Archived decisions

a R.J. Baulk

p A. Broadhurst

p 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

Action

68

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Baulk.

69

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, they should normally at the time of the 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, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with paragraph 12 of the Code. The declaration to be made at the time of the relevant debate.

Councillors Chapman, Kimber and Rice declared personal interests as members of the Basingstoke Canal Joint Management Committee.

Chief Exec (Colin Hinxman) to register

70

MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 24 January, 2008 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

71

CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman reported on recent changes in senior staff at the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, and it was agreed that representatives from the new management would be invited to make a presentation to the Committee at a future date.

The Chairman reported on the recent concert by Youth Ensembles at the Anvil; at the University of Winchester's Young Peoples Initiative "Step into the Picture"; and the annual concert of the music service and primary proms to be held on 1 July - members would be invited to attend the latter. In conclusion he congratulated Colin Hinxman on completing the swimathon in 2hrs 14mins, thereby raising over £860 for Marie Curie cancer care.

Chief Executive (Martin Combs)

72

HAMPSHIRE AND ISLE OF WIGHT GAMES

The Committee considered a DVD and presentation by Sharon Robertson, Sports Development Manager, Recreation and Heritage Department on the very successful games for young people now in their 10^th year. Members were impressed by the wide variety of sports and activities on offer and the extent of participation by young sportsmen and sportswomen, including those with disabilities. There were also substantial levels of volunteer input by young people to the organisation of events. Among the benefits for participants were improved self-esteem and longer term involvement and engagement in sports. The next Hampshire and Isle of Wight games would be held on 20/21 June in Aldershot, and members would be very welcome to attend.

73

UPDATE ON SCRUTINY REVIEWS

The Chief Executive's Scrutiny Officer explained that the acting Head of Libraries was preparing a response to the Scrutiny Review of Library and Information Services, which it was expected would go to the Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage's July decision day. With regard to the review of Outdoor and Field Study Centres, it was reported that this had been endorsed by the Leader with a request for further detailed review of the funding of charitable outdoor centres. To take this forward, it was

RESOLVED:

That a small Panel comprising Councillors Chapman, Ellis, Price and Wright be appointed to carry out a detailed review of the funding of charitable outdoor centres and report back to the Committee on their findings.

Chief Executive (Martin Combs) and Director of Recreation and Heritage (Stuart Nundy)

74

BASINGSTOKE CANAL

The Committee considered a briefing note by the Director of Recreation and Heritage (Item 7 in the Minute Book) giving an update on progress. During discussion members drew attention to the following:

· The welcome fact that Hart District Council and Surrey County Council were now both fully supportive of and making full financial contributions to the management of the canal.

· The vital importance of the current survey, leading to an asset management plan which would detail all structures on the canal, provide a basis for risk assessment and a framework for decisions on future capital funding and maintenance.

· The valuable role of volunteers, particularly those from the Surrey and Hampshire Canal Society.

They suggested that a joint visit by Hampshire and Surrey members to the Surrey section of the canal should be arranged, perhaps to involve the Aldershot Military Garrison, on a date to be fixed during the Summer. They asked for an annual update report on progress.

Chief Executive (Martin Combs) and Director of Recreation and Heritage (Ian Brown/John Tickle)

75

CULTURAL STRATEGY

The Director of Recreation and Heritage explained that a report on the responses to the consultation document had been given to the Executive Member in January. Since then there had been meetings with the cultural portfolio holders from the Hampshire districts and Portsmouth and Southampton City Councils, from which it was clear that those authorities would welcome input to the development of a cultural strategy and the opportunity to be involved on a joint working basis. A working group of leisure/cultural officers had therefore been given the task of further developing the cultural strategy together with a plan for effective consultations, with a view to the latest version being submitted to the Committee later in the year.

Members welcomed the cooperative and joint working approach which had emerged and endorsed the full involvement by Hampshire districts and Portsmouth and Southampton City Councils. They suggested that the programme and plan for consultations should include the opportunity for Hampshire Action Teams (HATs) to express their views, and for a report on the outcome to be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee.

Chief Exec (Martin Combs/and Director of Recreation & Heritage (Stuart Dorward)

76

SILCHESTER ROMAN TOWN

The Chairman suggested that the opportunity should be taken during the Summer for members to visit Silchester Roman Town, particularly the Amphitheatre and the Norman Church. It was hoped that a date could be found in early July, which could be communicated to members.

Chief Executive (Martin Combs)

77

CULTURE AND COMMUNITIES SELECTION COMMITTEE - ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT 2007/08

The Committee received and endorsed the report prepared by the Scrutiny Officer, Chief Executive's Department, on the level of activity and impact achieved through the Committee's operations during the year.

78

FORWARD LOOKING WORK PROGRAMME 2008/09

The Committee considered a schedule prepared by the Chief Executive's Scrutiny Officer (Item 11 in the Minute Book) setting out details of subjects for possible scrutiny which had been put forward by members. They gave preliminary consideration to the various topics and considered what priority they would like to attach to them, as follows:

Subjects to be further investigated and scoped with a view to further detailed scrutiny

(i) Community Projects : Rationale for Grants Awarded by the Executive Members for Community Development and External Affairs.

(ii) Rurality Issues and their impact on the County Council for planning and resourcing, to include issues arising from centralisation/loss of services in smaller communities under threat.

Topic to be investigated further and scoped to assess whether it should be the subject of detailed scrutiny by the Committee, the Safe and Healthy People Select Committee or the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee

(iii) How the County Council is preparing for the demographic time bomb - problems and opportunities relating to the over-65s.

Subjects not recommended for detailed scrutiny at the moment, but may need to be investigated further by the Policy and Resources Select Committee

(iv) Review of partnership relationships and outcomes.

(v) Hard to reach communities.

Topics not recommended for further work at present

(vi) Arts Council England : Quality and Process of Engagement with Partners/Stakeholders

(vii) Public Consultation and Engagement.

(viii) Basis for funding of the Arts in Hampshire.

It was agreed that preliminary work should be undertaken on the basis of the priority order set out above, with an initial assessment to be reported back to the Committee at their next meeting.

One further issue raised by members was to ask for an update on accessibility to the rights of way network, following the recent publication of the new definitive map. Members felt they would like to look at access for people with disabilities, and more generally the extent to which the network was fully accessible to potential users. They therefore asked for a presentation at their next meeting to enable them to assess current levels of provision and maintenance and to see what gaps there are. The findings of that exercise would enable them to scope any more detailed scrutiny felt to be required.

Chief Executive (Martin Combs)

Chief Executive (Martin Combs)

Director of Recreation and Heritage (John Tickle/Andy Smith)