AT A MEETING of the CABINET of HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on Monday 23 May 2005.

PRESENT:

Councillors: T.K. Thornber, CBE (in the Chair); Mrs P.G. Banks; C.R.H. Davidovitz; J.K. Glen; D.A. Kirk; T.G. Knight; R. Perry; Mrs M.D. Snaith; M.J. Woodhall.

Also in attendance: Councillors: K.G. Chapman; R.J. Ellis

1. 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.

2. MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting held on 25 April 2005 were confirmed as a correct record.

3. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

4. EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY PERFORMANCE REPORT

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Human Resources (Item 5 in the Minute Book) detailing the outcome of the Best Value Review of Equality and Diversity, the review of the Race Equality Scheme and the annual assessment of the Council's performance against the Equality Standard for Local Government. In support of the report, the Cabinet received a presentation from Jane Goodwin, Equality and Diversity Manager and Mohammed Mossadaq, Race Policy Adviser. The Cabinet were informed of the actions required to achieve continued improvement to ensure that the Council meets its statutory requirements as well as detailing what needs to be done to achieve level 3 of the Equality Standard. The Cabinet welcomed the report and the various initiatives and policies that were being introduced to achieve improvement across all areas. In addition, the Cabinet were strongly supportive of the work that was underway to ensure that all staff and Members take part in equality training appropriate to their role.

The Cabinet adopted the recommendations set out in the report and agreed additional resolutions to request that the presentation they received also be made to the Policy Review Committees, and the re-designation of the existing Disability Discrimination Act Panel. A copy of the substantive decision sheet is attached to these minutes as Appendix 1.

5. STATEMENT OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT - MINERALS AND WASTE DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 6 in the minute book) setting out the Hampshire Minerals and Waste Development Framework Draft Statement of Community Involvement as a basis for public consultation. As part of the Minerals and Waste Development Framework, the County Council has a statutory responsibility to prepare, and put out to public consultation, a Statement of Community Involvement (SCI). It describes how the County Council will involve the local community in preparing and reviewing the various part of the new Minerals and Waste Development Framework and in determining planning applications. Local Authorities are being encouraged to engage more fully with the community on planning matters and the County Council has a sound consultation track record. The Statement is part of a suite of documents including Supplementary Planning Documents, a Development Scheme (three year project plan) and an Annual Report. In considering the SCI, Members recognised the amount of effort that had gone into the preparation of the document and expressed some concern with regard to staff resources and the possibility of additional work. Whilst accepting that it would be necessary for consultants to undertake some aspects of the work, the Cabinet were of the view that the use of consultants should be selective and kept to a minimum.

Subject to a small number of contextual amendments to the draft SCI, the Cabinet adopted the report's recommendations and a copy of the substantive decision sheet is attached to these minutes as Appendix 2.

Contact: Jane Goodwin tel: 8 202 3847; [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1. The following decisions were taken:

That Cabinet

1. Agree the actions identified in the Equality and Diversity Improvement Plan

2. Endorse the recommendations of the Race Equality Scheme Review

3. Continue their support for equality and diversity issues through ensuring that all Members are trained to understand their role


4. Appointed Councillor Roy Perry as Diversity Champion


5. Requested that all Policy Review Committees receive the presentation on Equality and Diversity at the next available meeting


6. Re-designated the existing Disability Discrimination Act Panel to the Diversity and Disabilities Panel, under the chairmanship of Councillor Perry

2. Reason

2.1 Statutory requirement under the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.

2.2 The requirements of the Equality Standard for Local Government.

3. Other options considered and rejected

3.1 None.

4. Conflicts of interest declared by the decision maker or a member or officer 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: Trevor Badley, ext 5795 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

That Cabinet approves the Hampshire Minerals and Waste Development Framework Draft Statement of Community Involvement as a basis for public consultation, pursuant to Regulation 26 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Development) (England) Regulations 2004.

2. Reason

2.1 This decision supports Aims 2, 4 and 5 (Stewardship of the Environment, Building Strong and Safe Communities, and Improving Services) of the Corporate Strategy by contributing to Hampshire County Council's statutory requirement to prepare a Minerals and Waste Development Framework, improving the quality of the planning documents produced through involving the local community and making the planning service offered by Hampshire County Council more accessible to the Hampshire community.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 The Statement of Community Involvement is a statutory planning document, and there is no option to preparing one. Hampshire County Council is committed to the timetable for the production of the SCI, as this is set out in the statutory Hampshire Minerals and Waste Development Scheme. Preparing the Statement of Community Involvement jointly with the Cities is not an option, as each minerals and waste planning authority is required to produce the Statement of Community Involvement separately.

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

328Decn/TB