Archived decisions
AT A MEETING of the CABINET of HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on Monday, 28 July 2003.
PRESENT:
Councillors: T.K. Thornber, CBE (in the Chair); D.G. Allen; J.K. Glen; Felicity Hindson, MBE; J. Waddington; M.J. Woodhall.
Also in attendance: Councillors A.P. Collett; K.G. Chapman (part time); B.D. Dash;
Mrs. J.K. Frankum (part time) and W.H. Wheeler.
231 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.
232 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 23 June 2003 were confirmed as a correct record.
Arising thereon:
Minute 224 - Final Accounts 2002/03
The Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage reported that following an informal meeting he had had with senior Member and officer representatives of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, the financial position at Milestones Museum, Basingstoke had been stabilised and financial projections were on target.
On the report of the County Treasurer it was agreed that with regard to underspendings, the current policy of returning 50% to the service be adhered to in respect of Policy and Resources, Education, Recreation and Heritage and Social Services and that Environment be not required to carry forward its overspending of £256,000.
233 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS
There were no communications.
234 CAPITAL STRATEGY AND ASSET MANAGEMENT PLAN
The Cabinet considered the report of the County Treasurer and the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 4 in the Minute Book) on the draft Capital Strategy and Corporate Asset Management Plan. Whilst Members regarded the documents as most useful aids to their ongoing deliberations, there was concern that despite earlier assurances given by Central Government about increased freedoms and flexibilities as a result of the County Council attaining "excellent" status, the Council was still being required to submit documents of this type, in a prescribed form, to support funding bids.
Following a full discussion during which the County Treasurer amplified the report and answered Member questions, the Cabinet adopted the recommendation contained in the report and a copy of the decision sheet is set out as Appendix 1 to these Minutes.
235 ADAPTING TO THE PROPOSED REFORM OF THE PLANNING SYSTEM
The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 5 in the Minute Book) on a series of proposed actions aimed at ensuring that the County Council could develop a new role in the light of the Planning Bill which reflected its status as both a service provider and the voice of the community on strategic matters. Further to the report, the Leader advised that the County Council had now secured a seat on the Regional Planning Committee and that Councillor Glen had been appointed as its representative at meetings. The Cabinet adopted the recommendations subject to amending (i) to welcome the seat now offered on the Regional Planning Committee and accept same forthwith. A copy of the substantive decision sheet is set out as Appendix 2 to these Minutes.
236 SOUTH EAST DRAFT REGIONAL HOUSING STRATEGY
The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 6 in the Minute Book) on the proposed form of a response to the consultation on the South East Draft Regional Housing Strategy. The Director of Environment reported that since preparation of the report, a revised final draft strategy had been circulated which differed from the original in the following main respects:-
· the report no longer included the list of "key strategic growth points" which included Hampshire's major development areas, replacing this with a statement of support for "other key strategic land releases". The final strategy was generally less specific and had moved away from listing particular areas.
· the report no longer included weightings to influence the distribution of funding for key workers and for other overall priorities. Additional issues identified in the County Council's earlier submission concerning key workers, such as the current problems local authorities faced in providing for people in priority need, had not been taken account of.
A full discussion ensued during the course of which the Cabinet expressed specific concerns about housing for key workers and in general the inadequacy of affordable housing provision. In conclusion the Cabinet agreed to endorse the provisional response submitted, but requested that a supplementary submission be prepared in the light of the amended draft consultation which reflected the views of the Cabinet as expressed at this meeting, this submission to be approved by the Executive Member for Environment or the Executive Member for Spatial Strategy as appropriate. A copy of the substantive decision sheet is set out as Appendix 3 to these Minutes.
237 MAJOR DEVELOPMENT AREAS - PROGRESS REPORT
(Councillor Glasspool declared an interest in this item as a member of the Manydown Joint Management Committee and took no part in the discussions).
The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 7 in the Minute Book) on progress on the Major Development Areas identified in the Structure Plan, and the position with regard to the West of Basingstoke (Manydown) Major Development Area.
During the course of the ensuing discussion the Cabinet reiterated its support for the principle of Major Development Areas as meeting the strategic objectives of the Structure Plan and, across Hampshire as a whole, minimising the loss of, or damage to, areas of countryside and/or conservation value. There was also renewed support for the Manydown development proposals with their emphasis on strong control of the design framework and a controlled release of land. The benefits of this approach had been demonstrated in quality development of other land in Basingstoke which had formerly been in the ownership of the County Council.
On a point of clarification, the Chief Executive advised that the Manydown Land had never been earmarked for potential use as a country park.
The Cabinet considered that it would be premature to consider whether to pursue a more proactive approach to bringing forward other major development areas until the Government's position on certain key policy issues such as, in particular, the Planning Bill, had crystallised. The recommendations were amended to reflect this decision and a copy of the substantive decision sheet is set out as Appendix 4 to these Minutes.
238 STREET LIGHTING - BIDDING FOR PFI CREDITS
The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 8 in the Minute Book) on the position with regard to the backlog in the replacement of street lighting columns within the County. 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.
239 RECYCLING SERVICE FOR SCHOOLS
This item was deferred until the September meeting of Cabinet.
240 THE STATE OF THE COUNTRYSIDE 2020
This item was deferred until the September meeting of Cabinet.
241 AER WORKING PARTY REPORT "REGIONS - THE CRUCIAL ROLE OF SUB NATIONAL GOVERNANCE IN THE SUCCESS OF EUROPE"
The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 11 in the Minute Book) on the conclusions of the Assembly of European Regions (AER) Working Party, led by Hampshire, which had examined issues of regionalism across Europe.
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.
242 OUTCOME OF BEST VALUE REVIEW OF SUPPORT FOR THE VOLUNTARY AND COMMUNITY SECTOR
The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 12 in the Minute Book) on the outcome of the Best Value Review of Support for the Voluntary and Community Sector. Whilst endorsing the principles set out in the report, the Cabinet asked that the additional costs referred to in the report be met from existing budgets. A copy of the substantive decision sheet is set out as Appendix 7 to these Minutes.
243 OUTCOME OF BEST VALUE REVIEW OF DEMOCRATIC SERVICES
This item was deferred until the September meeting of Cabinet.
244 MEMBERS' ATTENDANCES AT CONFERENCES AND SEMINARS - FEBRUARY 2003 - JUNE 2003
This item was deferred until the September meeting of Cabinet.
245 THE EQUALITY STANDARD FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT
The Cabinet considered the report of the County Personnel and Training Officer (Item 15 in the Minute Book) on progress since the County Council had adopted the Equality Standard for Local Government and published the Corporate Equality Plan and Race Equality Scheme in May 2002. In endorsing fully the principles contained in the report, the Cabinet instructed that Members who had not undergone appropriate training in respect of their role and duties in connection with the implementation of the Equality Plan and Race Scheme should not be considered for membership of interviewing panels. In addition, it was agreed that detailed presentations on the topic be made to Policy Review Committees by the Equality and Diversity Adviser at the next round of meetings. A copy of the substantive decision sheet is set out as Appendix 8 to these Minutes.
246 MS RITA SAMMONS
Members noted that the current meeting of Cabinet was the last which Ms Sammons would attend before taking up a new post with SOLACE Enterprises in September. The Leader, his Cabinet, and the Leaders of the Minority Groups joined in paying tribute to Ms Sammons' dedicated and outstanding service to the County Council over a period of 13 years in its employment.
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