Archived decisions
AT A MEETING of the CABINET of HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on Monday, 25 March 2002.
PRESENT:
Councillors: T.K. Thornber, CBE (In the Chair); D.G. Allen; K.B. Estlin; Mrs. S.M. Glasspool, DL; Felicity Hindson, MBE; D.A. Kirk; J. Waddington; J.K. West;
M.J. Woodhall.
Also present were:
Councillors: A.P. Collett; B.D. Dash and W.H. Wheeler.
72 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 11 March 2002 were confirmed as a correct record subject to the substitution of the words "Meon Valley" for the words "East Hampshire" in Minute 71 (iii).
73 CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
(i) Local Government White Paper - Comprehensive Performance Assessment Framework
The Chairman reported that pursuant to receipt of the Local Government White Paper, and despite only receiving the consultation report, "Delivering Comprehensive Performance Assessment" on 18 March, the Audit Commission had now advised that the County Council would be in Phase 1 of the corporate inspection under the Comprehensive Performance Assessment Framework. The process would start forthwith and, to his concern, would finish before the end of the consultation period. Authorities would be placed in categories of "High Performing", "Coasting", "Striving" and "Poor" and many criteria used to make the assessment, including (inter alia) Best Value performance indicators, self assessment by Councils, and various inspection reports (e.g. OFSTED). Whilst in theory there was potential for increased freedoms, flexibilities and perhaps greater funding, there were many areas for concern, and the whole exercise would place very significant additional demands on officer time.
(ii) Regionalism
The Chairman reported on the gathering momentum within the Government towards introducing some form of regionalism. The County Council would be commissioning its own survey to gauge the opinion of Hampshire residents on the subject, and the results would be shared with other counties in the South East.
74 NEW FOREST NATIONAL PARK - DESIGNATION ORDER
The Cabinet considered the report of the County Planning Officer (Item 3 in the Minute Book) on the proposed formal response of the County Council to the Designation Order for the New Forest National Park. The County Planning Officer advised that because the closing date for representations on the Designation Order was 25 March, he had already forwarded a copy of the report to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs as forming the basis of the County Council's comments but had reserved the right to comment further in the light of the Cabinet's deliberations.
Whilst agreeing with the broad thrust of the recommendations, the Cabinet felt that it was important that the unique qualities of the Forest should be recognised by publication of a Government Circular. It was also considered appropriate to express positive support for the boundary of the National Park as shown. These additional observations are reflected in the substantive decision sheet, a copy of which is set out as Appendix 1 to these Minutes.
75 NEW PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURES FOR PROCESSING MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS
The Cabinet considered the report of the County Planning Officer (Item 4 in the Minute Book) on suggested comments on the proposed new Parliamentary procedures for processing major infrastructure projects. The County Planning Officer advised, that because the closing date for observations on the proposals had been 22 March, he had already forwarded a copy of the report to the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions as forming the basis of the County Council's comments, but had reserved the right to comment further in the light of the Cabinet's deliberations.
In addition to the comments proposed by the County Planning Officer, the Cabinet considered that it was crucially important that members of the public should have the opportunity to participate at all stages of the procedures, including putting their points of view in person. and that attention should be drawn to the arrangements in local planning authorities whereby it was deemed maladministration if planning decisions were the subject of prior political group meetings or whipped votes. It was also felt appropriate that Hampshire Members of Parliament should be apprised of the County Council's comments in this matter. These additional observations are reflected in the substantive decision sheet, a copy of which is set out as Appendix 2 to these Minutes.
76 REFORMING PLANNING OBLIGATIONS
The Cabinet considered the report of the County Planning Officer and the County Surveyor (Item 5 in the Minute Book) on the Government's proposals for the reform and improvement of the planning obligations system to complement the wider review of planning contained in the Green Paper "Planning : Delivering a Fundamental Change".
The Cabinet expressed particular concern that the emphasis in the consultation document on the role of the planning obligation tariff in contributing to affordable housing was likely to lead to a diminution of the resources for essential public infrastructure directly arising from development and it was agreed that this should be drawn to the attention of the Secretary of State in the County Council's comments. It was also felt appropriate that Hampshire Members of Parliament should be apprised of the County Council's comments in the matter. These additional observations are reflected in the substantive decision sheet, a copy of which is set out as Appendix 3 to these Minutes.
77 PROPOSED COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR HAMPSHIRE
The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 6 in the Minute Book) on the proposal to establish a community foundation for Hampshire to support the local voluntary and community sector.
Whilst adopting the recommendation, the Cabinet emphasised that its approval was in principle only and it would need to receive a further report on the details of the proposals as they were developed by the officers. In particular, Members emphasised the importance of grant distribution remaining democratically accountable within County Council. A copy of the decision sheet is set out as Appendix 4 to these Minutes.
78 MEMBERS' ATTENDANCES AT CONFERENCES AND SEMINARS - JANUARY - MARCH 2002
The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 7 in the Minute Book) on Members' attendances at conferences and seminars for the period January - March 2002 authorised by the Chief Executive after consultation with the Leader of the Council. The Cabinet adopted the recommendation and a copy of the decision sheet is set out as Appendix 5 to these Minutes.
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