

Hampshire County Council

Cabinet

22 April 2002

Annual Report of the Major Achievements of the County Council in 2001

Report of the Chief Executive

CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S DEPARTMENT

Corporate

aims

1.

Established and implemented new constitutional arrangements for Executive Members, Cabinet and Policy Review Committees - involving new Constitution, including new Standing Orders, Contract Standing Orders and Members' and Officers' Codes of Conduct, and new arrangements to support and service decision making.

1,5

2.

Prepared and successfully negotiated with Government a local public service agreement (PSA). The PSA sets ambitious targets for improving, over the next 3 years, life opportunities for more vulnerable groups and for raising quality of life and access to services which, when achieved, will attract up to £22 million `reward grant' from Government.

1,5

3.

Successfully prepared and published County Council's second Best Value Performance Plan.

1-5

4.

Worked with Hampshire's district councils to implement the Government's proposals for community planning and set up a Local Strategic Partnership for each district council's area.

1,5

5.

Established Project Integra Management Board on behalf of HCC, Hampshire's District Councils and unitary authorities.

5

6.

Achieved LEXCEL accreditation for Legal Practice.

5

7.

Successfully defended Judicial Review proceedings challenging the Council's grant of planning permission for the Marchwood energy recovery incinerator.

5

8.

Achieved Investors in People accreditation.

5

9.

Information Centres received Charter Mark for the second time and achieved Guidance Accreditation Board Quality Mark

5

Corporate Communications

1.

Corporate Consultation

_ set up the first Citizens Panel of 1,500 residents, `Hampshire Listens;

_ undertook the first best value performance indicator survey of 1,000 residents

_ researched Hampshire business

_ researched hard to reach

_ consulted on Council Tax opinions

_ consulted with public and others on political management options

1,4,5

2.

Communications projects:

_ introduced a simplified and consistent revised corporate identify to the authority.

_ produced publicity about the new decision-making structure to staff, members, media and public.

_ produced two editions of `Safety Zone', accompanying teachers' resource pack and web versions for all primary school children in Hampshire.

_ produced "Your County - Your Council'

_ participated in European wide heritage open days project

1,5

3.

Developed and implemented media strategies for flooding and Foot and Mouth disease, budget, LEA Ofsted, South Hampshire Rapid Transit and Dibden Bay.

1,5

4.

Media campaigns

_ sustained positive local and national coverage of teacher recruitment initiatives

_ achieved year long coverage of council's re-investment strategy for older persons' homes

_ developed a series of articles to accompany key press issues such as the budget, bed blocking crisis, GCSE results, recovery from the fire at Beechdown School and major road schemes such as the A36.

1,5

5.

Ran a series of events during Local Democracy Week with Cabinet Members, sited promotional displays in Information Centres and set up a website to promote the importance of local democracy in Hampshire

1,5

Economic Development Office

1.

Set up new limited company "Hampshire Farmers Markets' Ltd." comprised of farmers and producers to take over the running of farmers' market.

1,3

2.

Developed Wired Wessex - a new company and network for companies operating in new media and screen-based media markets.

1,3

3.

Established Defence Sector network and completion of a programme of Best Practice visits.

1,3

4.

Set up corporate External Funding Service to promote awareness of funding opportunities for all council departments.

3,5

5.

Launched the Hampshire Market Town Project with funding from the Countryside Agency and SEEDA, aimed at boosting the vitality and economies of small rural towns in the county.

1,3

6.

Provided advice and support to over 1600 companies, including supporting the development of Hampshire Economic Partnership and Hampshire Business Database.

1,3

Emergency Planning

1.

2.

The Emergency Planning Team co-ordinated inter-agency efforts to deal with flooding emergencies November 2000-February 2001.

The Emergency Planning Team produced a Town and Village Flood Plan template and, with Hampshire Association of Parish and Town Councils, is promoting this with the Environment Agency to encourage vulnerable communities to prepare for flooding

1,2,3,4

1,2,3,4

3.

Foot and Mouth - there were no reported outbreaks of the disease in Hampshire but extensive precautionary measures were put in place. From February to July Trading Standards, Emergency Planning, Corporate Communications, County Surveyors Department and Countryside Service provided the County Council's response to the threat.

