Archived decisions

Hampshire County Council

Policy and Resources Scrutiny and Select Committee Item

14 February 2005

THE COMMITTEE'S PROACTIVE TOPICS

Report of the Chief Executive

Contact: Share D'All, Chief Executive's Department.

e-mail: [email protected] Tel: 01962 846634

1. Summary:

    On each of the three topics the Committee has chosen for proactive scrutiny significant progress has been made in identifying the contacts and identifying the issues. We are now at the stage to tie these together and come up with some recommendations for the Committee as a whole to consider putting forward to the Cabinet. The following are proposed for each topic.

2. TOPIC 1: Managing Local Information For Member Involvement

    The objective is to ensure that Councillors are informed about actions which impact on their local Divisions in such a way and time that they have a chance to input to them and communicate about them with to their community. The focus is on actions either intended or taken by the County, or by other parties about which Officers have knowledge.

    2.1. At this meeting:

      · Michelle Smith will present the findings of a survey undertaken as part of the Member IT Strategy and resultant proposals

      · Members will be asked to confirm their priorities in terms of the types of information they feel it is critical they are proactively informed about

    2.2. The Issues:

      · Members need to be very clear what they want to be informed about so that Officers do not unintentionally exclude or bombard them unnecessary information.

      · We need to have systems and processes in place to deliver the information in a way that is accessible to Members and as this may mean work on infrastructure, and cost implications, there may need to be short and long term solutions.

      · Members have diverse needs and communication preferences

      · There are cultural issues around officers not being aware of the role of Councillors or their need for information

    2.2.1. Recommendation:

    One or Two Councillors from this Committee are asked to volunteer a maximum of two half days to complete the final explorations and formulate recommendations regarding `Managing Local Information' with the support of the Scrutiny Manager

3. TOPIC 2: Member Input To Consultation Papers

    The objective is that Members wanted to reach a point where they are able to make timely contributions to the formulation of responses to external consultation papers about policy which impact on the actions and strategy of the Council, or on their communities through the actions of Government or other bodies.

    3.1. The Issues:

    · Short timescales for consultation often given by external organisations which often prohibit a lengthy and inclusive process within the organisation

    · No consistent mechanism currently in place with which to engage

    3.2. Recommendation:

    One or Two Councillors from this Committee are asked to volunteer a maximum of two half days to complete the final explorations and formulate recommendations with regard to `Member Input to Consultation Papers ` with the support of the Scrutiny Manager.

4. TOPIC 3: Public Health

    The objective is to examine the current and potential role of Hampshire County Council in the promotion of public health and the health of it's employees and recommend what the Council's approach should be.

    4.1. At This Meeting:

    Mike Gill (Regional Director of Public Health for the South East Health Observatory) will speak to the Committee about the potential role for County Councils in Public Health

    4.1.1. Attached is:

    · the overview of the work currently going on within departments relating to Public Health

    · an overview of the current and proposed work of the HR department in relation to the health of Employees

    4.2. Recommendation:

    One or Two Councillors from this Committee are asked to volunteer to join with members of the Health Scrutiny Committee to complete the initial explorations and consider and report the options for strategic development with regard to `Public Health`. They will be supported by the Scrutiny & Health Scrutiny Managers.

Background Papers: (Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972)

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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