Archived decisions

AT A MEETING of the CABINET of HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on Monday 28 June 2004.

PRESENT:

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

Also in attendance: Councillors K.G. Chapman; A.P. Collett; B.D. Dash; T.G. Knight; Mrs C.A. Leversha; Mrs A.M. McNair-Scott; W.H. Wheeler.

338. 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.

339. MINUTES

    The Minutes of the meeting held on 1 June 2004 were confirmed as a correct record.

340. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS


The Chairman announced that the Minister for Rural Affairs had today announced his decision that the New Forest will become a National Park. Full details would be available in due course, however Cabinet noted that some changes to the boundary specified in the New Forest National Park (Designation) Order 2002 would be made.

341. FINAL ACCOUNTS 2003/04

    The Cabinet considered the report of the County Treasurer (Item 4 in the Minute Book) detailing the County Council's Final Accounts for 2003/04. The County Treasurer provided a summary and the Cabinet was pleased to note the final outturn. During the course of the ensuing discussions, the potential effect on the grant settlement in respect of inaccuracies surrounding the 2001 Census, and the level of the County Council's earmarked reserves were raised. The Cabinet adopted the recommendations detailed in the decision sheet which is set out as Appendix 1 to these Minutes.

342 RELEASE OF CONTINGENCY ITEMS 2004/05 BUDGET

    The Cabinet considered the report of the County Treasurer (Item 5 in the Minute Book) detailing proposals for the release of contingency items for new growth. The Cabinet adopted the recommendation detailed in the decision sheet which is set out as Appendix 2 to these Minutes.

343. COUNCIL TAXPAYERS' ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE 2004/05 BUDGET

    The Cabinet considered the report of the County Treasurer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) detailing enquiries and complaints received in regard to the County Council's 2004/05 council tax and budget. The Cabinet adopted the recommendation detailed in the decision sheet which is set out as Appendix 3 to these Minutes.

344. CHANGES TO THE PROVISION OF ADULT LEARNING

    The Cabinet considered the report of the County Education Officer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) on new priorities for the provision of adult and community learning set by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Learning and Skills Council (local LSC), and the implications for the learners supported by the County Council.

    Whilst the Cabinet concurred with the wider focus of the local LSC, Members felt strongly that the lack of resources to support adult learning for personal interest coupled with the late announcement of the changes to funding was most regrettable. Such courses provided a much needed source of interest for a wide spectrum of the community, and associated with this was the implications for people's health and well-being if current levels of support for activity courses cannot be maintained. The Cabinet agreed that a joint letter from the Leader of the County Council and the Leaders of the Liberal Democrat Group and the Labour Group would be sent to the local LSC detailing these concerns and copied to all Hampshire MPs. A decision sheet amended to reflect these views is set out as Appendix 4 to these Minutes.

345. THE CHILDREN BILL - PROGRESS REPORT

    The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 8 in the Minute Book) detailing progress to date with regard to putting arrangements in place to discharge the County Council's responsibilities under the Children Bill, assuming that the Bill becomes an Act. The Cabinet concurred with the general thrust of the report and considered the integration of services to be of prime importance, as was maintaining an approach of delivering a service to the `whole family' rather than separating adult and children services. In addition, Members requested that the Chief Executive investigate the possibility of meetings support being provided by the corporate centre for the Children and Young Peoples' Strategic Partnership, and for work to be undertaken on bringing the difficulties of obtaining funding for partnership working to the attention of MPs. The Cabinet adopted the recommendation detailed in the decision sheet which is set out as Appendix 5 to these Minutes.

346. LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION CONSULTATION ON INDEPENDENCE, OPPORTUNITY, TRUST - AN AGENDA FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES

    The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 9 in the Minute Book) detailing a proposed response to the Local Government Association consultation document "Independence, Opportunity, Trust - an Agenda for Local Communities." As a result of the ensuing discussions, officers noted some amendments to strengthen the County Council's response to this consultation. A copy of the decision sheet and Section 4 of the report, amended to reflect Members deliberations in regard to the response, is set out as Appendix 6 to these Minutes.

347. MEMBER ARRANGEMENTS AT THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

    The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 10 in the Minute Book) seeking comments on a consultation document from the Local Government Association in respect of future Member arrangements. In noting the contents of the report, the Cabinet emphasised the importance of the different tiers of local government being properly represented as well as ensuring the right level of representation to enable enhanced and meaningful Member participation to take place, and asked that arrangements for deputies be clarified. A substantive decision sheet is set out as Appendix 7 to these Minutes.

348. BEST VALUE PERFORMANCE INDICATORS - PERFORMANCE

    2003/04

    The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 11 in the Minute Book) detailing the performance indicator results for 2003/04, general conclusions to be drawn from them, and future targets in relations to the selected basket of key best value performance indicators. The Cabinet agreed to defer this matter pending submission to the Policy and Resources Scrutiny and Select Committee for consideration, the outcome of which will be reported to the Cabinet in due course. An amended decision sheet is set out a Appendix 8 to the Minutes.

349. THE QUALITY PARISH AND TOWN COUNCIL SCHEME AND A REVISED PARISH CHARTER


The Cabinet agreed to defer this matter to its meeting on Monday 12 July 2004.

350. COASTAL DEFENCE PLANNING

    The Cabinet agreed to defer this matter to its meeting on Monday 12 July 2004.

351. CHANGES TO THE CONSTITUTION: RIVER HAMBLE HARBOUR AUTHORITY

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Environment (Item 14 in the Minute Book) the purpose of which was to seek approval to initiate a review of the governance of the River Hamble Harbour Authority which might result in the need to publish a Harbour Revision Order. In considering the report, the Cabinet noted that the outcome of the review might entail a change to the County Council's Constitution and welcomed this matter being brought to their early attention. The Cabinet adopted the recommendation detailed in the decision sheet which is set out as Appendix 9 to these Minutes.

352. MEMBERS' ATTENDANCE AT CONFERENCES AND SEMINARS : JANUARY 2004 TO JUNE 2004


The Cabinet considered a report of the Chief Executive which provided details of Members' attendances at conferences and seminars for the period January to June 2004. Members reported a number of amendments to the schedule and as a result, the Cabinet agreed to defer this item to the next meeting on Monday 12 July 2004 to allow time for officers to make the necessary changes.

353. EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC


That, by virtue of paragraph 12 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Action 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for consideration of the following item.

354. SOUTH HAMPSHIRE RAPID TRANSIT (PHASE I) COMPULSORY LAND ACQUISITION FOR THE SCHEME


The Cabinet considered the confidential report of the Director of Environment on issues relating to the compulsory acquisition of land for the proposed South Hampshire Rapid Transit Phase I project. The Cabinet adopted the recommendations detailed in the decision sheet which is set out as Appendix 10 to these Minutes.