Hampshire County Council
Councillors:
78
Wards:
76
Committees:
49
Meetings (2026):
57
Meetings (2025):
155
Meeting
Universal Services Select Committee - Hampshire
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Wednesday, 16th July 2025
2:00 PM
Wednesday, 16th July 2025
2:00 PM
End:
Wednesday, 16th July 2025
6:00 PM
Wednesday, 16th July 2025
6:00 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed; SP25 Phase 2
Confirmed; SP25 Phase 2
Date:
16 Jul 2025
16 Jul 2025
Location:
Ashburton Hall, Elizabeth II Court, The Castle, Winchester
Ashburton Hall, Elizabeth II Court, The Castle, Winchester
Meeting Attendees
Liberal Democrats Spokesperson
Independent Group Deputy
Vice Chairman of the Council
Independent Group Deputy
Committee Member
Chairman of the Council
Agenda
1
Apologies for absence
To receive any apologies for absence.
Minutes
Apologies were noted from Councillors David Drew, Rupert Kyrle and Jackie Tustain.
The Chairman welcomed Councillor Tim Groves, who was in attendance as the Liberal Democrat substitute.
The Chairman welcomed Councillor Tim Groves, who was in attendance as the Liberal Democrat substitute.
2
Declarations of interest
All Members who believe they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting must declare that interest and, having regard to Part 3 Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members’ Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore all Members with a Personal Interest in a matter being considered at the meeting should consider, having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 4 of the Code, whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 5 of the Code, consider whether it is appropriate to leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.
Minutes
Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter considered at the meeting they must declare that interest at the time of the relevant debate and, having regard to the circumstances described in Part 3, Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members' Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Personal Interest in a matter being considered at the meeting they considered whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 5 of the Code, considered whether it was appropriate to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.
No declarations were made.
No declarations were made.
3
Minutes of previous meeting
To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting.
Attachments:
- Document Minutes , 23/06/2025 Universal Services Select Committee 08 Jul 2025
Minutes
The minutes of the previous meeting, held on 23 June 2025, were agreed as a true record.
4
Deputations
a) To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.
b) To receive any comments from local members of Hampshire County Council.
b) To receive any comments from local members of Hampshire County Council.
Minutes
The Select Committee received no deputations on this occasion.
5
Chairman's Announcements
To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.
Minutes
There were no formal announcements.
6
Report of the Universal Services SP25 Working Group
To consider a report from the Universal Services Task & Finish Working Group, which looked at the savings proposals to be taken to Cabinet.
Attachments:
- Document SP25 Phase 2 US Select Committee Working Group Report 08 Jul 2025
Minutes
The Chairman of the working group, Councillor Rob Mocatta, noted that three meetings of the working group had been held, with the purpose of scrutinising the public consultation process, in accordance with the agreed terms of reference for the Working Group. The working group had reported that they found process to be clear and appropriate and noted that they were well briefed by officers throughout.
The Director of Universal Services added that open and informative discussions had been held with the working group and found Members contributions to be a helpful part of the consultation process.
The Executive Lead Member for Universal Services thanked members of the working group for their time in reviewing the consultation process.
RESOLVED
That the Universal Services Select Committee note:
· That the cross-party Working Group held 3 meetings between February and June and had the opportunity to discuss the consultation process and the consultation feedback.
· That following this scrutiny the Working Group unanimously agreed that the consultation had been a comprehensive process which had given residents the information and opportunity to make reasoned responses and that it provided the County Council with the necessary information to consider the impacts of the proposal on the residents of Hampshire.
The Director of Universal Services added that open and informative discussions had been held with the working group and found Members contributions to be a helpful part of the consultation process.
The Executive Lead Member for Universal Services thanked members of the working group for their time in reviewing the consultation process.
RESOLVED
That the Universal Services Select Committee note:
· That the cross-party Working Group held 3 meetings between February and June and had the opportunity to discuss the consultation process and the consultation feedback.
· That following this scrutiny the Working Group unanimously agreed that the consultation had been a comprehensive process which had given residents the information and opportunity to make reasoned responses and that it provided the County Council with the necessary information to consider the impacts of the proposal on the residents of Hampshire.
7
Pre-Scrutiny of SP25 Proposals
To pre-scrutinise the following SP25 savings proposals going to Cabinet:
· Planned Highways Maintenance
· Planned Highways Maintenance
Attachments:
- Document SP25 Phase 2 Consultation Report 08 Jul 2025
- Document SP25 Phase 2 savings proposal - Cabinet Report 18 July 2025 08 Jul 2025
- Document SP25 Phase 2 Consultation Cabinet Report - Appendix 1 Planned Highway Maintenance 08 Jul 2025
- Document Universal Services-SP25 EIA-Planned Highway Maintenance 08 Jul 2025
Minutes
The Select Committee considered a report from the Director of Universal Services regarding the savings proposal to Cabinet for Planned Highways Maintenance.
The Director of Universal Services confirmed that Cabinet would meet on the 8 August 2025 to consider the recommendations of the Officers and the Select Committee on the savings proposal.
The Highways Manager highlighted that the current £30m per annum programme for planned highways maintenance provided a programme of planned structural maintenance, and the proposed savings would not have impact on the current funding available for reactive works, such as pothole repairs.
It was noted that 53% of respondents to the public consultation disagreed with the proposal, which was significantly less that the 88% disagreement to the previous consultation on savings proposals in 2024.
