Contact: Alison Quant, tel 01962 845099 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 On 12 July 2007 the County Council established a Joint Committee with other Councils in South Hampshire to promote and steer the sub-regional strategy for sustainable economic growth. This arrangement replaced the former voluntary Partnership for Urban South Hampshire (PUSH). The Joint Committee was given delegated authority to discharge such functions of the Executive as are necessary to implement the Business Plan for PUSH, subject to the Plan being approved annually by the County Council. The Council appointed the Leader of the Council as its representative on the Joint Committee, with another member of the Executive as substitute. A PUSH Overview and Scrutiny Committee was also set up.

1.2 The first Business Plan 2008-11 was agreed by the PUSH Joint Committee on 18 March 2008, for recommendation to partner authorities. A South Hampshire Multi Area Agreement (MAA) is also being developed to proved a mechanism to improve partnership working with Government and assist in the delivery of the Business Plan objectives. The MAA would be complementary to the Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton Local Area Agreements (LAAs). The MAA also includes transport provisions which have been prepared by Transport for South Hampshire, which were approved by the Joint Committee on 14 April.

1.3 The following decisions were made:

That Cabinet recommends to the County Council that the PUSH Business Plan be approved on condition that significant progress is made to address the following issues:

(a) the future scope of the Plan is reshaped to focus on key
deliverables that need substantial joint action by several partners

(b) that statutory responsibilities, accountabilities and ambitions of the
County Council for the whole of Hampshire are recognised,
including the Local Area Agreement and statutory Department for
Education and Skills (DfES) targets, and noting that Hampshire
wide commitments and arrangements need to be acknowledged and
embraced in future updates


(c) the responsibilities and Terms of Reference for Transport for South Hampshire are not affected by the Plan


(d) further discussion on the governance arrangements alluded to in
the document which need to be proportionate and appropriate in relation to the revised scope of the Business Plan

(e) that progress with the above issues to be evidenced and reported
to the County Council as part of the annual submission in 2009

(f) the Leader be authorised to conclude any negotiations on the MAA
subject to the Agreement adding value to outcomes for residents of Hampshire.

2. Reason

2.1 The Business Plan sets out the outcomes the Partnership is seeking and identifies the supporting actions and resources required to deliver the strategy for South Hampshire through provision of employment, housing, infrastructure and facilities to meet social and community needs, whilst protecting the environment and developing sustainable communities. The MAA provides a mechanism for securing greater Government and stakeholder commitment to the implementation of key aspects of the Business Plan.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 Not to approve the Business Plan. The County Council is a key player in the delivery of the ambitious strategy for South Hampshire and not approving the Plan would compromise delivery of the Plan outcomes.

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 T K Thornber CBE - Chairman