Archived decisions

Culture and Communities Select Committee

Hard to Reach People Review

Draft Terms of Reference

1. Introduction

Hard to Reach People was identified as a potential scrutiny review topic as part of the 2008-9 work programme for the Committee. Subsequently the Executive Member Policy and Resources also indicated that it would be helpful to undertake a review in order to provide greater clarity around this issue which is of concern to Hampshire County Council and its partner service providers.

2. Timeliness and relevance

    · Relevant to LAA priorities and targets

    · Relevant to Audit Commission assessment

    · Relevant to Corporate Improvement Plan

    · Relevant to those who might benefit from, but are not accessing services provided by HCC or other service providers.

    · Relevant to many government policy and guidance documents around the empowerment of citizens/electorate - strong direction of travel

    · Potential to gain greater knowledge of the nature and extent of the challenges of managing and minimising the gap between `hard to reach' people and service provider organisations.

3. Progress with scrutiny to date

    · Preliminary research undertaken to understand pertinent issues and work undertaken to obtain background information about minority groups in Hampshire and rurality characteristics.

    · Briefing paper produced, shared, and commented on by various stakeholders

    · Draft terms of reference produced for consideration by the Committee

    · Paper summarising links between recent HCC policy and strategy documents and the briefing paper

    · First review panel meeting arranged for witnesses to inform members

4. Scope of the Review

To keep a higher level county-wide focus with a view to understanding what the issues are for the County (and its partners) in ensuring that `hard to reach' residents in Hampshire know about, and are able to access services provided by HCC, its partner service providers and by community based initiatives.

5. Anticipated outcomes of the Review

Recommendations to the County Council and/or its partnership umbrella organisation in support of all Hampshire residents, including the `hard to reach', being able and enabled to learn about all services available to them, and to access them.

6. Indicative Key Stakeholders

    · Hampshire County Council

    · District and borough councils

    · Community and voluntary action organisations

    · Citizens' Advice Bureaux

    · Community activists

    · Residents of Hampshire

7. Review Panel Members

    Cllr Keith Chapman

    Cllr Anne Edwards

    Cllr Roger Kimber

    Cllr Roger Price