1,2,3,4

1.

Co-ordinated the efforts of managers across the County Council which enabled an overall underspend of 0.1% in 2000/01.

3,5

2.

Progressed the replacement of the Council's financial and management information systems as a whole with the first stages (financials, payroll and procurement) of a phased implementation intended to run from 2001 - 2003.

5

3.

Gained the Charter Mark for Pensions Services to add to the Charter Mark retained in the previous year for Student Support. In addition, Audit Services retained their ISO9000 registration and the department continued to work in accordance with the Investor in People Status achieved in 2000.

5

4.

Processed the transactions required by an £840m spend, including payment of 42,000 employees, 28,000 pensioners and 750,000 bills; dealt with 145,000 debtor invoices and supported 22,000 students.

3,5

5.

Co-ordinated production of the capital strategy and corporate asset management plan, following positive feedback from the DTLR on the `dry run' documents.

2,5

6.

Continued to secure positive comments from the District Auditor on financial performance e.g. "the Council's financial position remains soundly based despite continuing pressures" and "the Council has sound overall arrangements in place to satisfy itself that its systems of internal financial control are both adequate and effective" (source: Annual Audit Letter to Members 2000/01).

3,5

7.

Achieved a successful LEA Ofsted inspection, with financial services to schools rated as `very good'.

5

8.

Obtained the best ever set of opinions from customers in the fifth quality review exercise to be carried out over the past ten years.

5

9.

Carried out a best value review of the finance function as a whole, leading to approval by members in November.

2,3,5

10.

Carried out extensive benchmarking, demonstrating lowest quartile costs.

5

11.

Developed, in conjunction with members, a financial strategy for the Council which spells out policies followed.

2,3,5

12.

Produced Annual Benefit Statements for all 39,338 contributors to the Hampshire Pension Fund.

5

13.

Reviewed pension fund external managers and their performance targets, resulting in the appointment of a new property manager and a multi-asset manager.

3,5

14.

Played a lead role in the successful negotiation with central government of a £170m funding package for the Light Rapid Transit project.

3,5

15.

Continued to work to influence and better understand Government policy developments through, for example:

· The County Treasurer acting as lead adviser for counties to the Local Government Association, the Association's financial adviser for Education in complying the work on the education bid for the spending review 2002 and as the adviser for the Education Funding Strategy Group.

· Seconding a member of staff to the DLTR to work on Public Service Agreements, which has proved useful as the county has negotiated its own agreement.

5

16.

Student Support Service, the only local service, when asked by the Department of Education and Skills, to volunteer to help other authorities in the past year, with secondments to Doncaster, Kensington & Chelsea and Suffolk; Head of Student Support invited to sit on the IT Procurement Group for the Government's proposed new nationwide student support system.

5

17.

Won further tenders to carry out audits of further education colleges; now audit 22 compared with eight in 1996.

3,5

1.

Department achieved Investors in People accreditation.

5

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11..

Received capital receipts in excess of £15 m to enable reinvestment in

Council's Capital Programme.

Completed 20 major Education Projects.

Prepared and managed Science Laboratory refurbishment packages in excess of £3.7m:

John Hunt of Everest, Oak Farm Community (completed) Brighton Hill Community, The Wavell School (on site)

The Romsey School, Cranbourne Secondary,

Neville Lovett Community, Alderman Quilley (completed)

The Clere Secondary, Harrow Way Community,

Park Community, Fort Hill Community,

Test Valley Secondary.(completed).

Commenced work in May 2001 for new John Hanson School with a value of some £13m.

Social Services Reinvestment Strategy - completed 4 Schemes this year

and 3 Schemes are currently on site.

Following the submission of condition surveys to the DfES, achieved the single largest allocation (over £30 m) in England to address condition improvements at schools.

Completed over 60 external redecoration and repair projects at schools and other establishments with a value of £2 m.

Let new contracts for engineering servicing and maintenance in

partnerships with contractors with a value of over £20m over the next 5

years.

