COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS, 8 DECEMBER 2005

HAMPSHIRE

At a Meeting of Hampshire County Council held at The Castle, Winchester on Thursday 8 December 2005.

Chairman:

p Councillor John K. West

Vice Chairman:

p Councillor Mrs. P. A. West

Councillors:

55 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors: R. J. Baulk, G. W. Davies-Dear; A. G. Dowden; Angela Roling.

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 of the County Council held on 29 September 2005 were

confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

58 DEPUTATIONS

The Council received a deputation from Reverend Lyons and Reverend van der Toorn about fatalities along road A326, cycleways and footpaths in Fawley and road safety. A petition was passed to the Leader of the Council.

59 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman welcomed Rea Mattocks, the new Director of Adult Services, who was attending her first meeting of the Council. The Chairman went on to mention a number of Royal visits to Hampshire: Princess Alexandra visiting Chawton House Library, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh to celebrate the 200^th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar and the Countess of Wessex firstly opening the Princess Margaret Lodge in Lyndhurst in October and in November opening an affordable housing scheme in Wickham.

The Chairman had also attended events relating to the 60^th anniversary of the Foundation of the United Nations, the Year of the Volunteer Awards when the Lord Lieutenant had presented medals on behalf of the Community Service Volunteers Charity, and the Royal Albert Hall in London when Hampshire Music Service took part in the Schools' Prom with the production of "Worldsong". The Chairman congratulated the young people from Hampshire and the Hampshire Music Service on an excellent year as holders of the National Music Council Major Trophy Award. The Chairman also congratulated the Leader of the Council, Councillor T. K. Thornber, on his receipt of an Honorary Fellowship from the University of Winchester.

In conclusion it was with great regret that the Chairman reported the passing of Honorary Alderman C. M. Jones DL, a previous Chairman of the County Council and long serving member of the County Council. Councillor T. K. Thornber, the Leader of the Council and Councillors Collett, Perry, Rice and Woodhall each referred to the outstanding service the late Honorary Alderman Jones had given to the Hampshire community and the Council stood in silence as a mark of respect to his memory.

60 LEADER'S REPORT

The Leader presented to Hampshire social workers the prestigious Guardian Public Services Award in the category of "Emergency Services and Reservists, Good Employer" which recognised the importance of having a workforce which could deliver essential services internationally as well as locally. The award was an enormous tribute to the County Council's social workers. The Council also welcomed the contribution made by the Emergency Planning Team and the Corporate Communications Unit. The Leader presented the award to Lynn Ludford and her colleagues and the Council showed their appreciation by way of a standing ovation.

The Leader went on to show the Council the highly commended award for the County Council's and Hampshire Constabulary's Motorcycle Casualty Reduction Programme which had made an outstanding contribution to road safety in 2005. He also reported that the County Council had been recognised for its design excellence by being nominated for a number of awards in recent months. On behalf of the Council the Leader thanked Andrew Smith, Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services, for his leadership and congratulated his staff on the high quality of their work. In addition, the Gosport Discovery Centre had been highly commended in the Public Library Building Awards run by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals whilst the Hampshire Record Office had successfully renewed its Charter Mark Award for the third time and the County Council's outdoor activity centres and the Countryside Service had successfully achieved the Charter Mark Award for the first time. The Museum Service, Library and Information Service and the Arts Service had undergone assessment in November and the outcome of their applications for accreditation was awaited. The Sports Service was undertaking a self-assessment in similar vein. The Leader was also pleased to report the best ever GCSE results for Hampshire pupils. These had once again exceeded national standards. The County Council's Children's Services had also received very high ratings following national inspections so reflecting the hard work of all the County Council's Children's Services staff in Social Care and Education. The Leader also reported that Terry Butler, the County Council's Director of Social Services until August 2005, had been appointed a member of the General Social Care Council, his appointment recognising the important part he had played on the local and national scene.

