OUTCOME REPORT OF THE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS BEST VALUE REVIEW

1. Although the promotion of international relations is a discretionary activity, the County Council has always regarded it as an important element of its work. All departments within the County Council engage in activities which impact on international relations including involvement in a wide range of projects and partnerships, and each has a nominated European officer. The international work in the Chief Executive's Policy Unit comprises support for Members nominated to represent Hampshire in international political networks, managing corporate partnerships, managing the Brussels Office and providing advice, support and co-ordination for departments' international activities. The Economic Development Office provides support and advice on external funding including European and international funds.

2. The service has worked well to date and achieved much and this has been recognised by the joint team of County Council Members and officers which undertook the Best Value Review of International Relations. Nonetheless the team felt that there was scope for improvement in terms of strategic direction, clarity of objectives, and inter-departmental consistency. Accordingly an Improvement Plan has been prepared which seeks to develop a corporate vision for international relations. The Plan contains a range of actions which address the key themes of developing a vision and strategy, enhancing communication, improving monitoring and evaluation, maximising partnership opportunities and improving internal engagement. The Policy and Resources Policy Review Committee has endorsed the Improvement Plan.

3. The Cabinet has now approved the Plan for implementation and is confident that it will deliver the required enhancements to the current service. Initially the Plan has been developed for implementation from within existing resources but it is proposed later, and as it develops, to examine the opportunities for additional improvements with increased resource input.

T.K. THORNBER, CBE

Leader

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