Achieved good and excellent customer satisfaction ratings from over 80%

of clients following the completion of over 160 projects.

Increased the number of visitors to Sir Harold Hillier Gardens and

Arboretum (SHHGA) by over 10%.

Increased the number of school children taking part in education visits to the SHHGA by over 6% to 8,700.

3

1,2

1,2

1,2

1,2

3

1,2

1,2

5

1,5

1,2,4

1.

Hampshire Caterers achieved re-accreditation as an Investor in People for the third time.

5

2.

Hampshire Printing Services achieved ISO 9002 accreditation.

5

3.

Hampshire Printing Services won the British Print Industry Federation gold award for Health and Safety.

5

1.

Trading Standards took the lead in the Corporate approach to preventing the spread of foot and mouth to Hampshire through its statutory animal health role and emergency legal powers.

1,2

2.

The Consumer Advice Service was among the first in the country to

achieve accreditation to the exacting standards of the new Community

Legal Services Quality Mark.

1,5

3.

The country's first consumer education programme integrated into the

Citizenship curriculum was developed with teachers and successfully

launched to schools in Hampshire and at a national conference. 4,000

school children were educated in product and food safety skills through

the Junior Citizen scheme.

1,4

4.

The Tobacconist Award Scheme, a joint initiative between Trading

Standards and the Health Promotion Service to reduce under-age

smoking, gained Department of Health recognition for Best Practice.

1

5.

Hampshire won a tender to supply Cambridgeshire County Council with

Public Analyst Services for 3 years worth over £200,000.

1

6.

Hampshire Scientific Service led a national survey on genetically

modified foods. Over 240 samples were tested and 13 Local Authorities

took part.

1

7.

A consortium including Hampshire, the Royal Society of Chemistry, Boots PLC, Britvic PLC and Newcastle University were awarded a

BBSRC/DEFRA research grant to develop new vitamin testing methods.

The project is valued at £800,000 over three years.

1

8.

Hampshire received a glowing audit report from the Food Standards Agency, which said: "The authority was providing a good, balanced food standards service, which was particularly strong on food sampling, advice to business and promotional activities".

1,5

9.

Hampshire Scientific Service became one of the first UK laboratories to

be awarded a new internationally recognised accreditation award for

asbestos surveying. (EN 45004).

1,2

1.

Developed the framework of a new people strategy, designed to improve the quality of people management in the council, in response to issues identified in staff survey. This is being completed through a series of manager briefings called Success Through People and the launch of revised management competencies, developed by Hampshire Training Solutions.

5

2.

Launched a radical approach to pay and reward building on the new conditions of service package negotiated in 2000; project recognised by Government Minister as leading edge.

5

3.

Won a partnership working award from the Dti for a joint project with trade unions on change management and communication.

5

4.

Achieved Investors in People accreditation as a department and supported other departments to achieve their success.

5

5.

Played a major role in the development of the first phase of SAP implementation and prepared to take a leading role in phase 2 (HR systems).

5

6.

Audited all departments against the commission for Racial Equality Performance Standard and ensured all departments have equalities action plan.

1,5

7.

Led investigations into the development of a new Racial Equality Council in Hampshire on behalf of all councils in Hampshire and Isle of Wight.

1,5

8.

Implemented teaching pay and conditions reform and put new arrangements in place for teacher recruitment and teacher and head teacher induction.

5

9.

Launched electronic accident and incident recording system and investigation procedure to help promote improved management of health and safety.

1,5

1.

Rolled out IT2000 to a further 2250 desktops, bringing the total number of desktops to almost 5,000. More than 6,000 users now have access.

5

2.

Implemented and rolled out `Exchange' to more than 4,700 users. This fully integrated system promotes a standard working environment in IT2000.

5

3.

Rolled out the Hampshire Public Service Network (HPSN) (combined voice and data communications) throughout the County. Five district Councils joined the network and all but two of the remaining Local Authorities in Hampshire confirmed their intention to join.

5

4.

Made considerable progress on development of the service to schools. Almost 70 secondary schools now have 2mb data services provided over the HPSN under the South East Grid for Learning project. A further 27 links serving 50 primary schools were delivered under this contract.

