Archived decisions
AT A MEETING of the CABINET of HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on Monday, 17 December 2001.
PRESENT:
Councillors: T.K. Thornber, CBE (In the Chair); D.G. Allen; Mrs. S.M. Glasspool DL; Felicity Hindson, MBE; D.A. Kirk; J.K. West; J. Waddington; M.J. Woodhall.
Also in attendance Councillors: A.P. Collett; B.D. Dash; A.R. Ludlow and W.H. Wheeler.
31 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 19 November 2001 were confirmed as a correct record. Members noted minor textual amendments to the summary sheet to Appendix 2.
32 CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
There were no matters arising under this item.
33 2002/03 BUDGET
The Cabinet considered the report of the County Treasurer on the provisional revenue support grant (RSG) settlement and the implications for the 2002/03 budget strategy, together with a supplementary paper which extracted some of the key features of the report to provide the 2002/03 budget outlook (these papers are combined to form Item 3 in the Minute Book). The County Treasurer amplified the report and answered detailed Member questions.
During the course of the ensuing discussion, Members shared the concerns expressed in the report under the proposed response to the provisional RSG settlement (paragraph 3.9 refers) and in particular those relating to the perceived under funding of Social Services, the level of the County Council's Education SSA resulting from the below average number of sixth form pupils in schools and the adverse effects of the changes in the Education SSA sub blocks adopted by the Department for Education and Skills in making the transfer to the Learning Skills Council; and the lack of flexibility inherent in the 15% increase in specific grants. The County Treasurer carefully noted these, and other detailed points made in discussion, for incorporation as appropriate in the response on the provisional RSG settlement.
The Cabinet also amended the recommendation on the future level of fire levies to reflect the depth of its concern on this issue.
A copy of the substantive decision sheet on this item is set out as Appendix 1 to these Minutes.
34 COMMUNITY STRATEGY
The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 4 in the Minute Book) which sought approval to the establishment of a County level local strategic partnership as a prerequisite to preparing the County level community strategy. The following were added to the list of agencies contained in paragraph 4.2:-
Southern Strategic Partnership
Careers Service
Connexions
(It was noted that the list was not intended to be exhaustive at this stage and would be added to or amended as appropriate in the lead-up to the first meeting).
The Cabinet approved the proposals as set out in the report and a copy of the relevant decision sheet is set out as Appendix 2 to these Minutes.
35 SUMMARY OUTCOMES OF BEST VALUE REVIEWS - YEAR 1
The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 5 in the Minute Book) on the outcomes of Best Value Reviews completed in Year 1 of the Five Year Programme. The Cabinet approved the proposals as set out in the report and a copy of the relevant decision sheet is set out as Appendix 3 to these Minutes.
36 THE BEST VALUE REVIEW PROGRAMME
The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 6 in the Minute Book) on a proposed revised approach to developing the Best Value Review Programme and the interim revision of the Five Year Programme of Best Value Reviews. The Chief Executive explained that paragraph 11.1.3 should have included reference to the deferred school improvement review (Year 1) which had now been deleted from the programme as it was covered under the Education Development Plan.
The Cabinet endorsed the revised approach to developing the Best Value Review Programme, but expressed concerns that opportunities had not been taken to integrate some areas of service from the client perspective. This was particularly so in the case of Education and Social Services, where Members perceived opportunities to integrate aspects of children's welfare in a single review. The Cabinet accepted that the revised approach would continue to be developed and that there were still some operational areas which needed to be reviewed separately in the short term because of external factors. A copy of the relevant decision sheet is set out as Appendix 4 to these Minutes.
37 BEST VALUE PERFORMANCE PLAN 2002/03 - CONTENT AND DISTRIBUTION
The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 7 in the Minute Book) on various issues relating to the Best Value Performance Plan 2002/03. At the request of Members, the Chief Executive undertook to examine detailed aspects of the language used to highlight the County Council's achievements and priorities. The Cabinet approved the proposals set out in the report and a copy of the relevant decision sheet is set out as Appendix 5 to these Minutes.
38 CORPORATE CONSULTATION STRATEGY 2002/03
The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 8 in the Minute Book) seeking approval to the Corporate Consultation Strategy for 2002/03. The Cabinet approved the proposals subject to one drafting amendment and a copy of the substantive decision sheet is set out as Appendix 6 to these Minutes.
39 KEY WORKER HOUSING FOR COUNTY COUNCIL EMPLOYEES
The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Property, Business & Regulatory Services (Item 9 in the Minute Book) on the proposed development of a strategy for ensuring the provision of key worker accommodation for County Council employees. The Cabinet approved the proposals as set out in the report and a copy of the relevant decision sheet is set out as Appendix 7 to these Minutes.
40 NEW JOINT ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE MANYDOWN LAND, BASINGSTOKE
The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 10 in the Minute Book) on proposed new joint arrangements for the management of the Manydown Land, Basingstoke. The Cabinet approved the proposals as set out in the report and nominated four County Councillors to be members of the Manydown Joint Committee; a copy of the relevant decision sheet is set out as Appendix 8 to these Minutes.
41 MEMBERS' ATTENDANCES AT CONFERENCES AND SEMINARS -
1 SEPTEMBER 2001 - 31 DECEMBER 2001
The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 11 in the Minute Book), as required by the Standards Committee, on Members' attendances at conferences and seminars. The Cabinet adopted the recommendation set out in the report and a copy of the relevant decision sheet is set out as Appendix 9 to these Minutes.
42 EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC
RESOLVED:
That by virtue of paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for consideration of the following item.
43 WORKFORCE PLAN - MID YEAR REVIEW
The Cabinet considered the confidential report of the County Personnel and Training Officer (Item 13 in the Minute Book) on various issues relating to the workforce planning process. The Cabinet asked that this report be re-presented to the January 2002 Cabinet meeting when detailed consideration could be given.
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