Archived decisions
AT A MEETING of the CABINET of HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on Monday, 27 May 2002.
PRESENT:
Councillors T.K. Thornber, CBE (In the Chair); D.G. Allen; K.B. Estlin; Mrs. S.M. Glasspool, DL; P.A. Heath; Felicity Hindson, MBE; D.A. Kirk; J. Waddington; M.J. Woodhall.
Also present were:
Councillors A.P. Collett, B.D. Dash, R.J. Ellis, J.K. Glen, Jo Kelly and Mrs E.M.F. Randall.
87. MINUTES
The Minutes of the meetings held on 22 and 29 April 2002 were confirmed as correct records.
On Minute 80 of 22 April 2002, it was noted that the Labour Group had agreed to sign an all-party letter expressing the County Council's concerns at matters with implications for the County Council contained in the Secretary of State for Health's announcement which had followed the Chancellor's budget statement.
88. CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Chairman reported that Councillor Wheeler, the Leader of the Labour Group, was recuperating at home following his period in hospital.
89. REVISION OF CORPORATE STRATEGY 2002
The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 3 in the Minute Book) on the proposed revision of the Corporate Strategy.
The Chief Executive provided the Cabinet with a short introduction to his report and drew attention to a number of drafting amendments proposed by the Corporate Management Team since publication of the report. These included in particular the choice of "Maximising Life Opportunities" as the title for Aim 1, and recasting the framework of Aim 5 (although without altering the overarching principles). A detailed discussion ensued during which the officers answered Members' questions and clarified a number of issues. The Cabinet made a number of detailed amendments/ additions to the strategy document.
These included the following (inter alia):-
· Aim 1 (page 1) - promoting participation in learning to be enhanced by improving working relationships with Further Education Colleges and Colleges of Higher Education, and by the development of Lifelong Learning.
· Aim 2 (page 2) - include specific reference to empowering people and to people with disabilities under the Protecting and Caring for Vulnerable People Key Theme.
· Aim 2 (page 3) - include reference to additional responsibilities with regard to Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and National Parks, and initiatives aimed at preserving historic buildings.
· Aim 2 (page 4) - reference to be made to all types of public transport under Priority Areas, and to unconventional transport in rural areas.
· Aim 3 (page 5) - include reference to improving working relationships with colleges and further education establishments under the Developing Skills Key Theme.
· Aim 3 (page 7) - include reference to Hampshire Compact under working with the voluntary sector in the Access to Employment for All Key Theme.
· Aim 4 - include reference to parish appraisals and small market town health checks under the Working Together with Hampshire Communities Key Theme.
· Aim 4 (page 10) - under Working with Others to Build Strong and Sustainable Communities Key Theme, include reference to the County Council's new powers of overview and scrutiny with regard to health, and add schools in Aldershot, North Basingstoke and Andover to those targeted with a view to reducing unauthorised absence and exclusions.
· Aim 5 (pages 11 and 12) - amend to include the creation of a framework that maximises the potential of staff and Members.
In conclusion the Cabinet adopted the recommendation and requested the Chairman and the Chief Executive to determine the final text in the light of the comments made. A copy of the decision sheet is set out as Appendix 1 to these Minutes.
90. CORPORATE EQUALITIES PLAN AND RACE EQUALITY SCHEME
The Cabinet considered the report of the County Personnel and Training Officer (Item 4 in the Minute Book) on the proposed Corporate Equalities Plan and Race Equality Scheme. The County Personnel and Training Officer amplified the report and answered Members' questions.
A number of detailed comments were made during the course of discussion including in particular the need to make reference in the document to specific Education and Recreation and Heritage Strategies, to the full inclusion of Members in training courses relating to improving performance in equalities matters, and to Executive Members as well as the Cabinet being mindful of the duty to promote race equality and equality of opportunity (1.2 of Corporate Equalities Plan). Subject to the inclusion of these and other textual amendments the Cabinet adopted the recommendations and a copy of the substantive decision sheet is set out as Appendix 2 to these Minutes.
91. NATURAL RESOURCES INITIATIVE
The Cabinet considered the report of the County Surveyor (Item 5 in the Minute Book) on the proposed Natural Resources Initiative Corporate Plan objectives for 2002/03 and adopted the recommendations. A copy of the decision sheet is set out as Appendix 3 to these Minutes.
92. 2001/02 PROJECTED OUTTURN
The Cabinet considered the report of the County Treasurer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) on the current projection of the outturn for 2001/02 and adopted the recommendations. A copy of the decision sheet is set out as Appendix 4 to these Minutes.
93. 2002/03 AND 2003/04 BUDGET UPDATE
The Cabinet considered the report of the County Treasurer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) which began the process of budget monitoring for 2002/03 and identified the issues affecting the current forecast for the 2003/04 budget and beyond.
The Cabinet adopted the recommendations subject to noting, rather than as suggested, welcoming, the announcement of additional resources for Social Services in the Chancellor's budget, having regard to the underlying implications. It was also agreed that the Hampshire Members of Parliament should be furnished with copies of the report so that they could be acquainted with the detailed implications for Hampshire arising from the Chancellor's budget and the recent White Paper. A copy of the substantive decision sheet is set out as Appendix 5 to these Minutes.
94. YOUR REGION, YOUR CHOICE, WHITE PAPER
The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 8 in the Minute Book) on the Government's proposals for regional government in England as set out in the White Paper "Your Region, Your Choice".
The Cabinet shared the concerns raised in the report, including in particular those relating to democratic deficit and the drawing up of powers from County Councils rather than down to them. It was agreed that a formal response should be made following consideration of the report by the Policy and Resources Policy Review Committee and that copies of the report should be forwarded for information to the Hampshire Members of Parliament. The recommendations were adopted subject to these additions, and a copy of the substantive decision sheet is set out as Appendix 6 to these Minutes.
95. ENJOYING THE COUNTRYSIDE - DEVELOPING A STRATEGIC APPROACH TO THE DELIVERY AND PROMOTION OF WIDER ACCESS TO THE HAMPSHIRE COUNTRYSIDE
The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage and the County Planning Officer (Item 9 in the Minute Book) on progress with regard to the national access pilot project run by the County Council known as the Integrated Access Demonstration Programme which was developing innovative approaches for encouraging access to the countryside. Members also received a presentation in support of the report by Ms J. Hale, the Integrated Access Programme Manager.
The Cabinet adopted the recommendations and in addition recorded their strong support for the initiative for developing improved bus links to the countryside. Members also congratulated Ms Hale on her sterling work on the pilot project.
A copy of the substantive decision sheet is set out as Appendix 7 to these Minutes.
96. SUSTAINABLE FOOD AND FARMING
Consideration of this item was deferred to the next meeting.
97. DISCOVERY CENTRES
The Director of Recreation and Heritage gave a short presentation on the concept of discovery centres. The Cabinet was strongly supportive of the initiative.
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