AT A MEETING of the CABINET of HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on Monday, 26 April 2004.

PRESENT:

Councillors: T.K. Thornber, CBE (in the Chair); D.G. Allen; K.B. Estlin; Mrs. S.M. Glasspool, DL; J.K. Glen; Felicity Hindson, MBE; D.A. Kirk; J. Waddington;

M.J. Woodhall.

Also in attendance: Councillors: B.D. Dash and M.S. Geddes.

321 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.

322 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 22 March 2004 were confirmed as a correct record.

323 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

There were no communications.

324 2003/04 BUDGET MONITORING AND BUDGET UPDATE

The Cabinet considered the report of the County Treasurer (Item 4 in the Minute Book) which set out the current projection of the outturn for 2003/04, prior to work commencing on producing the final accounts for that financial year, and provided an update on budgetary issues. During the course of the ensuing discussion particular attention was drawn to the County Council's important contribution to the Dibden Bay Inquiry and Members expressed their delight at the Government's decision to reject proposals for a new port at Dibden Bay. The expenditure by the County Council in presenting its case for refusal was regarded as money well spent in supporting the corporate aim of stewardship of the environment of the County, and the Leader undertook to send a letter to the key County Council officers involved with the Inquiry thanking them for their considerable efforts. Subject to this addition, the Cabinet adopted the recommendations contained in the report and a copy of the decision sheet is set out as Appendix 1 to these Minutes.

325 REVIEW OF THE CORPORATE STRATEGY

Consideration of this item was deferred to the next meeting of the Cabinet to permit further discussions to take place between the Executive Members and relevant Chief Officers as appropriate.

326 THE COMMUNITY STRATEGY FOR HAMPSHIRE

The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 6 in the Minute Book) which sought Cabinet endorsement of the revised Community Strategy document entitled "Shaping Our Future Together - A Community Strategy for Hampshire 2004 - 2007" and accompanying Development Plan, for submission to full Council in May for final approval. Members noted that a number of textual amendments would be incorporated in the final version of the Strategy document. The Cabinet adopted the recommendations contained in the report, subject to the inclusion of these further amendments in the Strategy, and a copy of the substantive decision sheet is set out as Appendix 2 to these Minutes.

327 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL

The Cabinet considered the eighth annual report on major achievements of the County Council, prepared by the Chief Executive (Item 7 in the Minute Book). During the course of the ensuing discussion, the Cabinet noted in particular suggested additions by the Executive Member for Social Care to the Social Services Department Section of Appendix 2, including references to the Children and Young Persons Strategic Partnership, the protocol in respect of elderly abuse, and the integrated equipment store For future years, the officers undertook to move the focus away from Departmental schedules of achievements towards activities themselves. The Cabinet adopted the recommendation contained in the report subject to additions to the Social Services Department schedule, to be agreed in consultation with the Executive Member for Social Care. A copy of the substantive decision sheet is set out as Appendix 3 to thee Minutes.

328 ACCREDITED COMMUNITY SUPPORT OFFICERS

The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive and Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 8 in the Minute Book) which sought Cabinet approval to a proposed scheme of accredited community support officers, to be managed and operated within Property, Business and Regulatory Services. In his introductory comments on the proposals, the Leader drew attention to the Police Authority preference for the officers to be known as accredited community safety - rather than support - officers; this mirrored his and the Cabinet's own view expressed previously and the Cabinet endorsed this change in nomenclature. In agreeing to the principle of managing and operating accredited community safety officers within Property, Business and Regulatory Services, the Cabinet asked for a detailed report to be submitted to Cabinet in July 2004 on the objectives, structure, core duties and processes of the accredited community safety officers. Additional resolutions to reflect the above were agreed and a copy of the substantive decision sheet is set out as Appendix 4 to these Minutes.

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