AT A MEETING of the CABINET of HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on Monday 21 March 2005.

PRESENT:

Councillors: T.K. Thornber, CBE (in the Chair); C.R.H. Davidovitz; K.B. Estlin; J.K. Glen; Felicity Hindson; D.A. Kirk; T.G. Knight; M.J. Woodhall.

Also in attendance: Councillors: Mrs P.G. Banks; Mrs E.M. Byrom; A.P. Collett; A.G. Dowden; R.J. Kimber; Mrs C.A. Leversha; A.R. Ludlow (part); Mrs A.M. McNair-Scott; Mrs P.A. West

439. 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. No declarations were made at this time.

440. MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting held on 28 February 2005 were confirmed as a correct record. There were no matters arising.

441. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

(i) The Chairman drew Members' attention to an urgent report regarding

Ampfield Church of England Primary School; the Cabinet's decision on this matter is set out under Minute 450.

442. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

443. INTERIM REPORT OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SCRUTINY INQUIRY INTO THE PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT OF RISK TO CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

The Cabinet considered the interim report of the Chairman of the Scrutiny and Select Committee Inquiry Panel (Item 5 in the minute book) on the prevention and management of risk to children and young people. In expanding on the report, the Inquiry Panel Chairman detailed the process the Panel had followed and drew attention to an initial summary of the written evidence detailed in the report. The Panel was now at the oral evidence stage and it was anticipated that the information gained from this process would be beneficial to the re-organisation of Children's Services as a result of the Children Act 2004.

The Cabinet welcomed the report and adopted the recommendations contained within. A copy of the decision sheet is attached to these minutes as Appendix 1.

444. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL IN 2004/05

The Cabinet considered the ninth annual report of the Chief Executive (Item 6 in the minute book) setting out the major achievements across the spectrum of the County Council over the last 12 months, which highlighted why the County Council is rated as an `excellent' authority. Cabinet welcomed the report and in particular considered the ENHANCE project to be an outstanding example of partnership working. During the course of the discussion, Members identified a number of other noteworthy areas, namely: the Strategy for the Provision of Long Term Residential and Nursing Home Care of Older Persons with Dementia; Kinship Care; the Rights, Respect and Responsibilities programme in Hampshire's schools; and the joint Education and Training Strategy for 14-19 year olds. It was also noted that there had been considerable improvement in reducing the number of fatalities and serious injuries on Hampshire's roads.

It was recognised that the year ahead would see changes: the revised Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) framework would be very testing; the Pay and Benefits project would come to fruition later in the year; Children's and Adult Services were being re-organised in line with the Children Act 2004 and the Green Paper on Adult Services; and efficiency gains would be sought as per Government guidelines which would culminate in the submission of an Efficiency Plan.

The Cabinet adopted the recommendation set out in the report and a copy of the decision sheet is attached to these minutes as Appendix 2.

445. THE BEST VALUE REVIEW PROGRAMME

The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 7 in the minute book) setting out the revised approach to the Best Value Review programme. Changes to the programme have been introduced by the Government aimed at enabling local authorities to focus future reviews on priority areas arising from CPA and other considerations. In welcoming the proposal to draw together review activity at both strategic and service levels, and the opportunity to prepare a programme to meet the challenges that lay ahead, the Cabinet emphasised the importance of the framework being flexible.

The Cabinet adopted the recommendation set out in the report and agreed a further resolution detailed in the substantive decision sheet attached to these minutes as Appendix 3.

446. MEMBERS' ATTENDANCES AT CONFERENCES AND SEMINARS JULY-MARCH 2005

The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 8 in the minute

book) detailing Members' attendances at conferences and seminars for the period July 2004 to March 2005. The Cabinet endorsed the report subject to the recording of Councillor Felicity Hindson's attendance at the LGA General Assembly meeting in December 2004. A copy of the decision sheet and the amended list is attached as Appendix 4 to these minutes.

447. LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN 2006-11

Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 9 in the minute book) setting out the proposed framework for the development of the second Local Transport Plan (LTP). The Cabinet expressed strong reservations in regard to the prescriptive nature of the Government guidance, and considered the late publication of this unacceptable (the final version was published on 8 December 2004 followed by supplementary guidance on 23 and 29 December). Of particular concern was the Government's decision to withdraw the bidding process for allocation of funding in favour of a formula based allocation, the disadvantage being that the level of funding for each authority will be calculated prior to the Government seeing the respective LTP.

The Cabinet adopted the recommendation set out in the report, and in view of the strength of views expressed by Members, agreed two further resolutions. A copy of the substantive decision sheet is attached to these minutes as Appendix 5.

448. REGIONAL HOUSING STRATEGY

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 10 in the minute book) setting out the County Council's proposed response to the South East Regional Housing Board's consultation draft Regional Housing Strategy 2006-09. The Environment Policy Review Committee had also considered the report at its meeting on 16 March 2005 and the Committee's views were reported. Whilst the Cabinet supported the overall Strategy, concern was expressed that the proposals did not go far enough in respect of meeting the needs of local communities and emphasised the need for the Strategy to address the key issues of affordability and the adequate provision of social housing.

The Cabinet adopted the recommendation set out in the report subject to the completion of questions 26 and 27 of the response questionnaire. A copy of the decision sheet is attached as Appendix 6.

449. DRAFT SOUTH EAST PLAN

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 11 in the minute book) setting out the basis of the County Council's response to consultation on the draft South East Plan. In addition, the main outcomes of an extensive public opinion survey conducted by pollsters ICM were reported which indicated that Hampshire residents support the stance the County Council has taken to date. In welcoming the survey findings, the Cabinet were

also very pleased to learn that there had been an exceptional response by Hampshire residents to the questionnaire contained in the special edition of Hampshire Now magazine. The Cabinet noted that detailed findings of the Hampshire Now survey would be presented to the County Council on 31 March 2005 along with additional information on the ICM survey and the Quality of Life study carried out by independent consultants.

The Cabinet adopted the recommendation set out in the report subject to the deletion of paragraphs 41 and 42 of the proposed response (contained in Appendix 1 to the report). A copy of the decision sheet is attached as Appendix 7.

450. AMPFIELD CHURCH OF ENGLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL

(With the concurrence of the Chairman under Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, this matter has been included on the agenda to enable the Council to reconsider its earlier decision to close Ampfield Church of England Primary School. The Council must do this before the Schools Adjudicator makes a decision about the Council's current statutory proposal to close the school as the Adjudicator's decision would be binding upon the Council).

The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 11x in the minute book) following the views of the Cabinet expressed informally at its meeting on 14 March 2005 concerning the future of Ampfield Church of England Primary School. The Cabinet considered a number of factors in reaching its unanimous decision to adopt the recommendations set out in the report. A copy of the decision sheet is attached to these minutes as Appendix 8.

451. EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC

Resolved:

That; by virtue of paragraphs 8 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting.

452. CAPITAL FUNDING PARTNERSHIP WORKING WITH HEALTH

The Cabinet considered the confidential report of the County Treasurer and Director of Social Services (Item 13 in the minute book). Cabinet adopted the recommendations set out in the report and a copy of the non-confidential decision sheet is attached to these minutes as Appendix 9.

Contact: Share D'All, ext 6634, email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1. That the following decision is sought:

That the following recommendations are endorsed by Cabinet:

i) the need to collect, collate and share statistical information be included in planning for the future, especially as part of the partnership approach in implementing the Children Act;

ii) officers should be encouraged, as a matter of good practice, to identify, collect and present statistical evidence to assess projects at the planning, monitoring and evaluation stages where at all possible.

2. Reason

2.1. Such data about the intended impact of projects would enable more evidence based decisions about supporting proposals and improve the ability to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of activities once implemented.

