Archived decisions
At a Meeting of Hampshire County Council held at The Castle, Winchester on Thursday, 27 November, 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
D.G. Allen
p Mrs A.E. Bailey
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.J. Chegwyn
p A.P. Collett
p B.D. Dash
p C.R.H. Davidovitz
p G.W. Davies-Dear
p Mrs. P.M. Devereux
Mrs. P. Dickens
p A.G. Dowden
p Dr. R.J. Ellis
p Capt. K.B. Estlin
p 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
p Jo Kelly
p M.J. Kendal
p R.J. Kimber
D.A. Kirk
p T.G. Knight
p Mrs C.A. Leversha
p A.R. Ludlow
p P. Luffman
p P.K. Mason
p R.C. McIntosh
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
222 MINUTES.
The Minutes of the meeting of the County Council held on 18 September 2003 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman.
223 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.
224 STANDING ORDERS
Ordered:
i) That Standing Order 4 be suspended so as to allow the Council
Meeting in February 2004 to be held on Wednesday 25 February 2004;
ii) That, in relation to the subject matter of Minute 241 below, Standing Order 13 be suspended so as to allow the item to be taken before
Reports for Information (Part II) are received and also that Standing Order 27 be suspended so that the procedure below may be followed
during that debate:
- 10 minutes for the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group to
introduce and explain the subject for debate;
- 4 minutes for a Member speaking on the subject;
- 10 minutes for the Leader of the Council;
- 7 minutes for the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group to respond.
225 DEPUTATION - COUNCIL TAX
The Council received a deputation from Ms Margaret Forrest, Mr. David Lester and Mr. Mike Schofield all of Bishops Waltham and Mrs. Christine Melsom of Headley representing Isitfair? concerning the level of Council Tax and its impact across the community.
226 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS
The Chairman reported with great pleasure the visit to Winchester of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 21 November for the unveiling of the Hampshire Jubilee sculpture and, at the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens and Arboretum, the unveiling of a 50th anniversary plaque to mark her visit. The Chairman also reported on a wide range of other activities around the county.
It was with sadness that she reported the passing of the late Councillor John Coles on 25 November 2003, County Councillor for the Fawley County Electoral Division. She also reported the passing of former County Councillor Major Hugh Rose DL and the Council also learnt, with regret, of the death of Jean Mills, longstanding "lollipop" lady at Charles Kingsley School. Tributes were paid by the Leader of the Council, the Leaders of the Liberal Democrat and Labour Groups and other Members reflecting the outstanding service and commitment which each of those now departed had given to the Hampshire community.
227 LEADER'S REPORT
The Leader was pleased to report the attendance at the meeting of a delegation of 8 local and central government members and officers from The Gambia. They were visiting to learn about local government in England and to see how the County Council's experiences could help them develop their own structures and processes following the introduction of a new system of local government in The Gambia. The group had spent a day each with New Forest District Council and Winchester City Council and were spending 2 days with the County Council. During their time in Hampshire they had heard about two tier local government, the County Council in general, how it worked, its services, priorities and challenges, the Constitution, finance and how the Environment and Education Departments operated. The Leader was proud of the service which the County Council delivered consistently to the Hampshire community and he hoped that the Gambian delegation would take away much from their visit that would assist them in developing their new arrangements.
The Leader was also pleased to report that Andover Cango had won the "Bus in the Countryside" award in the annual Bus Industry awards and, having read the commendation, he congratulated the Executive Members, the Director of Environment and all the staff involved.
The Leader also took the opportunity to report to the Council progress with the Scrutiny Review which he and Councillors Collett and Wheeler were undertaking with help from the backbenchers group previously appointed. Whilst there were no details yet, the Group Leaders saw a developing role here for the Policy and Resources Policy Review Committee. It would not only carry on its existing programme of work but could also expand its scrutiny activities on a corporate front. Hart District Council's Scrutiny Committee, like many others, worked according to the Parliamentary Select Committee model and had kindly extended an invitation to view their meetings in operation. There were many issues to think about before yet more of Members' time and more officer time was committed to make the system work effectively. However, progress was being made and all Members would be kept informed as conclusions were drawn together in due course.
The Leader expressed his disappointment at the response to Executive question time at the end of meetings of the Council. This meeting was the fourth and final meeting in the trial period.
In relation to Minute 241 below, the Leader looked forward to a wide ranging debate without division on party lines. No provision had been made in the procedure agreed under Minute 224 for voting.
228 QUESTIONS UNDER STANDING ORDER 20 (b)
Councillor K. B. Estlin, Executive Member for Environment, answered a question from Councillor M. J. Roberts concerning bus subsidies.
Councillor K. B. Estlin, Executive Member for Environment, answered a question from Councillor M. J. Roberts in relation to 20 m.p.h. speed limits.
