Contact: Ian Avery, ext 6264

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions are sought:

(i) That the Natural Resources Initiative Corporate Business Plan objectives for 2002/03 be agreed.

(ii) That the objectives be referred to the Cabinet for endorsement, given the corporate nature of the topic and the linkage with the Corporate Sustainable Development Strategy.

2. Reason

2.1 The Natural Resources Initiative (NRI) was agreed by the Cabinet on 29 October 2001 and is included as a service area in the County Council's Public Service Agreement (PSA). An NRI Corporate Business Plan has been prepared to guide the implementation of the initiative, through the establishment of a management framework, business objectives and a resourcing plan.

2.2 The Business Plan will provide a framework to enable the County Council to support an NRI programme in the wider community, ensure achievement of the PSA target and become a model of best practice in its own activities.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 Carry on without a business plan framework.

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: ..................................... Date: ..................................

Councillor T K Thornber

7. Introduction

7.1 On 29 October 2001 the Cabinet agreed the implementation of the Natural Resources Initiative (NRI), subject to funding being met within existing resources and/or external sources. The initiative was also included as a service area in the County Council's Public Service Agreement (PSA), the focus being on materials with the aim of diverting an additional 40,000 tonnes of waste from landfill.

7.2 It was agreed that the NRI should aim to impact on both the wider community in Hampshire and the County Council's own business activities. Business plans have been prepared to guide work in both areas, it being recognised that, whilst there is no `quick fix', it is important to twin track progress towards long-term goals with some early achievements that make a real difference.

7.3 The community NRI programme is not `owned' by the County Council although it is playing a key leadership role and is acting as secretariat and, together with others, providing pump-priming finance. Development work is being led by an advisory group of community representatives with the overall aim of achieving the more sustainable use of natural resources in Hampshire. Key issues emerging are improving the NRI performance of small and medium sized businesses and awareness/lifestyles in the community generally. The intention is to link these issues with the community strategy process.

8. Corporate Natural Resources Initiative Objectives

8.1 As highlighted in the recent report to the Cabinet on monitoring of the implementation of the Corporate Sustainable Development Strategy, there is a trend of continuous improvement in the way the County Council approaches and deals with natural resources, with a range of achievements in materials use and waste, water, and biodiversity.

8.2 However, substantial improvement in performance cannot be achieved unless the County Council both exerts its leadership and influence in the community and ensures that service functions and departments are engaged in this new corporate direction. Achieving a more holistic approach is not easy and will not be achieved quickly, but a culture of mutual support will develop once there is greater understanding of the linkages with all services and the benefits that can be gained. The NRI cuts across traditional departmental responsibilities and functional areas but offers tangible benefits by joint working and sharing of objectives.

8.3 The work on the NRI is being sponsored by the County Surveyor on behalf of the Corporate Management Team. The internal programme is being steered by a corporate officer group with the overall aim of maximising the County Council's community leadership role and optimising its own performance (through its policies, plans and actions) in the NRI, including achieving the PSA target. A Corporate Business Plan has been prepared which sets out five corporate NRI objectives for 2002 /03:

(i) To facilitate and support the external community focus of NRI;

(ii) to implement a plan of action to achieve the PSA target for NRI;

(iii) to set Hampshire County Council on the way to becoming an example of best practice in using natural resources in its own activities by 2005;

(iv) to develop, via an innovative public engagement programme, an action orientated resource management strategy that will guide the development of the appropriate statutory spatial planning documents; and

(v) to develop and commence implementation of a plan to raise awareness and a communication programme for Members and staff.

9. Resources

9.1 As noted above, the Cabinet has agreed that the NRI be commenced using existing resources and/or external funding. A review of priorities within parts of the Environment Grouping is being undertaken to release modest resources to move the initiative forward. In addition, PSA pump-priming funds amounting to £153,900 will be available to support achievement of the PSA target.

10. Conclusion

10.1 The NRI fully accords with the County Council's vision and strategy objectives, as well as EC and Government policy. It links with community strategies, Best Value, the Comprehensive Performance Assessment and the County Council's community leadership role by building on community aspirations through joint working both inside and outside the County Council.

10.2 The NRI Corporate Business Plan establishes a framework for the County Council's role in moving the initiative forward, both in terms of work in the wider community and internally, including achievement of the PSA target.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the Natural Resources Initiative Corporate Business Plan objectives for 2002/03 be approved and that they be referred to the Cabinet for endorsement, given the corporate nature of the topic and the linkage with the Corporate Sustainable Development Strategy.

7114A/IA