Archived decisions
At a Meeting of Hampshire County Council held at The Castle, Winchester on Thursday, 25 July, 2002 at 10.00 a.m.
Chairman :
p Councillor P.R.C. Hutcheson
Vice-Chairman:
p Councillor Mrs. M.D. Snaith
Councillors:
p Mrs S.E. Allbright
p D.G. Allen
p Mrs A.E. Bailey
p Mrs. E.S.M. Barron
p Mrs P.G. Banks
p R. J. Baulk
p I.F.E. Beagley
p Carol Boulton
F.J. Bright
p P.R. Brown
p J.V. Bryant
p Mrs. E.M. Byrom
p M.F. Cartwright
p K.G. Chapman
p P.J. Chegwyn
p J.E. Coles
p A.P. Collett
Rita Collins
p B.D. Dash
p C.R.H. Davidovitz
p G.W. Davies-Dear
Mrs. P.M. Devereux
p Mrs. P. Dickens
p A.G. Dowden
p Dr. R.J. Ellis
p Capt. K.B. Estlin
W.J. Filer
p Mrs. J.K. Frankum
p E.F. Gale, M.B.E.
p M.S. Geddes
D. Gillett
p Mrs S.M. Glasspool, D.L.
p J.K. Glen
p B.T. Gurden
p Mrs. D.R. Harrison
p S.A. Hayes
P.A. Heath
p Mrs. K. Heron
p Felicity Hindson, M.B.E.
Mrs. P.G.E. Holden-Brown
p K. House
p Jo Kelly
M.J. Kendal
p R.J. Kimber
p D.A. Kirk
p T.G. Knight
p Mrs C.A. Leversha
p A.R. Ludlow
p P. Luffman
p P.K. Mason
p R.C. McIntosh
p Mrs. A.M. McNair Scott
p Mrs. P.G. Peskett
p P.A. Pierce
p R.H. Price, J.P.
p Mrs. E.M.F. Randall
p A.W. Rice, T.D.
p M.J. Roberts
p Sir James Scott
p K.P.J. Searle
p M.L. Sheehan
p Mrs. V. Steel
p J.W. Stocks
p T.K. Thornber, C.B.E.
p J. Waddington
p Dr. J.G.L. Wall
p J.K. West
p Mrs P.A. West
p W.H. Wheeler
p M.J. Woodhall
p Jenny Wride
p D.F. Wright
91 MINUTES.
The Minutes of the meeting of the County Council held on 16 May 2002 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman subject to the deletion of Councillor Mrs E.M.F. Randall from the list of Members present.
92 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS.
The Chairman reported on engagements he had attended since the last meeting of the County Council. He also drew the Council's attention to the shortlisting of the Milestones Museum at Basingstoke by National Heritage for its Museum of the Year award.
93 LEADER'S REPORT.
The Leader was pleased to announce that the County Council, on behalf of the New Forest Partnership, had been successful in a new bid for support from the European LIFE Nature Fund. An award of approximately half of the funding for the £2.7m project had been made by the European Commission on 8 July 2002.
The Leader was also pleased to advise the Council that the Royal Institute of British Architects had once again honoured the work of the County Council's architects by recognising in 2002 the new Whiteley Primary School as one of only 58 buildings across the United Kingdom and European Union to represent architecture of a very high order. The practice brought great credit to the County Council for the quality of their work.
The Leader also reported that the Property, Business and Regulatory Services Department had been shortlisted as one of only 20 practices in England by the Department of Education and Skills to provide the Government's new city academies throughout the South East of England.
The Leader was also delighted to announce that the County Council had been singled out for praise by the Local Government Association for leading the way in local government communications. The Association's communications tool kit cited the County Council as an example of good practice. All communication officers were congratulated on this high profile achievement.
94 QUESTIONS UNDER STANDING ORDER 20(b)(i).
Councillor Felicity Hindson, MBE, Executive Member for Social Care answered a question from Councillor A.G. Dowden concerning foster carers' allowances.
Councillor Felicity Hindson, MBE, Executive Member for Social Care answered a question from Councillor A.G. Dowden concerning the Foster Carers' A-Z.
Councillor Felicity Hindson, MBE, Executive Member for Social Care answered a question from Councillor A.G. Dowden concerning the provision of computers to foster carers.
Councillor M.J. Roberts was not present to put his question concerning affordable housing to the Leader of the Council. The Leader would arrange for a copy of his reply to be circulated to all Members of the Council.
Councillor K.B. Estlin, Executive Member for Environment answered a question from Councillor P. Luffman concerning the No. 45 Blue Line Bus Service.
Councillor K.B. Estlin, Executive Member for Environment answered a question from Councillor K. House concerning the Structure Plan timetable.
