Archived decisions
At a Meeting of Hampshire County Council held at The Castle, Winchester on Thursday, 24 July, 2003 at 10.00 a.m.
Chairman :
p Councillor Mrs. M. D. Snaith
Vice-Chairman:
p Councillor J. V. Bryant
Councillors:
p Mrs S.E. Allbright
p D.G. Allen
p Mrs A.E. Bailey
p Mrs. E.S.M. Barron
p Mrs P.G. Banks
p R. J. Baulk
p I.F.E. Beagley
p Carol Boulton
p F.J. Bright
p P.R. Brown
p Mrs. E.M. Byrom
p M.F. Cartwright
p K.G. Chapman
p P.J. Chegwyn
p J.E. Coles
p A.P. Collett
p B.D. Dash
p C.R.H. Davidovitz
p G.W. Davies-Dear
p Mrs. P.M. Devereux
p Mrs. P. Dickens
p A.G. Dowden
p Dr. R.J. Ellis
p Capt. K.B. Estlin
W.J. Filer
p Mrs. J.K. Frankum
p E.F. Gale, M.B.E.
p M.S. Geddes
p D. Gillett
p Mrs S.M. Glasspool, D.L.
p J.K. Glen
p B.T. Gurden
p Mrs. D.R. Harrison
p S.A. Hayes
p P.A. Heath
p Mrs. K. Heron
p Felicity Hindson, M.B.E.
p Mrs. P.G.E. Holden-Brown
p K. House
p P.R.C. Hutcheson
Jo Kelly
p M.J. Kendal
p R.J. Kimber
p D.A. Kirk
p T.G. Knight
p Mrs C.A. Leversha
A.R. Ludlow
p P. Luffman
p P.K. Mason
p R.C. McIntosh
p Mrs. A.M. McNair Scott
p Mrs. P.G. Peskett
p P.A. Pierce
p R.H. Price
p Mrs. E.M.F. Randall
p A.W. Rice, T.D.
p M.J. Roberts
p Sir James Scott
K.P.J. Searle
p J.D. Shaw
p M.L. Sheehan
p Mrs. V. Steel
p J.W. Stocks
p T.K. Thornber, C.B.E.
p J. Waddington
p Dr. J.G.L. Wall
p J.K. West
p Mrs P.A. West
p W.H. Wheeler
p M.J. Woodhall
p Jenny Wride
p D.F. Wright
180 MINUTES.
The Minutes of the meeting of the County Council held on 15 May 2003 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman.
181 DECLARATION OF INTERESTS.
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.
182 SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDER 21
ORDERED:
That Standing Order 21 be suspended in order to receive a deputation concerning development at Bar End, Winchester and related issues notice of which had been given
to the Chief Executive less than 10 clear days in advance of the meeting.
183 DEVELOPMENT AT BAR END, WINCHESTER
The Council received a Deputation from Emily Edmonstone and Alan Weeks, (Winchester City Residents Association) opposing the development of land at Bar End, Winchester for the extension of park and ride provision for Winchester and raising associated issues including the views of young people.
184 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS.
On behalf of Members of the Council and the people of Hampshire the Chairman had written to Her Majesty the Queen offering loyal greetings on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of her Coronation, to which her Chief Clerk had responded sending The Queen's warm good wishes to us all.
The Chairman's theme for her year of office was the Voluntary Sector. To this end she had met with Community Action Hampshire with the intention of visiting voluntary centres and organisations across the County during the year. The Chairman would be writing to all Members asking for nominations for people known to them to attend a reception in The Great Hall on 22 October. She hoped that with Members' help some of the many `unsung heroes' from across the County could be identified.
The Chairman had received many letters of thanks from stalwarts in the voluntary community who had been invited to the County Council Service in Winchester Cathedral on 6 July for being recognised in this way.
The Chairman reported the Long Service Reception she would be hosting in The Great Hall on 24 September to thank those members of staff who had achieved 25 years service with the County Council for their hard work and contribution to the success of the Council. Invitations would be sent out in the next few weeks and the Chairman asked that Members put the date in their diary and attend to show their appreciation to staff for their long service.
185 LEADER'S REPORT
It was with sadness that the Leader reported to the Council the passing of Christine Bond, a popular member of the Countryside Team in the Recreation and Heritage Department. The Leader extended the Council's sympathy to her husband who also worked in the Countryside Service.
The Leader reported on the recent opening of the new Visitor Pavilion at Hillier's Arboretum a few previously by the Lord Lieutenant. He was pleased to say that the Queen had now given her agreement that the Visitor Pavilion be dedicated to the memory of the late Queen Mother. There was now a plaque to this effect at the Pavilion.
