Archived decisions

Contact: Debbie Vaughan, tel: 01962 847330, e-mail: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 On 12 July 2007 full Council considered and approved proposals for a formal joint committee arrangement between the County Council, Southampton and Portsmouth City Councils, and East Hampshire, Eastleigh, Fareham, Gosport, Havant, New Forest, Test Valley and Winchester District/Borough Councils ("the PUSH Authorities"). This new arrangement replaced the former voluntary Partnership for Urban South Hampshire (PUSH), and was intended to deliver accountability and transparency of decision-making, and allows for the partnership to play a fully effective part in the development of South Hampshire.

1.2 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.

1.3 The Cabinet considered the Business Plan on 23 June 2008 together with a proposal to enter a Multi Area Agreement (MAA) intended to facilitate the delivery of outcomes by providing a mechanism for securing greater Government and stakeholder commitment to the implementation of key aspects of the Plan. The Business Plan details 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. Cabinet felt a number of improvements could be made to the Business Plan as set out in the recommendations, but as this was the first time a Plan had been prepared, thought the weaknesses could be addressed through the next revision of the document.

1.4 A copy of the Business Plan and its appendices are available in the Members' Rooms. In summary, the Plan has seven chapters covering:

· economic development (Chapter 2)

· transport and other infrastructure (Chapters 3 and 4)

· housing and planning policies (Chapter 5)

· the new theme of creating quality places (Chapter 6)

· future governance arrangements (Chapter 7)

· finance arrangements for delivering the planned actions (Chapter 8)

· risk (Chapter 9)

The Business Plan's appendices set out the detailed action plans.

1.5 A copy of the Multi Area Agreement is also available in the Members' Rooms.

2. RECOMMENDATIONS

That the County Council be recommended to approve the PUSH Business Plan 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