Councillor K.B. Estlin, Executive Member for Environment answered a question from Councillor K. House concerning Hampshire's greenfields.
Councillor K.B. Estlin, Executive Member for Environment answered a question from Councillor K. House concerning affordable housing.
Councillor M.J. Roberts was not present to put his question concerning the Comprehensive Spending Review to the Leader of the Council. The Leader would arrange for a copy of his reply to be circulated to all Members of the Council.
Councillor D.G. Allen, Executive Member for Education answered a question from Councillor Mrs. P. Dickens concerning drinking water in schools.
95 APPOINTMENTS.
(i) Martin Down Management Committee
ORDERED:
That Councillor A.W. Rice, TD be appointed Deputy Member for both Councillor J. Waddington and Councillor Mrs. K. Heron on the Martin Down Management Committee;
(ii) Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Activities Centre, Bursledon
ORDERED:
That Mrs A.E McEvoy be appointed a County Council representative on the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Activity Centre Management Committee following the resignation of Councillor Mrs. E.M.F. Randall.
96 "YOUR REGION - YOUR CHOICE" - WHITE PAPER.
The Council considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 6 in the Minute Book) following consideration of the proposals contained in the White Paper by the Cabinet on 27 May 2002 and by the Policy and Resources Policy Review Committee on 6 June 2002. The report set out the main strategic issues covered in the White Paper and gave Members the opportunity to debate the issue in the light of earlier discussions in Cabinet and the Policy and Resources Policy Review Committee. Following a wide ranging debate of the key points, a proposal was made to defer consideration of the matter to enable a response to the White Paper to be developed which commanded the full support of all Members of the Council in the interests of retaining and improving quality local government for all of Hampshire's people. The majority of Members, however, considered that the County Council should, at this stage, make its position clear to the Government for the reasons set out in the resolution below.
ORDERED:
That the Government be advised of the County Council's opposition to regional government on the grounds that:
· There is opposition to the principle of regional government by the people of Hampshire who rejected regional government by a clear majority in a very recent poll conducted by MORI; whilst 35% supported regional government, most wanted devolvement of powers from central government rather than drawing powers up from Hampshire County Council;
· That there is no identifiable sense of community in the South East, embracing as it does 8 million people in 9 very different counties;
· That the powers of regional government overlap those of County Councils in 8 of the 10 powers listed in the White Paper and, demonstrably, powers are being drawn up and not devolved down from central government;
· That, with 35 members only, with average constituencies of 250,000 people, such a regional assembly would represent a major reduction in democratic representation and accountability;
· That the White Paper provides little or no evidence that regionalisation will improve the current governance of the South East;
· That, while the costs of reorganisation will be significant, the White Paper fails to address running costs, tax precept powers, and the cost of Local Government Review sufficiently for adequate analysis; the last reorganisation of local government in Hampshire cost £43m, but the cost of introducing regional government and revised local government in Hampshire will be much higher with no discernible benefit;
This Council sees little benefit for Hampshire people but considerable disbenefit if the White Paper's proposals are implemented in the County.
97 CABINET/LEADER - PART I
(i) Appointment to SEEDA/SEERA Joint Europe Committee
Part I of the report of the Cabinet/Leader was presented proposing the appointment of Councillor P.R.C. Hutcheson to the restructured SEEDA/SEERA Joint Europe Committee.
ORDERED:
That Councillor P.R.C. Hutcheson be appointed as the representative of the Hampshire/Isle of Wight/West Sussex Partnership on the SEEDA/SEERA Joint Europe Committee.
(ii) Capital Strategy and Asset Management Plan
Part I of the report of the Cabinet/Leader was presented proposing approval of the County Council's Capital Strategy and Asset Management Plan.
ORDERED:
That the Capital Strategy and Corporate Asset Management Plan appended to the report of the Cabinet/Leader be approved for forwarding to the Government Office for the South East by 31 July 2002.
98 EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR EDUCATION - PART I
ADULT LEARNING PLAN 2002/03.
Part I of the report of the Executive Member for Education was presented proposing approval to the Adult Learning Plan 2002/03.
ORDERED:
That the Adult Learning Plan 2002/03 be approved.
99 STANDARDS COMMITTEE - PART I
(i) Councillors' Allowances
Part I of the report of the Standards Committee was presented making proposals for the County Council's Members Allowances Scheme 2002/03 and adjustments in 2001/02. The recommendations were agreed, save that the position in relation to minority group spokespersons on the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority would be considered further by the Leaders of the political groups.