2.2. The decisions support Aim 5 of the Corporate Strategy (Improving services) by ensuring that there is sound evidential basis for the targeting, prioritisation and evaluation of our services.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected - None

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or Other Executive Member Consulted - None.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: ..................................... Date: ...................................

Councillor T. K. Thornber, CBE

Contact: Nick Thomas, ext 7174 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

(i) That the achievements of 2004/05 be welcomed and staff congratulated for their consistent effort and commitment and that the report be circulated to Hampshire MPs.

2. Reason

2.1 To record the major achievements of the County Council in 2004/05.

2.2 This decision supports Corporate Strategy aim 5 (Improving services) and aim 6 (Developing councillors and staff) by keeping members informed about the achievements of the Council and by recognising staff whose efforts have made the achievements possible.

3. Other options considered and rejected - Not applicable.

4. Conflicts of interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive Member consulted - None.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.

6. Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: ..................................... Date: ...................................

Councillor T. K. Thornber, CBE

Contact: Jenny Heath, ext 7402, e-mail: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions were made:

· that Cabinet approve the revised approach to the Best Value Review Programme and receive a further report detailing the reviews which will constitute the 2005/06 programme; and

· that the role of Members in the Best Value Review Programme be acknowledged and that they be encouraged to continue this activity in the future.

2. Reason

2.1 The Best Value Review Programme is a statutory requirement under the Local Government Act 1999. The recommendations propose a change in approach which recognises review activity not currently labelled `Best Value' thus streamlining investment in reviews.

2.2 The content of this report is directly related to Aim 5 of the Corporate Strategy: Improving services - improving our performance.

3. Other options considered and rejected

3.1 Continuing with a separate schedule of best value reviews.

4. Conflicts of interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive member consulted - None.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.

6. Reason for matter being dealt with, if urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: Date:

Councillor T. K. Thornber, CBE

Contact: Debbie Vaughan, ext 7330, e-mail: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

That the attached list of Members' attendances at conferences and seminars be noted.

2. Reason

2.1 The Chief Executive, after consultation with the Leader of the Council or other appropriate Executive Member, is authorised to approve Members' attendances at conferences and seminars. The Standards Committee requires regular reports to be made to the Cabinet on approvals made under the delegated power. This list does not include attendances by Members at conferences and meetings of bodies on which they are the County Council's representative.

2.2 This decision supports Aim 6 of the Corporate Strategy (Developing councillors and staff).

3. Other options considered and rejected

3.1 Not applicable.

4. Conflicts of interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive Member consulted - None.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.

6. Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: ...................................... Date: ........................

Councillor T.K. Thornber, CBE

Contact: Iain Reeve, ext 5301 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions were made:

(i) That the proposed framework for the development of the second Local Transport Plan be approved.

(ii) That concern is expressed that the formula funding proposed will be totally inadequate to cover the essential work required to meet the expectation generated by the Government Local Transport Plan guidance.


(iii) That it is noted that an early provisional version of the County Council's second Local Transport Plan will be forwarded this month to the Government to support the Light Rapid Transit re-submission.

2. Reason

2.1 This decision supports Aims 1 to 5 of the Corporate Strategy: Maximising Life Opportunities; Stewardship of the Environment; Achieving Economic Prosperity; Building Strong and Safe Communities; and Improving Services by providing a structure within which the Local Transport Plan (LTP) is able to state the authority's transport strategy covering 2006-07 to 2010-11 that will in turn contribute to achieving these aims.

2.2 On 10 February 2005 this report was considered by the Environment Policy Review Committee and on 15 February recommended by the Executive Member for Environment to be submitted to Cabinet for approval.

2.3 On 17 March the report was also considered first by the Recreation and Heritage Policy Review Committee and then by the Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage in the form of an appendix to a report entitled `Local Transport Plan 2005/6-2010/11: The Integration of Countryside Access Plans' by the Director of Recreation and Heritage.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 As a Comprehensive Performance Assessment `Excellent' authority, the County Council is not required to produce an LTP. However in order to maximise the level of funding received, and as an opportunity to involve and inform key stakeholders and the general public about the County Council's transport policies, it is considered beneficial to produce an LTP, in full accordance with Government guidance.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or Other Executive Member Consulted - None.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: ..................................... Date: ....................................