5

5.

Resulting product from the development work of the Tourist project was branded as the Visit service. Visit is a powerful on-line business system to strengthen the marketing, management and sales of Hampshire Tourism services and products.

1,3,5

1.

Achieved successful LEA OFSTED inspection.

5

2.

Achieved Investors in People accreditation.

3,5

3.

Supported Swindon Local Education Authority.

3

4.

Successfully implemented Class Size Plan so that no infant class has more than 30 pupils.

1,2,5

5.

Supported the pilot of the Audit Commission School Survey.

5

1.

Achieved many successful school OFSTED inspections.

1,5

2.

One of only 12 LEAs successful in a bid to pilot the national scheme for the Professional Development of new teachers, resulting in £5 million to support their training over the next three years.

1,3,5

3.

Successfully bid for £1.65m for schools to support teacher recruitment and retention and housing.

1,4

4.

Over 500 newly qualified teachers joined Hampshire schools in September.

5

1.

Over 80,000 young people took part in off-site adventurous, residential activities and holidays, supported by nearly 9,000 teachers, youth workers and other leaders.

1,2,3,4,5

2.

Hampshire Music Service awarded a diploma from the National Music Council and praised for its `outstanding commitment' to music.

1,3,4,5

3.

Hampshire County Youth Orchestra visited Chile in August 2001, and many other Hampshire music ensembles visited Europe.

1,3,5

4.

Numerous awards for Hampshire music ensembles, including Hampshire County Youth Band awarded the `Outstanding Performance' award at Music for Youth National Festival in London; The North East Hampshire Area Schools Wind Band won the Gold Award in the BASBWE Wind Band Festival; the Hampshire County Youth Children's Choir was invited to take part in an international festival in Chichester; the Hampshire County Youth Orchestra received a Sainsbury Youth Orchestra Award and was selected to participate in the "Masterprize" festival in London to participate in workshops with the London Symphony Orchestra.

1,3,5

5.

Undertook national pilot for the Connexions service for 14 to 19 year olds.

1,2,3,5

6.

Achieved a notional allocation of £6.6 million from the New Opportunities Fund to enhance the provision for PE and sport on school sites.

1,2,4,5

7

Construction of new sports halls commenced at Westgate and Hamble schools using lottery funding of £1.5m and £2.1m respectively.

1,2,4,5

8

Successful bid of £600,000 for 11 out-of-hours projects in schools.

1,4,5

1.

The Early Years Development and Childcare Plan met its 29 targets. In particular, it exceeded its target for childcare places by over 50%, creating almost 8000 new places by April 2001.

1,3,4,5

2.

96% of pre-schools achieved good inspection outcomes against targets of 90% in 2001 and 94% in 2004.

1,3,5

1.

Increased annual number of individual visits to community programmes organised by schools to nearly 3 million.

1,3,4,5

1.

98% of parents applying for a place in primary, infant and junior schools were successful in their first preference.

5

2.

94% of parents applying for a place in secondary schools were successful in their first preference.

5

1.

The behaviour intervention service rolled out to Rushmoor, Gosport and Andover in varying forms to meet the needs of the local context, and continues in Basingstoke.

1,4,5

2.

Achieved, one year ahead of schedule, the 2002/3 target figure for reduction in permanent exclusions from mainstream and special schools, through effective partnership between schools and support services.

1,4,5

3

Established a system for jointly assessing the needs of children with complex communication disorders and making provision of appropriate communication aids. This is a joint approach with Social Services and Health.

1,5

4

Appointed two mobility officers to work with Hampshire children who are blind or have severe visual impairment. This is a joint initiative with Social Services.

1,5

5

Developed and implemented drama based project on inclusion issues within the south east of the county, working in partnership with voluntary and independent groups.

1,3,4,5

6

Developed pastoral support for sensory impaired adolescents.

1,5

1.

Department successfully remodelled to provide a new structure that has created countywide (rather than local) teams for each group of people that we provide services for; this has put us in a better position to meet the challenges of modernisation and of closer working with the health service.

1,4,5

2.