Councillor J. Waddington, Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage, answered a question from Councillor Mrs. A. E. Bailey concerning the book fund.
Councillor T. K. Thornber, CBE, Leader of the Council, answered a question from Councillor Mrs. E. M. F. Randall concerning Early Years services which could be made available for the County Council's staff.
Councillor Mrs. S. M. Glasspool, DL, Executive Member for Personnel and Training, answered a question from Councillor K. G. Chapman in relation to staff benefits.
Councillor K. B. Estlin, Executive Member for Environment, answered a question from Councillor D. F. Wright concerning grass cutting and tree and shrub maintenance on highway land.
The Council asked that the replies given be e-mailed to all Members.
229 APPOINTMENTS
No appointments were required.
230 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.
231 GREEN ROOF TECHNOLOGY
The Council considered and approved the report following referral of the notice of motion put by Councillor W. H. Wheeler at the meeting of the County Council on 24 July 2003 to the Leader of the Council for consideration.
Ordered:
That green roof technology be considered for future County Council projects where costs, site and design parameters are appropriate.
232 EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR ENVIRONMENT - PART I
Part I of the report of the Executive Member for Environment was presented by Councillor K. B. Estlin.
233 SUSTAINABLE ENERGY BILL
The Council considered and approved the report following referral of the notice of motion put by Councillor B. D. Dash submitted at the meeting of the County Council on 24 July 2003. The Executive Member reported that Recommendations (i) and (ii) had now been overtaken by events and, accordingly, these were withdrawn.
Ordered:
That the Executive Member for Policy and Resources be asked to consider the provision of combined heat and power as part of the sustainability assessment in feasibility studies for County Council major building projects.
234 REVIEW OF STRATEGY AREAS AND TRANSPORT STRATEGY
PANELS; CHANGE OF NAME OF HIGHWAY MANAGEMENT
ADVISORY PANELS AND REVISED TERMS OF
REFERENCE
The Council considered and approved the report proposing a reduction in transport strategy areas from ten to four and associated revisions to Members panels and their terms of reference. The Standards Committee had endorsed the changes to the Constitution.
Ordered:
(i) That the ten Transport Strategy Areas be revised to four Transport Strategy Areas, as detailed in paragraph 1 of the report, and as detailed on the plan attached as Appendix 1 to the report and also available for inspection in the Members' Rooms.
(ii) That the existing Transport Strategy Panels be wound up and replaced by four new Area Transport Panels with terms of reference and constitution as set out in Appendix 2 to the report.
(iii) That the existing Highway Management Advisory Panels be renamed Highway and Transport Advisory Panels and have the terms of reference as proposed in Appendix 3 to the report, with the addition of up to three representatives each from the District Local Strategic Partnership.
(iv) That the Constitution, Part 1: Chapter 10 - paragraph 10.2 be revised as follows:
Delete:
Local Transportation Panels |
|
Andover and Western Hampshire Transportation Strategy Panel Basingstoke Environmental Strategy for Transport Panel Central Hampshire Rural Transportation Strategy Panel New Forest Transportation Strategy Panel North East Hampshire Transportation Strategy Panel South East Hampshire Transportation Panel South West Hampshire Transportation Panel Winchester Movement and Access Plan Joint Members Panel |
Environment |
Highway Management Advisory Panels |
Add:
Local Transportation Panels |
|
Solent Transport Panel New Forest Transport Panel North East Hampshire Transport Panel Central Hampshire Transport Panel |
Environment |
Highway and Transport Advisory Panels |
(v) That, to meet proportionality requirements, appointments be made to the new Area Transport Panels on the basis of 3 Conservative, 2 Liberal Democrat and
0 Labour in respect of the New Forest and Central Hampshire Panels, and 3 Conservative, 1 Liberal Democrat and 1 Labour in respect of the Solent and North East Hampshire Panels, with names of representatives notified to the Chief Executive in accordance with the usual arrangements.
(vi) That the Chief Executive and the Director of Environment, in consultation
with the Executive Member for Environment, be authorised to make any
consequential arrangements required to effect these decisions.
235 STANDARDS COMMITTEE - PART I
Part I of the report of the Standards Committee was presented by
Councillor C. R. H. Davidovitz, Chairman of the Committee, including a supplementary report circulated at the meeting and marked Item 9 in the Minute Book arising from an additional meeting of the Committee on 26 November 2003.
236 INDEPENDENT EDUCATION APPEAL PANEL - TRAVEL
ALLOWANCE
The Council considered and approved the report of the Standards Committee.
Ordered:
That the motor vehicle allowance for Independent Education Appeal Panel Members be reinstated at 48.5p per mile and that the allowance be increased annually in line with the rate of increase for staff travel allowances.
