Archived decisions
AT A MEETING of the CABINET of HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on Monday, 23 December 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, R.J. Ellis and J.K. Glen were also present.
150 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should normally at the time of the debate, declare their interest and, having regard to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the County Council's Code of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed.
151 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 18 November 2002 were confirmed as a correct record.
152 CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
There were no announcements.
153 COMPREHENSIVE PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT AND THE HAMPSHIRE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME
The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 4 in the Minute Book) which welcomed the Comprehensive Performance Assessment which placed the County Council in the "Excellent" Category, and considered the top level results to identify areas of greatest strength, or where improvements could still be made.
The Chief Executive amplified and updated the report and in doing so drew particular attention to the important contribution of the County Council's staff at all levels to the Comprehensive Performance Assessment success, especially in relation to Best Value Reviews. In noting proposed minor changes to the Social Care reviews referred to in paragraphs 11.3.5 and 11.4.1 of the report, the Cabinet emphasised the need for the Best Value review programme to continue to evolve so that it focuses in particular on the empowerment of customers. Concern was also expressed that some of the performance indicators (notably those relating to Social Care) failed to reflect innovative action being taken to progress certain key areas and the officers were asked to direct particular attention to this point. On the subject of health scrutiny, the Cabinet stressed that the County Council's role should explicitly include all aspects of health service provision, and not solely NHS services as referred to in Appendix 2 of the report.
In conclusion, the Cabinet adopted the recommendations, subject to additional requirements that work should be continued with a view to performance indicators more accurately reflecting aims and policies in the services the County Council provides, and the extension of the scrutiny role to all aspects of health service provision. A copy of the substantive decision sheet is set out as Appendix 1 to these Minutes.
154 REGIONALISM
The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 5 in the Minute Book) which provided an update on a number of measures recently published by the Government which took forward the regionalism proposals for England. The Cabinet adopted the recommendations and a copy of the decision sheet is set out as Appendix 2 to these Minutes.
155 LOCAL GOVERNMENT BILL
The Cabinet considered the report of the County Treasurer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) which summarised the main provisions of the Local Government Bill introduced in the House of Commons on 25 November 2002. The Cabinet adopted the recommendations and a copy of the decision sheet is set out as Appendix 3 to these Minutes.
156 COUNCIL TAX DISCOUNT ON SECOND HOMES
(Councillors Glasspool and Woodhall declared a potential pecuniary interest in this item).
The Cabinet considered the report of the County Treasurer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) which summarised Government changes to council tax discounts in England, and proposed the development of a protocol with District Councils to maximise the use of the additional income accruing to meet local needs and priorities. Whilst endorsing the broad thrust of the recommendation, the Cabinet stressed that the additional revenue raised by reducing council tax discounts on second homes, should be targeted in line with county-wide priorities, and not individually on a District by District basis. A copy of the substantive decision sheet is set out as Appendix 4 to these Minutes.
157 2003/04 PROVISIONAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE SETTLEMENT AND BUDGET GUIDELINES
The Cabinet gave preliminary consideration to the report of the County Treasurer (Item 8 in the Minute Book) on the provisional local government finance settlement and its implications for the 2003/04 budget strategy but, with one exception, deferred taking firm decisions on the recommendations at this juncture. Instead, a further meeting of Cabinet was fixed for 6 January 2003 to give Members more time to consider the significant issues before them. Notwithstanding this, the Cabinet agreed that the draft budget guidelines submitted should be considered by Executive Members and their respective Chief Officers prior to final ratification/amendment by Cabinet on 6 January. The exception referred to above related to Recommendation 22, this was adopted on the basis of the use of a community workshop and/or a representative public telephone survey to gauge opinion in order to avoid unnecessary delays in the public consultation exercise. A copy of the substantive decision sheet is set out as Appendix 5 to these Minutes.
158 PARK AND RIDE EXTENSION BAR END, WINCHESTER (PLANNING APPLICATION NOS. W/03011/01 AND W/03011/05, CONDITION 5 : MITIGATION GRASSLAND)
The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 9 in the Minute Book) which sought approval to the submission of proposals to the Regulatory Committee for mitigation land in connection with the proposed park and ride extension at Bar End, Winchester. The Cabinet adopted the recommendations and a copy of the decision sheet is set out as Appendix 6 to these Minutes.
