Policy and Project Advisory Board - Wednesday, 13th July, 2022 7.00 pm - Agenda and minutes

To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting held on 8th June, 2022 (copy attached).

The minutes of the meeting held on 8th June, 2022 were agreed as a correct record.

To receive an update from Rachel Barker, Assistant Chief Executive, on the current position with the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. For information, please see Report No. ACE2204 which was shared with the Cabinet at its meeting on 5^th July, 2022.

The Board welcomed Ms Rachel Barker, Assistant Chief Executive, who was in attendance to report on the latest position with the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

The Board were advised of the current funding position, it was noted that Rushmoor had been allocated £34k for 2022/23, £68k in 2023/24 and £898k in 2024/25. However, technical guidance from the Government was still outstanding, but officers had been advised to proceed in developing investment plans whilst awaiting further details. It was advised that the investment plan would need to be accompanied by two spreadsheets, one detailing expenditure and the other giving details on indicative deliverables. The current timescales allowed for a final draft to be completed by 22nd July, 2022, to allow for review and sign off prior to the 1st August, 2022 deadline, this would all be dependent on the content of the technical guidance (to be shared with the Board), when it was published.

The Board were updated on the shortlisting process of categorising the interventions. It was noted that the following priorities had been identified as part of this work:

·         Communities and Place – including, public realm improvements, town centre events and promotion, transition funding, heritage, culture and arts, health and place support

·         Supporting local business – Sector support

·         People and Skills – apprenticeships, training and skills development

The Board reviewed extracts from the draft plan which detailed themes identified by the Council, example projects, alignment to government intervention, indicative output/outcomes and related existing strategies and plans. In addition, it was requested that costs against each intervention were provided for Member information.

The Board also noted that, up to 4% of the UKSPF could be used for management and administration costs and this should be recognised and accounted for.

It was advised that the approach had been to identify interventions that had already been subject to engagement and consultation, including the Council Business Plan, the Strategic Economic Framework, the Supporting Communities Strategy, the Climate Change Action Plan and the Town Centre Strategies, all of which had been subject to a high level of stakeholder engagement. In addition, throughout the development stages, discussions had taken place with the DWP, Homes England, and the local MP, amongst others.

It was also noted that the Council would be writing to all those that Government envisaged being invited to join the UKSPF Partnership Network to share the principles that have been used in developing the Investment Plan and to invite comments and feedback. It was expected that the first meeting of the Partnership Network would take place in the Autumn, once the UKSPF allocation had been received. However, it was noted that, ultimately the Council would be responsible for the funds and the Government would be entitled to claw back any underspend.

The Chairman thanked Ms Barker for her presentation.

To receive an update on the scoping and refresh of the Housing and Homelessness Strategy from Zoe Paine, Strategy and Enabling Officer.

The Board welcomed Zoe Paine, Strategy and Enabling Officer who was in attendance to provide an update on the scoping and refresh of the Housing and Homelessness Strategy.

The Board received a recap on the current strategy, valid until December 2022, its four themes and the corporate objectives underpinning it. It was then apprised of Rushmoor’s new vision and Business Plan, which had put more emphasis on housing, expressly mentioning:

·         “Housing for every stage of life” - as one of the six major ambitions in the “vision” for Aldershot and Farnborough 2030

·         “To ensure there are enough homes and types of housing provided in Rushmoor” - in the current Council Business Plan

The scoping work already undertaken with the Board was also reviewed. This had generated a strategic approach with three key objectives:

·         Increase the supply of good quality homes

·         Support residents to access affordable well managed and maintained housing in the private and social sectors

·         Improve the condition and energy efficiency of housing in the Borough

Following discussions, during which the Board were asked to agree the key objectives, the following amendments were made:

·         Increase the supply of good quality homes….. “for all residents and perspective residents for every stage of life”

·         Support residents to access affordable well managed and maintained housing in the private and social sectors

·         “Work Proactively”…. to improve the condition and energy efficiency of housing in the Borough

The Board noted the proposed timetable moving forward:

·         Drafting document and Corporate Management Team (CMT) agreement - February 2023

·         Cabinet – March 2023

·         New Strategy published – April 2023

Any additional dates for consultation with the Board would be discussed at the Progress Group.

The Chairman thanked Ms Paine for her presentation.

To receive a report from Tim Mills, Head of Economy, Planning and Strategic Housing, on a current Hampshire County Council Consultation on the Concessionary Travel Scheme in Hampshire. The Boards comments will be taken into account in the response to be agreed by the Portfolio Holder.

The Board welcomed Tim Mills, Head of Economy, Planning and Strategic Housing who was in attendance to report on a current Hampshire County Council (HCC) consultation on the Concessionary Travel Scheme in Hampshire.

It was advised that HCC were consulting on proposed changes to the concessionary travel scheme between 30 May and 24 July, 2022. The proposals sought to deliver effective services, within a reduced budget, to achieve around £800,000 pa saving by April 2023. The proposals included:

·         To make operational changes to supported passenger transport services e.g. supported bus services, Dial-a Ride, Call & Go and Taxishares

·         To remove some enhancements to the Concessionary Travel Scheme, and

·         Increase the contributions users pay for some services

It was noted that feedback on the consultation would inform recommendations to the Executive Lead Member for Transport and Environment Strategy, for decisions to be made in November, 2022.

By way of overview it was reported that HCC were trying to make cuts of £80 million to its overall budget by April 2023 of which the Economy, Transport and Environment department had to deliver £10.3 million. Currently HCC supported Dial-a-Ride, Call & Go and Taxishare services in Rushmoor, alongside subsidising three bus routes, the No. 7 (Hartley Whitney – Aldershot), the No. 9 (Cove – Farnborough) and The No. 41 (Ash to Farnborough), the total spend for which had been £3.5 million per year. Amongst the proposed changes identified there had been a reduction in service level for supported services, removal of use of the Older Person’s Bus Pass for Taxishare, Dial-a-Ride and Call & Go services and introducing a £1 fare for all single Taxishare journeys, and working towards a common fare approach for Dial-a-Ride and Call & Go services with suggested fares of £6 for a local return journey and £8 for a longer return journey, all increasing in future years in line with inflation.

Following discussions it was requested that the wording in the response was strengthened to include how HCC engage constructively on how services are delivered locally going forward and how these proposals affected their policy on climate change. In particular, Members felt that the No. 9 should be protected and consideration be given to extending the service which currently started at 09:00 and ceased at 14:30, not fitting with normal/working life or a night time economy.

It was advised that the response would be circulated to Members prior to responding to HCC.

The Chairman thanked Mr Mills for his report.

To discuss the Policy and Project Advisory Board Work Plan (copy attached).

The Board noted the current Work Plan.