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, 23rd October 2025
10:00 AM
Thursday, 23rd October 2025
10:00 AM
End:
Thursday, 23rd October 2025
2:00 PM
Thursday, 23rd October 2025
2:00 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
23 Oct 2025
23 Oct 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
Liberal Democrats Spokesperson
Independent Group Deputy
Agenda
1
Apologies for absence
To receive any apologies for absence.
Minutes
Apologies were received from Cllrs Steven Broomfield, Rod Cooper, Debbie Curnow-Ford, Tanya Park and Stephen Philpott,
Cllr Stephen Parker attended the meeting as a Conservative deputy.
Cllr Stephen Parker attended the meeting as a 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.
No declarations were made.
No declarations were made.
3
Minutes of previous meeting
To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting.
Attachments:
Minutes
The minutes of the last meeting were reviewed and agreed.
4
Deputations
To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.
Minutes
No deputations were received on this occasion.
5
Chairman's Announcements
To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.
Minutes
The Chairman made no announcements.
6
Your Hampshire, today and for tomorrow - Hampshire County Council Strategic Plan 2025 to 2028
To consider a report of the Director of People and Organisation regarding the County Council’s proposed new Strategic Plan 2025-2028: Your Hampshire, today and for tomorrow.
Attachments:
- Document 6 H2050 SC cover report Strategic Plan 2025 to 2028 15 Oct 2025
- Document 6i Strategic Plan review 2025-2028 Cabinet Nov 2025 15 Oct 2025
- Document 6ii Strategic Plan 2025 to 2028 15 Oct 2025
Minutes
The Committee considered a report of the Director of People and Organisation regarding Hampshire County Council’s Strategic Plan for 2025 to 2028 (Item 6 in the Minute Book).
Members were advised that the Plan outlined the County Council’s strategic direction over the next three years, shaped by national developments including devolution and local government reorganisation. Members discussed the Plan’s structure, ambitions and the Hampshire Pledge, which set out commitments to residents and expectations of community engagement.
Concerns were raised regarding the absence of explicit references to climate change, decarbonisation, and inclusion. Members felt that these themes should be embedded within the strategic plan to reflect the Council’s long-term priorities and values.
During the discussion, the Committee agreed the following suggestions on how the Stragetgy document could be improved, as follows:
1) Steps to achieve carbon neutrality and climate resilience. The Committee recommends that the Council’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality and building resilience to the impacts of a 2°C temperature rise by 2050 be explicitly embedded within the overarching strategy. While it is acknowledged that measures to address the climate emergency are being implemented across the organisation, it is essential that this commitment is clearly reflected at the strategic level. Doing so will ensure that the climate emergency remains a central consideration in all planning and decision-making processes.
2) Inclusion. The Committee believes that the strategy can use some more explicit language about inclusion of all residents and that this should be reflected in our service delivery to ensure we continue to make the most of both digital and non-digital opportunities. The 2021 – 2025 Strategic Plan included the fourth strategic outcome of “People in Hampshire enjoy being part of strong, inclusive, resilient communities.
3) Partnership working. The Committee agreed that strategy could include more references to working with other governmental partners. The council will continue to work very closely with the NHS, and given the challenge of both devolution and LGR, it was hoped that the strategy would include implicit expectations of closer relationships with Portsmouth, Southampton the Isle of Wight and all the districts and boroughs of Hampshire. In due course the Committee expects to scrutinize the impact on HCC of both devolution and LGR.
The Chairman agreed to write to the Cabinet on behalf of the Committee regarding the above improvements.
RESOLVED:
That the Committee noted the revised Strategic Plan 2025–2028 and the proposed review of the Corporate Performance Assurance Framework.
Members were advised that the Plan outlined the County Council’s strategic direction over the next three years, shaped by national developments including devolution and local government reorganisation. Members discussed the Plan’s structure, ambitions and the Hampshire Pledge, which set out commitments to residents and expectations of community engagement.
