ITEM 2

AT A MEETING of the CABINET of HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on Monday, 25 October, 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: A.P. Collett; B.D. Dash; P.R.C. Hutcheson R.J. Kimber; Mrs. A.M. McNair-Scott; Mrs. P.A. West; Jenny Wride.

389 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.

390 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 21 October, 2004 were confirmed as a correct record.

391 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

There were no communications.

392 DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

393 SOUTH HAMPSHIRE SUB-REGIONAL STRATEGY AND WESTERN CORRIDOR/BLACKWATER VALLEY SUB-REGIONAL STRATEGY PROGRESS REPORTS

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 5 in the Minute Book) on progress to date with the development of the South Hampshire Sub-Regional Strategy and Western Corridor/Blackwater Valley Sub-Regional Strategy with a view to making appropriate recommendations to full Council. In the discussion which followed, the Cabinet expressed its considerable concern at the unrealistically constrained timetable within which the County Council was being asked to provide advice to the South East England Regional Assembly (SEERA) on sub-regional policies to be contained in the Regional Spatial Strategy entitled, "The South East Plan". As regards the advice to be given, the Cabinet reiterated its view of the importance of any growth being preceded, or at least accompanied by, provision of appropriate infrastructure. Other issues mentioned included urban regeneration, the need for wider availability of affordable housing, and strategic gaps. Central to all these matters was the importance of the quality of life of residents in the areas concerned and there was already clear evidence of a perception amongst many that this was being eroded by the continuing growth. Accordingly, the Cabinet agreed to commission an independent review of the impact of a 6-40% growth above the currently planned rate of house building on the quality of life in the County both in respect of the urban and rural areas. The Cabinet noted that importance discussions would be held at imminent meetings of the Partnership for Urban South Hampshire (PUSH) and the Western and Blackwater Valley Corridor Sub-Regional Members Steering Group and agreed to await the outcome of these deliberations before framing its final recommendations to Council on 28 October. A decision sheet amended to reflect the above is set out as Appendix 1 to these Minutes.

394 COMPREHENSIVE PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT (CPA) 2004

The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive, together with a supplementary update circulated at the meeting (Item 6 in the Minute Book) on progress with the Hampshire Improvement (Comprehensive Performance Assessment) Programme during 2003/04.

The officers noted detailed points raised by Members for inclusion in the comprehensive self assessment including (inter alia) greater emphasis on the following

· the County Council's pre-eminence amongst local authorities in the area of recycling;


· the level of County Council investment in waste disposal facilities;


· the County Council's proactive response to the Children Bill;


· current race and equality initiatives within the County Council;


· ongoing action on pay and benefits;


· the emphasis placed by the County Council on partnership working;


· initiatives on health scrutiny.



The Cabinet noted that these changes would be the subject of final approval by the Leader and on this basis, approved the corporate self assessment and the detailed recommendations set out in the report of the Chief Executive. A copy of the decision sheet is set out as Appendix 2 to these Minutes.

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