237 AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
The Council considered and approved the report and supplementary report (Item 9 in the Minute Book) of the Standards Committee. Councillor A. R. Ludlow declared an interest in resolution (ii) and took no part in the debate or voting.
Ordered:
(i) That Part 1, Chapter 10, paragraph 10.2 of the Constitution be amended to
read as follows:
River Hamble Harbour Management Committee |
Environment |
(ii) That Part 2, Chapter 1, paragraph 1.3 of the Constitution be amended to enable:
- The Health Review Committee to delegate health scrutiny powers to a joint
committee and appoint Members when there is an intention by an NHS body
to consult on a substantial variation or development to health services that
extend beyond the area covered by Hampshire County Council
- The Chief Executive, in consultation with the Chairman of the Health Review Committee, may agree to the formation of such a committee, its membership and terms of reference, if there is insufficient time for that decision to be taken by the Health Review Committee, subject to the details being submitted for approval to the next meeting of the Health Review Committee
- Any joint committee so convened will work to a specific proposal and with clear terms of reference, which will be restricted to consideration and agreeing a response to the proposal on which the committee has been consulted
(iii) That Standing Order 21 (f) be amended to read as follows:
" (f) Any deputation which has appeared before the Council, or at
any committee, sub-committee or panel established by the
Council, shall not reappear at any such meeting within a period
of six months on the same or similar topic (except in the case
of a deputation to the Regulatory Committee when it is
exercising a planning function, in which case a deputation may
reappear where an item is adjourned or when there is another
similar planning application submitted in respect of the same
site)".
(iv) That Part 1, Chapter 4, paragraph 4.01 of the Constitution be amended as
follows:
Delete: Annual Library Plan
Children's Services Plan
Health Improvement Modernisation Programmes
New Directions for Social Services
Add: Delivering Better Services (replaces New Directions for Social Services)
238 LOCAL CODE OF CONDUCT FOR COUNCILLORS AND OFFICERS
DEALING WITH PLANNING MATTERS
The Council considered the report of the Standards Committee and expressed strong concerns about the provisions in paragraph 4.2 of the proposed code and the words "not take part in the debate on, ..." at the end of that paragraph in particular, there being a widely held view within the Council that such a provision prevented Members from representing their constituents effectively. Accordingly, the Council agreed the code of practice with the exception of that particular issue which was referred back to the Standards Committee for further consideration.
Ordered:
That the local code of conduct appended to the report of the Standards Committee be approved save that the provisions in paragraph 4.2 about Members' views on local issues be referred back to the Standards Committee for further consideration in the light of extensive consultation.
239 NOTICE OF MOTION - CONSULTATION DRAFT REGIONAL
POLICY STATEMENT II (PPS II)
Councillor M. J. Roberts, seconded by Councillor P. Luffman, proposed the following motion, notice of which had been given in accordance with Standing Order 17:
"This County Council believes that the discussion around the Government's recently released Consultation Draft Regional Policy Statement II (PPS II) must also be seen in the context of the Strategic Rail Authority's statement "Everybody's Railway - the case for Rail" where transport infrastructure and land use are key, but not exclusive ones, in the delivery of Spatial Planning in the South East and in agreed sub regions within.
This County Council also believes that a key to delivery over the next 20 years, and more, is appropriate levels of capital and revenue, from all sources, as well as co-ordination of expenditure to agree to deliver agreed outcomes. This County Council will, therefore, convey its views to Government taking into account these matters in its submission."
Councillor K. B. Estlin, seconded by Councillor J. Waddington proposed an amendment the effect of which was as follows:
delete the words in bold print below:
"This County Council believes that the discussion around the Government's recently released Consultation Draft Regional Policy Statement II (PPS II) must also be seen in the context of the Strategic Rail Authority's statement "Everybody's Railway - the case for Rail" where transport infrastructure and land use are key, but not exclusive ones, in the delivery of Spatial Planning in the South East and in agreed sub regions within.
This County Council also believes that a key to delivery over the next 20 years, and more, is appropriate levels of capital and revenue, from all sources, as well as co-ordination of expenditure to agree to deliver agreed outcomes. This County Council will, therefore, convey its views to Government taking into account these matters in its submission."
add the words in italic print below:
"This County Council regrets the weakening of the link between transport provision and strategic planning in the Government's proposed amendments to the regional planning regime and calls for a statutory role for county councils in regional and sub-regional planning.
This County Council also believes that a key to delivery is an increase in the levels of capital and revenue funding, from all sources. The County Council will therefore convey these views to Government."
