Agenda and minutes

Councillor Dowden requested that an additional paragraph be added to the minutes of the meeting held on 22 January 2020 under the ‘Update on Climate Emergency Work Streams’.

‘The replacement of the gas boilers at Beech Hurst was raised by Councillor Warnes.  He asked whether the Council could work with environmental groups to decide on a way forward.  Officers indicated that the Council had already received an independent report from a specialist consultancy that had examined all of the options that were laid out in the report.  The proposed solution took into account the constraints of the building.  It also provided a cost effective solution that also reduced carbon emissions which were detailed in the report.  It was also noted that the Council was working with environmental groups on the broader Climate Change agenda.’

Resolved:

That subject to the inclusion of the above paragraph the minutes of the meeting held on 22 January 2020 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Lead Members to update the Committee on the progress of their Panels (10 mins)

The Chairman drew members’ attention to Annex 2 of the Work Programme report which detailed updates on ongoing panels.

Councillor Baverstock reported that she anticipated the Future of Health provision in Andover and Romsey Panel will report back to the Committee in April.

Councillor Borg Neal explained that the first meeting of the Armed Forces Covenant Panel will be held on Monday 23 March in Conference Room 2, Beech Hurst at 6pm.

Lead Members to update the Committee on their work streams (20 mins)

The Head of Planning Policy gave an update on the Climate Emergency Work Streams.  Lead Members and offices of the seven work streams had met prior to the meeting and discussed each of the work stream actions.  The actions will be divided by theme into short, medium and long term.  Monitoring on action progress will also be considered as well as whether new ones have been created.

The draft action plan will be submitted to the Committee on 18 March before going on to Council on 8 April. 

To give an update on the progress of the Public Involvement Panel recommendations (20 mins)

Councillor Baverstock reminded members that back in Autumn 2017, the Public Involvement Panel undertook a review of public involvement to reflect on how the Council could build upon its strong track record of engaging communities and involving the public in the most effective way.

As a result of that review, an action plan was produced in conjunction with the Council’s Member and Community Development Group.  The action plan was endorsed by Cabinet and now forms part of the work programme for the Member and Community Development group.

The Policy Manager gave an overview of the progress made against the main areas of the action plan.  Members were also asked on their thoughts on further areas where the Council could continue to build upon this work which could be fed back to the Member and Community Development Group.

One of the key areas that members discussed was around social media and how the Council responds.  Members reported that they would benefit from social media training to help share information.  It was suggested that the Communications team carry out a presentation around social media at a future meeting.

The Chairman thanked Councillor Baverstock and the Policy Manager for the update.

To enable Members to keep the Committee’s future work programme under review (10 mins)

The Committee considered and updated the work programme as follows:

·  Add presentation on communications and social media, date to be agreed.

Resolved:

That the Work Programme, as amended, be approved.