In order to work more closely with the health service and develop a joint health and social care service, introduced Partnership Managers (new senior management posts that provide the Social Services link in the work to develop the new care trusts).

1,4,5

3.

Set up the Learning Disability Partnership Board - one of our responses to the government's White Paper on services for people with learning disabilities. The Board is led by Social Services and consists of representatives from key agencies in the learning disabilities field as well as people with learning disabilities and their carers.

1,4,5

4.

Achieved recognition of improved mental health services. An inspection of mental health services by the Mental Health Act Commission in March praised the work of our Approved Social Workers (social workers with a specific mental health qualification) and the success of our community mental health teams that have both health and social services staff.

1,4,5

5.

Financial Assessments and Benefits team set up jointly by Social Services and County Treasurer's in order to run a pilot scheme in the north of the county, carrying out the financial assessments of new users of our services and giving benefits advice. The team's expertise was greatly appreciated by our users, and has increased the department's income.

1,4,5

6.

Over 150 members of our staff achieved NVQ awards in the first stage of our training plan, which concentrates on residential child care workers and managers of homes for adults and older people. The plan is in line with the government's five year National Training Strategy and includes courses for managers of homes in the private sector.

5

7.

Launched `Social Services Direct' - new service centre, providing advice, information and access to services when our local offices are closed, went live at the end of the year.

1,4,5

8.

Commenced programme of improving our homes for older people. A five bed extension to Westholme in Winchester (a home for older people with dementia) was opened early in the year and in the summer a

re-furbished Cornerways, in Kings Worthy, re-opened. Cornerways now has some bedrooms adapted to make it easier to look after more frail older people and has an improved integrated day centre which benefits both residents and day centre users.

1,4,5

9.

Achieved a National Health & Social Care Award for our work in extending our Direct Payments scheme, previously focused on disabled people under the age of 60, to older people. The £10,000 prize money funded a worker to make the scheme more accessible to people from ethnic minorities in Hampshire.

1,4,5

10.

Achieved Government `green light' rating for our preparations for the Supporting People programme; this is a new government initiative that comes into effect in April 2003. Money that is currently spent on `low level' help for people living at home (for example, the services provided by the wardens of sheltered housing complexes) will be re-routed through Social Services to ensure that there is consistent help for vulnerable people to enable them to live as independently as possible.

1,4,5

11.

Pilot project to support carers carried out for the Department of Health. A scheme exploring the use of vouchers as a way of paying for care was run in the Havant/Petersfield area. The outcomes will be used by the Department of Health to develop policy and practice guidelines linked to the implementation of the Carers & Disabled Children Act 2000.

1,4,5

1.

The pilot schemes to train and support people willing to act as volunteer mentors for the 16 and 17 year olds who leave the County Council's care proved a great success; the scheme will be extended to cover the whole county.

1,3,4,5

2.

Achieved second place in the national rankings for how many A-C GCSEs our looked-after children gained - the result of many years of hard work by the teachers employed by Social Services to support the youngsters.

1,3,5

3.

Some of the young people in our care trained to act as lay assessors for inspection of our children's homes.

1,4,5

4.

Held a successful event in September to find out what the children in our care think about the way we look after them and what we could do to improve things for them.

1,5

1.

Wide-ranging emergency action to deal with immediate impact of 2000/2001 floods and storms. Subsequent extensive programme to repair damage to the highway network. The County Council was awarded just over £5 million from the government - a significant slice of the £23 million available nationally - in recognition of the scale of the difficulties. Almost £5 million was also diverted from the County Council's highway maintenance budget. The County Council has more than 160 schemes already scheduled, ranging in cost from £5,000 to £350,000.

1, 2, 3, 5.

2

Excellent response by Government to the Hampshire Local Transport Plan. "You are to be congratulated on an excellent plan" - with resulting record level of financial support of £110 million over 5 years.

1, 2, 3, 5

3

Launched two new initiatives - the Corporate Sustainability Development Strategy and Corporate Action Plan.

2

4

Government approved funding and powers for the £190 million South Hampshire Rapid Transport Project, which proposes a light rail tunnel under Portsmouth Harbour linking the City with Gosport and rail links all the way to Fareham. With Government approval in place, the next step is the appointment of partners to design, build, and operate the system.