Last year, as part of the Queen's Jubilee celebrations, the County Council had commissioned a sculpture for the area between Three Minsters House and the Law Courts in Winchester. The sculpture was based on the concept of the County Council's roles in civic government, the Church, the Army and the Royal connections that there had been for many years with Winchester as the former seat of government. The Leader reported that the work would begin in August and be completed later this year bringing to a conclusion the work to the Court Yard and the approach to the Great Hall. Subject to the Queen's diary she might be able to see the sculpture for herself later in the year.
The Leader recalled that he and the County Treasurer had written in June to the 40,000 contributors and 22,000 pensioners in the Hampshire Pension Fund. Their aim had been to reassure all concerned. A shortfall of £690m had been reported in March 2003 if every member of staff were to retire immediately and draw their benefits now. The Leader reiterated that this situation was not going to occur. Since the "shortfall" had been identified, markets had recovered by 14%. Cash flow projections remained positive over the next 10 years. More income from employers' and employees' contributions would be paid into the Fund than pensions benefits paid out. The Leader was pleased to say that the letter had been well received with many telephone calls, e-mails and letters of thanks for the reassurance and for setting out the position clearly. No complaints had been received about the way the information was presented. The Leader restated his public assurance that accrued benefits remained safe within the Local Government Pension Scheme.
The Leader drew attention to awards made by the Environment Agency in relation to water efficiency. The awards were made in different categories and this year staff in the Property, Business and Regulatory Department had been given a special commendation for work done on water savings over a 10 year period. The judging panel's view was "That the example of the County Council's long term commitment to the protection of water services set a standard to which other local authorities should aspire". The Leader expressed his congratulations to the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services and all the staff involved.
It gave the Leader great pleasure to report the presentation to the County Council by the Assembly of European Regions of a certificate recognising the County Council's contribution to European affairs.
In relation to the Periodic Electoral Review, the Leader reported that the Boundary Committee for England had only the previous day let the County Council know that publication of their recommendations for County Electoral Divisions would not now take place until November.
Following the Members seminar on 23 July which considered ways of developing the County Council's scrutiny role, the Leader made a number of proposals aimed at
re-invigorating scrutiny within the County Council. Firstly, in place of the Policy and Resources Policy Review Committee a Corporate Select Committee would be established, able to investigate any matter within the County Council's remit and to report directly to the County Council. A chairman and two vice-chairmen would be appointed, one of the vice-chairmen representing a minority group. A further measure would be the incorporation into a County Council day of the equivalent to a Parliamentary supply day. A minority group would have the opportunity to table items for debate. Thirdly, a further County Council meeting would be used to promote a debate in full Council in relation to the state of the county in response to an address by the Leader as to the aims and aspirations of the Executive. Panels of leading Members and back-bench Members would be asked to consider how best to develop these proposals leading to revision of the Constitution as required.
In relation to the South East England Regional Assembly, it gave the Leader great pleasure to report the allocation of a seat to the County Council on the Regional Planning Committee, the appointment to which would be dealt with later in the meeting.
The Leader also reported that Rita Sammons, County Personnel and Training Officer was leaving the employment of the County Council to take up a senior post with the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives in September. The Leader placed on record his and the Council's appreciation of the sterling work Rita had done since joining the County Council 13 years ago. Councillor Mrs. S. M. Glasspool, Executive Member for Personnel and Training, echoed the Leader's sentiments.
186 BUS ROUTES IN BASINGSTOKE
With the leave of the Council, Councillor Mrs. J. K. Frankum presented a petition
to the Chairman concerning changes to bus routes in Basingstoke and their impact on
the community. The petition was passed to the Executive Member for Environment for
attention.
187 QUESTIONS UNDER STANDING ORDER 20(b)(i).
Councillor T.K. Thornber, CBE, Leader of the Council, answered a question
from Councillor M.J. Roberts concerning Health and Safety issues.
Councillor Felicity Hindson, MBE, Executive Member for Social Care, answered
a question from Councillor Mrs. P.G.E. Holden-Brown concerning elected Member
representation on Fostering Panels.
