Archived decisions

p R.J. Baulk

p A. Broadhurst

a P.J. Chegwyn

p Dr R.J. Ellis

p E.F. Gale MBE

p R.J. Kimber

p P.K. Mason

p J.J. Maxwell

p R.H. Price

p A.W. Rice, TD

p D.F. Wright

37.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

ACTION

Apologies were received from Councillor P.J. Chegwyn.

38.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or a personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting should declare their personal 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. The declaration to be made at the time of the relevant debate.

39.

MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the former Culture and Communities Policy Review Committee held on 12 April, 2007 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

40.

CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman reported on the Hampshire Games 2007, which had been a very successful event and on which he congratulated all concerned. A copy of the relevant note appears as Item 4 in the Minute Book. He also reported on a very useful and effective library conference which he had attended, from which it was apparent that almost all library authorities faced the same challenges as Hampshire - reducing budgets, diminished public use, and the need to build partnerships and deploy resources in innovative ways which would meet changing public demands.

41.

ARTS FUNDING AND INNOVATION BRIEFINGS

The Committee welcomed James McVeigh from Arts Council England, who gave an illustrated presentation on the role of the Arts Council and its close links with other organisations, particularly local authorities. He drew particular attention to the two fundamental aims of artistic excellence and accessibility and to the Arts Council's key objectives:

· Vibrant Communities.

· Youth and Young People

· Participation and Public Engagement

· The Creative Economy.

· Diversity.

· International Links.

In the discussion arising from the presentation, Members stressed the importance they attached to the Arts as a catalyst towards the achievement of other community objectives such as urban regeneration and inward investment; and the vital need for the public to be engaged in the creation of works of art which could lead to improved community cohesion. Other significant aspects were seen to be the development of creative centres and the contribution of the arts towards tourism, the heritage, Hampshire's quality of place and public wellbeing.

42.

LIBRARY AND INFORMATION REVIEW

The Chief Executive circulated a progress report on the four meetings held so far by the Scrutiny Panel; the task now was to formulate a final report with recommendations to go to the October meeting of the committee. A copy of the information supplied is set out as Item 6 in the Minute Book.

Chief Executive (Martin Combs)

43.

REVIEW OF OUTDOOR/FIELD/RURAL STUDY CENTRES IN HAMPSHIRE

The Chief Executive reported on progress with assembling the information on the centres from a range of disparate sources. A copy of the information supplied appears at Item 7 in the Minute Book.

Chief Executive (Martin Combs)

44.

FINANCE AND PERFORMANCE 2006/07 AND 2007/08

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage and County Treasurer (Item 8 in the Minute Book) on financial performance during the past year and on the present position for the current year. The report had been endorsed by the Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage at her decision day earlier in the month. An explanation was given of the restructuring in the library service, the costs of redundancies and the way in which those were being funded. The County Treasurer was asked to respond to questions raised by a member about the variances set out in Appendix 1 under the headings "Policy Development Initiatives" and "Director and Business Development".

County Treasurer (Bevis Ingram)

45.

MONITORING CUSTOMER FEEDBACK

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage (Item 9 in the Minute Book), on complaints, compliments and comments received from the public relating to Recreation and Heritage Services. Members felt that the generally low level of complaints, and the extent of compliments, reflected very favourably on staff performance in difficult times, and they asked that a letter of appreciation should be sent to staff.

Director of Recreation and Heritage (Stuart Dorward)

46.

VEHICLES IN THE COUNTRYSIDE

It was reported that the Environment and Transportation Select Committee (meeting at the same time) was likely to initiate some form of scrutiny on this topic. It was agreed that Members should participate in this scrutiny and they suggested that its remit should be widened to include members of the Regulatory Committee.

Chief Executive (Martin Combs)

47.

BASINGSTOKE CANAL - UPDATE

Councillor A.W. Rice declared a personal interest in this item as he was a member of the Basingstoke Canal Authority.

Chief Executive (Colin Hinxman)

The Canal Director gave a detailed presentation on recent developments, notably:

· The ongoing condition survey, which would lead to preparation of an asset management plan.

· The recent breach in the canal bank which had occurred when the towpath collapsed as a result of an underground culvert failing, and the very prompt action taken by staff to initiate urgent repairs and avoid significant damage to adjoining landowners.

· The programme of inspections to potentially vulnerable areas of the canal bank/towpath and other culverts, to identify what risks there were and what responses were appropriate.

· The need for suitable capital programmes to carry out works identified as necessary by the conditions survey and the inspections summarised above.

· The resurfacing of the Surrey section of the towpath.

With regard to the breach in the canal bank, Members paid tribute to the very prompt and effective stabilisation work carried out by canal staff as a matter of urgency, and asked that a letter of appreciation should be sent to them.

Members felt they had gained considerable insight from the recent boat trip along the canal and suggested that a follow up trip in Surrey, ideally to be attended by Surrey members, would be beneficial. Authority to attend would need to be sought from the Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage. In addition the Committee asked for regular updates on the progress with the Basingstoke Canal and identified risks, with a suitable entry to be made on their future work programme.

Chief Executive (Martin Combs)

Chief Executive (Martin Combs and Colin Hinxman)

Director of Recreation and Heritage (John Tickle and Ian Brown)

48.

FUTURE WORK PROGRAMME

The Committee received the report of the Chief Executive (Item 12 in the Minute Book) on the programme of future issues that might require scrutiny. With regard to the issue of coastal erosion, it was agreed to review how this meshed with work on climate change being carried out by the County Council and other bodies, in an effort to avoid duplication.

Chief Executive (Martin Combs)