ITEM 2

AT A MEETING of the CABINET of HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on Monday, 27 September, 2004.

PRESENT:

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

Also in attendance: Councillors: A.P. Collett; K.G. Chapman; Mrs C.A. Leversha; Mrs. P.A. West; Jenny Wride.

369 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.

370 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on (a) 20 July, 2004 and (b) 26 July, 2004 were confirmed as a correct record.

371 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

There were no communications.

372 DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

373 2004/05 BUDGET - UPDATE

The Cabinet considered the report of the County Treasurer (Item 5 in the Minute Book) on developments in the 2004/05 budget since its last meeting.

The protocol for expenditure by the pilot Havant Area Committee was discussed in some detail (para 4 of the main report refers) and it was agreed that in normal circumstances expenditure decisions would be taken by the County Members of the Committee. Nonetheless, where it was necessary to expedite progress on a particular project, it was agreed that the Chairman of the Committee should be authorised to approve expenditure against the budget of up to £5,000 on that project after consultations with fellow members, her decision to be reported to the next meeting. Subject to this clarification, the recommendations contained in the report of the County Treasurer were adopted and a copy of the substantive decision sheet is set out as Appendix 1 to these minutes.

374 USE OF ADDITIONAL INCOME FROM REDUCING THE COUNCIL TAX DISCOUNT ON SECOND HOMES - PROGRESS REPORT

The Cabinet considered the report of the County Treasurer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) which provided an update on discussions with District Council officers on ring-fencing the additional income from reducing the council tax discount on second homes for use on affordable housing with nomination rights for County Council key workers in the relevant district council area. This to be subject to review in one year's time. The Cabinet adopted the recommendations contained in the report and a copy of the decision sheet is set out as Appendix 2 to these minutes.

375 GOVERNMENT CONSULTATION ON BUSINESS RATES AND ON GRANTS FOR THE PRIVATE FINANCE INITIATIVE

The Cabinet considered the report of the County Treasurer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) on proposed responses to consultation papers on respectively business rates and grants for the Private Finance Initiative. The Cabinet adopted the recommendations contained in the report and a copy of the decision sheet is set out as Appendix 3 to these minutes.

376 VALUE FOR MONEY AND EFFICIENCY SAVINGS

The Cabinet considered the report of the County Treasurer ((Item 8 in the Minute Book) seeking Cabinet decisions in connection with the greater emphasis on value for money in the Comprehensive Performance Assessment in 2005. The Cabinet adopted the recommendation contained in the report and a copy of the decision sheet is set out as Appendix 4 to these Minutes.

377 CONSTRUCTION RELATED PROCUREMENT

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 9 in the Minute Book) seeking approval to the Hampshire Procurement Model, and related matters. 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.

378 2005/06 BUDGET STRATEGY AND BUDGET CONSULTATION

The Cabinet considered the report of the County Treasurer (Item 10 in the Minute Book) on various issues relating to the 2005/06 budget strategy and budget consultation. The County Treasurer also provided the Cabinet with a detailed presentation on the 2005/06 budget strategy which included a range of possible council tax rises, various budget forecasts and targets. and an outline of the proposed Autumn round of budget discussions. The Cabinet adopted the recommendations, against the background, at this stage, of a number of uncertainties and imponderables, and a copy of the decision sheet is set out as Appendix 6 to these minutes.

379 (A) THE SOUTH EAST PLAN - ADVICE ON POLICIES FOR CENTRAL
HAMPSHIRE AND THE NEW FOREST AND
(B) SOUTH HAMPSHIRE SUB-REGIONAL STRATEGY AND WESTERN CORRIDOR/BLACKWATER VALLEY SUB-REGIONAL STRATEGY - POSITION STATEMENT AND KEY POLICY PRINCIPLES

Due to their close interrelationship, the Cabinet considered together the reports of the Director of Environment on the proposed content of interim advice to the South East England Regional Assembly on the policies to be contained in the South East Plan, and the proposed guiding principles for the County Council's engagement in work on the South Hampshire and Western Corridor and Blackwater Valley Sub-Regional Strategies. Copies of the reports are set out as items 11 and 12 respectively in the Minute Book.

During the course of the ensuing discussion, the Cabinet deplored the shortness of the timescale imposed on the County Council on these issues, and the lack of consultation involved. The Cabinet also felt strongly that the Government and the South East England Regional Assembly were failing to give proper consideration to infrastructure requirements and confirmed the imperative set out at the Spring debates that in the light of previous experience, growth must be preceded, or at least accompanied by provision of appropriate infrastructure. In conclusion the Cabinet noted both reports and remitted them to full Council on 28 October 2004 for consideration.

A decision sheet amended to reflect the Cabinet's deliberations is set out as Appendix 7 to these Minutes.

380 CORPORATE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PERFORMANCE

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 13 in the Minute Book) on progress made in 2003/04 measured against the Corporate Sustainable Development Action Plan, and proposals for rolling forward the Plan in 2004/05. The Cabinet adopted the recommendations in the report and a copy of the decision sheet is set out as Appendix 8 to these minutes.

381 HAMPSHIRE STRATEGY FOR EDUCATION

The Cabinet considered the report of the County Education Officer (Item 14 in the Minute Book) and approved for publication "Maximising Life Opportunities Through Education", the County Council's Strategy for Education. A copy of the decision sheet is set out as Appendix 9 to these minutes.

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