It was heard that the current backlog for highways maintenance in Hampshire was valued at circa £500m, as a result of central government underfunding over a number of years. The Council were taking innovative approaches to increase funding, alongside an increase in central government funding of £14m, such as the introduction of a Lane Rental Scheme which was expected to generate increased revenue and reduce interruptions to travel as a result of utility works.
In response to Members questions it was heard that:
· As a result of the Council’s current financial position, it was necessary to review and look to reduce any discretionary spending. Officers confirmed that they had discussed the proposal with the Department for Transport, and that other local authorities had similarly reduced discretionary funding for highways maintenance.
· The current highways contractor was aware of the proposals and officers were content that the proposals would not have any impact on the contractual arrangements.
· Recent discussions had been held with Southern Water to consider how road space could be better shared with the County Council’s road maintenance teams, during closures, to minimise disruption. It was observed that the Council has a statutory duty in this respect and made every effort to co-ordinate road works between third parties.
· Officers were confident that Lane Rental Charging would progress, following a recent decision by the Executive Member for Highways and Passenger Transport to allow commencement of a targeted consultation with relevant third party organisations on the proposals, with submission of a final proposal expected in the autumn, for roll out during 2026.
Members recognised the officers work in utilising the increase in central funding to address the backlog of planned highways maintenance and for the innovative approaches taken to maximise the benefit from funding available.
A vote was held on the proposed recommendations which was carried with 11 for and 3 abstentions.
RESOLVED:
That the Select Committee:
Supports the recommendations made by officers to the Cabinet set out in Appendix 1 of the Report to Cabinet:
That Cabinet approves the following recommendations:
· To note the outcome of the Future Services Consultation – Spring 2025 in relation to the proposal to reduce the annual budget for planned highway maintenance activities by £4.323 million from April 2025.
· To note that although there is a proposed reduction of £4.323 million for planned maintenance activities, the overall anticipated budget for structural highway maintenance will be increased by £3.4 million, assuming current funding levels are maintained.
· That Cabinet approves the reduction in the annual highway maintenance budget for planned maintenance activities by £4.323 million from April 2025.
The Director of Universal Services confirmed that Cabinet would meet on the 8 August 2025 to consider the recommendations of the Officers and the Select Committee on the savings proposal.
The Highways Manager highlighted that the current £30m per annum programme for planned highways maintenance provided a programme of planned structural maintenance, and the proposed savings would not have impact on the current funding available for reactive works, such as pothole repairs.
It was noted that 53% of respondents to the public consultation disagreed with the proposal, which was significantly less that the 88% disagreement to the previous consultation on savings proposals in 2024.
It was heard that the current backlog for highways maintenance in Hampshire was valued at circa £500m, as a result of central government underfunding over a number of years. The Council were taking innovative approaches to increase funding, alongside an increase in central government funding of £14m, such as the introduction of a Lane Rental Scheme which was expected to generate increased revenue and reduce interruptions to travel as a result of utility works.
In response to Members questions it was heard that:
· As a result of the Council’s current financial position, it was necessary to review and look to reduce any discretionary spending. Officers confirmed that they had discussed the proposal with the Department for Transport, and that other local authorities had similarly reduced discretionary funding for highways maintenance.
· The current highways contractor was aware of the proposals and officers were content that the proposals would not have any impact on the contractual arrangements.
· Recent discussions had been held with Southern Water to consider how road space could be better shared with the County Council’s road maintenance teams, during closures, to minimise disruption. It was observed that the Council has a statutory duty in this respect and made every effort to co-ordinate road works between third parties.
· Officers were confident that Lane Rental Charging would progress, following a recent decision by the Executive Member for Highways and Passenger Transport to allow commencement of a targeted consultation with relevant third party organisations on the proposals, with submission of a final proposal expected in the autumn, for roll out during 2026.
Members recognised the officers work in utilising the increase in central funding to address the backlog of planned highways maintenance and for the innovative approaches taken to maximise the benefit from funding available.
A vote was held on the proposed recommendations which was carried with 11 for and 3 abstentions.
RESOLVED:
That the Select Committee:
Supports the recommendations made by officers to the Cabinet set out in Appendix 1 of the Report to Cabinet:
That Cabinet approves the following recommendations:
· To note the outcome of the Future Services Consultation – Spring 2025 in relation to the proposal to reduce the annual budget for planned highway maintenance activities by £4.323 million from April 2025.
· To note that although there is a proposed reduction of £4.323 million for planned maintenance activities, the overall anticipated budget for structural highway maintenance will be increased by £3.4 million, assuming current funding levels are maintained.
· That Cabinet approves the reduction in the annual highway maintenance budget for planned maintenance activities by £4.323 million from April 2025.
8
Work Programme
To review the current work programme for the Universal Services Select Committee.
Attachments:
- Document USSC Work Programme 08 Jul 2025
Minutes
The Committee considered their forthcoming work programme.
It was noted that an additional meeting of the Select Committee would be held on 22 September 2025 to pre-scrutinise a decision on Lane Rental, in order to meet with the Department for Transport deadline.
RESOLVED
That the Universal Services Select Committee discuss and agree potential items for the work programme that can be prioritised and allocated by the Chairman of the Universal Services.
It was noted that an additional meeting of the Select Committee would be held on 22 September 2025 to pre-scrutinise a decision on Lane Rental, in order to meet with the Department for Transport deadline.
RESOLVED
That the Universal Services Select Committee discuss and agree potential items for the work programme that can be prioritised and allocated by the Chairman of the Universal Services.
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