159 PLANNING AND COMPULSORY PURCHASE BILL - IMPLICATIONS FOR HAMPSHIRE
Consideration of this item was deferred until the special meeting of Cabinet on 6 January 2003, to enable the Executive Member for Environment to discuss with the Director of Environment certain issues raised during the course of preliminary discussion.
160 THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF AIR TRANSPORT IN THE UNITED KINGDOM - A NATIONAL CONSULTATION
The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 11 in the Minute Book) on the regional consultation documents from the Secretary of State on a range of options for the future development of air services and airports in the United Kingdom over the next thirty years. During the course of the ensuing discussion, the Cabinet declined to adopt the recommendation of the Policy Review Committee that the perceived need for a new 24 hour airport in the South East be supported, because of the potentially deleterious effect which this could have on Heathrow and Gatwick Airports. In addition, whilst welcoming the expansion of services from Southampton and Bournemouth International Airports, the Cabinet stressed the need, in respect of Bournemouth, for improved public transport links to be developed in support.
The Cabinet adopted the recommendation revised to reflect the addition on Bournemouth Airport and a copy of the substantive decision sheet is set out as Appendix 7 to these Minutes.
161 SCHOOL REORGANISATIONS, POLICY AND PRACTICE
The Cabinet considered the report of the County Education Officer (Item 12 in the Minute Book) on the issues involved in managing the growing number of surplus places in primary schools and the opportunities offered by local reviews to rationalise and improve provision. In endorsing the broad thrust of the approach advocated in the report, the Cabinet stressed the crucial importance of the involvement of the local County Councillor at the earliest possible stage in any school reorganisation proposals. The Cabinet was also anxious that when a school closure was proposed, careful consideration was given to broaden community implications. A copy of the substantive decision sheet is set out as Appendix 8 to these Minutes.
162 REPORT ON THE CONSULTATIONS ABOUT A SIX TERM YEAR
The Cabinet considered the report of the County Education Officer (Item 13 in the Minute Book) on the outcome of consultations about the six term school and college year recommended by the Local Government Association. Members also received a presentation by Miller Associates on the consultations. On a point of clarification, the Executive Member for Education explained that, whilst the various trade unions had not been involved in formal discussions, the views of their individual members had been taken into account during the course of the consultation process. He also reported that since preparation of the report, meetings had taken place with the Teacher Liaison Panel and the National Association of School Masters and Women Teachers. Having regard to the position with regard to ongoing discussions with interested parties, the Cabinet agreed to the principle of moving to a six term year with effect from September 2004, but deferred taking any detailed decision at this juncture on the model to be adopted. A copy of the substantive decision sheet is set out as Appendix 9 to these Minutes.
163 BEST VALUE PERFORMANCE PLAN
The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 14 in the Minute Book) on various issues relating to the County Council's Best Value Performance Plan. During the course of discussion, the Cabinet emphasised the point that whilst careful consideration would always be given to recommendations from Best Value Reviews, there was no guarantee that these would be implemented having regard to other considerations, including budgetary implications. The Cabinet adopted the recommendations and a copy of the decision sheet is set out as Appendix 10 to these Minutes.
164 LIBERALISING TRADE SERVICES - CONSULTATION ON WORLD TRADE ORGANISATION GATS NEGOTIATIONS
The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 15 in the Minute Book) on the proposed response to the Department of Trade and Industry Consultation Paper entitled "Liberalising Trade in Services". Members were also circulated with a copy of the Brixen/Bressanone Declaration of Cultural Diversity and GATS.
The Cabinet adopted the recommendation subject to the Department of Trade and Industry also being advised that the County Council endorses the contents of the Brixen/Bressanone Declaration of Cultural Diversity and GATS dated 18 October 2002, and urges the Government to do likewise. A copy of the substantive decision sheet is set out as Appendix 11 to these Minutes.
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