Archived decisions
ITEM 2
AT A MEETING of the POLICY AND RESOURCES SCRUTINY AND SELECT COMMITTEE of the COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on 11 July 2005.
PRESENT:
Councillors: M.J. Kendal; (Chairman); R.J. Baulk; I.F.E. Beagley; J.V. Bryant;
M.F. Cartwright; A.P. Collett; B.D. Dash; R.J. Ellis; K. Evans; S. James;
Mrs. P.G. Peskett; Mrs J. Porter; A. Weeks; D.F. Wright (Deputising for
Councillor Jo Kelly).
Also present: Councillors K. Chapman and P. Hutcheson for the item on Climate Change (Minute17).
12 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should, normally at the time of debate, declare their interest and, having regard to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9,10,11 and 12 of the County Council's Code of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed. No interests were declared by Members on this occasion.
13 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 6 June 2005 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
Arising on Minute 6, Work Programme, Members expressed disappointment that they had not had the opportunity to scrutinise the report on affordable housing for key workers before it went to the Cabinet.
14 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS
The Chairman had no communications on this occasion.
15 MEMBERS' QUESTIONS
No questions had been received from Members.
16 DEPUTATIONS
No deputations had been notified under Standing Order 21.
17 CLIMATE CHANGE AND COUNTY COUNCIL'S COASTAL LAND HOLDINGS
The Committee considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 6 in the Minute Book) on climate change, rising sea levels and coastal erosion, insofar as they affected the County Council's coastal land holdings. In general terms Members agreed with the strategy of maintaining coastal defences in the short term whilst investigating in detail a range of options for the medium to long term, including appraisal of flexible responses to shore line management in the most vulnerable areas: Lepe, Calshot, the eastern shore of the River Hamble and the western shore of Hayling Island. Members noted that the funding formula for coastal defence works was based on a cost-benefit analysis which would not give priority or attach great value to areas of recreational or agricultural land such as those owned by the County Council along Hampshire's coast. Members, therefore, felt that they would need to take a strategic view on the future of each site before any major investment decisions to replace or relocate sea defences. Members drew particular attention to the impact of severe weather and storm damage, which meant that access roads to Lepe and Calshot were likely to be flooded and left covered with debris. The result could be disruption and costs caused by closure of facilities, and there might be scope for more effective forward planning to mitigate the impact. There also needed to be further investigation as to how effective groynes were in counteracting erosion. In conclusion it was noted that the next stage would be to look closely at other areas of County Council coastal land which might be affected by climate change, notably Lymington/Keyhaven and Titchfield Haven.
RESOLVED:
(a) That the Policy and Resources Scrutiny and Select Committee recommends that the County Council adopts the Lepe to Calshot Key Area Working Group's preferred coastal defence policies, detailed in paragraph 3.1 of the report, for submission for inclusion in the West Solent Coastal Defence Strategy, and that the work of all the Key Area Working Groups be completed as soon as possible.
(b) That the Executive Member for Policy and Resources adopts, on behalf of the County Council, the Lepe to Calshot Key Area Working Group's preferred coastal defence policies, as detailed in paragraph 3.1 of the report, for submission for inclusion in the West Solent Coastal Defence Strategy.
18 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION CONSULTATION : LEADING THE WAY TO THE BETTER USE OF MATERIAL RESOURCES
The Committee considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 7 in the Minute Book) on the County Council's suggested response to this consultation. Members felt that there was scope for the Policy and Resources Scrutiny and Select Committee to give a lead on sustainable development. They therefore considered that officers should review current progress against the standards and, if appropriate, direct the Panel scrutinising Project Integra to investigate what further initiatives might be needed in areas such as waste reduction, recycling, procurement and effective use/re-use of material resources.
RESOLVED:
That the outcome of a review into use of material resources be submitted to the Committee following the completion of the Project Integra Scrutiny Inquiry in order to enable them to determine whether they wish to commission further work on this subject.
19 FINAL ACCOUNTS - 2004/05
The Committee considered the report of the County Treasurer (Item 8 in the Minute Book) on the final accounts for the past financial year. It was noted that the report had already been to Cabinet. However, in September there would be the opportunity for the Committee to review the financial prospects and offer advice on issues to be taken into account when setting budget guidelines for the coming financial year.
Members focused on the financial management policy set out in Appendix 8 and suggested that on page 2 Section 6 there should be separate references to schools and Social Services - with the former the County Council has no option but to increase budgets in line with FSS shares, but there is a choice with regard to the latter. They suggested that annual reviews of fees and charges should take into account market rates, although it was recognised that the current wording did allow for this and that there might be circumstances where achievement of the County Council's objectives would dictate a higher or lower charge. Consistency was also needed in references to fees and/or charges. Members also suggested that specific reference to staff training and professional development should be built into the section entitled, "Provision of Financial Services".
RESOLVED:
That subject to the observations on financial management policies set out above, the recommendations of the Cabinet on final accounts 2004/05 be endorsed.
20 MONITORING OF COMPLAINTS AND COMPLIMENTS
The Committee received annual returns on complaints and compliments relating to central departments : Chief Executive's, County Treasurer's, Property, Business and Regulatory and Human Resources (Item 9 in the Minute Book). Arising on the reports, the Committee asked the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services to confirm:
· With regard to election posters - what if any restrictions are there within tenancies relating to the display by residential tenants of political posters on the properties they occupy?