The Leader reported the lobbying of Government which he and other County Council leaders in the South East had undertaken and a visit by the Rt. Hon. David Miliband, Communities and Local Government Minister, to Hampshire in late November. The outcome had been a more favourable Rate Support Grant announcement than had been anticipated but the Leader emphasised the need to continue the fight to achieve a fairer funding deal for Hampshire. The Leader planned to continue the County Council's record of council tax for Hampshire in the lowest quartile of all County Councils but with performance in the highest. The Leader also took the opportunity to report briefly in connection with the Democratic Review aimed at developing more effective local working and more effective scrutiny arrangements. He invited members to a briefing on 16 January 2006 and gave notice that an additional Council meeting would be arranged before the February Budget meeting with a view to any constitutional changes being considered by the County Council at its annual meeting in May 2006.

The Leader also reported to the Council that he had formally expressed the County Council's strong opposition to the changes proposed in the Department for Transport's South West Franchise Consultation concerning the train service pattern affecting Chandlers Ford and had pressed for continuation of the present service of through trains from Romsey to the Southampton conurbation.

In conclusion, the Leader reported his intention to circulate revised recommendations in relation to Item 9 on the Council's agenda, the final sub-regional policy advice to the South East England Regional Assembly concerning the South East Plan. The revised recommendations were circulated at the meeting and would be considered later in the day in order to allow members to take the additional information into account.

61 QUESTIONS UNDER STANDING ORDER 20(b)

The Leader of the Council, Councillor T. K. Thornber, answered a question from Councillor Alan Broadhurst concerning the Leader's response to the Department for Transport's consultation on the South West Franchise and services from Romsey and Chandlers Ford to the Southampton conurbation.

The Executive Member for Environment, South Hampshire and Resource Management, Councillor T. G. Knight, answered a question from Councillor Phrynette Dickens concerning recycling Christmas wrapping paper.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor T. K. Thornber, answered a question from Councillor Ann Buckley in relation to the Council's offices in Winchester and energy efficiency.

The Executive Member for Environment: South Hampshire and Resource Management, Councillor T. G. Knight, answered a question from Councillor Charlotte Bailey concerning the development of Park and Ride at Winchester and local consultation.

With the leave of the Council, Councillor S.H. Reid asked a question of the Leader of the Council concerning land to the west of Basingstoke (Manydown) and the designation of land as a Major Development Area to which the Leader replied.

62 ASSEMBLY OF EUROPEAN REGIONS

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Mrs. P. G. Banks be appointed to represent the County Council on the Assembly of European Regions' Social Care Committee.

63 SOUTH EAST ENGLAND REGIONAL ASSEMBLY

RESOLVED:

That Councillor T. K. Thornber be appointed the County Council's representative on the South East England Regional Assembly in place of Councillor D. A. Kirk.

64 POLICY FRAMEWORK - AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION

The Council considered and approved the report of the Cabinet/Leader recommending an amendment to the Constitution as to the plans and strategies which should be specified as forming the Council's current policy framework.

RESOLVED:

That the following amendment be made to Part 1, Chapter 4, Paragraph 4.1 c) of the Constitution:

Delete the existing list of plans specified under sub-section c) and replace with:

"c) agreeing and adopting the following plans and strategies (`policy framework'):

Community Strategy

Performance Plan

Plans and strategies that together comprise the Development Plan

These and other plans and strategies that the Council has agreed should be adopted

as a matter of local choice:

Corporate Strategy

Children and Young People's Plan

Local Transport Plan"

65 PROJECT INTEGRA - SCRUTINY AND SELECT COMMITTEE INQUIRY

The Council considered and approved the report of the Policy and Resources Scrutiny and Select Committee concerning the role and functions of Project Integra in the area of waste management.

RESOLVED:

(a) That the nature of Project Integra and the Management Board be redefined as a

facilitation network between the 15 partner businesses rather than a business in itself, thus allowing:

- the current Management Board to focus on progressing municipal waste with

appropriately focused support, targets and expectations

- the waste disposal authorities to create a separate parallel structure within the

broader scope of Project Integra to progress work on the wider integrated waste management issue, including commercial and industrial waste - with an opportunity to waste collection authorities willing to make firm financial commitment to be included

(b) That the vision of Project Integra as a whole is one of "waste management" which is developed and owned by the Leaders and Chief Executives of the appropriate partners. From this wider vision would then flow strategies and plans for defined elements such as:

- municipal waste

- commercial and industrial waste

(c) That detailed recommendations in paragraphs 5 and 6 of the report be adopted covering:-

- the role of Hampshire County Council and lessons it needs to learn

- the way in which the Project Integra Executive Officer role would need to be

redefined to provide support for the suggested structure and vision

- suggested approaches to other barriers which have evidenced themselves as

key to making progress as a partnership

(d) That the Council recommends that key Executive Members and Senior Officers work with the unitary authorities and the district councils to seek their concurrence to the main provisions of the report.

