Archived decisions
AT A MEETING of the CABINET of HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on Monday, 24 February 2003.
PRESENT:
Councillors: T.K. Thornber, CBE (In the Chair); D.G. Allen; Mrs. S.M. Glasspool, DL; P.A. Heath; Felicity Hindson, MBE; D.A. Kirk; M.J. Woodhall.
Also in attendance: Councillors Mrs. E.M. Byrom; A.P. Collett, B.D. Dash, J.K. Glen and W.H. Wheeler.
173 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.
174 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 10 February 2003 were confirmed as a correct record.
175 CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
There were no announcements.
176 REGIONALISM
The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 4 in the Minute Book) which summarised the position on a number of issues relating to the Government's regional assemblies agenda, and set out a proposed response on the "soundings" exercise on the level of interest in holding referendums and on Boundary Committee guidance.
A detailed discussion ensued during the course of which the Cabinet approved the broad thrust of the report, but asked that certain sections of the responses be strengthened and amplified to reflect the depth of feeling of Members on the topic, and of Hampshire residents as apparent from survey data. In particular, the responses should:-
●
contend that voters in unitary authorities should not be able, via a
referendum, to influence the Local Government structure outside their area.
●
place more emphasis on the need to devolve powers for regional assemblies
from Central Government rather than acquiring them from existing authorities
as is currently proposed.
●
place more emphasis on the survey results which showed that support for a
referendum declined markedly once the likely effects on Local Government
and on costs were understood.
●
place more emphasis on the importance of "critical mass" within authorities
delivering key services.
●
urge that existing partnerships, especially with unitary councils, should be
taken into account as part of the review.
A copy of the substantive decision sheet is set out as Appendix 1 to these Minutes.
177 SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES : "BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE" - STATEMENT BY THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 5 in the Minute Book) which summarised the key proposals put forward in the recent statement by the Deputy Prime Minister in publishing "Sustainable Communities : Building for the Future".
The Cabinet agreed to the recommendation that a fuller report be submitted to a future meeting, but asked that prior to this the matter be considered by the Policy and Resources, and Environment, Policy Review Committees and the Strategic Planning Joint Advisory Panel.
A copy of the substantive decision sheet is set out as Appendix 2 to these Minutes.
178 SOUTH DOWNS NATIONAL PARK : DESIGNATION ORDER
[Councillor Mrs. S.M. Glasspool, DL declared a personal interest in the matter by virtue of owning a property closely adjacent to the proposed National Park boundary. Councillor Felicity Hindson declared an interest by virtue of owning a property within the proposed National Park boundary.]
The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 6 in the Minute Book) on the publication by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs of a designation order for the proposed South Downs National Park, and the County Council's proposed formal response.
Councillor Mrs. E.M. Byrom, the local Member for Catherington, attended the meeting and gave a presentation to Cabinet seeking support for the inclusion of Rowlands Castle in the National Park.
The Cabinet noted with concern that the scope of the inquiry on the National Park effectively prevented the County Council from addressing the issue of democratic accountability as it had been able to do at the public inquiry on the New Forest National Park.
After due consideration of all the issues, the Cabinet adopted the recommendations contained in the report and a copy of the decision sheet is set out as Appendix 3 to these Minutes.
179 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL - 2002
The Cabinet considered the Annual Report on the major achievements of the County Council (Item 7 in the Minute Book). The Cabinet adopted the recommendation, but asked that in addition to Hampshire Members of Parliament the report be circulated to the following:-
· All Hampshire District Councils
· the Unitary Authorities of Portsmouth and Southampton
· South East England Development Authority
· South East European Regional Assembly
· The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
A copy of the substantive decision sheet is set out as Appendix 4 to those Minutes.
180 MEMBERS' ATTENDANCES AT CONFERENCES AND SEMINARS : OCTOBER 2002 - JANUARY 2003
The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 8 in the Minute Book) on the attendance of Members at conferences and seminars as approved by him after consultation with the Leader of the Council or other appropriate Executive Member for the period October 2002 - January 2003. The Cabinet adopted the recommendation contained in the report and a copy of the decision sheet is set out as Appendix 5 to these minutes.
181 STANDING ORDER 20(b) - MEMBERS' QUESTIONS
This item, included on the agenda under the provisions of Section 100(b)(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, was withdrawn.
182 EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC
RESOLVED:
That by virtue of paragraph 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting.
183 NURSING CARE ACCOMMODATION : PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION
The Cabinet considered the confidential report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services and the Director of Social Services (Item 10 in the Minute Book) on action taken to date on the development strategy for the provision of 500 nursing care spaces in Hampshire. The Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services provided a brief update for the Cabinet.
The Cabinet adopted the recommendations contained in the report and a copy of the decision sheet is set out as Appendix 6 to these Minutes.
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