ITEM 2

AT A MEETING of the CABINET of HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on Tuesday, 20 July 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; M.J. Woodhall.

Also in attendance: Councillors: Mrs. P.G. Banks; K.G. Chapman; B.D. Dash; M.S. Geddes; Mrs C.A. Leversha; Mrs. P.A. West; W.H. Wheeler.

363 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.

364 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 12 July 2004 were confirmed as a correct record.

365 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

There were no communications.

366 CONSULTATION ON THE DRAFT IDENTITY CARDS BILL

The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 4 in the Minute Book) on a recommended response to the Government's consultation document "Legislation on Identity Cards - A Consultation".

Whilst there was broad support for the Government's proposals to introduce, incrementally, identity cards, and for the proposed response contained in the report of the Chief Executive, the Cabinet urged strongly that there should be a single, standard form of identity card, and that such cards should be provided free of charge. The Cabinet also emphasised the importance of any subsequent amendments to the identity card scheme, following its initial introduction being the subject of a full and proper debate in Parliament. A copy of the decision sheet, amended to reflect the Cabinet's deliberations, is set out as Appendix 1 to these Minutes.

367 EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC

RESOLVED:

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

368 WORKFORCE PLAN 2004/05

The Cabinet received the confidential report of the Acting County Personnel and Training Officer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) on the Workforce Plan 2004/05. Following an initial presentation by the officers, the Cabinet deferred consideration of the Departmental Workforce Plans for 2004/05 until a special meeting of the Cabinet to be convened in September 2004 and asked that in the meantime updated versions of the individual Departmental plans be circulated to Members as soon as possible for detailed examination prior to that meeting. Notwithstanding this deferral, approval was given to the filling of those posts referred to in the Hampshire County Council Workforce Plan where budgetary provision already existed. The Cabinet resolved that all unfunded posts should not be approved and asked for them to be listed and for the budget consequences to be identified. The recommendations regarding the retitling of the Personnel and Training Department and its Chief Officer were adopted. A copy of the amended decision sheet is set out as Appendix 2 to these Minutes.

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