66 INDEPENDENT MEMBERS OF THE STANDARDS COMMITTEE

The Council considered and approved the report of the Governance Committee concerning the appointment of independent members to the County Council's Standards Committee.

RESOLVED:

That Miss Sandra Roberts, with Mrs Wendy Allen as reserve, be appointed an Independent Member on the County Council's Standards Committee, for the period until the County Council meeting on 22 February 2006.

67 GROWTH IN USE OF DOMESTIC FIREWORKS - NOTICE OF MOTION

The Council considered the following Notice of Motion submitted in accordance with Standing Order 17 by Councillor D Gillett and seconded by Councillor Colin Davidovitz.

"In spite of recent legislation there is an ever-growing problem with and growth in firework sales and their impact on vulnerable and elderly residents, in addition to the stressful effect they can have on pets and other wild animals living in the built up area. Many outlets selling them recently offered a buy one get one free deal, which potentially doubled the amount being ignited.

Hampshire County Council should campaign for a limit on decibels or even press for a time window or windows when fireworks can legitimately be used. The 'week' of fireworks has rapidly become 'weeks' giving more vulnerable or frail people extended anxiety. This issue is rapidly becoming one of anti-social behaviour. Legislation would also be required to deal with "one off" events such as parties and other family celebrations.

I call on Hampshire County Council to write to the government in the strongest possible terms to reconsider the current legislation in light of the above comments and also to request that the Local Government Association take up the issue at their Executive."

The following amendment was put by Councillor Ann Buckley, seconded by Councillor Charlotte Bailey as follows:

Insert the following after "I call on Hampshire County Council to":

"(i) convene a meeting of all the interested local agencies including the HSE, Police,

Trading Standards and Fire and Rescue Services to share experience in order to ensure that all the provisions of the 2003 Fireworks Act and subsequent regulations are now fully implemented throughout Hampshire;

(ii) work with other agencies to launch a firework awareness programme throughout

county schools and FE colleges and among retailers selling fireworks

(iii) increase `test' purchases by minors (through Trading Standards) to identify those retailers who sell to under-age teenagers and come down heavily on retailers who break the law in the selling of fireworks; and"

A recorded vote was called for in accordance with Standing Order 24 and the voting was as follows:

Supporting the amendment:

Councillors Bailey, Blampied, Boulton, Broadhurst, Buckley, Carew, Chegwyn, Collett, Cooper, Dash, Dickens, Dunsdon, Gill, Gurden, Harrison, House, Hughes, Ludlow, Mason, Payne, Peskett, Porter, Price, Simpson and Weeks.

Total: 25

Opposing the amendment:

Councillors: Allgood, Banks, Beagley, Bryant, Byrom, Cartwright, Chapman, Clarke, Davidovitz, Devereux, Edgar, Ellis, Evans A, Evans K, Gale, Gillett, Glen, Heron, Hindson, Hockley, Hutcheson, James, Kemp-Gee, Kendal, Kimber, Kirk, Knight, Leversha, Maxwell, McIntosh, McNair Scott, Neal, Perry, Reid, Rice, Snaith, Still, Thornber, Tucker, Wheale, Woodhall, Woodward, Wright.

Total: 43

Abstentions:

Councillors: Edwards, Frankum, Kelly, West, Mrs P. A., West, John K

Total: 5

The amendment was accordingly lost. On being put to the vote, the motion submitted by Councillor Gillett was approved.

RESOLVED:

That in spite of recent legislation there is an ever-growing problem with and growth in firework sales and their impact on vulnerable and elderly residents, in addition to the stressful effect they can have on pets and wild animals living in the built up area. Many outlets selling them recently offered a buy one get one free deal, which potentially doubled the amount being ignited.

