AT A MEETING of the CABINET of HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on Monday 24 April 2006.

Chairman:

p Councillor T.K. Thornber, CBE

Councillors:

Also present: Councillor Mrs E.M. Byrom, K.G. Chapman; A.P. Collett, B.D. Dash and Mrs C.A. Leversha (part of meeting)

126. APOLOGIES

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Woodhall who was absent for part of the meeting in order to represent the County Council at an event at Winchester Cathedral.

127. 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.

128. MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting held on 20 March 2006 were confirmed as a correct record subject to clarification of paragraph 1 of minute 120 to reflect that Councillor Mrs P. Dickens is an employee of the Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust.

Arising thereon:-

(i) In respect of Minute 121: Budget Monitoring 2005/06, Members attention was drawn to an article in the most recent edition of `Care Matters' stating that one of the County Council's care homes, as part of the project to provide an additional 500 care beds, was operating at below capacity. The Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services clarified that some homes were being refurbished as well as new building work being undertaken, and this necessitated some residents being moved out to allow the refurbishment to take place.

129. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

Welcomed Gary Smith as acting Head of the Leader's office who has replaced Becky Whale until the new appointment takes up the post.

130. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

131. 2006/07 ANNUAL EFFICIENCY STATEMENT: FORWARD LOOK

The Cabinet considered the report of the County Treasurer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) setting out the forward look efficiency plan statement as required by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. The Chief Executive reported that it was getting harder year on year to achieve the efficiency targets given the significant challenges that the County Council faces, particularly being the second lowest funded local authority in respect of adult services. Nevertheless, £15.5m of efficiency improvements had been recorded in the 2006/07 budget summary.

It was noted that Best Value Reviews would continue to be part of the Policy Review Committees remit although the rigidity of the original framework introduced by the Government had been relaxed. Accordingly there would be Member involvement in a number of cross-cutting reviews that were on-going and for some new reviews that were on the horizon.

The Cabinet adopted the recommendations set out in the report. A copy of the decision sheet is attached to these minutes as Appendix 1.

132. PROVISIONAL OUTTURN FORECAST 2005/06

The Cabinet considered the report of the County Treasurer setting out the current projection of the outturn for 2005/06 prior to work commencing on preparing the final accounts for that period. In expanding on the report, the County Treasurer reported that the latest monitoring of the budget suggests that the position is generally satisfactory with the exception of adult services. Members attention was drawn to the difficulties facing adult services and the fragility of funding streams which will reduce significantly due to a downturn in both specific grants and the Government's national spending plans for this service. The need to take action to get adult services back within cash limits from 2006/07 onwards was highlighted in order to cope with the constraints and accordingly a recovery plan setting out a number of options was detailed in the report. During the course of the ensuing discussion, Members expressed a number of views which were noted by the County Treasurer.

Members noted that the County Councils Network (CCN) was to mount a major campaign in respect of the existing council tax system, the continuance of which was not felt to be sustainable. Currently discussions with the Government were being held at Local Government Association leadership level. The future position of the National Health Service's continuing funding problems and the potential impact on local authorities was also of concern. Members strongly supported the stance of the CCN in continuing to lobby the Government.

The Cabinet adopted the recommendations set out in the report. A copy of the decision sheet is attached to these minutes as Appendix 2.

133. 2006/07 - BUDGET UPDATE

The Cabinet considered the report of the County Treasurer setting out recent developments in respect of announcements by the Government since the 2006/07 budget, namely additional funding for schools, a new youth opportunity fund and youth capital fund, a preventative technology grant and a review of social care. In respect of the additional schools funding, Members expressed concern about the new formula for distributing this which will be weighted for deprivation and poor attainment. This sees the late introduction of yet another specific grant and revised formula distribution just before the start of the new financial year.

The Cabinet adopted the recommendations set out in the report. A copy of the decision sheet is attached to these minutes as Appendix 3.

Contact: Jon Pittam, (01962) 847400; [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister required the submission of the 2006/07 Annual Efficiency Statement by 18 April 2006. The Leader agreed the submission, based on the 2006/07 budget proposal. The following decisions are sought:

· To approve the efficiency improvements for 2006/07 and to ratify the submission of the annual efficiency statement.

2. Reason

2.1 The submission is a statutory requirement, but the County Council would in any event wish to demonstrate its annual efficiency plans.

2.2 The statement supports all the aims of the corporate strategy and in particular Aim 5 - improving services.

3. Other options considered and rejected

3.1 None

4. Conflicts of interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive member consulted

4.1 None

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee

5.1 Not applicable

6. Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent

6.1 Not applicable

Approved by: Date:
Councillor T K Thornber CBE

Contact: Jon Pittam, (01962) 847544; [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report sets out the latest projection of the outturn for 2005/06 and identifies some outstanding issues to be resolved in the production of the final accounts for 2005/06. The following decisions are sought:

· to approve provisional plans to deal with the 2005/06 adult services overspend

· to receive a further report in June when the accounts are closed on the overall funding situation for 2005/06 and the implications for 2006/07.

2. Reason

2.1 Budget monitoring reports are submitted regularly to the Cabinet, to review whether any action is required to deal with variations between planned and actual spending. The report supports all the aims of the corporate strategy.

3. Other options considered and rejected

3.1 Not applicable

4. Conflicts of interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive member consulted

4.1 Not applicable

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee

5.1 Not applicable

6. Reason for the matter being dealt with if urgent

6.1 Not applicable

Approved by: Date:

Councillor T K Thornber CBE

Contact: Jon Pittam, (01962) 847400; [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report sets out recent developments arising from Government announcements since the 2006/07 budget was set. The following decisions are sought:

· Bids be made to implement the Cabinet's priority towards younger people and a safer Hampshire from the extra resources from the youth opportunity fund and youth capital fund.

· Extra resources available from the preventative technology grant be applied solely towards the continuing commitments from the 2005/06 adults' overspend.

2. Reason

2.1 To update Cabinet on extra resources and their potential use in the light of the pressure on adult services budgets.

2.2 These decisions support the corporate strategy as it provides financial resources towards:

· Aim 1 - maximising life opportunities

· Aim 4 - building strong and safe communities

· Aim 5 - improving services

3. Other options considered and rejected

3.1 Not applicable

4. Conflicts of interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive member consulted

4.1 None

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee

5.1 Not applicable

6. Reason for the matter being dealt with if urgent

6.1 Not applicable

Approved by: Date:
Councillor T K Thornber CBE