Concerns were raised regarding the absence of explicit references to climate change, decarbonisation, and inclusion. Members felt that these themes should be embedded within the strategic plan to reflect the Council’s long-term priorities and values.
During the discussion, the Committee agreed the following suggestions on how the Stragetgy document could be improved, as follows:
1) Steps to achieve carbon neutrality and climate resilience. The Committee recommends that the Council’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality and building resilience to the impacts of a 2°C temperature rise by 2050 be explicitly embedded within the overarching strategy. While it is acknowledged that measures to address the climate emergency are being implemented across the organisation, it is essential that this commitment is clearly reflected at the strategic level. Doing so will ensure that the climate emergency remains a central consideration in all planning and decision-making processes.
2) Inclusion. The Committee believes that the strategy can use some more explicit language about inclusion of all residents and that this should be reflected in our service delivery to ensure we continue to make the most of both digital and non-digital opportunities. The 2021 – 2025 Strategic Plan included the fourth strategic outcome of “People in Hampshire enjoy being part of strong, inclusive, resilient communities.
3) Partnership working. The Committee agreed that strategy could include more references to working with other governmental partners. The council will continue to work very closely with the NHS, and given the challenge of both devolution and LGR, it was hoped that the strategy would include implicit expectations of closer relationships with Portsmouth, Southampton the Isle of Wight and all the districts and boroughs of Hampshire. In due course the Committee expects to scrutinize the impact on HCC of both devolution and LGR.
The Chairman agreed to write to the Cabinet on behalf of the Committee regarding the above improvements.
RESOLVED:
That the Committee noted the revised Strategic Plan 2025–2028 and the proposed review of the Corporate Performance Assurance Framework.
7
Annual Complaints Report and Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman determinations 2024/25
To consider a report of the Director of People and Organisation regarding the Annual Complaints Report and Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman determinations 2024/25.
Attachments:
- Document 7 Cover Report Annual Complaints Report 2025 - H2050 Select Ctee 15 Oct 2025
- Document 7i Annual Complaints Report 2025 - Cabinet Report (003) 15 Oct 2025
Minutes
The Committee received the first Annual report of the Director of People and Organisation covering the County Council’s complaints process and Ombudsman determinations, as required by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman’s Complaint Code (Item 7 in the Minute Book)..
Officers reported a 20% increase in Stage 1 complaints and a reduction in Stage 2 complaints, suggesting improved resolution at the initial stage. Members welcomed improvements in timeliness and responsiveness but emphasised the need for greater transparency, clearer targets, and a stronger focus on learning from complaints to drive service improvement.
During the discussion, Members expressed concern that the tone of the report could be more reflective of a learning culture and requested that more granular data and thematic analysis be included in future reports. The Committee were made aware that complaints relating to Adults’ Health and Care and Childrens Services may be scrutinised by their relevant Select Committee.
RESOLVED:
That the Committee notes the contents of the report, including the Ombudsman determinations and the work undertaken to improve complaints handling.
Officers reported a 20% increase in Stage 1 complaints and a reduction in Stage 2 complaints, suggesting improved resolution at the initial stage. Members welcomed improvements in timeliness and responsiveness but emphasised the need for greater transparency, clearer targets, and a stronger focus on learning from complaints to drive service improvement.
During the discussion, Members expressed concern that the tone of the report could be more reflective of a learning culture and requested that more granular data and thematic analysis be included in future reports. The Committee were made aware that complaints relating to Adults’ Health and Care and Childrens Services may be scrutinised by their relevant Select Committee.
RESOLVED:
That the Committee notes the contents of the report, including the Ombudsman determinations and the work undertaken to improve complaints handling.
8
Climate Change Strategy Working Group Proposal and Terms of Reference
To consider a report of the Director of Hampshire 2050 regarding a proposal to establish a Task and Finish Working Group to review the County Council’s Climate Change Strategy (2020-2025).