Hampshire County Council should campaign for a limit on decibels or even press for a time window or windows when fireworks can legitimately be used. The 'week' of fireworks has rapidly become 'weeks' giving more vulnerable or frail people extended anxiety. This issue is rapidly becoming one of anti-social behaviour. Legislation would also be required to deal with "one off" events such as parties and other family celebrations.

Hampshire County Council will write to the government in the strongest possible terms to reconsider the current legislation in light of the above comments and also request that the Local Government Association take up the issue at their Executive.

68 EDUCATION WHITE PAPER - HIGHER STANDARDS: BETTER SCHOOLS FOR ALL - NOTICE OF MOTION

The Council considered a Notice of Motion submitted in accordance with Standing Order 17 by Councillor B. D. Dash, seconded by Councillor K. L. Gill, concerning the Education White Paper.

"This Council believes that:

The over-riding objective of schooling must be to help every child achieve the best and most appropriate education and preparation for life.

Schools should continue to be free to manage their own teaching, staffing and budgets.

Collaboration among schools helps to deliver improved outcomes and the Local Authority has an essential role to play in achieving this.

Local schools should be funded locally, with decisions by elected bodies accountable to local people, rather than by funding formulae dictated by central government.

All young people have a right to be treated equally in the school admission process.

An admissions policy based around schools being encouraged to "poach" pupils from each other will only work in the interests of some schools, not in the interests of all young people

In recent years too much effort has been wasted on tinkering with structures rather than focussing directly on improving teaching and learning

Involvement of parents in their child's education is a major determining factor in successful outcomes for children

This Council is concerned that implementing the White Paper will lead to:

· An admissions "free for all" where schools which are their own admissions authority could choose the pupils they want so that parents risk not getting the school places they want for their children;

· Undermining of the work Hampshire County Council has done to create a fair admissions system and which ensures places are available for `hard to place' pupils;

· A surplus of expensive and unnecessary additional school places when secondary school rolls are falling nationally;

· School closures in deprived areas, contrary to the government's own policies on neighbourhood regeneration;

· Pressure on schools to expand at the expense of neighbouring schools thereby even further reducing parental choice.

· An even greater centralisation of power in the hands of unelected Whitehall bureaucrats through measures like the proposal for a new DfES Schools Commissioner and insisting that all new schools are trust schools or academies;

· Barriers to delivering the Every Child Matters agenda which sees schools as a key part of integrated children's services.

This Council calls for:

· Local authorities to continue to lead and co-ordinate local admissions to ensure fair access for all - including hard to place children. A fair admissions policy cannot be delivered on a school by school basis;

· The status of community school to remain for both existing and new schools.

· Local schools to co-operate with us in delivering the Every Child Matters agenda recognising that education does not stop at the school gates. This should be backed up by Government placing on all schools the same clear duty of co-operation placed on other partners;

· The restoration of financial and planning powers to Local Authorities for 16-19 education to enable a coherent 14-19 education policy to be developed;

· For all members of this authority to lobby local MPs to actively campaign for education services to remain accountable to local people through local democracy, and to vote for this principle when the measures contained in the White Paper are debated in Parliament;

· These concerns to be put to the Secretary of State for Education and Skills."

The following amendment was put by Councillor D. A. Kirk, seconded by

Councillor Felicity Hindson:

"This Council believes that:

The over-riding objective of schooling must be to help every child achieve the best and most appropriate education and preparation for life;

Schools should continue to be free to manage their own teaching, staffing and budgets;

Collaboration among schools helps to deliver improved outcomes and the Local Authority has an essential role to play in achieving this;

Local schools should be funded locally, with decisions by elected bodies accountable to local people, rather than by funding formulae dictated by central government;

All young people have a right to be treated equally in the school admission process;

(DELETE: An admissions policy based around schools being encouraged to "poach" pupils from each other will only work in the interests of some schools, not in the interests of all young people;)

In recent years too much effort has been wasted on tinkering with structures rather than focussing directly on improving teaching and learning;

Involvement of parents in their child's education is a major determining factor in successful outcomes for children

This Council is concerned that implementing some of the White Paper (DELETE: will) may lead to:

· An admissions "free for all" where schools which are their own admissions authority could choose the pupils they want so that parents risk not getting the school places they want for their children;

· Undermining of the work Hampshire County Council (DELETE: has done) is doing to create a fairer admissions system (DELETE: and) which ensures places are available for (DELETE: "hard to place") all pupils;