188 APPOINTMENTS.
The following appointments were
ORDERED:
i) That Councillor C. R. H. Davidovitz be appointed a member and chairman of the
Standards Committee w.e.f. 1 September 2003;
ii) That Councillor Mrs. C. A. Leversha be appointed a member of the Standards
Committee with effect from 1 September 2003;
iii) That Councillor Mrs. S. E. Allbright be appointed Vice-Chairman of the
Standards Committee with effect from 1 September 2003;
iv) That Councillor G. W. Davies-Dear be appointed a member of the Eastleigh
Museum Joint Management Committee in place of Councillor
Mrs. P. G. E. Holden Brown;
v) That Councillor G. W. Davies-Dear be appointed a member of the Bursledon
Windmill Joint Management Committee in place of Councillor
Mrs. P. G. E. Holden Brown;
vi) That Councillor J. K. Glen be appointed to represent the County Council on the
Regional Planning Committee of the South East England Regional Assembly
until the Annual Meeting of the County Council in May 2005;
189 CABINET/LEADER - PART I.
Part I of the report of the Cabinet/Leader was presented by Councillor
T. K. Thornber CBE, Leader of the Council.
190 FINAL ACCOUNTS.
The Council considered and approved the report and the detailed draft Pension
Fund Accounts. The accounts were signed by the Chairman of the County Council and
endorsed by the Leader.
ORDERED:
That the draft 2002/03 Hampshire Pension Fund accounts as set out in the Appendix to Item 7 in the minute book be approved.
191 REVIEW OF CAPITAL PROGRAMME
The Council considered and approved the report concerning variations to the capital programme. Councillor A. W. Rice TD declared an interest in this item as a member of the Winchester Theatre Royal Board.
ORDERED:
That the additional resources totalling £15m (£2m allocated in each of 2005/06 and 2006/07 together with capital receipts targeted over the period and other adjustments) be used to add the Winchester Cultural Centre and Discovery Centres, including Gosport, to the capital programme (£4.8m) and to generate future capital receipts by investment in development infrastructure at Popley and Manydown (£10.2m).
192 EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR EDUCATION - PART I
Part I of the report of the Executive Member for Education was presented by Councillor D. G. Allen, the portfolio holder.
193 ADULT LEARNING PLAN 2003/04
The Council considered and approved the report concerning the Adult Learning Plan 2003/04, one of the Council's policy framework documents. The detailed plan had been placed in the Members' Rooms and the report of the County Education Officer to the Education Policy Review Committee which advised the Executive Member is set out in the minute book, marked Item 7. An amendment proposed by Councillor A. W. Rice and seconded by Councillor Mrs. P. M. Devereux to add words in relation to funding was agreed.
ORDERED:
That the Adult Learning Plan 2003/04 be approved and that the County Council looks forward to continuing and enhanced funding from the Learning and Skills Council for 2004/05 onwards.
194 PENSION FUND PANEL
The Council considered and approved the report of the Pension Fund Panel.
ORDERED:
That pursuant to Section 101 (I) (b) of the Local Government Act 1972, Test Valley Borough Council be authorised to exercise the functions of the County Council under Regulations 63, 69 and 70 of the Local Government Pension Scheme to enable it to operate a shared cost additional voluntary contribution scheme with an insurance company of their choice for death in service gratuities.
195 GREEN ROOF TECHNOLOGY - NOTICE OF MOTION
Councillor W. H. Wheeler, seconded by Councillor D. F. Wright proposed the following motion notice of which had been given pursuant to Standing Order 17:
"This County Council being concerned with the future of both the urban and rural areas of Hampshire and the development issues of air and water quality and storm management asks:
That our architects look into Green Roof Technology to see if it would be suitable for:
a) buildings that we are designing for public use;
b) influencing other architects building within our county.
The benefits to the County would be:
1) Increased area for insects and bird life to thrive;
2) to help control the water flow in the long term leading to fewer incidents
of flooding."
ORDERED:
That the Notice of Motion be referred to the Buildings, Land and Contracts Panel to
advise the Leader as to the response.
196 SUSTAINABLE ENERGY - NOTICE OF MOTION
Councillor B. D. Dash, seconded by Councillor A. P. Collett proposed the following motion notice of which had been given pursuant to Standing Order 17:
"This Council supports sustainable energy and accordingly supports the Sustainable Energy Bill, which gives statutory backing to the following targets, namely:
An increase in domestic energy efficiency of 20% by 2020 as recommended by the Performance and Innovation Unit's `Energy Review', the Energy Savings Trust and the Sustainable Development Commission;
The generation of 25% of electricity from renewable sources by 2020;
The generation of 10 GW of electricity by combined heat and power by 2010
and so resolves to:
1. Support the Sustainable Energy Bill
2. Inform the Association for the Conservation of Energy of this support.
3. Include an assessment of the use of CHP in feasibility studies for all
County Council major building projects".
ORDERED:
That the Notice of Motion be referred to the Executive Member for Environment for
consideration and report.