· Can the section on scientific services be clarified to show whether the figures refer to complaints or non-compliance. It is important to compare like with like and not mix the two.
RESOLVED:
That the reports on complaints and compliments for central departments - Chief Executive's, County Treasurer's, Property, Business and Regulatory and Human Resources be received and noted and that similar reports be referred to the Committee again in a year's time.
21 EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY PERFORMANCE
The Committee considered the report of the Director of Human Resources (Item 10 in the Minute Book) which had been referred by Cabinet to all Policy Review Committees and to the Policy and Resources Scrutiny and Select Committee. They received a short presentation on the subject from the Race Policy Adviser, a copy of which is set out in the Minute Book. Specific reference was made by Members to the importance of impact assessments; effective consultations with racial minorities and people with disabilities in terms of staff, community groups, areas immediately adjoining Hampshire and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service; website accessibility, particularly reference to the fact that the County Council can provide communications in languages other than English; and the role of the diversity champion, Councillor Roy Perry.
RESOLVED:
(a) That all Members of this Committee had been made fully aware of their role in supporting the implementation of the Equality Plan and Race Scheme.
(b) That all Members of this Committee are aware of their role in monitoring the requirement for reports to show the outcome of race and equality impact assessment.
22 REGULATORY SERVICES - SERVICE PLAN 2005/06
The Committee considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 11 in the Minute Book) on the plan for the current year. Particular attention was drawn to initiatives such as the newly established community safety service (See Minute 13 below); Buy with Confidence; the consumer direct service; and healthy eating. In response to questions it was explained that the proposal for the registration service to offer civil partnership ceremonies stemmed from recent legislation which conferred the same rights and responsibilities on partners as those that applied to married couples. Members suggested that there might be scope to link more closely the register of approved contractors and the Buy with Confidence list of firms/services, although it was recognised that financial regulations would still require decisions on contracting and procurement to be rigorously carried out.
RESOLVED:
That the Policy and Resources Scrutiny and Select Committee notes the major changes affecting regulatory services as summarised above and endorses the Service Plan for 2005/06 set out at Appendix 1 to the report.
23 COMMUNITY SAFETY SERVICE - PROGRESS REPORT AND OPTIONS FOR THE FUTURE
The Committee considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 12 in the Minute Book) on the newly established community safety service, as reported recently to the Cabinet. Members expressed disappointment that they had not had the opportunity to scrutinise this item and offer advice to the Cabinet. An explanation was given of the respective roles of accredited community safety officers, district council community wardens and the police community support units, and the arrangements for effective liaison between them. The Committee endorsed the partnership approach to providing the necessary support and service to the community and considered that the initiative was having a positive impact. Members expressed regret at the decision by the Cabinet not to add the use of defibrillators to the responsibilities of accredited community safety officers. They asked the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services to consult the staff on whether they considered that emergency use of defibrillators could be incorporated within their role. The results of such consultation would be reported back to a future meeting of the Policy and Resources Scrutiny and Select Committee who would decide what, if any, advice it was appropriate to offer to the Cabinet.
Other significant issues identified were
· the liaison with the Police on the issue of fixed penalty notices, both to adults and to juveniles
· the possibility of charging for the return of supermarket trolleys
· the need to investigate whether splitting the related functions of accredited community safety officers, community wardens and police community support units across three separate work forces each with different powers and terms/conditions of service, was the most cost-effective way forward.
RESOLVED:
(a) That recommendations already agreed by Cabinet be noted.
(a) That the accredited community safety officer staff be consulted on possible provision of defibrillators and training on their use, the outcome of such consultation to be reported to a future meeting of the Committee.
24 ICT ANNUAL REPORT
The Committee considered the report of the Head of IT Services on current issues (Item 13 in the Minute Book). The report was due to be submitted to the Executive Member for Policy and Resources on 14 July. Members considered that there were many detailed areas within IT that required detailed investigation and scrutiny, for example, charging and procurement. They therefore agreed to establish a small task and finish group of members to review the issues and report back.
RESOLVED:
(a) That a task and finish group of members, comprising Councillors R. Baulk (Chairman), A.P. Collett, K. Evans, James and Weeks be appointed to identify and investigate significant IT issues and report back to the Committee: the Panel to be convened after the Members' seminar on IT due to be held on 28 July.
(b) That the Executive Member for Policy and Resources be advised accordingly.
25 BEST VALUE REVIEWS
The Committee considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 14 in the Minute Book) on progress made in implementing the final year of Best Value improvement plans. Various adjustments were made to the names of Members involved in implementing the improvement plans.
RESOLVED:
(a) That progress on each Best Value Review improvement plan be noted.
(b) That the summaries should inform development of the Performance Plan which is a web based document published on 30 June 2005.
(c) That Members be nominated to oversee the implementation of Best Value Review improvement plans as follows:
Review Title Members
Economic Prosperity Councillors Ellis and Heath
Voluntary and Community Sector Councillors Chegwyn and Ellis
International relations Councillors Cartwright, Collett,
Kelly and Mrs Leversha
Democratic Services Councillors Baulk, Cartwright
and Ludlow
Community Engagement Councillors Dash and Ellis
Equality and Diversity Councillors Ludlow and Mrs P.
West
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