Archived decisions
AT A MEETING of the POLICY AND RESOURCES POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE of the COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on 6 June, 2002
PRESENT:
Councillors: S.A. Hayes (Chairman); I.F.E Beagley; J.V Bryant; M.F. Cartwright; P.J. Chegwyn; A.P. Collett; B.D. Dash; C. Davidovitz; R.J. Ellis; W.J. Filer; M.J. Kendal; P.A. Pierce; A.W. Rice; M.J. Roberts; M.L. Sheehan; Mrs. M. Snaith; J.G.L. Wall; J.K.West.
Councillors Thornber and Kirk were also in attendance.
34 COUNCILLORS WEST AND RICE
Councillor John West and Councillor Rice were welcomed to the Committee as new Members.
35 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 15 April, 2002 were confirmed, as a correct record, and signed by the Chairman.
Matter arising:-
Health Review and Scrutiny
Further to Minute 28 it was reported that the County Council had made its response on the Department of Health Consultation Paper "Local Authority Health Overview and Scrutiny".
36 POLICY FOR APPLICATIONS TO ERECT TELECOMMUNICATION BASE STATIONS ON COUNTY COUNCIL LAND AND PROPERTY
The Committee considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 2 in the Minute Book) on the County Council's policy on the use of its land or buildings for the provision of telecommunications base stations. The report described the results of the monitoring emissions from existing stations on or in the vicinity of County Council schools, outlined representations made to Central Government and guidance agreed with local planning authorities, and recommended that the County Council's precautionary approach be maintained.
During discussion Members supported a proposal that the officers' investigate a future presentation to Councillors on the technical aspects of telecommunication base stations and the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services undertook to action this.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the County Council, as a major public landowner, continues its precautionary approach on the siting of telecommunication base stations on its land and buildings.
(ii) That, in exceptional circumstances, base stations be considered for County Council land where an overall community benefit can be demonstrated, health concerns allayed and environmental improvements achieved, rather than use other available sites.
(iii) That approval be sought from the Executive Member for Policy and Resources on those exceptional circumstances, following consultation with the community involved.
(iv) That the advice specified above be reviewed in the light of further national guidance.
(v) That all local planning authorities in Hampshire be informed of the County Council's continuing precautionary approach to the provision of telecommunications masts on its land and property.
37 YOUR REGION, YOUR CHOICE, WHITE PAPER
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 3 in the Minute Book) on the Government's proposals for regional government in England as set out in the White Paper "Your Region, Your Choice". The report had been referred to the Committee by the Cabinet for examination and comment prior to a full debate by the full Council. Members expressed concern about the under representation of the County on such a body (i.e. perhaps only 3 or 4 representatives for Hampshire) and the possibility that a referendum covering the whole region might impose such an assembly on Hampshire where there is strong opposition to such a body.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the County Council should work with counties in the South East to develop a common view, if practicable, on the potential benefits/disbenefits of regional government for the South East of England.
(ii) That the existing work with MORI should be built on in cooperation with other counties in the South East with a view to seeking a clear and objective indication of the Hampshire and wider South Eastern community's desire to embrace or reject the concept of regional government.
(iii) That the Committee sees little benefit for Hampshire people but considerable disbenefit to them if the proposals are implemented as envisaged in the White Paper.
(iv) That the Committee's detailed comments be made available for the debate in full Council.
38 COMPREHENSIVE PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 4 in the Minute Book) which outlined the process currently under way to arrive at a Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) for Hampshire County Council.
RESOLVED:
That the CPA Self Assessment and the ongoing timetable be noted.
39 THE BEST VALUE REVIEW OF "INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS"
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 5 in the Minute Book) on a cross-cutting review to test the effectiveness of international links and partnerships in supporting corporate objectives.
RESOLVED:
That the approach to the review as set out in the report be agreed.
40 BEST VALUE REVIEW - DEMOCRATIC SERVICES
RESOLVED:
That Councillor Rice replace Councillor Heath on the Best Value Review - Democratic Services Panel.
41 EAST HAMPSHIRE'S COMMUNITY STRATEGY
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 7 in the Minute Book) on the East Hampshire Community Strategy. Councillor Cartwright declared a non-pecuniary interest in the matter. The Local Government Act 2000 had imposed a statutory duty on principal Local Authorities to produce community strategies with the aim of improving the social, economic and environmental well-being of the area. Such strategies would be produced by a partnership of stakeholders known as the Local Strategic Partnership in which the County Council would be a partner.
RESOLVED:
That the East Hampshire Community Strategy be submitted to the Leader for approval.
42 DISTRICT PARTNERSHIP COMMUNITY SAFETY STRATEGIES 2002 - 2005
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 8 in the Minute Book) on the District Partnership Community Safety Strategies in East Hampshire, Hart, Havant and Rushmoor. Strategies for the remaining 7 districts would be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee. Members drew particular attention to the fear of crime and noted that proposals for monitoring and reviewing the actions will be brought to the July meeting of the Committee.
RESOLVED:
(i) That the analysis of Local Partnership Strategies be completed as the strategies are published and received.
(ii) That departments be advised of appropriate actions to take into departmental plans.
(iii) That proposals for monitoring and reviewing the actions be brought to the July meeting of the Committee.
43 REORGANISATION OF POSTAL SERVICES AND IMPACT ON SUB-POST OFFICES
The Committee considered the report of the Head of Economic Development (Item 9 in the Minute Book) on the reorganisation of postal services and the impact on sub-post offices.
RESOLVED:
That the Executive Member for Economic Development, together with partner organisations be recommended to:-
(i) work with Post Office Counters and others to make sure the launch of the Universal Banking System is successful in Hampshire and take up of accounts is good.
(ii) work, perhaps through the Business Support function, to make sure local rural post office businesses do not get to the point where closure is "unavoidable" by encouraging good management, innovation and take up of new activities and roles (like Your Guide).
(iii) make sure that sub-postmasters in deprived urban and rural areas are able to access the support funding proposed by Government to help them stay in business.
(iv) where urban closures and rationalisation take place, lobby to ensure the retained facilities are in the right place and accessible to those who need them (via public transport) and also work with local community organisations (e.g. good neighbour schemes) and through Social Services to address any "needs" which are un-met following closures.
(v) work with the Countryside Agency, utilising their "Vital Villages Community services grant", alongside the council's own Village Shop support scheme.
(vi) support, where possible, actions to enable the postal services in the urban and rural areas to be maintained.
44 SEEDA REGIONAL ECONOMIC STRATEGY 2002 CONSULTATION DOCUMENT
RESOLVED:
That a report on the strategy be submitted by the Head of Economic Development to the next meeting.
45 THE COMMITTEE'S TIMETABLE OF FUTURE DECISIONS
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 11 in the Minute Book) on forthcoming key-decisions which may be made by the Leader and the Committee's timetable of future activity which had been updated since the last meeting.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted.
46 QUESTIONS FROM COUNCILLOR ROBERTS
The Executive Member for Policy and Resources answered questions from Councillor Roberts concerning Merrill Lynch, the Financial Advice Group and Equitable Life, together with a supplementary on the latter. The Executive Member initially declared a pecuniary interest in Equitable Life.
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