1,2,3,4,5

5

New Global Positioning System (GPS) introduced to improve efficiency and reduce cost of the highway gully cleansing programme.

1,2,5

6

Surveyors department negotiated contributions from developers in excess of £4.2 million.

1,2,3,5

7

Central Government named HCC as one of 14 Centres of Excellence for integrated transport planning.

2, 3, 5

8

Completed a major traffic and environmental improvement scheme in Lyndhurst.

1,2,3

9

HCC won Area 3 contract in partnership with Mott Macdonald to maintain 870 miles of motorway and trunk roads on behalf of the Highways Agency.

2,3,5

10

Completed a major road safety scheme on the A325 at Whitehill near Bordon. The package of measures included a new roundabout, road narrowing, Toucan crossing, and on and off-road cycle facilities that support a reduction in the speed limit through Whitehill to 30 mph.

1,2,4,5,

11

Achieved a commendation from the Salvation Army Trading company's Recycling Unit on the tenth anniversary of working in partnership.

2,4

12

Held a successful three day conference on the theme of sustainability at Winchester Guildhall, bringing together speakers and over 200 delegates from the private, public, and voluntary sectors.

2,4

13.

Launched a mobile shop/Post Office to serve rural communities - a pilot scheme and the first of its kind in the country.

1,4,5

14

Launched the Integrated Access Demonstration Project (a cross-departmental project), including the South Downs Explorer (Sunday bus service); timing coincided with re-opening of the PROW network.

1, 4 5

15

Upgraded Portsmouth Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) to increase its capacity to deal with more recyclable materials.

2,5

16.

Set up a major traffic calming scheme in Otterbourne, designed to improve road safety and reduce existing 40mph speed limit to 30mph on the C230.

1,2,34,5

17.

Formally launched the Quality Bus Partnership in conjunction with Havant Borough Council and Stagecoach Coastline.

The County Council has invested £70,000 to date, and will add a further £165,000 over the next two years. Planned improvements include new bus shelters, raised kerbs at every stop and additional improvements to Havant bus station, including electronic information screens.

1,2,3,4,5

18

Supported successful measures to prevent Foot and Mouth disease from breaking out and taking hold in Hampshire.

1,5

1

Prepared and presented the County Council's case against the proposed new container port at Dibden Bay.

2, 3,

2

3

Responded to consultations on proposed New Forest National Park.

Responded to consultation on proposed South Downs National Park

2

2

4

Launched the Urban Living Strategy, advancing a range of initiatives and projects to improve the economic vitality and the environmental and social well-being of our towns and suburbs.

1,2,3,4,5

5

Urban Renaissance: Sharing Best Practice and Networking-Hampshire has actively worked to improve the well-being and sustainability of its suburban areas by working in partnership with a number of district councils in Hampshire, the Civic Trust and the local community to help regenerate suburban areas in Hampshire, focusing action on two pilot areas in North Camp, Farnborough and Lee-on-the-Solent in Gosport.

1,4,

6

The Hampshire County Structure Plan aims to maximise the amount of new housing which is built on sites within towns and help avoid unnecessary development on greenfields. In July, the County Council jointly with its strategic planning partners, Portsmouth and Southampton City Councils published guidelines for Hampshire's district councils in searching for development sites within their urban areas and a protocol for controlling the release of land to meet the reserve housing requirement of the Structure Plan.

1,4

7

The development of the partnership-led Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre provided an improved biodiversity data service to the County Council, other public and private sector organisations, and the public.

2,4,5,

8

Successfully completed the New Forest LIFE 2 Project - a partnership project using European funds for the re-creation of habitats in the New Forest.

2,4

9

Corporate Water Action Plan launched in February 2001which demonstrates the County Council's commitment to playing its part in the stewardship of the Hampshire's water environment.

2,3.

10

The Tomorrow's Heathland Heritage - Hampshire Heathland Project, funded jointly by the Heritage Lottery Fund, English Nature and Hampshire County Council, began a five year programme of heathland restoration worth £1.5 million (with a grant of £869,000 from HLF) in July 2001

2,4

11

The development of the Hampshire Water Meadows Policy in June 2001 followed a countywide survey, which established the importance of water meadows to the historic landscape of Hampshire, and their vulnerability to change.