ORDERED:
That the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel be adopted as amended below:
(a) That the County Council adopt in principle as policy for future years an uplift for inflation in line with the National Pay Award for Local Government staff and consider, each year, whether to apply this percentage increase from 1 April each year;
(b) For 2002/03:
(i) That there should be no change in the basic allowance in the current review beyond an increase for inflation, such increase to be 3% based on the offer to the National Pay Award for Local Government staff negotiators for April 2002, to be implemented from 1 April 2002;
(ii) That there should no change to the higher band and generally to the special responsibility allowances beyond an increase for inflation, such increase to be 3% based on the offer to the National Pay Award for Local Government staff negotiators for April 2002, to be implemented from 1 April 2003;
(iii) That there should be a special responsibility allowance of £10,000 for the 2 posts of Cabinet Member without Portfolio and that this award be backdated to 1 September 2001 and increased for inflation in line with the other allowances as set out in (ii) above, to include any Members who have served on the Cabinet during this period, but have since moved to other duties;
(iv) That the special responsibility allowance for the Leaders of the opposition parties be calculated on the basis of a standard allowance of £5,000 plus £275 for each County Councillor in the group, the increase in allowance for the Leader of the second opposition party to be backdated to 1 September 2001 and both allowances to be increased for inflation on the basis set out in (ii) above;
(v) That a special responsibility allowance of £5,000 be paid to the Chairman of the Standards Committee, backdated to 1 September 2001 and then increased for inflation as set out in (ii) above;
(vi) That no special responsibility allowance be paid to the political spokespersons on the Regulatory Committee;
(vii) That Vice-Chairmen of Policy Review Committees and other main line committees receive an amount equal to 25% of their respective Chairman's allowance with effect from 1 April 2002.
(i) Proposed amendments to the Constitution
Part I of the report of the Standards Committee proposing amendments to the Constitution was presented.
ORDERED:
(a) That Part I Chapter 4 of the Constitution, paragraph 4.01(c) be amended:
· By the deletion of the Community Care Plan;
· By the addition of Health Improvement and Modernisation Programmes;
· By the addition of New Directions for Social Services;
(b) That Part I Chapter 13 of the Constitution, paragraph 13.4 "Authenticating Documents" be amended by the addition at the end of the second paragraph of the following sentence:
"Any contract over a value of £75,000 which is not under seal must be signed by the Head of Corporate and Legal Services (or any other person authorised by the Head of Corporate and Legal Services) and one other person also authorised to do so by the Head of Corporate and Legal Services".
(c) That Part I Chapter 10 of the Constitution relating to statutory joint committees be amended by the addition of the Regional Gymnastics Centre Joint Management Committee reporting to the Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage;
(d) That Part I Chapter 10 of the Constitution, under the heading of "Highway Management Advisory Panels", be revised by the addition of the words "together with the Executive Member for Environment" after the words "to be the County Council's representatives".
100 NOTICE OF MOTION - REVIEW OF PRIMARY SCHOOL PROVISION IN SOUTH WEST BASINGSTOKE.
Councillor B.D. Dash, seconded by Councillor B.T. Gurden, proposed the following motion, notice of which had been given in accordance with Standing Order 17:
"The Council calls upon the Portfolio Holder for Education to reverse his previous decision and rebuild Beechdown School, Basingstoke as a single form entry primary school".
On a point of order raised under Standing Order 18, given that the issue was to be considered by the School Organisation Committee in due course on which 7 Members of the County Council served, the Chief Executive confirmed the need for Members involved in the decision process at that time to be able to give the matter objective consideration in the light of any objections received during the current consultation period.
During discussion particular weight was attached to the wider needs of the local community. The Executive Member for Education repeated the reasons for his decision and the Leader of the Council gave an undertaking to work with the local community with a view to the County Council providing appropriate support and resources to take account of the wider impact of the proposal to close Beechdown School and to improve the quality of life of the local people.
The Council welcomed this approach and, on being put to the vote, the motion by Councillor B.D. Dash was lost.
101 VOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN THE LEADER.
Pursuant to Standing Order 19(e) the Council agreed to the suspension of Standing Orders in order to allow a vote of confidence to be taken in the Leader of the Council. Unanimously it was
ORDERED:
That the Council confirms its confidence in the Leader.
102 NOTICE OF MOTION - A PERSONAL CARE SERVICE FOR THE ELDERLY OF HAMPSHIRE
Councillor M.J. Roberts, seconded by Councillor W.H. Wheeler, proposed the following motion, notice of which had been given in accordance with Standing Order 17
"The Council examines the implications of a free personal care service for the elderly of Hampshire within the Scottish Parliament's implemented policy and report its conclusions to the Local Government Association and other appropriate bodies including Government".
