Archived decisions
AT A MEETING of the CABINET of HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on Monday, 28 January 2002.
PRESENT:
Councillors: T.K. Thornber, CBE (In the Chair); D.G. Allen; Felicity Hindson, MBE;
D.A. Kirk; J. Waddington; M.J. Woodhall.
Also in attendance Councillors: A.P. Collett; B.D. Dash; W.H. Wheeler and Honorary Alderman H.R. Cole.
44 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 17 December 2001 were confirmed as a correct record.
Arising thereon:
Minute 43 - Workforce Plan - Mid Year Review
The Chairman reported that detailed consideration would be given to the workforce plans at a special meeting to be held on 25 February 2002 (pm).
45 CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Chairman reported on the imminent signing, subject to Cabinet approval, of the Hampshire Local Public Service Agreement (PSA). He paid tribute to the sterling efforts of all the officers concerned in the negotiations with the Government over the preparation of the PSA.
[See also Minute 46 below]
46 THE HAMPSHIRE LOCAL PUBLIC SERVICE AGREEMENT
The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 3 in the Minute Book) on the current position with regard to the Hampshire Local Public Service Agreement (PSA). The Chief Executive reported on a number of changes made to the detail of the PSA document since circulation to Members. These included in particular the removal of the assumption relating to Government funding for the County Council, the reduction in line with the agreed formula of pump priming grant requirements, and the reduction in the number of targets included from 15 to 13. He also advised that a number of final textual amendments were still being made prior to the scheduled signing of the document on the following day, 29 January 2002.
A detailed discussion ensued during which the officers answered Members' questions and clarified a number of issues. Whilst accepting that several of the targets were particularly stretching, Cabinet was confident that with appropriate Central Government support, all were achievable, and accordingly gave approval to the draft format of the PSA document, and its contents, subject to incorporation of final amendments.
A copy of the substantive decision sheet on this item is set out as Appendix 1 to these Minutes.
47 PROPOSALS TO IMPROVE PERFORMANCE OF THE HEALTH SERVICE IN NORTH AND MID HAMPSHIRE
The Cabinet considered the reports of the Director of Social Services (combined to form Item 4 in the Minute Book) on local health organisation proposals to improve the performance of the Health Service in North and Mid Hampshire.
Following a full discussion, the Director of Social Services was requested to prepare a draft response on the proposals of the North and Mid Hampshire Health Authority based on the submitted reports to Cabinet, but strengthened appropriately to reflect Members' particular concerns regarding the revised arrangements for orthodontic services and in respect of intermediate care, the need to include in the proposals the importance of the joint County Council and Health Service medium term action to address the critical problems in the nursing home market. However Cabinet welcomed the alternative set of proposals (Plan B) being developed in respect of the Chase Hospital, Bordon.
The Cabinet requested that the draft response referred to above should be circulated to Cabinet Members and Leaders of the Minority Groups for observations prior to submission to the Health Authority by the deadline date of 31 January, 2002 and it was agreed that in the event of any substantial issues arising from this exercise, the Chief Executive and the Director of Social Services, in consultation with the Leader, should be authorised to determine the matter. The Cabinet also requested that the Government and Hampshire MEPs and MPs be apprised of the County Council's serious concerns at the inadequacy of funding for health care in Hampshire and, as a result, the magnitude of the task facing local NHS organisations and advising furthermore, that whilst the County Council welcomes one-off monies for social care, considers that there is a need for longer term budget assurance for both the NHS and County Council in order to plan for the future to increase service capacity and better meet the needs of local residents. The Cabinet agreed that a Part II item on the topic should be presented to the 21 February 2002 meeting of the County Council.
A copy of the decision sheet on this item is set out as Appendix 2 to these Minutes.
48 COMMUNITY STRATEGY AND THE PUBLIC SERVICE AGREEMENT - WORKING WITH GOSPORT BOROUGH COUNCIL
The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 5 in the Minute Book) on proposed arrangements for future joint working between the County Council and Gosport Borough Council within the context of the Community Strategy and the Public Service Agreement.
The Cabinet approved the proposals subject to the Working Group reporting back to the Executive Member for Policy and Resources and a copy of the substantive decision sheet is set out as Appendix 3 to these Minutes.
49 EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC
RESOLVED:
That by virtue of paragraph 9 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.
50 THE RIVER HAMBLE - LEASE
The Cabinet considered the confidential report of the Chief Executive, Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services and County Planning Officer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) on the proposal to enter into a 50 year lease of the river bed and foreshore of the middle and lower reaches of the River Hamble with the Crown Estate. The Cabinet approved the proposals subject to the final detail of the terms and condition being reported back to the Executive Member for Policy and Resources. A copy of the decision sheet on this item is set out as Appendix 4 to these Minutes.
5bM90102