2

1.

Launched the Hampshire and IOW Active Sports Partnership at an event at which Tessa Sanderson OBE, Olympic gold medallist and vice-chair of Sport England, presented a cheque for over £1m. This nationwide programme is "set to change forever the way we provide sport for young people, through better coaching, better players, better clubs and better competition".

2.

Theatre Royal, Winchester re-opened with capital, revenue and advisory support from the County Council.

3.

Although threatened with closure the Kings Theatre, Southsea was finally sold to Portsmouth City council who are now working in partnership with the Kings Theatre Trust Limited.

4.

Launched a major Countryside Service publication with a foreword by Sir David Attenborough in which he praises the County council as having made: "A hugely impressive contribution to the protection and conservation of Hampshire's wildlife and wild places".

5.

First awards made to young people through the Millennium Commission Your Shout Awards Scheme which will be distributing £366,000 to projects involving new technology over three years.

6.

A new long distance walk was created, the St Swithun's Way, which runs from Winchester to Farnham where it joins the North Downs Way. In addition to this, a section of the South Downs Way was completed so extending this important National Trail.

1,3,5

7.

The National pilot project on Integrated Access was developed with summer 2001 seeing the running of a new bus service `the South Downs Explorer' which links the cities of Southampton and Portsmouth with the attractive countryside of East Hampshire.

1,2,4,5

8.

The Hampshire Paths Partnership was launched aimed at working in partnership with volunteers and community groups to develop access opportunities across the county.

1,4,5

9.

Successfully managed action required to ensure Foot and Mouth risk to countryside was minimised.

2

1.

Best Value Inspection Report - achieved 2 star rating as a `good' service.

5

2.

Achieved Investors in People accreditation.

5

3.

£1.3m award approved by New Opportunities Fund for ICT infrastructure. Network planning completed.

3,5

4.

Achieved Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation award for computers in Gosport Library.

3,5

5.

Won £15,000 lottery funding for project to establish reading groups across the County for `Lads and Dads'.

1

6.

Gained approval for £192,000 award for digitisation by New Opportunities Fund. HCC nominated as Lead Partner for Sense of Place South-East Consortium of 5 authorities.

1

7.

Introduced `Bee Aware' interlending scheme for visually impaired persons.

5

8.

Launched joint project with County Record Office to make historic Hampshire film collection available through libraries on video.

5

9.

Gosport, Fareham and Waterlooville Libraries awarded Guidance Accreditation Board Quality Mark for Link2Learn Service.

1,3,4,5

10.

Launched NHS Direct public information terminals in 5 libraries in partnership with NHS. National Electronic Library for Health (NeLH) pilot project begun in partnership with Resource and NHS.

1,4,5

1.

Achieved a further rise in the number of people visiting the record Office; total visitor numbers for the calendar year are expected to exceed 20,000. In addition many people used the service via e-mail, telephone and letter.

1,5

2.

Awarded Investor in People status.

1,5

3.

Worked in co-operation with the British Records Association to sort and distribute the Wakefield archive collection, including important Hampshire documents, following its repatriation from the Library of Congress, Washington DC, USA to the United kingdom.

1,5

4.

The Hampshire Papers series celebrated its tenth anniversary and there were three additions to the series with papers on John Colson, the Winchester architect, John Miller, the antiquarian and Catholic bishop and the empress Eugenie and her connection with Farnborough. We also produced a paper about his Majesty's Monitor M33 and a short guide to the Wessex Film and Sound Archive collections.

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1.

Milestones Museum successfully completed its first year of operation, attracting 155,513 visitors and much praise for the quality of the collections, interpretation, access and building.

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2.

Opened major new displays at Aldershot Museum, with the aid of Heritage Lottery Fund, providing progressive and educational interpretation of military history and life.

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3.

Greatly enhanced WWW presence of Museums Service, providing access to information not hitherto available as well as promotion of existing services.

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