197 EUROPEAN CONSTITUTION - NOTICE OF MOTION
Councillor Dr. R. J. Ellis, seconded by Councillor R. G. Chapman proposed the following motion notice of which had been given pursuant to Standing Order 17:
(i) "That this Council notes the proposed European Constitution being prepared by the European Convention will have huge implications for Hampshire County Council. The Constitution will give the European Union "shared competence" over home affairs, transport, energy, social policy, economic and social cohesion, consumer protection and the environment, meaning overall more legislation and guidance binding on local government will be decided at a European rather than a national level.
(ii) That given the Government has used referendums to approve other constitutional change affecting local and national government, including establishing regional assemblies and directly-elected mayors, this Council believes the people of Hampshire should be able to have their say on these constitutional changes in a referendum.
(iii) This Council therefore resolves to make a formal written submission to the Prime Minister, supporting calls for a national referendum on the proposed European Constitution."
The following amendment was proposed by Councillor A. P. Collett, seconded
by Councillor B. D. Dash:
i) "This Council notes that the proposed European Constitution being prepared by
the European Commission, then the Intergovernmental Conference and the
Council of Ministers is fundamentally an amalgamation of existing Acts and
Treaties such as the Single European Act and the Maastricht Treaty. This
Council recognises that the preparation of a simplified and clear constitution is a
necessary prerequisite before enlargement to a 25 member Union.
ii) This Council believes that calling for a referendum on a Constitution which
proposes no significant transfer of powers, would be just a thinly-veiled attempt
to engineer a referendum designed to take Britain out of the European Union.
iii) This Council, however, believes that if the Constitution proposes the transfer of
significant new powers to European institutions, in particular in the fields of tax
or defence, then there must be a referendum of the British people. In these
circumstances it, therefore, resolves to make a formal written submission to the
Prime Minister supporting calls for such a national referendum on the proposed
European constitution. Judgement on whether such a referendum is needed must,
therefore, be made when the contents of the proposed Constitution become clear.
iv) This Council reaffirms its support for British membership of the European
Union."
A third amendment, proposed by Councillor W. H. Wheeler, seconded by Councillor M. J. Roberts, was not accepted by the Chairman given that it did not comply with Standing Orders 27 (f) and (g).
Following debate, paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) of the motion proposed by Councillor A. P. Collett were put to the Council. On the requisition of more than 10 Members, the voting on this part of the motion was recorded to show how each Member present and voting gave his vote. The result of the recorded vote was as follows:-
Members Supporting the Motion:
Councillors Mrs. A. E. Bailey; Carol Boulton; Mrs. E. S. M. Barron; P. R. Brown;
J. E. Coles; A. P. Collett; B. D. Dash; G. W. Davies-Dear; Mrs. P. Dickens;
A. G. Dowden; B. T. Gurden; Mrs. P. G. E. Holden Brown; K. House; P. K. Mason;
Mrs. P. G. Peskett; R. H. Price; J. D. Shaw and Dr J. G. L. Wall.
Total: 18
Members Opposing the Motion:
Councillors Mrs. S. E. Allbright; D. G. Allen; Mrs. P. G. Banks; R. J. Baulk;
I. F. E. Beagley; F. J. Bright; Mrs. E. M. Byrom; M. F. Cartwright; K. G. Chapman;
C. R. H. Davidovitz; Mrs. P. M. Devereux; Dr. R. J. Ellis; K. B. Estlin;
Mrs. J. K. Frankum; E. F. Gale; M. S. Geddes; D. Gillett; Mrs. S. M. Glasspool;
J. K. Glen; Mrs. D. R. Harrison; S. A. Hayes; P. A. Heath; Mrs. K. Heron;
Felicity Hindson; P. R. C. Hutcheson; M. J. Kendal; R. J. Kimber; D. A. Kirk;
T. G. Knight; Mrs.C. A. Leversha; P. Luffman; R. C. McIntosh;
Mrs. A. M. McNair-Scott; P. A. Pierce; Mrs. E. M. F. Randall; A. W. Rice;
M. J. Roberts; Sir James Scott; M. L. Sheehan; Mrs. V. Steel; J. W. Stocks;
T. K. Thornber; J. Waddington; J. K. West; Mrs. P. A. West; W. H. Wheeler;
M. J. Woodhall; Jenny Wride; D. F. Wright.
Total: 49
Councillors J. V. Bryant and Mrs. M. D. Snaith abstained.
Accordingly, the Motion was declared lost.