· A surplus of expensive and unnecessary additional school places when (DELETE: secondary) school rolls are falling nationally;

· School closures in some deprived areas, contrary to the government's own policies on neighbourhood regeneration;

· (DELETE: Pressure on schools to expand at the expense of neighbouring schools thereby even further reducing parental choice)

· An even greater centralisation of power in the hands of unelected Whitehall bureaucrats through measures like the proposal for a new DfES Schools Commissioner and insisting that all new schools are trust schools or academies;

· Barriers to delivering the Every Child Matters agenda which (DELETE: sees schools as a key part of integrated children's services) recognises the important role schools have in helping to deliver integrated children's services.

This Council calls for:

· Local authorities to continue to lead and co-ordinate local admissions to ensure

fair access for all - including hard to place children; (DELETE: A fair admissions policy cannot be delivered on a school by school basis)

· (DELETE: The status of community school to remain for both existing and

new schools) The continued encouragement of all schools to fulfil an important support role in the community.

· Local schools to co-operate with us in delivering the Every Child Matters agenda

recognising that education does not stop at the school gates. This should be backed up by Government placing on all schools the same clear duty of co-operation placed on other partners;

· (DELETE: The restoration of financial and planning powers to Local Authorities for 16-19 education to enable a coherent 14-19 education policy to be developed) The re-introduction of a role for local authorities in the provision of post 16 education;

· For all members of this authority to lobby local MPs to actively campaign for education services to remain accountable to local people through local democracy, and to vote for this principle when the measures contained in the White Paper are debated in Parliament;

· These concerns to be put to the Secretary of State for Education and Skills and the relevant Shadow Ministers.

After a full and wide-ranging debate which identified consensus in a number of areas the amendment was put to the vote and a majority of members supported it. Accordingly it was:

RESOLVED:

a) that the over-riding objective of schooling must be to help every child achieve the best and most appropriate education and preparation for life.

b) that schools should continue to be free to manage their own teaching, staffing and budgets

c) that collaboration among schools helps to deliver improved outcomes and the local authority has an essential role to play in achieving this

d) that local schools should be funded locally, with decisions by elected bodies accountable to local people, rather than by funding formulae dictated by central government

e) that all young people have a right to be treated equally in the school admission process.

f) that in recent years too much effort has been wasted on tinkering with structures rather than focussing directly on improving teaching and learning

g) that involvement of parents in their child's education is a major determining factor in successful outcomes for children

h) that this Council is concerned that implementing some of the White Paper may lead to:

(i) An admissions "free for all" where schools which are their own admissions authority could choose the pupils they want so that parents risk not getting the school places they want for their children;

(ii) Undermining of the work Hampshire County Council is doing to create a fairer admissions system which ensures places are available for all pupils;

(iii) A surplus of expensive and unnecessary additional school places when school rolls are falling nationally;

(iv) School closures in some deprived areas, contrary to the government's own policies on neighbourhood regeneration;

(v) An even greater centralisation of power in the hands of unelected Whitehall bureaucrats through measures like the proposal for a new DfES Schools Commissioner and insisting that all new schools are trust schools or academies;

(vi) Barriers to delivering the Every Child Matters agenda which recognises the important role schools have in helping to deliver integrated children's services.

(j) that this Council calls for:

(i) Local authorities to continue to lead and co-ordinate local admissions to ensure fair access for all - including hard to place children.

(ii) The continued encouragement of all schools to fulfil an important support role in the community.

(iii) Local schools to co-operate with the County Council in delivering the Every Child Matters agenda recognising that education does not stop at the school gates. This should be backed up by Government placing on all schools the same clear duty of co-operation placed on other partners;

(iv) The reintroduction of a role for local authorities in the provision of post 16 education;

(v) For all members of this authority to lobby local MPs to actively campaign for education services to remain accountable to local people through local democracy, and to vote for this principle when the measures contained in the White Paper are debated in Parliament;

(k) that these concerns be put to the Secretary of State for Education and Skills and the relevant Shadow Ministers.

