Contact: Rosalind Rutt, ext 6745 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions are sought:

(i) That the Cabinet welcomes the progress in the Hampshire Rural Pathfinder programme and supports the collaborative approach across Government.

(ii) That links between the Pathfinder and the Hampshire Local Area Agreement and Rural Development Programme for England continue to be developed as part of the exit strategy.

(iii) That Hampshire County Council considers, through the preparation of an integrated Rural Strategy for the County Council's activities, how it can build on the successes and lessons learned from the Rural Pathfinder programme and integrate these into its delivery of rural services, so that they are more effective, efficient, customer-focussed and with greater local accountability.

2. Corporate Strategy

2.1 This decision particularly supports Aim 5 of the Corporate Strategy (Improving services) by testing innovative ways of making the delivery of rural services more effective, efficient and customer-focused. It also supports Aim 2 (Stewardship of the environment), Aim 3 (Achieving economic prosperity ) and Aim 4 (Building strong and safe communities).

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 Taking no action.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or Other Executive Member Consulted - None.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: ..................................... Date: ...................................

Councillor T K Thornber

898Decn/RRt