Hampshire County Council
Councillors:
78
Wards:
76
Committees:
49
Meetings (2026):
57
Meetings (2025):
155
Meeting
Hampshire 2050, Corporate Services and Resources Select Committee - Hampshire
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Thursday, 18th September 2025
10:00 AM
Thursday, 18th September 2025
10:00 AM
End:
Thursday, 18th September 2025
2:00 PM
Thursday, 18th September 2025
2:00 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
18 Sep 2025
18 Sep 2025
Location:
Ashburton Hall, Elizabeth II Court, The Castle, Winchester
Ashburton Hall, Elizabeth II Court, The Castle, Winchester
Meeting Attendees
Independent Group Deputy
Vice Chairman of the Council
Committee Member
Liberal Democrats Spokesperson
Independent Group Deputy
Agenda
1
Apologies for absence
To receive any apologies for absence.
Minutes
Apologies were received from Councillors Debbie Curnow-Ford and Tanya Park. Councillor Stephen Parker attended the meeting as the Conservative deputy.
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 Non-Pecuniary 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.
Members noted that, as none were permitted to benefit from the County Councillor Grant Scheme under discussion, no Disclosable Pecuniary Interests were declared. It was acknowledged that all Members held a Personal Interest in the scheme, having operated it previously.
Members noted that, as none were permitted to benefit from the County Councillor Grant Scheme under discussion, no Disclosable Pecuniary Interests were declared. It was acknowledged that all Members held a Personal Interest in the scheme, having operated it previously.
3
Minutes of previous meeting
To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting held on 26 June 2025.
Attachments:
Minutes
The minutes of the last meeting held on 26 June 2025 were confirmed as an accurate record and agreed.
4
Deputations
To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.
Minutes
There were no deputation on this occasion.
5
Chairman's Announcements
To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.
Minutes
The Chairman advised that there were no formal announcements to make but emphasised the importance of ensuring that all Members had the opportunity to express their views during what was expected to be a robust and wide-ranging discussion.
6
Report of H2050 County Councillor Grants Review Task & Finish Working Group
To consider a report of the Hampshire 2050, Corporate Services and Resources Select Committee’s Task and Finish Working Group which reviewed the County Councillor Grants Scheme.
Attachments:
Minutes
The Committee received the report of the Task and Finish Working Group, which had been established to review the County Councillor Grant Scheme (Item 6 in the Minute Book).
The Chairman of the Working Group, Councillor Rod Cooper, summarised the findings of the Group which had met three times between May and June 2025. It had considered a wide range of evidence and concluded that the Members Grant Scheme was valued by Members and communities alike and should continue. However, the Group identified four key areas for improvement: tightening scheme criteria to prevent misuse, clarifying governance and oversight, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities, and reviewing budget allocations.
RESOLVED:
That the Select Committee noted the findings of the Working Group as follows:
1. That the Task and Finish Working Group confirm their support for the process undertaken to review Members Grants, including the approach to engaging with County Councillors and the presentation of the engagement outcomes, and acknowledges that the process was thorough and appropriate.
2. That a County Councillor Grants Scheme should be in place as it provides an important mechanism for the County Council’s strategic aims and objectives to be applied in a local context.
3. That there are clear opportunities to enhance the scheme, particularly in relation to the application criteria, the grant award process, and overall governance; and that consideration should be given to how these opportunities can be addressed in the development of the future scheme.
The Chairman of the Working Group, Councillor Rod Cooper, summarised the findings of the Group which had met three times between May and June 2025. It had considered a wide range of evidence and concluded that the Members Grant Scheme was valued by Members and communities alike and should continue. However, the Group identified four key areas for improvement: tightening scheme criteria to prevent misuse, clarifying governance and oversight, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities, and reviewing budget allocations.
RESOLVED:
That the Select Committee noted the findings of the Working Group as follows:
1. That the Task and Finish Working Group confirm their support for the process undertaken to review Members Grants, including the approach to engaging with County Councillors and the presentation of the engagement outcomes, and acknowledges that the process was thorough and appropriate.
2. That a County Councillor Grants Scheme should be in place as it provides an important mechanism for the County Council’s strategic aims and objectives to be applied in a local context.
3. That there are clear opportunities to enhance the scheme, particularly in relation to the application criteria, the grant award process, and overall governance; and that consideration should be given to how these opportunities can be addressed in the development of the future scheme.
7
County Councillor Grants Review
To pre-scrutinise the County Councillor Grants Review proposals going to Cabinet.
Attachments:
- Document 7 Cover Report County Councillor Grants Review-2025-09-18-H2050 Select Committee 10 Sep 2025
- Document 7i County Councillor Grants Review-2025-09-23-Cabinet 10 Sep 2025
Minutes
The Committee considered a report of the Director of Hampshire 2050 relating to proposals on the future operation of the County Councillor Grants Scheme, due to be considered at the Cabinet meeting on 23 September 2025 (Item 7 in the Minute Book).
