Archived decisions

137. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were mindful that, where they believed they

had a personal or 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.

There were no declarations of interest.

138. MINUTES

The Minutes of the Committee held on 23 January 2009 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Arising thereon:

a. Minute No. 128 - Members' Expenses

The Chairman reported that Members' Expenses would be able to be submitted and cleared on line following the County Council Elections in June 2009

139 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

a. Last Meeting

The Chairman reported that this was the last meeting of the Committee prior to the elections and that it would also be his last meeting as he was not seeking re-election. Members thanked the Chairman for his astute Chairmanship and wished him well for the future.

b. Emma Gordon

The Chairman reported that this would be Emma Gordon's last meeting of the Committee as she was leaving to take up a scrutiny post in Parliament. Members thanked Emma for all of her hard work and wished her every success in the future.

c. Scrutiny Conference

The Chairman reported that arrangements had been made for a scrutiny conference to be held on 21 April 2009 at East Horton Golf Centre, Fair Oak representatives of all District Councils had been invited to attend and he extended the invitation to all members of the Committee

140. FUTURE PROCUREMENT, REPLACEMENT AND

DISPOSAL OF FURNITURE AND FITTINGS -

ASHBURTON COURT

The Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services on the outcome of recent staff surveys relating in particular to furniture selected for use in Ashburton Court (Item 5 in the Minute Book). The furniture solutions for Ashburton Court had, on balance, been well received and contributed significantly to the efficient and effective use of the new spaces.

RESOLVED:

That the report be received.

141. ANNUAL REPORT OF SELECT COMMITTEES

The Chief Executive presented the report of the Chairman setting out a summary of the work carried out by the County Council's Select Committees in 2008/09 (Item 6 in the Minute Book). The Chairmen of the individual Select Committees highlighted specific points relating to their own committees.

RESOLVED:

That the report be received and the summary of the Select Committees work be presented to the County Council in September 2009,

142. NEW LEGISLATION AND GUIDANCE FOR

OVERVIEW SCRUTINY

The Chief Executive presented a report on recent developments with legislation and development (Item 7 in the Minute Book). Details were also given of the Councillors Call for Action document which had been published since the agenda went out. The County Council had kept a track of policy and legislative developments over the past two years and, as a result, had good plans and processes in place to respond to forthcoming regulations and legislation relating to overview and scrutiny. Continued monitoring of developments would be required as the scope and influence of local authority scrutiny was set to expand considerably. A further briefing note on provisions under section 236 of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Heath Act 2007 was requested.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted, further updates be presented to the Committee as information became available and a further briefing note on provisions under section 236 of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Heath Act 2007 be sent to all Members.

143. PROGRESS UPDATE ON IMPLEMENTATION OF

OUTCOMES OF THE REVIEW OF SCRUTINY

The Chief Executive presented a report on the progress achieved following the recent review of scrutiny arrangements (Item 8 in the Minute Book). The scrutiny team had commenced implementation of the recommendations arising from the Committee's review of scrutiny arrangements. The corporate review of Democratic Services had also considered issues relating to support to Members. Any changes to be implemented as a result of the review would be undertaken in conjunction with the findings of the review of Democratic Services support to Members.

RESOLVED:

That:

a. The progress made to date on the implementation on the outcomes of the review of scrutiny be endorsed.

b. With regard to:

· Recommendation G - It be recommended that informal meetings between Select Committee Chairmen, Opposition spokesmen and Executive Members be held prior to Executive Briefings.

· Recommendation H - This should be as scheduled.

· Recommendation Q - The Scrutiny Handbook should be available in hard copy and on the web.

· Recommendation R - Members were concerned that partnership was often a one way process and agreed that there was a need to set protocols of engagement.

· Recommendation S - The topic flow chart was agreed.

144. PROPOSALS FOR SCRUTINY REVIEW -

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL'S APPROACH TO

RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION: ENSURING THE

WORKFORCE OF THE FUTURE

The Chief Executive presented a report setting out the proposed scope for a review of the County Council's recruitment and retention practices with a view to ascertaining whether current practices would ensure a workforce which was fit for purpose in the future (Item 9 in the Minute Book). Members suggested that a half-day workshop on the issue to be held towards the end of April 2009 would be appropriate.

RESOLVED:

That the Chief Executive arranges for a half-day workshop on recruitment and retention practices with a view to ascertaining whether current practices would ensure a workforce which was fit for purpose in the future.

145. REVIEW OF RELATIONSHIP WITH THE

VOLUNTARY AND COMMUNITY SECTOR

The Chief Executive presented a report (Item 10 in the Minute Book) which had been referred from Cabinet requesting the Policy and Resources Select Committee or appropriate Select Committee to scrutinise the value for money provided by voluntary and community organisations. A great deal of work had already been carried out on the voluntary sector but it was agreed that this particular aspect should be added to the Committee's work plan for consideration.

RESOLVED:

That scrutiny of the value for money provided by voluntary and community organisations should be added to the Committee's work plan.

146. URGENT KEY DECEISION

The Chief Executive reported that it had been necessary to submit an urgent key decision to the Executive Member for Policy and Resources on the subject of the renewal of the software enterprise programme. This was required in order to revise and renew the existing software licence agreement to accommodate growth and management infrastructure improvements in a cost effective and financially predictable manner whilst retaining flexibility in the terms and conditions. The report to the Executive Member was shown as Item 11 in the Minute Book.

147. FORWARD LOOKING WORK PROGRAMME

The Chief Executive presented the Committee's future work programme (Item 12 in the Minute Book).

RESOLVED:

That the work programme be approved subject to the issues raised at this meeting.

The Chief Executive sends details of the Scrutiny Conference to all Members of the Committee.

The Annual report of Select Committees be presented to the September 2009 County Council meeting.

Scrutiny Officer to send a briefing note on provisions under section 236 of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Heath Act 2007 be sent to all Members

The Chief Executive makes arrangements for a half day workshop, in April 2009 on recruitment and retention practices with a view to ascertaining whether current practices would ensure a workforce which was fit for purpose in the future.

Scrutiny of the value for money provided by voluntary and community organisations should be added to the Committee's work plan.