AT A MEETING of the CABINET of HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on Monday 22 May 2006.

Chairman:

p Councillor T.K. Thornber, CBE

Councillors:

Also present: Councillors A.P. Collett; B.D. Dash; A.G. Dowden and R.J. Ellis.

144. 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.

145. MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting held on 24 April 2006 were confirmed as a correct record.

146. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

There were no communications.

147. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

148. ANNUAL EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY PERFORMANCE REPORT

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Human Resources (Item 6 in the Minute Book) which detailed progress with the Equality and Diversity Improvement Plan and the County Council's performance against the Equality Standard for Local Government. The Cabinet received a short presentation in support of the report which focussed on national developments, the improvement plan, performance and achievements and detailed the way forward given the increasing statutory demands that authorities, including Hampshire, face. Councillor Perry, the Equality and Diversity champion expanded on the excellent work that had been undertaken by officers in the preceding 12 months and in particular, drew attention to Appendix 3 of the report that listed many examples of achievement including a project to develop a Hampshire Interfaith Network which links to a project to develop a youth interfaith forum.

During the course of the ensuing discussion, the Cabinet expressed the view that they were keen to see more emphasis in the Disability Equality Scheme Action Plan on young people with disabilities, which had strong links to the consultation that had been undertaken in developing the Children and Young Peoples' Plan. The Cabinet also fully supported the proposal that the Council should focus its attention on consolidating level 2 of the Equality Standard during the forthcoming year, with particular attention to continued action to complete race and equality impact assessments and engaging with hard to reach groups. The Cabinet accordingly adopted the recommendations set out in the report and a copy of the decision sheet is attached to these minutes as Appendix 1.

149. REVIEW OF THE CORPORATE STRATEGY 2006-2009

The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 7 in the Minute Book) setting out the draft direction and priorities for the revised Corporate Strategy for the period 2006-2009 and the approach to developing a corporate business plan. The proposals underpinned the work that has been carried out by the Cabinet to set the high level political direction and priorities that would exist for the life of the administration. The Chief Executive expanded on the report and in particular highlighted the way forward detailed in paragraph 4 of the report.

A number of views were expressed and in regard to the Rights, Respect and Responsibilities programme, the Cabinet emphasised the importance of supporting families as a whole to strengthen the role they play within communities to help to make Hampshire a safe place for everyone and improve quality of life. Also of importance was the need to encourage housing developers to ensure that safety features are built in at the planning stage of a development which help people feel secure and help to reduce crime.

The Cabinet adopted the recommendations set out in the report which would be submitted to the County Council in July for approval as this is a document that forms part of the Council's policy framework. A copy of the decision sheet is attached to these minutes as Appendix 2.

150. ADULT SERVICES

The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive, County Treasurer and Director of Adult Services (Item 8 in the Minute Book) seeking endorsement of a strategy for recovery in order to address the position of an exceptional budget overspend for Adult Services in 2005/06, and to plan for the difficult future ahead. In expanding on the report, the Chief Executive particularly emphasised the recovery actions/evidenced trends detailed in paragraph 4 of the report and highlighted that the aim of the strategy was to create resilience against a future which clearly indicates that demands on the service will continue to escalate at a time when pressure on the County Council's overall budget is severe. The County Treasurer outlined the County Council's current budget position, the forward budget and the contingencies that would need to be planned for, and also touched on the national picture and the similarities being experienced by other local authorities. The Director of Adult Services expanded on the continuing specific pressures on the service, the pressures being experienced by the National Health Service and how this impacts on the County Council, and the changing face of healthcare delivery. The report also set out Member/Officer governance arrangements, the aim of which would be to ensure the implementation and delivery of the specific actions detailed in the recovery strategy.

The Cabinet noted that the current position was as a result of a number of factors, some of which had been extenuating and out of the County Council's control, and that a number of very difficult decisions had already been taken to address the situation. Without doubt further difficult decisions lay ahead in the near and longer term in order to balance the budget whilst ensuring that those that need help most receive it in order to safeguard some of Hampshire's most vulnerable people. Furthermore Members expressed their strong concerns that these difficult decisions would have to be taken against the backdrop of no offer whatsoever of additional funding by central Government to address what was now becoming a national crisis. The Cabinet also recognised the excellent work carried out by families, neighbours/friends and the voluntary sector and continued partnership working with these groups would be essential during these challenging times.

The Cabinet adopted the recommendations set out in the report with some additional resolutions to reflect the views expressed. A copy of the substantive decision sheet is attached to these minutes as Appendix 3.

151. HAMPSHIRE RURAL PATHFINDER

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 9 in the Minute Book) which offered a mid-point progress update with the Hampshire Rural Pathfinder programme and how it links with the Hampshire Local Area Agreement. The Assistant Director for Business Support and Innovation expanded on the report and highlighted that 19 pathfinder projects had been approved so far including the Public Sector Procurement of Local Food project, the development of a Parish Planning Toolkit, the Farm Waste project and a coastal consents project. The Cabinet noted the huge change at all levels of Government that the delivery of rural services is undergoing and welcomed the proposed `next steps' outlined in the report.

The Cabinet adopted the recommendations set out in the report. A copy of the decision sheet is attached to these minutes as Appendix 4.

152. EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC

RESOLVED

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the item "Developing the Structure of Adult Services" as it was likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present during that item, confidential information would be disclosed to them in breach of the duty of confidence. Exempt information within Paragraph 4 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 would be disclosed and that in all circumstances of the case, the public interest in disclosing the information outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

153. DEVELOPING THE STRUCTURE OF ADULT SERVICES

The Cabinet considered the confidential exempt report of the Director of Adult Services and Director of Human Resources (Item 11 in the Minute Book) outlining proposals to develop the structure of the Adult Services department. The Cabinet adopted the recommendations set out in the report, subject to the arrangements across the Adult Services structure being cost neutral. A copy of the substantive non-confidential decision sheet is attached to these minutes as Appendix 5.

Contact: Jane Goodwin 8 252 8823, [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions are sought:

That Cabinet:

a. Agree the Race Equality Scheme and draft Disability Equality Scheme for publication and consultation.

b. Discuss the Human Resources staff monitoring report and Equality & Diversity Recruitment Strategy, and outcomes of external review report in more detail.

c. Agree the commitment to Equal Pay

d. Agree that the Council focus action on consolidating level 2 of the Equality Standard during the forthcoming year paying particular attention on continued action to complete race and equality impact assessments and engagement with excluded groups.

e. Continue to ensure that all Council decisions show proper consideration of impact on the diverse communities of Hampshire.

2. Reason

2.1 Statutory requirement under the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000, Disability Discrimination Act 2005, Equality Act 2006

2.2 The requirements of the Equality Standard for Local Government

2.3 All aims of the Corporate Strategy

3. Other options considered and rejected

3.1 No other options considered due to statutory requirements.

4. Conflicts of interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive Member consulted - None.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.

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

Approved by: ..................................... Date: ...................................
Councillor T.K. Thornber, CBE

Contact: Chris Lawrence Pietroni Ext. 7385

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions are sought:

(a) That the Cabinet agree the draft direction and priorities for the
revised Corporate Strategy for the period 2006-2009 and the approach
to developing the corporate business plan.

(b) That the Cabinet recommend the proposals to the County Council
for consideration at its next meeting.

2. Reason

2.1 The Corporate Strategy forms part of the County Council's Policy Framework in the Constitution.

3. Other options considered and rejected - Not applicable.

4. Conflicts of interest declared by the decision maker or a member or officer consulted - None.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standard's Committee - Not applicable.

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

Approved by: Date:
Councillor T K Thornber CBE

Contact: Peter Robertson, 7300, email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions were made:

a. That the Cabinet endorse the strategy for recovery in respect for the
Adult Services budget including the Member/Officer governance
arrangements.


b. That reluctantly, and subject to legal advice, the Cabinet approve a critical needs only policy for the assessment of care packages in future, subject to consultation and the proviso that current substantial needs clients who do not meet the revised criterion should continue to receive appropriate care and/or services. The Cabinet therefore authorises the Executive Member for Adult Care to carry out consultation on this basis in the knowledge that such a policy can be made more generous should government funding improve.

c. That particular attention is paid to the role that family, friends and voluntary services can make in providing care.

d. That Hampshire County Council demands a meeting with the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Secretary of State for Health on the subject of the unsustainability of funding for adult social care and the transfer of costs from the National Health Service to local authorities throughout the country.

2. Reason

2.1 A likely Adult Services budget overspend in 2005/06 has been reported. A strategy has been prepared setting out the actions required in order to recover the situation and create resilience against a future which clearly shows that demands on the service will continue to escalate at a time when pressure on the Council's budget overall is severe.

3. Other options considered and rejected

3.1 No other option was considered as a further report on this matter had been requested by the Cabinet following initial consideration of the position at its meeting on 20 March 2006.

4. Conflicts of interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive Member consulted - none.

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

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

Approved by: ..................................... Date: ...................................
Councillor T.K. Thornber, CBE

Contact: Rosalind Rutt, ext 6745 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions are sought:

(a) That the Cabinet welcomes the progress in the Hampshire Rural Pathfinder programme and supports the collaborative approach across Government.

(b) That links between the Pathfinder and the Hampshire Local Area Agreement and Rural Development Programme for England continue to be developed as part of the exit strategy.

(c) That Hampshire County Council considers, through the preparation of an integrated Rural Strategy for the County Council's activities, how it can build on the successes and lessons learned from the Rural Pathfinder programme and integrate these into its delivery of rural services, so that they are more effective, efficient, customer-focussed and with greater local accountability.

2. Corporate Strategy

2.1 This decision particularly supports Aim 5 of the Corporate Strategy (Improving services) by testing innovative ways of making the delivery of rural services more effective, efficient and customer-focused. It also supports Aim 2 (Stewardship of the environment), Aim 3 (Achieving economic prosperity ) and Aim 4 (Building strong and safe communities).

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 Taking no action.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or Other Executive Member Consulted - None.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: ..................................... Date: ...................................

Councillor T K Thornber

898Decn/RRt

Contact: Rea Mattocks, 7200 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1. The following decision was made:

The structure of the Adult Services Department was approved, subject to the arrangements across the Adult Services structure being cost neutral.

2. Reason

2.1. To set up the new departmental structure following the establishment of the Adult Services Department and ensure optimum leadership and management arrangements are in place to commission and deliver services to vulnerable adults in Hampshire, in accordance with key corporate strategy aims for delivering efficient and effective services.

3. Other options considered and rejected

3.1. A range of structured options were considered but rejected on the grounds that strategic leadership should be clear to support the proposed role of Local Authority Adult Services departments. Other options (i.e. retaining the present structure at DMT level or an area based structure) were considered to be unable to do this.

4. Conflicts of interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive Member consulted - none.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - none.

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

Approved by: ..................................... Date: ..............................
Councillor T.K. Thornber, CBE