Following debate, the motion proposed by Councillor M. J. Roberts was put to the vote and was lost. The amendment put by Councillor K. B. Estlin was supported by the Council and it was
Ordered:
That this Council regrets the weakening of the link between transport provision and strategic planning in the government's proposed amendments to the Regional Planning Regime and calls for a statutory role for County Councils in relation to sub-regional planning. This Council also believes that a key to delivery is an increase in the level of capital and revenue funding from all sources. The County Council will, therefore, convey these views to government.
240 HAMPSHIRE POLICE AUTHORITY
The report of the Hampshire Police Authority was presented by Councillor
S. A. Hayes, the nominated spokesperson for the Police Authority. He also answered a question from Councillor M. J. Roberts pursuant to Standing Order 20 (d) concerning the recent BBC television programme "The Secret Policeman".
241 HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY
The report of the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority was presented by Councillor M. F. Cartwright, Chairman of the Fire and Rescue Authority, and was received. No questions had been submitted pursuant to Standing Order 20 (e) concerning the discharge of the Authority's functions.
242 FAIR AND ADEQUATE FUNDING FOR HAMPSHIRE SERVICES
The subject matter of the debate proposed by Councillor A. P. Collett, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, had been circulated to Members with the agenda and reports for the meeting. In Councillor Collett's view, in introducing the matter, there were three key issues: the Impact of the Council Tax on particular sections of the community; the County Council's inability to fund core services to the maximum extent that it would like; and what should be done to resolve these problems.
A wide ranging debate ensued with a number of Members advocating the introduction of a system of local income tax which, they believed, to be more equitable in terms of reflecting the ability of people to pay and simple to collect through existing Inland Revenue systems.
For many a system of local income tax was not the solution and within the Chamber there were differences of opinion as to the level of increase in income tax which would be required to pay for local services.
There were also fears that passing responsibility for collection to the Inland Revenue could give the government total control over local authority funding and spending. There was a consensus, however, that non-domestic rates should be returned to local government and across the Council there was no argument that the government's current funding arrangements did not serve the people of Hampshire well.
Whilst not ideal, the Council Tax was considered to be a robust regime, difficult to avoid and easy to collect. An improved Council Tax system was considered by members to be the preferred way forward, the existing arrangements having been taken advantage of by the current government to hide its profligacy from the public at large. There was a view that, as a first step, central government needed to control its own costs and run its business more efficiently thus making savings which could be reallocated for the benefit of local government.
There was widespread acceptance that the root cause of the issues facing the financing of local government was the inappropriate level of government funding to support local services. It had been the current government's policy progressively to withdraw its support by way of government grant leaving local government no choice but to raise the Council Tax in order to continue to provide quality services and to combat the loss of funding by the transfer of government funds away from the South East. Most Members believed that a system of local income tax would remove those remaining vestiges of truly local government from local choice and local control.
Councillor Collett acknowledged the views expressed, many of which differed from those which he had put forward on behalf of the Liberal Democrat Group. There were areas where the Council was in total agreement and in line with comments made by many speakers, he agreed that the current government had failed to provide sufficient funding to allow local authorities to meet the many and varied demands of their communities. There was no doubt that changes in local government funding were required to ensure that local taxation impacted on all sections of the community more fairly and to allow local government to be funded more effectively. At the conclusion of the debate, however, Members continued to differ on how best to achieve that objective.
243 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:
- Cabinet/Leader
- Executive Member for Social Care
Councillor Felicity Hindson, MBE, Executive Member for Social Care, reported a minor textual alteration in paragraph 84.3 (payment for skills) so that it read as follows:
"...with disabilities. Families who offer this service in their own homes often have........"
- Health Review Committee
- Executive Member for Education
In the absence of the Executive Member for Education the report was presented by the Leader of the Council and on paragraph 88 (Cherbourg Primary School) the County Education Officer was asked to liaise with Councillors Jo Kelly and K. House in relation to Local Plan issues.
- Executive Member for Environment
In the absence of the Executive Member for Environment the report was presented by the Leader of the Council who undertook that, in response to a question, the Executive Member would discuss the use of contractors with Councillor J. G. L. Wall.
- Executive Member for Spatial Strategy
In the absence of the Executive Member for Spatial Strategy the report was presented by the Leader of the Council and on paragraph 96 (Hythe Pier) the Director of Environment was asked to keep Councillor B. D. Dash and the Leader informed of progress.
- Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage
On paragraph 99 (Hampshire Record Office) the Council extended their congratulations to the Hampshire Record Office's staff on their achievements during 2002/03.
244 QUESTIONS TO THE CABINET
Cabinet Members answered questions on Executive decisions they had made since the previous meeting of the Council. Questions were asked concerning:
- Car parking and access at Farnborough Railway Station;
- Concessionary fares for young people.
The meeting closed at 6.07 p.m.
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