69 SOUTH EAST PLAN: FINAL SUB-REGIONAL POLICY ADVICE TO THE SOUTH EAST ENGLAND REGIONAL ASSEMBLY

The Council considered the report of the Leader/Cabinet together with revised recommendations of which the Leader had given notice earlier in the meeting. Councillor J. K. Glen, Executive Member for Environment: North Hampshire and Spatial Strategy introduced the report with particular reference to the Western Corridor. Councillor Seán Woodward, at the invitation of the Leader, reported PUSH's position and referred to a letter dated 7 December 2005 from Gosport Borough Council which was circulated at the meeting (Appendix 9a in the Minute Book). The Leader of the Council, Councillor T. K. Thornber, moved the revised recommendations. The Council also considered an amendment by Councillor A. P. Collett, seconded by Councillor K. House, calling for the identification of a Hampshire green belt to protect against urban sprawl. An addition to the amendment was proposed by the Leader and incorporated as part of the amended substantive recommendations.

The Council was determined in its resolve to make the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister clearly aware that the County Council would not be party to housing development without commitment to the necessary infrastructure being provided. The Council regretted the approach adopted by the Government Office for the South East (GOSE) in relation to housing numbers and funding and the role played by the South East England Regional Assembly in support of GOSE. In broad terms the County Council's position was that Hampshire was being asked to accommodate too many houses and that the Council was appalled by the lack of funding identified for infrastructure to support development. The Leader of the Council called for a recorded vote and the requisite number of members stood in support.

Those in favour of the revised recommendation:

Councillors: Allgood, Bailey, Banks, Beagley, Blampied, Boulton, Buckley, Byrom, Carew, Cartwright, Chapman, Chegwyn, Clarke, Collett, Cooper, Dash, Davidovitz, Devereux, Dickens, Edgar, Edwards, Ellis, Evans A, Evans K, Frankum, Gale, Gill, Glen, Heron, Hindson, Hockley, Hughes, James, Kemp-Gee, Kelly, Kendal, Kimber, Knight, Leversha, Maxwell, McIntosh, Neal, Payne, Perry, Porter, Reid, Rice, Simpson, Snaith, Still, Thornber, Tucker, West, Mrs. P. A., West, John K, Wheale, Woodhall, Woodward, Wright

Total: 59

Those against the revised recommendations: None

RESOLVED:

1) That the County Council notes that it no longer has any statutory duty to prepare a Strategic Plan to set the framework for the development of the County of Hampshire, and that this is now the responsibility of the unelected South East England Regional Assembly (SEERA) through its Regional Plan;

2) That SEERA be asked to note that the Council is submitting as requested the results of the consultation carried out as to how 6,100 houses each year might be accommodated in the County, but that the County Council does not endorse this number;

3) That SEERA be asked to note that the advice offered is based upon a widespread consultation exercise with the public of Hampshire to which more than 7,000 replies were received;

4) That the County Council does not believe that planning for and allocating land for a house building programme requiring 6,100 dwellings each year for 20 years is prudent or sustainable without guarantees on infrastructure investment and more certainty over the medium and long-term economic outlook;

5) That the County Council asks SEERA to recognise the absence of commitment by government to fund the necessary infrastructure (for example its recent refusal to fund part of the Light Rapid Transit System in the congested south of the county is evidence enough to reject making provision now for this level of economic growth, and associated housing numbers of 6,100 new dwellings per year), and that without such commitment to funding the necessary infrastructure, 6,100 houses per annum runs too great a risk of creating unsustainable communities and limiting the very economic growth which is at the heart of the South East Plan;

6) That the County Council asks SEERA to recognise that its current deficit in infrastructure amounts to £1.5 billion and that 6,100 houses for 20 years will require a further £1.5 billion for future investment, excluding affordable housing (£1 billion);

7) That the County Council recommends SEERA obtain substantive guarantees from Government for advance infrastructure provision before pursuing any further the high levels of development that it has postulated for Hampshire on which it has asked the County Council to advise;

8) That the County Council therefore believes that the level of growth for housing in the County of Hampshire should more appropriately be set at between 5,600 and 6,100 dwellings per year over the next 20 years with provision above the minimum level identified as strategic reserves to be released only in the second half of the plan period, on the basis set out in the comments on North and South Hampshire set out in paragraphs 10 and 12 below;

