Archived decisions

COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS, 29 SEPTEMBER 2005

HAMPSHIRE

At a Meeting of Hampshire County Council held at The Castle, Winchester on Thursday 29 September 2005 at 10.00 a.m.

Chairman:

p Councillor John K. West

Vice Chairman:

p Councillor Mrs. P. A. West

Councillors:

An additional item had been added to the Council's agenda relating to bus subsidies pursuant to Standing Order 4.2. The Chairman reported his intention to take the item immediately after item 7 on the agenda, the decision item concerning the Hampshire Minerals and Waste Development Framework.

38 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.

39. MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting of the County Council held on 21 July 2005 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

40 DEPUTATION

In relation to the additional item concerning bus subsidies, the Council received a deputation from Mr. K. Watts and Dr. J. G. L. Wall of Whitchurch concerning the impact of the review of bus subsidies on local services and local communities.

41. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman welcomed John Coughlan, the County Council's new Director of Children's Services, who was attending his first meeting of the Council. The Chairman went on to mention forthcoming events which he was hosting in the Great Hall and the wide range of engagements he had undertaken, several including royal visits to Hampshire. He thanked Councillor Mrs. P. A. West, Vice-Chairman of the Council, for deputising for him when necessary. The Civic Service had taken place on 18 September and on 15 September the Chairman had hosted his Civic Day visiting places of interest in East Hampshire before ending the day at Fort Nelson in Fareham.

It was with regret that the Chairman announced the passing of former County Councillor Lady Betty Cuthbert C.B.E. who had served from 1967 to 1974, and Alfred Snaith, husband of Councillor Mrs. Margaret Snaith, presently Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage and Chairman of the County Council for 2003/04. The Council stood in silence as a mark of respect.

42. LEADER'S REPORT

The Leader outlined arrangements for reporting the Cabinet's response to the recommendations of the Policy and Resources Scrutiny and Select Committee's recommendations concerning the management of risk with Children and Young People to all members of the County Council. This would be achieved by way of notification by the Chief Executive when the Cabinet's views were to hand.

The Leader then drew to the Council's attention plaudits received from a member of the public concerning Milestones Museum at Basingstoke and awards for HC3S, the County Council's in-house catering service for the healthy balanced meals they produce for Hampshire's schoolchildren, and from the New Forest Show for the County Council having the "Best Large Stand" at the show. The County Council was also shortlisted for Bus Partnership Awards. The Leader congratulated everyone involved.

In conclusion the Leader mentioned a proposal to grant Honorary Alderman status to former County Councillors Liz Barron, Edith Randall and Alex Varden. The proposal was roundly applauded.

43. QUESTIONS UNDER STANDING ORDER 20(b)(i)

Councillor Mrs. P G. Banks, Executive Member for Adult Social Care, answered a question from Councillor D. F. Wright concerning operation of the SWIFT computer system.

Councillor T. K. Thornber C.B.E., Leader of the Council, answered a question from Councillor Alan Broadhurst concerning bus subsidies in the context of spending in other areas.

Councillor Mrs. P. G. Banks, Executive Member for Adult Social Care, answered a question by Councillor A. G. Dowden concerning budgetary pressures for Adult Services.

Councillor T. K. Thornber C.B.E., Leader of the Council, answered a question from Councillor A. P. Collett concerning work being done by the County Council to protect Post Offices from closure.

Councillor T. K. Thornber C.B.E., Leader of the Council, answered a question from Councillor B. D. Dash concerning pressures on the bus services budget.

Councillor T. K. Thornber C.B.E., Leader of the Council, answered a question from Councillor S. H. Reid concerning illegal encampments by travellers, the cost of clear up operations and the need for mutual respect for Hampshire.

Councillor Mrs. P. G. Banks, Executive Member for Adult Social Care, answered a question from Councillor A. G. Dowden concerning the impact of independent living funding changes on the Social Services budget.