The Director highlighted the salient points within the report and noted that the recommendation was to discontinue the scheme. However, recognising the scheme’s community value and the strong support expressed by Members, Option 3 was also presented, proposing a revised scheme with changes to improve governance, accountability, and value for money.
Members engaged in a detailed and considered debate. The scheme was described as one of the most visible and valued tools available to Members, enabling them to respond to local needs and support community organisations, particularly in areas of deprivation. Several Members cited examples of the positive impact of the scheme within their divisions and expressed concern that discontinuation would undermine localism and community engagement.
The Committee unanimously voted not to support the officer recommendations being proposed to Cabinet in the County Councillor Grants Scheme Review Officers report. The following alternative recommendations were agreed, with the Chairman agreeing to write to Cabinet advising of the outcomes of this meeting:
RESOLVED:
That the Select Committee agreed:
1. Implementing the revised scheme outlined in option 3 of the County Councillor Grants Scheme Review Officers report.
2. That the revised scheme be reopened in October 2025 for the 2025/26 financial year.
3. Amendment to Phase 1, Point viii (Page 11/12):
Revise the second sentence of this point to read ‘As part of these updates, emphasise that a key element of the scheme is to support the Council’s strategic aims as set out in the Serving Hampshire Strategic Plan’.
4. Amendment to Phase 1, Point i (Page 12):
Remove this point and retain the existing budget allocation of £8,000 per County Councillor, rather than reducing this to £5,000 per County Councillor as outlined in the paper.
5. Amendment to Phase 2, Point ii (Page 12):
Remove this point and keep the current grant window of June to February, rather than shortening this to June to December as outlined in the paper.
The Director highlighted the salient points within the report and noted that the recommendation was to discontinue the scheme. However, recognising the scheme’s community value and the strong support expressed by Members, Option 3 was also presented, proposing a revised scheme with changes to improve governance, accountability, and value for money.
Members engaged in a detailed and considered debate. The scheme was described as one of the most visible and valued tools available to Members, enabling them to respond to local needs and support community organisations, particularly in areas of deprivation. Several Members cited examples of the positive impact of the scheme within their divisions and expressed concern that discontinuation would undermine localism and community engagement.
The Committee unanimously voted not to support the officer recommendations being proposed to Cabinet in the County Councillor Grants Scheme Review Officers report. The following alternative recommendations were agreed, with the Chairman agreeing to write to Cabinet advising of the outcomes of this meeting:
RESOLVED:
That the Select Committee agreed:
1. Implementing the revised scheme outlined in option 3 of the County Councillor Grants Scheme Review Officers report.
2. That the revised scheme be reopened in October 2025 for the 2025/26 financial year.
3. Amendment to Phase 1, Point viii (Page 11/12):
Revise the second sentence of this point to read ‘As part of these updates, emphasise that a key element of the scheme is to support the Council’s strategic aims as set out in the Serving Hampshire Strategic Plan’.
4. Amendment to Phase 1, Point i (Page 12):
Remove this point and retain the existing budget allocation of £8,000 per County Councillor, rather than reducing this to £5,000 per County Councillor as outlined in the paper.
5. Amendment to Phase 2, Point ii (Page 12):
Remove this point and keep the current grant window of June to February, rather than shortening this to June to December as outlined in the paper.
8
Work Programme
To consider and approve the work programme for the Select Committee.
Attachments:
- Document Work Programme 10 Sep 2025
Minutes
The Committee considered the Work Programme (Item 8 in the Minute Book).
Members were advised that the annual complaints and Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman determinations would be presented as a combined report to the October meeting and that the annual update on the Hampshire Community Safety Strategy Group and the Climate Change Report would be rescheduled. Officers proposed establishing a Task and Finish Working Group to review the outcomes of the 2020–2025 Climate Change Strategy and support development of a new strategy.
Members emphasised the importance of scrutiny and called for greater strategic oversight of key policy areas, including devolution, transport strategy, and financial performance. In response, the Executive Member acknowledged these points and would consider how these would be brought to the Committee in future.
RESOLVED:
That the Select Committee considered potential items for the work programme that can be prioritised and allocated by the Chairman of the Hampshire 2050, Corporate Services and Resources Select Committee in consultation with the Directors of Corporate Operations, Hampshire 2050 and People and Organisation.
Members were advised that the annual complaints and Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman determinations would be presented as a combined report to the October meeting and that the annual update on the Hampshire Community Safety Strategy Group and the Climate Change Report would be rescheduled. Officers proposed establishing a Task and Finish Working Group to review the outcomes of the 2020–2025 Climate Change Strategy and support development of a new strategy.
Members emphasised the importance of scrutiny and called for greater strategic oversight of key policy areas, including devolution, transport strategy, and financial performance. In response, the Executive Member acknowledged these points and would consider how these would be brought to the Committee in future.
RESOLVED:
That the Select Committee considered potential items for the work programme that can be prioritised and allocated by the Chairman of the Hampshire 2050, Corporate Services and Resources Select Committee in consultation with the Directors of Corporate Operations, Hampshire 2050 and People and Organisation.
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