Agenda and minutes

Cllr Penson

To confirm the minutes of the meetings held on 15 March and 14 May 2018 as correct records.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meetings held on 15 March and 14 May 2018 be signed by the Chairman as correct records.

To note any declarations of interest made by members in connection with an agenda item.  The nature of the interest must also be specified.

Members are asked to discuss any possible interests with Democratic Services prior to the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made by any member in connection with any agenda item.

To note any issues raised during the public participation period.

No issues were raised during the public participation period.

To note the Panel/Portfolio Holder responsibilities under the new arrangements and to discuss any related issues.

The Panel noted the Panel’s/Portfolio Holders’ responsibilities under the new arrangements and discussed related issues. 

To receive an oral update from the Portfolio Holders for Corporate Affairs, Finance, Corporate Services & Improvement and Local Economic Development, Property & Innovation on developments within their Portfolio areas.

The Panel received oral updates from:

Cllr J D Heron, Portfolio Holder, Finance, Corporate Services and Improvement. reported that the Council had recently been working on the selection of new software for Finance and Human Resources/Payroll. The implementation would take place over the next 12 months.  There had been a number of presentations by possible providers over the last 4 weeks and decisions on preferred suppliers would be made shortly.

The end year budget outturn had been more positive than expected and allowed some room for manoeuvre in the coming year, but there was still much work to do in meeting the reduced funding challenges in following years.

Cllr M Harris, Portfolio Holder, Local Economic Development, Property and Innovation, outlined recent activities, which included:

·            A meeting with Ofcom in London on the topic of local broadband and telecoms, which had been informative

·            A meeting with the Chief Executive of the Solent LEP and continued liaison with the EM3 LEP.

·            A recent meeting with the Forestry Commission concerning restrictions on timber sales in the context of the SSSI environmental protection, which needed to be pursued.

·            Continued dialogue with a view to furthering relationships with the New Forest Business Partnership and collaboration with the National Park Authority on local economic development.

·            Lobbying for housing provision for local business workers, especially properties for young people.

·            The success of the Film New Forest project, which had been very successful, with £2 million having been invested in the local economy through filming activity in the area.  A notable example of this was the filming of Star Wars Solo at Fawley.  The Council would continue to work with Creative England in this area.  It was noted that a Forest Film Festival was being arranged for 2019.

·            His suggestion that the Council could earn revenue from advertising and marketing space on Council property.  However, the idea had met with a mixed reception and could be the topic of a future task and finish group project.

Cllr Rickman, Portfolio Holder, Leader and Corporate Affairs, echoed Cllr Harris’ comments.  He gave a number of updates on business, the New Forest Show, and the Forestry Commission.

To receive an update on progress with the recommendations of the Budget Task and Finish Group.

The Panel at its January meeting had accepted the recommendations of the Budget Task and Finish Group and had requested an update on progress with the recommendations at their June meeting.  This was set out in the report circulated with the agenda.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

To note the annual performance and budget out-turn report for 2017/18.

The Panel noted the Annual Performance and Budget Out-turn Report for 2017/18.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

To consider the Economic Development Strategy and make recommendations to the Cabinet.

The Panel considered the Council’s proposed Economic Development Strategy for 2018/23.

The Strategy set out a vision and related activities to tackle the identified barriers to growth in five key themes as follows:

·               Developing a Skilled Workforce

·               Increasing Growth and Productivity

·               Developing Local Infrastructure

·               Facilitating Vibrant Towns and Villages

·               Promoting the Unique New Forest Offer

Members emphasised the need for the strategy to recognise the variety and difference between towns and villages across the District, which all required a tailored approach.

The Panel underlined the importance of ensuring that suitable communication and transport infrastructure was delivered to support key new developments.  Consequently there would be a need to engage and influence the associated bodies to bring about the necessary changes and to make representations to them as required.

RESOLVED:

That the Economic Development Strategy 2018-23 be recommended for approval to the Cabinet and the Council, subject to the amendments suggested above.

To consider the Procurement Strategy and make recommendations to the Cabinet.

The Panel considered the Council’s Procurement Strategy for 2018-22.

RESOLVED:

That the Procurement Strategy 2018-22 be recommended to the Cabinet for approval.

To consider the Organisational Strategy and make recommendations to the Cabinet.

The Panel considered the proposed Organisational Strategy.

RESOLVED:

That the proposed Organisational Strategy for 2018-22 be recommended to the Cabinet for approval.

To consider the ICT Strategy and make recommendations to the Cabinet.

The Panel considered the ICT Strategy and received a related presentation setting out the background.  Members noted the tremendous pace of global change in ICT, and the Council’s need to adapt to it whilst at the same time ensuring that it continued to cater for all forms of communication used by its residents.

In supporting the document, members suggested a minor amendment to the Business ICT Vision within the strategy, to emphasise that the Council’s key aim was helping residents and businesses access services.

RESOLVED:

That the ICT Strategy 2018-22 be recommended for approval by the Cabinet, subject to the suggested amendments set out above.

To consider the Human Resources Strategy and make recommendations to the Cabinet.

The Panel considered the proposed Human Resources Strategy.

RESOLVED:

That the Human Resources Strategy 2018-22 attached as Appendix 1 to the report be recommended to the Cabinet for approval.

(a)     To consider the Panel’s future Work Programme, including any reviews of previous work undertaken;

(b)     To receive any updates on Task and Finish Group work; and

(c)     To agree the formation of the following Task and Finish Groups:-

         (i)         Council Tax Reduction Task and Finish Group

         (ii)        Budget Task and Finish Group

The Panel considered its future Work Programme.  The Panel agreed that a Council Tax Reduction Task and Finish Group be formed to meet over the summer.  Cllrs Steele, Penson and J Heron were nominated to serve on the Group, and it was agreed that a further 2 places be sought from the wider membership of the Council.

The Panel agreed that a Budget Task and Finish Group be set up.  Cllrs McEvoy, Steele and O’Sullivan volunteered to serve on the Group, and it was agreed that a further 3 spaces be sought from the wider membership of the Council.

It was agreed that:

·         The Citizens’ Advice New Forest T&F Group and the Customer Services Strategy T&F Group would in future report to the Community & Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Panel.

·         That the Democratic Engagement Task and Finish Group be wound up.

RESOLVED:

That the Work Programme be amended as set out in Appendix 1 to these minutes.