44. MEMBERS' ALLOWANCES - INDEPENDENT REMUNERATION PANEL

The Council considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 6 in the Minute Book) concerning the need to fill a vacancy on the County Council's Independent Remuneration Panel.

RESOLVED:

That Mr. G. Wilkinson be appointed a member of the County Council's Independent Remuneration Panel until the annual meeting of the Council in May 2006.

45 BURSLEDON WINDMILL JOINT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Alan Broadhurst be appointed to the Bursledon Windmill Joint Management Committee in place of Councillor G. W. Davies-Dear with immediate effect.

46. HAMPSHIRE MINERALS AND WASTE DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK - STATEMENT OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

The Council considered the report of the Executive Member for Environment: North Hampshire and Spatial Strategy and the supplementary report (Item 7a in the Minute Book) referred to in paragraph 3 of the Executive Member's report. Further suggestions were made during the course of discussion and accordingly it was

RESOLVED:

That approval be given to the Statement of Community Involvement, part of the Hampshire Minerals and Waste Development Framework, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report as amended by the supplementary report item 7a in the Minute Book and that the Executive Member for Environment: North Hampshire and Spatial Strategy be authorised to agree the final content of the Statement in the light of points made during debate concerning residents and amenity associations and issues related to the New Forest National Park and surrounding area.

47. BUS SUBSIDIES 2005/06

As background to the Council's consideration of the issues the decisions of the Executive Member for Environment: South Hampshire and Resource Management on the 26 July and 13 September 2005 together with the supporting reports had been circulated before the meeting. At the meeting a summary of the final list of services for withdrawal in October 2005 was circulated for the Council's information (Item 8 in the Minute Book).

Following detailed questions as to particular services and a wide-ranging debate Councillor A. P. Collett, seconded by Councillor B. D. Dash, moved a motion for the reference back of the matter to the Executive. A recorded vote was called for in accordance with Standing Order 24(c).

Members supporting the motion:

Councillors: Bailey, Broadhurst, Buckley, Carew, Chegwyn, Collett, Cooper, Dash Dickens, Dowden, Gill, Gurden, Harrison, Hughes, Ludlow, Mason, Payne, Porter, Roling, Simpson, Weeks.

Total: 21

Members opposing the motion:

Councillors: Allgood, Banks, Baulk, Beagley, Bryant, Byrom, Cartwright, Clarke, Davidovitz, Devereux, Ellis, Evans A. D. G., Evans K. D., Gale, Glen, Heath, Hindson, Hockley, Hutcheson, James, Kemp-Gee, Kendal, Kimber, Kirk, Knight, Leversha, Maxwell, McIntosh, McNair Scott, Neal, Perry, Reid, Rice, Snaith, Still, Thornber, Woodhall

Total: 37

Abstentions:

Councillors: Edwards, West J. K., West Mrs. P. A., Wheale and Wright

Total: 5

The motion was accordingly declared lost.

48. HAMPSHIRE POLICE AUTHORITY

On this occasion there was no report of the Authority nor had any questions been received under Standing Order 20(d).

49. HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY

The Council received the report of the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority. No questions had been received under Standing Order 20(e).

50. EXECUTIVE AND COMMITTEE REPORTS FOR INFORMATION

The Council received the reports of the following:

a) The Cabinet/Leader.

b) Executive Lead Member for Children's Services.

c) Executive Lead Member for Children's Services and Executive Member for Adult Social Care.

d) Executive Member with Special Responsibility for Education.

e) Executive Member for Environment: North Hampshire and Spatial Strategy.

On paragraph 50, Government consultation paper: "Planning for Housing Provision" in paragraph 2, line 14, the word "homes" was substituted for the word "houses".

f) Executive Member for Environment: South Hampshire and Resources.

g) Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage.

h) Health Review Committee.

i) Governance Committee.

51. POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEES - ANNUAL REPORTS

Pursuant to Part I: chapter 6, paragraph 6.5(e) of the Constitution, the Council received the annual reports of the Policy Review Committees.

The meeting closed at 5.05 pm