Archived decisions

AT A MEETING of the CABINET of HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on Monday, 18 November 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; M.J. Woodhall.

Councillors A.P. Collett, B.D. Dash, J.K. Glen and W.H. Wheeler were also present.

142 THE LATE COUNCILLOR RITA COLLINS

The Cabinet noted with deep regret the recent death of Councillor Rita Collins, County Councillor for the Basingstoke North West Electoral Division, and stood in silence as a mark of respect to her memory.

143 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

144 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 28 October 2002 were confirmed as a correct record with the exception of Minute 135, Contractors Insurance where the Cabinet considered the wording did not reflect adequately the depth of Members' concerns about the adverse impact of current County Council insurance requirements on small contractors and voluntary organisations. To reflect these concerns a revised text was suggested and incorporating Members' comments, this is as follows:

"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 was serious concern amongst Members that the current arrangements presented very real difficulties for both the small contractor and for voluntary organisations, and that a detailed review was required which would compare Hampshire's practice with comparator authorities, establish the industry norms in relation to types of cover, and identify the factors that could be relevant in reducing or maintaining the usual levels of cover required in the case of small businesses, and also voluntary organisations. The Cabinet therefore agreed that the current framework should continue in operation pending a further report by February 2003 in the light of the review to be undertaken. A copy of the substantive decision sheet is set out as Appendix 4 to these Minutes."

145 CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS

There were no announcements.

146 BUDGET MONITORING - 2002/03 AND BUDGET OUTLOOK 2003/04

The Cabinet considered the report of the County Treasurer (Item 4 in the Minute Book) on the latest budget monitoring position and the budget outlook for 2003/04. The County Treasurer amplified his report and answered detailed questions. Members expressed particular concerns at the potential financial implications for the County Council arising from the firefighters' pay claim (particularly in the absence of any extra Central Government funding for the purpose), and inconsistencies in the advice from the Government as regards its proposals for grant redistribution. With regard to the latter, the Chairman reported that, in response to his recent letter on the subject to the Rt. Hon. Nicholas Raynsford MP,. Minister of State for Local Government and the Regions, he had now received a reply indicating that it was not possible to provide a detailed response at this stage pending further Government decisions. The Cabinet adopted the recommendations and requested that a copy of the report be forwarded to the Hampshire Members of Parliament. A copy of the substantive decision sheet is set out as Appendix 1 to these Minutes.

147 OUTCOME OF BEST VALUE REVIEW OF SERVICES TO YOUNG PEOPLE

The Cabinet considered the report of the County Education Officer (Item 5 in the Minute Book) on the outcome of the Best Value Review of Services to Young People, and subsequent proposals for action. On a point of detail, the Cabinet noted that Recommendation 1 in Appendix 2 should refer to the Youth Best Value Review Panel.

The Cabinet welcomed the measures proposed and adopted the recommendations subject to an additional requirement that the senior officer nominated to lead the work of the cross departmental officer group developing the youth strategy and the Member appointed as a champion on these issues, be requested to submit regular reports to Cabinet. A copy of the substantive decision sheet is set out as Appendix 2 to these Minutes.

148 EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC

RESOLVED:

That by virtue of Paragraph 12 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for consideration of the matter contained in Minute 149 below.

149 CORPORATE RISK ASSESSMENT FOR THE BUILT ESTATE - ANNUAL REVIEW 2002/03

The Cabinet considered the confidential report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 7 in the Minute Book) on the annual assessment setting out the risk associated with the built estate, the management action and controls proposed, and the agenda for future executive action. The Cabinet adopted the recommendations and requested that a summarised version of the report be circulated to all Members of the County Council for information; a copy of the substantive decision sheet is set out as Appendix 3 to these Minutes.

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