AT A MEETING of the CABINET of HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on Monday, 25 July, 2005.

PRESENT:

Councillors: T.K. Thornber, CBE (in the Chair); Mrs. P.G. Banks; C.R.H. Davidovitz;

J.K. Glen; Felicity Hindson, MBE; D.A Kirk; T.G. Knight; R. Perry; Mrs. M.D. Snaith; M.J. Woodhall.

Also in attendance:

Councillors A.P. Collett

For Minutes 34 and 35 - Councillor S.D.T. Woodward.

For Minute 35 - Councillors: F. Allgood; Mrs. E.M. Byrom; M. Cooper; A.G. Dowden; R.J. Ellis; K. Evans; E Gale; K. House; Mrs. C.A.Leversha; Mrs A.M. McNair-Scott; Mrs. S.A. Wheale.

31 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.

32 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meetings held on 13 and 27 June, 2005 were confirmed as a correct record.

33 DEPUTATIONS

A deputation was received from Mr. Sherwin, Chairman of Governors, St John the Baptist C of E Primary School, Titchfield Common, in respect of the matter contained in Minute 34 below.

34 PRIMARY EDUCATION PROVISION TO SERVE THE WHITELEY AREA

The Cabinet considered the report of the County Education Officer (Item 5 in the Minute Book) on the proposed provision of a new one form entry primary school in Whiteley subject to the availability of a suitable site and an appropriate funding strategy.

A detailed discussion ensued during the course of which the Cabinet noted the strong support from the local County Councillors, Councillors Allgood and Woodward for the principle of primary school places for additional Whiteley pupils being provided within the Whiteley development itself.

The Cabinet agreed in principle that the County Council should provide a one form entry primary school in Whiteley, with potential for future expansion, subject to further reports on the availability of a suitable site and an appropriate funding strategy. In addition, it was agreed that every endeavour should be made to house in temporary accommodation those children in the September 2006 Year R who would not otherwise be able to be accommodated at Whiteley Primary School. A copy of the revised decision sheet is attached to these Minutes as Appendix 1.

35 SOUTH EAST PLAN - CONSULTATION ON DISTRICT-LEVEL HOUSING FIGURES (DRAFT)

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Environment setting out proposed District-level housing figures for inclusion in the South East Plan, and the proposed approach for public consultation in respect of these figures. This report was supplemented by a paper prepared by the Director of Environment which provided additional information in respect of the South Hampshire proposed housing distribution following the meeting of the Partnership for Urban South Hampshire on 19 July 2005. Copies of these papers are combined to form Item 6 in the Minute Book.

At the invitation of the Chairman, other Councillors attended the meeting and presented their views on the draft District-level housing figures. In summary the importance of protecting the quality of life of existing Hampshire residents was stressed, the need for properly funded and appropriate levels of infrastructure to accompany any new development emphasised, and general concerns expressed over the numbers themselves. Cabinet Members sympathised with the views expressed. They decided not to endorse the figures at this stage but simply to publish them. A copy of the revised decision sheet is attached as Appendix 2 to these Minutes.

36 HAMPSHIRE MINERALS AND WASTE DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK : "CORE" PLANNING STRATEGY - "ISSUES AND PREFERRED OPTION" - CONSULTATION PAPER (DRAFT)

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 7 in the Minute Book) setting out the background to the process for developing a Minerals and Waste "Core" Planning Strategy and a proposed consultation paper on "Issues and Preferred Options" to be published for public comment. The report was supplemented by a detailed presentation by the Director of Environment. The Cabinet approved the publication of the consultation paper for public comment and a copy of the decision sheet is attached as Appendix 3 to these Minutes.

37 CAPITAL STRATEGY

The Cabinet considered the report of the County Treasurer and the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 8 in the Minute Book) and approved the updated Capital Strategy as an important element of sound asset management. A copy of the decision sheet is attached as Appendix 4 to these Minutes.

38 MEDIUM TERM FINANCIAL STRATEGY, PROVISIONAL BUDGET STRATEGY 2006/07 AND BUDGET CONSULTATION

The Cabinet considered the report of the County Treasurer (Item 9 in the Minute Book) on proposed parameters to enable consultation on the medium term financial strategy and the provisional budget strategy for 2006/07 to take place prior to guidelines for 2006/07 being set in December 2005. Further to the report the County Treasurer reported that the Government had very recently consulted local authorities on proposals, for 2006/07, to change the formulae used to assess revenue support grant which could result in a further loss of Government funding. The Cabinet expressed its grave concern at this latest information. The Cabinet approved the options set out in the report as the basis for consulting on a provisional budget strategy for 2006/07 and 2007/08, and the provisional consultation arrangements. A copy of the decision sheet is attached as Appendix 5 to these Minutes.

39 VALUE FOR MONEY SELF ASSESSMENT

The Cabinet considered the report of the County Treasurer and the Chief Executive (Item 10 in the Minute Book) which summarised the approach for producing a self assessment of the County Council's performance in obtaining value for money, which was required by the end of July 2005 as part of the Comprehensive Performance Assessment framework. The Cabinet noted the report and the implications of the new requirements. A copy of the decision sheet is attached as Appendix 6 to these Minutes.

40 LOCAL PUBLIC SERVICE AGREEMENT - FINAL MONITORING OF LPSA1

The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 11 in the Minute Book) on the final outcome of the County Council's Local Public Service Agreement which ended on 31 March 2005. The Cabinet welcomed the outcomes of the first round of the Local Public Service Agreement, and approved the principle for the allocation of potential performance reward grant in accordance with the details set out in the report. A copy of the decision sheet is attached as Appendix 7 to these Minutes.

41 LOCAL PUBLIC SERVICE AGREEMENT - LPSA2 - UPDATE

The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 12 in the Minute Book) detailing the latest position on the LPSA2 targets and indicators. The Cabinet approved the framework for LPSA2 and the allocation of pump priming grant and reward grant. A copy of the decision sheet is attached as Appendix 8 to these Minutes.

42 OUTCOME REPORT OF THE BEST VALUE REVIEW OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT - PHASE 1 - CONSULTATION

The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 13 in the Minute Book) on the outcomes of the best value review of community engagement, and on proposals for further work. The Cabinet approved the proposals set out in the report and a copy of the decision sheet is attached as Appendix 9 to these Minutes.

43 EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC

RESOLVED:

That, by virtue of the paragraphs shown below 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 items:

Minute 44 - Paragraph 9
Minute 45 - Paragraph 1

44 ENHANCE NURSING CARE PROJECT

The Cabinet considered the confidential report of the Director of Social Services (Item 15 in the Minute Book) on progress with the Enhance Nursing Care Project. The Cabinet requested the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to monitor the re-provision of community services/beds by primary care trusts in Hampshire and asked to receive a further progress report in December 2005. A copy of the decision sheet is attached as Appendix 10 to these Minutes.

45 DEVELOPING THE STRUCTURE OF CHILDREN'S SERVICES

The Cabinet considered the confidential report of the Chief Executive and Director of Human Resources (Item 16 in the Minute Book) on progress with developing the structure of children's services pursuant to the Children Act 2004.

During the course of the ensuing discussion, Members stressed the importance of the challenges facing not only the County Council's Children's Services Department, but also their partners, in delivering the "Every Child Matters" agenda. At the conclusion of a full discussion the Cabinet adopted the detailed recommendations set out in the report and a copy of the decision sheet is set out as Appendix 11 to these Minutes.

5bM44705