Archived decisions
AT A MEETING of the CABINET of HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on Monday, 28 October 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.
Councillors A.P. Collett, B.D. Dash and W.H. Wheeler were also present.
129 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
The following Councillors declared non-pecuniary interests in items as follows:
Councillor Heath - Minute 135
Councillor Hindson - Minute 132
Councillor Kirk - Minutes 132 and 135
Councillor Waddington - Minute 135
130 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 23 September 2002 were confirmed as a correct record.
131 CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
There were no issues arising under this item.
132 HEALTH OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY
The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 4 in the Minute Book) on proposals relating to the discretionary powers of the County Council with regard to health overview and scrutiny. The Cabinet expressed its strong support for the County Council exercising this power and hoped that the Government would recognise the significant additional resource implications of this decision by providing specific funding for the purpose. In view of the significance of the issue to the County Council it was felt appropriate to recommend to full Council the appointment of a separate new committee to perform the function. The Cabinet approvals based on these central principles are contained in the substantive decision sheet attached as Appendix 1.
133 MONITORING THE LOCAL PUBLIC SERVICE AGREEMENT
The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 5 in the Minute Book) which described progress against targets after six months of implementation of the local Public Service Agreement. During the course of the ensuing discussion, Executive Members undertook to report back to Cabinet on performance indicator results as they became available; the Executive Member for Education gave a brief summary at the meeting. The Cabinet adopted the recommendation and a copy of the decision sheet is set out as Appendix 2 to these Minutes.
134 APPLICATION UNDER THE BEACON COUNCIL SCHEME - "RETHINKING CONSTRUCTION"
The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 6 in the Minute Book) on an application made for Beacon Council status under the theme of "Rethinking Construction". The Cabinet adopted the recommendation and a copy of the decision sheet is set out as Appendix 3 to these Minutes.
135 CONTRACTORS' INSURANCE
The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 7 in the Minute Book) which sought endorsement for arrangements proposed by the Risk Management Board for agreeing when lower levels of insurance may be required of contractors undertaking work for the County Council.
The Cabinet considered that it was of crucial importance to achieve an appropriate balance between protecting the best interests of the County Council yet at the same time not placing unrealistic demands on the small contractor in terms of the cover required, and remaining flexible. There remained a number of areas where the Cabinet felt that some further information would be helpful, especially in relation to the practice amongst comparator authorities, the industry norms in relation to types of cover and the factors that could be relevant in reducing or maintaining the usual levels of cover required in the case of small businesses. The Cabinet agreed that the current framework should continue in operation pending consideration of these issues. A copy of the substantive decision sheet is set out as Appendix 4 to these Minutes.
136 MEMBERS' ATTENDANCES AT CONFERENCES AND SEMINARS - APRIL - SEPTEMBER 2002
The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 8 in the Minute Book) on Members' attendances at conferences and seminars for the period April - September 2002. The Cabinet adopted the recommendation subject to the deletion of the reference to the Local Government Association General Assembly and Conference at the foot of the Appendix. A copy of the substantive decision sheet is set out as Appendix 5 to these Minutes.
137 PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS - PRIVATE FINANCE INITIATIVE
(With the concurrence of the Leader under Section 100(B)(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972 this matter was included on the agenda to update the Cabinet on progress and issues associated with the Public Private Partnerships (PPP) and the Private Finance Initiative (PFI)
The Cabinet considered the joint report of the Chief Executive, Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services and the County Treasurer (Item 8x in the Minute Book) on issues relating to the Public Private Partnerships and the Private Finance Initiative. The Cabinet adopted the recommendations subject to the Private Finance Initiative being endorsed as an option on the basis that it should only be used to supplement agreed capital priorities which could not otherwise be delivered. A copy of the substantive decision sheet is set out as Appendix 6 to these Minutes.
138 EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC
RESOLVED:
That by virtue of the paragraph of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting:
Minute 139 Paragraph 7
Minute 140 Paragraph 9
Minute 141 Paragraph 1
139 BEST VALUE REVIEW OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL'S CORPORATE AIM "ACHIEVING ECONOMIC PROSPERITY"
The Cabinet considered the confidential report of the Head of Economic Development (Item 10 in the Minute Book) on matters relating to the Best Value Review of the County Council's Corporate Aim "Achieving Economic Prosperity". The Cabinet adopted the recommendations and a copy of the decision sheet is set out as Appendix 7 to these Minutes.
140 NURSING CARE INVESTMENT STRATEGY
Pursuant to Minute 128 of 23 September 2002, the Cabinet considered the confidential report of the Director of Social Services, County Treasurer and Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 11 in the Minute Book) on the nursing care investment strategy. The Cabinet welcomed the acceptance, in principle, of the capital bid for investment in nursing care and requested reports on progress not less than every six months including, when available, full details of relevant legal agreements. A copy of the substantive decision sheet is set out as Appendix 8 to these Minutes.
141 CHIEF OFFICER APPOINTMENTS
(With the concurrence of the Leader under Section 100(B)(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972 this matter was included on the agenda to ensure full compliance with Standing Order 41 of the County Council's Constitution
regarding Chief Officer appointments)
The Cabinet endorsed the appointment of the following persons to the posts indicated:-
Mr. Y. Ezra - Director of Recreation and Heritage
Ms A. Quant - Director of Environment
Mr. D. Tarrant - Deputy Director of Environment
Mr. A. Mills - Assistant Director of Environment
Mr. M. Denton-Thompson - Assistant Director of Environment
Mr. J. Wilkinson - Assistant County Education Officer
Minute 141 - Paragraph 1
A copy of the decision is set out as Appendix 9 to these Minutes.
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