AT A MEETING of the CABINET of HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on Monday 24 October 2005.

Chairman:

p Councillor T.K. Thornber, CBE

Councillors:

Also present: Councillors K.G. Chapman; A.P. Collett; B.D. Dash; Dr. R.J. Ellis; Mrs C.A. Leversha

55. APOLOGIES

Apologies were noted from the Chief Executive who was attending a meeting of the Police Authority to discuss restructuring.

56. 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.

57. MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting held on 26 September 2005 were confirmed as a correct record.

Arising thereon:-

(i) Minute 50 - Consultation on proposed Government funding changes: at the request of Members, the County Treasurer had written to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister expressing the County Council's strong concerns about the proposed changes to the Formula Grant Distribution. A copy of the letter would be appended to the decision sheet in the Minute Book and similarly linked onto Hantsweb.


58. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

There were no communications.

59. DEPUTATIONS


There were no deputations.

60. HUMAN RESOURCE PLAN 2005/06

The Cabinet considered in detail the report of the Director of Human Resources (Item 5 in the minute book) setting out the Human Resource Strategy and the Human Resource Plan for 2005/06. In preparing the Human Resource Strategy, full consideration had been given to the national picture and the County Council's operating framework. The Strategy outlined the key strategic themes, namely performance management, succession planning, building capacity and capability, and delivery of Human Resource services to internal customers and external partners. The Action Plan (attached as an appendix to the report) focused on the key areas for delivery on a departmental basis that underpin the Strategy. The Human Resource Plan 2005/06 included elements of an extended plan through to 2008 and looked at performance against last year's plan.

During the ensuing discussion, the Cabinet's attention was focussed on a number of areas:

· the impending age discrimination legislation and the implications for the County Council

· recruitment and retention including the annual turnover rate, attracting recruits from the younger, and the black and ethnic minority populations, and communicating with the Careers Office and schools/colleges to highlight the County Council's recruitment policies and employment opportunities

· employment opportunities for the County's looked after children

· reporting of sickness absences and the Wellbeing project

· improving the collection and analysis of exit interviews for recruitment and retention purposes

The Cabinet approved the recommendations as detailed in the report's decision sheet, a copy of which is attached to these minutes as Appendix 1.

61. EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC

RESOLVED

That by virtue of the following paragraphs of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the consideration of the following items:

Item 7 - Paragraph 1

Item 8 - Paragraph 9

62. HUMAN RESOURCE PLAN 2005/06 - CONFIDENTIAL APPENDIX

The Cabinet considered the confidential appendix to the Human Resource Plan 2005/06 (Item 7 on the agenda) providing information on workforce profiling and equalities reporting for 2004/05.

63. CAPITAL PROGRAMME - MAJOR PROJECTS REVIEW

The Cabinet considered the confidential report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 8 in the minute book) which reviewed key issues in relation to the implementation of the capital programme, reviewed major developments, and detailed progress of other major projects. In respect of paragraph 1.1 (i) of the non-confidential decision sheet, it was noted that financial provision would be the joint responsibility of the Executive Members for Policy and Resources and Recreation and Heritage. A copy of the substantive decision sheet is attached to these minutes as Appendix 2.

Contact : Trevor Stabb, 01962 813856; [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions are sought:

(a) To approve the Human Resource Strategy

(b) To endorse the Human Resource Plan for 2005/6

2. Reasons

2.1 The Human Resource Strategy has been written in full consideration of the national picture and our operating framework within the County Council. It outlines our key strategic themes of performance management, talent management, building capacity and capability, and delivering the key HR services to our internal customers and external partners. The action plan focuses on the key departmental deliverables that underpin the strategy.

2.2 The Human Resource Plan outlines the demographics of Hampshire and the shape of the labour market in the County. It outlines the key workforce challenges that we face as an employer. It gives a snapshot of our employee statistics and the key challenges associated with the pace of organisational change within the Council.

2.3 These decisions support Aims 5 and 6 of the Corporate Strategy by ensuring that updated departmental Human Resource plans are in place for the year 2005/06 and any necessary staff changes can be implemented.

3. Other Options considered and rejected

Not to prepare these documents.

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

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committed - not applicable.

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

Approved by : Date :

Councillor T K Thornber, CBE

Contact: Andrew Smith Ext: 7826 email: [email protected]

Councillor T.K. Thornber, CBE