Contact: Stuart Dorward, ext 6110

1 Introduction

1.1 At its meeting in September the Committee considered a report setting out a suggested plan for issues to be considered during the remainder of the 2005/06 cycle. Members also agreed to set up a Library Scrutiny Panel (see separate report elsewhere on the agenda). Following discussion with the Chairman, it is suggested that members undertake a series of visits in support of this work programme.

2 Proposed Visits

2.1 Options for the long term future of the Treadgold building and collections in Portsmouth are currently being developed. A visit to the site would help members in their consideration of the issues. It is suggested that this takes place in January.

2.2 In carrying out their work, members appointed to the Library Scrutiny Panel may wish to undertake visits outside the County to study library modernisation projects in other parts of the region. These will be considered when the Panel develops its work programme.

2.3 In support of the County Council's corporate programme for briefing members, arrangements will be made for all members of the Council to be invited to undertake tours of Recreation and Heritage sites to help familiarise themselves with the range and diversity of services offered by the Department. It is planned that two such tours take place in 2006 - one in May or June and one in October.

2.4 There would also be a visit to Silchester Roman Town in July 2006. This will allow members to see archaeological investigations in progress and better understand the particular difficulties of providing greater access to and improved interpretation of this nationally important site.

2.5 The visits would be included in members' e-diaries.

3 Financial Implications

3.1 Reasonable transport costs associated with the `scrutiny' visits will be met from the Policy and Resources budget in 2004/05. This budget also meets corporate member expenditure.

4 Legal Implications

4.1 No legal implications have been identified.

5 Personnel Issues

5.1 No personnel issues have been identified.

6 Impact Assessment/Crime Prevention

6.1 No impact has been identified on either quality or diversity issues and the visits will have no impact on crime prevention.

Recommendations

That the Policy Review Committee approves the visits referred to in paragraphs 2.1 and 2.2 above for the purposes specified

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

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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