Following debate, the motion proposed by Councillor M.J. Roberts was put to the Council. On the requisition of more than 10 Members the voting on the motion was recorded to show how each Member present and voting gave their vote. The result of the recorded vote was as follows:
Members supporting the motion:
Mrs. A.E. Bailey, Carol Boulton; Ms. E.S.M. Barron; P.R. Brown;
P.J. Chegwyn; J.E. Coles; A.P. Collett; B.D. Dash; G.W. Davies-Dear;
Mrs. P. Dickens; A.G. Dowden; Mrs. J.K. Frankum; B.T. Gurden; K. House;
Jo Kelly; A.R. Ludlow; P. Luffman; P.K. Mason; Mrs. P.G. Peskett; R.H. Price; M.J. Roberts; K.P.J. Searle; Mrs. V. Steel; Dr. J.G.L. Wall; W.H. Wheeler and
D.F. Wright.
Total: 26
Members opposing the motion:
Mrs. S.E. Allbright; D.G. Allen; R.J. Baulk; I.F.E. Beagley; J.V. Bryant;
Mrs E.M. Byrom; M.F. Cartwright; K.G. Chapman; C.R.H. Davidovitz; R.J. Ellis; K.B. Estlin; E.F. Gale; M.S. Geddes; Mrs. S.M. Glasspool; J.K. Glen;
Mrs. D.R. Harrison; S.A. Hayes; Felicity Hindson, MBE; P.R.C. Hutcheson;
R.J. Kimber; D.A. Kirk; T.G. Knight; Mrs. C.A. Leversha; R.C. McIntosh;
Mrs. A.M. McNair Scott; P.A. Pierce; Mrs. E.M.F. Randall; A.W. Rice, TD;
Sir James Scott; M.L. Sheehan; Mrs. M.D. Snaith; J.W. Stocks; T.K. Thornber, C.B.E.; J. Waddington; J.K. West; Mrs. P.A. West; M.J. Woodhall; Jenny Wride.
Total: 38
Accordingly, the motion was declared lost.
103 NOTICE OF MOTION - NATIONAL BUS POLICY.
Councillor M.J. Roberts, seconded by Councillor W.H. Wheeler, proposed the following motion, notice of which had been given in accordance with Standing Order 17:
"Council considers that there is a need for a detailed National Bus Policy by Government that seeks to take on board submitted views from:
(i) The Local Government Association;
(ii) Private and Public Bodies;
(iii) Parliamentary Select Committee itself;
Whereby the many concerns in areas of unregulated provision are better coordinated to provide a real integrated transport strategy.
Further the Council will examine those recently submitted proposals and convey its views through all appropriate channels recognising the importance of the bus sector to its own Transport Plan Strategy."
During discussion Councillor J.K. Glen, Chairman of the Environment Policy Review Committee indicated that that Committee was to consider bussing in Hampshire shortly. At the conclusion of the debate, Councillor Roberts' motion was put to the vote and was lost.
104 NOTICE OF MOTION - M3 NOISE LEVELS.
Councillor Mrs. A.E. Bailey, seconded by Councillor P.K. Mason, proposed the following motion, notice of which had been given in accordance with Standing Order 17:
"That this Council, in line with its policies on improving the Environment for our residents, should request and lobby the Government and Minister for Transport to bring forward the date of the resurfacing of the M3 with a low noise surface, particularly between junctions 4 to 4(A) and 10 to 13 and any other seriously affected section and should also support improved noise barriers along the most densely populated sections".
Councillor K.B. Estlin, with the agreement of Councillor Mrs. Bailey, proposed the deletion of the words "should request and lobby the Government and Minister for Transport" and their replacement with the word "work" so that the matter could be taken forward with local County Councillors and other partners. Following discussion the amendment was put to the vote and was carried.
ORDERED:
That this Council, in line with its policies on improving the Environment for our residents, work to bring forward the date of the resurfacing of the M3 with a low noise surface, particularly between Junctions 4 to 4(A) and 10 to 13 and any other seriously affected section and should also support improved noise barriers along the most densely populated sections.
105 HAMPSHIRE POLICE AUTHORITY.
Councillor S.A. Hayes, the nominated spokesperson for the Police Authority, presented the report of the Police Authority. No questions had been submitted pursuant to Standing Order 20(d) concerning the discharge of its functions.
106 HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY.
Councillor M.F. Cartwright, Chairman of the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority, presented the report of the Authority and answered questions on its content. No questions had been submitted under Standing Order 20 (e) concerning the discharge of its functions.
107 MATTERS FOR INFORMATION OR WITHIN DELEGATED POWERS.
The Part II reports of the following comprising matters for information or dealt with within delegated powers were presented, received and adopted:
The Cabinet/Leader
Executive Member for Social Care
Executive Member for Education
Executive Member for Environment
On paragraph 155, Quality Bus Partnerships, the Executive Member undertook to provide information concerning the impact of the partnerships on linking services to the Environment Policy Review Committee should the Chairman of that Committee agree.
Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage
Standards Committee
The meeting closed at 5.20 p.m.
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