9) That the County Council affirms that it has met its statutory obligations under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, and at the request of SEERA, has provided advice on the allocation of SEERA's housing totals between Districts in Hampshire; that the County Council has facilitated this process and worked closely with District and Unitary Councils in Hampshire, including facilitating an extensive local consultation process and that this is now submitted to SEERA on the basis that Hampshire County Council advises that the following is the outcome of this process conducted on behalf of SEERA:

(i) note the findings of the Sustainability Appraisal work to date (summarised in Appendix 1 of the Cabinet Report) and reflect this consideration in determining its advice to SEERA;

(ii) submit sub-regional advice to SEERA in respect of employment, transport and other infrastructure, for North and South Hampshire, based on the principles set out in the Cabinet report (including the Appendices 2, 3, 4 and 5), accompanied by relevant technical work reports;

(iii) submit to SEERA advice on the distribution of District Housing numbers in Central Hampshire set out in Appendix 7 of the Cabinet report;

(10) That, in respect of North Hampshire, the County Council is mindful of the potential impact of the constraints on development imposed by the Thames Heaths and Basins Special Protection Area (SPA), and the issues surrounding foul water disposal at Basingstoke, which will be the main centre for additional growth and, on this basis, the County Council is cautious about the proposed levels of growth for Basingstoke, and proposes instead to take the advice of the Local Planning Authority in terms of firm committed growth, with provision for additional dwellings identified as a strategic reserve to be released upon a plan review only in the event that there is compelling evidence that the constraints can be satisfactorily addressed and that, subject to this amendment, the County Council now submits to SEERA advice on the distribution of District Housing numbers in North Hampshire as set out in Appendix 6 of the Cabinet report;

(11) That the County Council objects to SEERA in respect of its proposed Aldershot/Farnborough/ Camberley regional hub on the grounds set out in Section 6 of the Cabinet report, and that the County Council fully endorses the stance of the Western Corridor and Blackwater Valley Sub Regional Steering Group on this matter;

(12) That with specific reference to South Hampshire, the County Council believes that it is neither prudent nor realistic to plan on the basis of economic growth rising to 3.5% within the plan period, and instead proposes a planning level of 3.25% by 2026, which would in turn reduce the housing requirement by some 7,000 dwellings on the grounds that, if housing allocations are based on the higher level of growth, there is every possibility that land will be earmarked, and houses built in unsustainable communities, without access to employment and services, and without the vital infrastructure to support them, supporting infrastructure being beyond the means of the local authorities and developers to fund; and that it is therefore proposed to plan on the basis of a reduction in the committed levels of development, with the remaining numbers identified by PUSH regarded as a strategic reserve provision to be released in the second half of the plan period, dependent upon evidence that infrastructure provision has kept pace with growth, and that the economy has grown at the level predicted by PUSH and that, subject to these amendments, the County Council now submits to SEERA advice on the distribution of District Housing numbers in South Hampshire, as set out in Appendix 8 of the supplementary Cabinet papers tabled at the Cabinet meeting;

(13) That, subject to appropriate amendments to reflect the changes proposed above, the County Council submit to SEERA sub-regional policy advice based on the principles set out in Appendix 10 of the Supplementary Cabinet Papers.

(14) That the County Council should press for a Hampshire Greenbelt to protect vulnerable countryside around Hampshire's urban areas and to prevent coalescence of its cities, towns and villages consistent with the Development Strategy contained in the advice to SEERA.

70 HAMPSHIRE POLICE AUTHORITY

Councillor A. P. Collett, spokesperson for the Hampshire Police Authority, presented the report of the Authority. No questions had been submitted pursuant to Standing Order 20(d).

71 HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY

On this occasion there was no report of the Authority and no questions had been submitted pursuant to Standing Order 20(e).

72 EXECUTIVE AND COMMITTEE REPORTS FOR INFORMATION

The Council received the reports of the following:

· The Cabinet/Leader

· Executive Member for Adult Social Care

· Executive Member for Environment: North Hampshire and Spatial Strategy

· Executive Member for Environment: South Hampshire and Resource Management

· Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage

· Health, Overview and Scrutiny Committee

· Governance Committee

· Executive Lead Member for Children's Services and Executive Member with Special Responsibility for Education

The meeting closed at 6.15 p.m.