Archived decisions
AT A MEETING of the CABINET of HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on Monday, 23 June 2003.
PRESENT:
Councillors: T.K. Thornber, CBE (in the Chair); D.G. Allen; K.B. Estlin; J.K. Glen; P.A. Heath; Felicity Hindson, MBE; J. Waddington; M.J. Woodhall.
Also in attendance: Councillors M.F. Cartwright, B.D. Dash and Mrs P.G. Peskett (part time)
221. 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.
222. MINUTES
The Minutes of the meetings held on 21 and 27 May 2003 were confirmed as a correct record subject to the inclusion of the name of Councillor P.A. Heath in the list of Members present at the 21 May meeting.
223. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS
There were no communications.
224. FINAL ACCOUNTS 2002/03
The Cabinet considered the report of the County Treasurer together with a supplementary report circulated by him at the meeting (combined to form Item 4 in the Minute Book). The latter paper included two material changes to the original report which had an impact on figures throughout that report and its appendices; copies of the amended papers are therefore set out as Appendix 1(a) to these minutes. The County Treasurer also reported that a £2m claim by Customs & Excise in respect of VAT on landfill site materials had been withdrawn.
During the course of the wide ranging discussion which ensued, the Leader stated that the Pension Scheme was in surplus and that surpluses were automatically invested in the Scheme in accordance with normal practice
The Cabinet adopted the substantive recommendations as set out in the supplementary report and a copy of the decision sheet is set out as Appendix 1(b) to these minutes.
225. REVIEW OF THE CAPITAL PROGRAMME
The Cabinet considered the report of the County Treasurer and the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 5 in the Minute Book) which reviewed the Capital Programme.
During the course of the ensuing discussion, the Cabinet endorsed strongly the County Council's commitment to its share of the funding of South Hampshire Rapid Transit Phase 1 and the nursing care accommodation scheme notwithstanding the significant increases in expenditure involved in each subject to extra revenue costs being contained within the relevant service cash limit. Concern was expressed at the Government's proposals as contained in its consultation document "Building Schools for the Future" and the County Council's earlier response was endorsed. The proposed approach in the consultation document ran directly contrary to the Government's declared policy of giving local authorities greater freedom in the use of capital resources and threatened to undermine the County Council's highly effective asset management approach to its school buildings.
The Head of the Library and Information Service also gave a presentation on proposals for the sale of 81 North Walls, Winchester (the current County Library Headquarters) and Jewry Street, Winchester (the Central Divisional Headquarters and Winchester Lending Library), and the use of the capital receipts to fund, in part, a new cultural centre and County Library headquarters in Sussex Street, Winchester. No provision had been made for extra revenue costs.
The Cabinet adopted the recommendations contained in the report and also formally endorsed the County Council's commitment to the South Hampshire Rapid Transit and nursing care accommodation projects. A copy of the decision sheet is set out as Appendix 2 to these minutes.
226. BUDGET PLANNING AND CONSULTATION 2004/05 AND 2005/06
The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive and the County Treasurer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) on arrangements for holding a community workshop and undertaking a telephone survey as part of the County Council's budget consultation process, and on the proposed basis of the budget options for discussion. The Cabinet adopted the recommendations contained in the report and also asked that a copy of the report be sent to Hampshire MPs for their information and support. A copy of the substantive decision sheet is set out as Appendix 3 to these minutes.
The County Treasurer reported that the fine for delayed discharges from hospital would be set at £100 per day for the County Council, instead of the higher £120 per day for most of the south-east (as the County Council's area cost adjustment was now below the median as a result of the formula grant changes).
227. COUNCIL TAXPAYERS' ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE 2003/04 BUDGET
The Cabinet considered the report of the County Treasurer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) on the enquiries and complaints received about the County Council's council tax and budget for 2003/04. The Leader also reported on letters and e-mails which he had received, and responded to, on the subject. The Cabinet adopted the recommendation contained in the report and a copy of the decision sheet is set out as Appendix 4 to these minutes.
228. REGIONAL WASTE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY - CONSULTATION DRAFT
The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 8 in the Minute Book) on a proposed response to the consultation draft of the Regional Waste Management Strategy published by the South East England Regional Assembly (SEERA). The Cabinet adopted the recommendations contained in the report and a copy of the decision sheet is set out as Appendix 5 to these minutes.
229. LIBERALISING TRADE IN SERVICES - WORLD TRADE ORGANISATION GATS NEGOTIATIONS
The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 9 in the Minute Book) on various matters relating to the World Trade Organisation GATS negotiations. Members expressed concern that in its advice on the subject the Government appeared to have underestimated the potential impact which the proposals for increased liberalisation in services could have on local authorities in terms of reduced responsibility and accountability for the commissioning and provision of services. Accordingly the Cabinet asked that the recommendations contained in the report be strengthened to urge the Government to take appropriate steps to ensure that Britain's position in the matter was properly protected. A copy of the substantive decision sheet is set out as Appendix 6 to these minutes.
230. "ENJOYING HAMPSHIRE" - A CULTURAL STRATEGY FOR HAMPSHIRE
(With the concurrence of the Chairman under Section 100(B)(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, this matter was included on the agenda to ensure that the cultural strategy for Hampshire was endorsed by the Cabinet before being printed and distributed throughout the County).
The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Recreation and Heritage (Item 10 in the Minute Book) on a strategy document which set out a vision for the cultural well being of Hampshire, and described how it could be achieved. The Cabinet approved the cultural strategy for Hampshire and a copy of the decision sheet is set out as Appendix 7 to these minutes.
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