Attachments:
- Document 8 Climate Change Strategy Working Group Proposal and Terms of Reference-2025-10-23-H2050 Select Cttee 15 Oct 2025
- Document Item 8 - Presentation Slides 15 Oct 2025
Minutes
The Committee considered a report and presentation from the Director of Hampshire 2050 regarding the proposed establishment of a Climate Change Strategy Working Group (Item 8 in the Minute Book).
During the presentation, the Director outlined progress against the Climate Change Strategy 2020–2025 and proposals to establish a Task and Finish Working Group to support development of a new strategy. Members welcomed the breadth of activity undertaken across the Council and endorsed the proposal to review the current strategy and inform future priorities.
RESOLVED:
That the Hampshire 2050, Corporate Services and Resources Select Committee:
1. Approves the establishment of a cross-party Task and Finish Working Group to support strategic Member input into the future direction of the Climate Change Strategy.
· Membership for the Working Group was agreed as follows:
Councillors Rob Mocatta, Rod Cooper, Juliet Henderson, Peter Latham (Conservative); Tim Groves, Martin Tod (Liberal Democrat); Alex Crawford (Labour); and Malcolm Wallace (Independent).
2. Endorses the Terms of Reference for the Working Group as set out in Appendix 1.
3. Notes that the Working Group will provide updates to the Hampshire 2050 Select Committee and submit a final report to inform pre-decision scrutiny and officer recommendations.
During the presentation, the Director outlined progress against the Climate Change Strategy 2020–2025 and proposals to establish a Task and Finish Working Group to support development of a new strategy. Members welcomed the breadth of activity undertaken across the Council and endorsed the proposal to review the current strategy and inform future priorities.
RESOLVED:
That the Hampshire 2050, Corporate Services and Resources Select Committee:
1. Approves the establishment of a cross-party Task and Finish Working Group to support strategic Member input into the future direction of the Climate Change Strategy.
· Membership for the Working Group was agreed as follows:
Councillors Rob Mocatta, Rod Cooper, Juliet Henderson, Peter Latham (Conservative); Tim Groves, Martin Tod (Liberal Democrat); Alex Crawford (Labour); and Malcolm Wallace (Independent).
2. Endorses the Terms of Reference for the Working Group as set out in Appendix 1.
3. Notes that the Working Group will provide updates to the Hampshire 2050 Select Committee and submit a final report to inform pre-decision scrutiny and officer recommendations.
9
Membership of the Constitution Review Working Group
To consider a report of the Director of People and Organisation seeking agreement for a Conservative member to sit on the Constitution Review Working Group.
Attachments:
- Document 9 Membership of the Constitution Review Working Group 15 Oct 2025
Minutes
The Committee considered a report of the Director of People and Organisation regarding the membership of the Constitution Review Working Group (Item 9 in the Minute Book).
The Committee considered the report to fill a Conservative vacancy on this Working Group following the appointment of Councillor Stephen Reid to the Cabinet.
RESOLVED:
That Councillor Rob Mocatta be appointed to the Constitution Review Working Group to fill the Conservative vacancy.
The Committee considered the report to fill a Conservative vacancy on this Working Group following the appointment of Councillor Stephen Reid to the Cabinet.
RESOLVED:
That Councillor Rob Mocatta be appointed to the Constitution Review Working Group to fill the Conservative vacancy.
10
Work Programme
To review the current work programme of the Hampshire 2050, Corporate Services and Resources Select Committee.
Attachments:
- Document Work Programme 15 Oct 2025
Minutes
The Committee reviewed its Work Programme and discussed the following topics for potential future inclusion: Local Government Reorganisation, Devolution, energy infrastructure and implementation of LTP4 (Item 10 in the Minute Book).
RESOLVED:
That the Select Committee discussed 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.
RESOLVED:
That the Select Committee discussed 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.
Previous Meetings
Future Meetings
Join the Discussion
You need to be signed in to comment.
Sign in