Contact: David Carman, ext 5967 email: [email protected]

Kevin Ings, ext 6986 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions are sought:

Part 1 - Environmental Service Providers

(i) That the arrangements for securing services from the voluntary and community sector to support the Environment Department's environmental and community objectives through Service Level Agreements are changed as follows:

(a) Service Level Agreements with Service Providers are replaced with grants for delivery of areas of work; and

(b) applicants for grants must demonstrate the ability to deliver against criteria.

(ii) That the following levels of contribution to the service areas be approved for the 2007/08 financial year, and that the financial situation be reviewed after the Council receives its next three year financial settlement following the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review 2007, with the intention of awarding three year grants, renewable annually:

£

Historic Parks and Gardens 20,000

Schools Landscapes

(i) supporting the Hampshire County Council 15,000

Schools Landscape Programme

(ii) supporting advice at a national level 22,000

Environmental Conservation 10,000

Built Heritage 15,000

Environmental advice to land managers 15,000

Coastal Archaeology 19,000

Total 116,000

(iii) That the South Downs Joint Committee be added to the County Council corporate partnership register.

(iv) That the level of contribution to the South Downs 30,000

Joint Committee Partnership for 2007/08 be agreed.

Total Environmental Services 146,000

Part 2 - Payments to Community Transport Operators

(i) That in the majority of cases the existing grants and service agreements should become grants with conditions attached.

(ii) That where appropriate these grants should be offered for three years, renewable annually.

(iii) That the arrangements should be introduced as soon as is practically possible after 1 April 2007 or when any existing service agreements expire, if this date is later.

(iv) That in the case of the existing service agreements for Dial a Ride, Call and Go and Wheels to Work schemes these should continue whilst further discussions are undertaken on the most appropriate future arrangements for funding these services, in order to meet the requirements of the Code of Practice on Funding and Procurement whilst also delivering best value.

(v) That in compliance with the One Compact for Hampshire, operators and other joint funders should be consulted regarding these proposals before any changes are implemented.

2. Reason

2.1 To meet the requirements of the Procurement and Funding Code for the One Compact for Hampshire. This will ensure that the corporate objectives of maintaining and improving quality of life, that everyone has the opportunity to be active in their community, protecting local distinctiveness and diversity, and respecting Hampshire's heritage and planning proactively for the future are supported.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 To continue with the current funding arrangements.

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

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - None.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - None.

Approved by: Date:

Councillor M J Kendal

Executive Member for Environment

1180Decn/DC/KI