Councillor T K Thornber, CBE

265Decn/IR

Contact: Sue Clark, ext 5890 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

That Cabinet approves the contents of Appendix 2 as the County Council's response to the draft Regional Housing Strategy.

2. Reason

2.1 This decision supports Aim 4 (Building Strong and Safe Communities) of the Corporate Strategy by working with others to build strong, safe and sustainable communities.

2.2 This report was considered by the Environment Policy Review Committee on 16 March 2005.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 Not sending a response.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or Other Executive Member Consulted - None.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: ..................................... Date: ...................................

Councillor T K Thornber, CBE

274Decn/SC

Contact: Stuart Roberts, ext 6782 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

That the Cabinet recommends the Council to agree the content of Appendix 1 (attached) as the basis of the County Council's response to the South East Plan.

2. Reason

2.1 This decision supports Aim 2 (Stewardship of the Environment), Aim 3 (Achieving Economic Prosperity), Aim 4 (Building Strong and Safe Communities) and Aim 5 (Improving Services) of the Corporate Strategy by helping to ensure that Hampshire's environment, economic prosperity, services and infrastructure are safeguarded in the South East Plan produced by the South East England Regional Assembly.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 Not to respond to the consultation on the draft South East Plan.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or Other Executive Member Consulted - None.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: ..................................... Date: ...................................

Councillor T K Thornber

272Decn/SR

Contact: Peter Robertson, 01962 847300, [email protected]

1. Summary

The following decision is sought:

That, having considered the views expressed informally at the Cabinet meeting on 14 March 2005, the Cabinet confirms that Ampfield Church of England Primary School should remain open for the reasons set out in the report and that the Council's earlier statutory proposal to close the school should be withdrawn.

2. Reason

2.1 Further consideration of the County Council's proposal to close Ampfield CE School has raised new issues that suggest that a further review of the County Council's position is required.

3. Other Options considered and rejected

3.1 Set out in papers presented to the Education Policy Review Committee, Executive Member and the Hampshire School Organisation Committee.

4. Conflicts of Interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive Member consulted - None

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable

6. Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent

The Council's statutory proposal to close Ampfield School is currently being considered by the Schools Adjudicator. In the light of the views expressed at the informal meeting of the Cabinet on 14 March 2005, it is necessary for the Council to reconsider its earlier decision to close Ampfield School. The Council must do this before the Schools Adjudicator makes a decision regarding the Council's statutory proposal as the Adjudicator's decision would be binding upon the Council.

Approved by: Date:

Councillor T K Thornber, CBE

Contact: Paul Carey-Kent, ext 7525; Terry Butler, ext 7200

1. Summary

1.1 It is proposed to assist the Health Authorities, which have some capital flexibility, but limited revenue capacity, to deliver the level of services required within Hampshire.

1.2 The following decisions are sought:

· that transactions proposed in this report be approved to assist the Health Authorities to the overall benefit of services within Hampshire.

· that the proposal to carry out a review of Section 28a agreements from 2005/06, as set out in the report, be agreed and the results reported to Cabinet for approval.

2. Reasons

2.1 The Health Authorities are finding it difficult to provide revenue payments towards their continuing share of community care but have sufficient capital resources to make a contribution towards the County Council's share of Project Enhance.

2.2 The decisions support the corporate strategy by working in partnership with the Health Authorities to provide nursing care and learning disabilities services under Aim 1 - maximising life opportunities and Aim 5 - improving services.

3. Other options considered and rejected

3.1 Not to support the Health Authorities and incur the risk of difficulties in securing payments under Section 28a for learning disability services in 2005/06.

4. Conflicts of interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive member consulted - Not applicable.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.

6. Reason for the matter being dealt with if urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: Date:

Councillor T K Thornber, CBE