Paragraph (iv) of the Motion proposed by Councillor A. P. Collett was then put to the Council. On the requisition of more than 10 Members, the voting on this part of the Motion was recorded to show how each Member present and voting gave their vote. The result of the recorded vote was as follows:
Members supporting the amendment:
Councillors Mrs. S. E. Allbright; D. G. Allen; Mrs. A. E. Bailey; Mrs. P. G. Banks;
Mrs. E. S. M. Barron; R. J. Baulk; I. F. E. Beagley; Carol Boulton; P. R. Brown;
F. J. Bright; Mrs. E. M. Byrom; M. F. Cartwright; K. G. Chapman; J. E. Coles;
A. P. Collett; B. D. Dash; C. R. H. Davidovitz; G. W. Davies-Dear; Mrs. P. M. Devereux;
Mrs. P. Dickens; A. G. Dowden; R. J. Ellis; K. B. Estlin; Mrs. J. K. Frankum; E. F. Gale;
M. S. Geddes; D. Gillett; Mrs. S. M. Glasspool; J. K. Glen; B. T. Gurden;
Mrs. D. R. Harrison; S. A. Hayes; P. A. Heath; Mrs. K. Heron; Felicity Hindson;
Mrs. P. G. E. Holden Brown; K. House; P. R. C. Hutcheson; R. J. Kimber; D. A. Kirk;
T. G. Knight; P. Luffman; P. K. Mason; R. C. McIntosh; Mrs. A. M. McNair-Scott;
Mrs. P. G. Peskett; P. A. Pierce; R. H. Price; Mrs. E. M. F. Randall, A. W. Rice;
M. J. Roberts; Sir James Scott; J. D. Shaw; M. L. Sheehan; Mrs. V. Steel; J. W. Stocks; T. K. Thornber; J. Waddington; Dr. J. G. L. Wall; J. K. West; Mrs. P. A. West; W. H. Wheeler; M. J. Woodhall; D. F. Wright.
Total: 64
Members opposing the Motion:
Councillor Mrs. C. A. Leversha
Total: 1
Councillors J. V. Bryant; M. J. Kendal; Mrs. M. D. Snaith; and Jenny Wride abstained++++++.
Accordingly, paragraph (iv) of the Motion by Councillor A. P. Collett was
declared won.
With the leave of Councillor R. J. Ellis, mover of the substantive Motion,
the word "any" was substituted for "the" in the second line of paragraph (iii) of his
amendment and his Motion, together with paragraph (iv) of the amendment put by
Councillor A. P. Collett and adopted by the Council were put to the Council.
ORDERED:
(i) That this Council notes the proposed European Constitution being prepared by the European Convention will have huge implications for Hampshire County Council. The Constitution will give the European Union "shared competence" over home affairs, transport, energy, social policy, economic and social cohesion, consumer protection and the environment, meaning overall more legislation and guidance binding on local government will be decided at a European rather than a national level.
(ii) That given the Government has used referendums to approve other constitutional change affecting local and national government, including establishing regional assemblies and directly-elected mayors, this Council believes the people of Hampshire should be able to have their say on these constitutional changes in a referendum.
(iii) This Council therefore resolves to make a formal written submission to the Prime
Minister, supporting calls for a national referendum on any proposed European
Constitution.
iv) That this Council reaffirms its support for British membership of the European
Union.
198 HAMPSHIRE POLICE AUTHORITY.
Councillor S.A. Hayes, the nominated spokesperson for the Police Authority, answered questions from Councillors D. F. Wright pursuant to Standing Order 20(d) concerning the amalgamation of Gosport and Fareham Basic Command Units and from Councillor M. J. Roberts about police involvement following reports in the national press about the safety of Communications Workers Union members when delivering post in New Milton.
199 HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY.
The report of the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority was received. No questions had been submitted pursuant to Standing Order 20 (e) concerning the discharge of its functions.
200 MATTERS FOR INFORMATION OR WITHIN DELEGATED POWERS.
Part II of the reports of the following comprising matters for information or dealt with within delegated powers were presented, received and adopted:
The Cabinet/Leader
Executive Member for Social Care
Health Review Committee
Executive Member for Education
Executive Member for Environment
Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage
On paragraph 41 (The East Hampshire Consortium Community Resources Project), the
Executive Member reported his decision to defer the matter pending the receipt of further
information.
201 QUESTIONS TO THE CABINET.
Having agreed the recommendation of the Standards Committee at the previous meeting that 30 minutes be set aside for questions of Cabinet Members at the May and July meetings of the Council, Cabinet Members answered questions on executive decisions they had made since the previous meeting of the Council. Questions were asked concerning:
Monitoring traffic speeds and the need for protective action for pedestrians on completion of the Worting Road/Penrith Road/Sarum Hill/Essex Road pedestrian facilities and carriageway resurfacing scheme.
Implementation of the Hursley Road/Hiltingbury Road, Chandlers Ford signal improvement scheme.
The meeting closed at 3.50 p.m.
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