COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS, 13 JULY 2006

HAMPSHIRE

At a Meeting of Hampshire County Council held at The Castle, Winchester on Thursday 13 July 2006.

Chairman:

p Councillor Mrs. P. A. West

Vice Chairman:

p Mrs. P. M. Devereux

Councillors:

125 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs. Boulton, Bryant, Ellis, John West, House, Davies-Dear, A. D. G. Evans, Heath and Anne Edwards.

126 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.

127 MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting of the County Council held on 11 May 2006 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

128 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman had much pleasure in informing the Council that a number of pupils from Wildground Junior School who were school councillors would be attending the meeting during the morning to help develop their understanding of the operation of democratic principles and to experience democracy at work. The pupils and their teachers would be meeting with the Chairman, Leader and Councillor Dash, the local County Councillor, during the lunch break.

The Chairman reported to the Council the significant events which she had hosted or attended since the previous meeting including royal visits by the Countess of Wessex, the Duke of York and Prince Michael of Kent; the opening of Fleming House, Eastleigh; the Hampshire Business Awards; her Civic Day; the new extension at Harriet Costello School, Basingstoke and attendance at the Hampshire Youth Games.

The Chairman also congratulated the Leader of the Council, Councillor T. K. Thornber, C.B.E., on his being appointed an Honorary Master of Arts by Solent University.

129 LEADER'S REPORT

The Leader took great pleasure in reporting to the Council that Andrew Smith, O.B.E., Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services; Shirley Thorne M.B.E., Corporate Information Services Manager; and Barry Duffin, M.B.E., Countryside Sites Manager(South) had been awarded their honours in the Queen's Birthday Honours. The Council applauded them on their achievements.

The Leader thanked Alan Mills, Assistant Director of Environment, for his commitment and dedication to the County Council. Alan was retiring after 34 years service to the County Council and, on behalf of the Council, the Leader conveyed theCouncil's best wishes to him for his retirement. The Leader also referred to the impending secondment of Paul Carey-Kent, Deputy County Treasurer, to the National Health Service as its Financial Controller for Social Care and his agreement to the appointment of Sarah Pook, Assistant County Treasurer, as Acting Deputy County Treasurer. The Leader also presented the national award 2006 for The Most Effective Use of IT in the Public Service to Jos Creese, Head of IT Services, and the Wavemakers Award to Howard Firth (Children's Services) and Mark Houston and Holly Law (care leavers and members of the Care Action Team that developed the initiative) for the County Council's work with care leavers on the `Passport to Success' scheme. He also congratulated the County Council's Town Project Officers and the Town Partnerships in New Milton and Whitchurch on their successes in this year's Action for Market Towns awards and the County Council's architects on a further design award for the Lanterns Children's Centre.

Following the ceremony performed by David Attenborough at Hillier's Arboretum recently to mark the opening of the Children's Education Garden there, the Leader encouraged Members to visit this innovative facility which the County Council had provided to help Hampshire's young people in their understanding of the impact of modern life on the environment..

It was with regret that the Leader reported the Department of Health's announcement that it was to merge the Hampshire Ambulance Service with Thames Valley. The County Council's preference had been for the Hampshire Ambulance Service to maintain its independent status given concerns about the potential impact of the merger. The Leader and Councillor Dr Ellis, as Chairman of the Council's Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, had jointly written to the Secretary of State urging her to order an independent investigation into the decision to merge.

The Leader took the opportunity to encourage members to attend all the Whole Council Briefings set up following from the Democratic Review. The first of these had been held the previous day. The Chief Executive was managing the arrangements for future briefings in 2006 and the dates for 2007 would be included in the County Council's Calendar of Meetings.

In conclusion, the Leader referred to a recent meetings he had attended with Ruth Kelly, Minister for Communities and Local Government, and with senior civil servants. He reported that the White Paper on the Review of Local Government was expected to be published in the third week of October allowing a period for consultation up to the end of December 2006. He also reported the Government's intention to alleviate the impact of the performance management regime on local government - details were awaited.

130 QUESTIONS UNDER STANDING ORDER 20(b)

The Leader answered questions by Councillor Dowden concerning the Adult Services' budget and the impact on Adult Social Care Services and continuing care of NHS actions.

131 PROPORTIONALITY AND APPOINTMENTS

The Council considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 7 in the Minute Book) following a review of the proportionality approved by the Council in May 2006 in the context of establishing new Policy Review Committees following the Democratic Review. The Council approved the revised proportionality arrangements and also the appointments referred to in the report together with the appointment of Councillor Mrs. Leversha as Vice-Chairman of the Policy and Resources Policy Review Committee with effect from 1 September 2006.

RESOLVED:

a) That the proportionality table set out in Appendix 1 to these minutes be approved with effect from 1 October 2006;

b) That Councillor Mrs. A. M. McNair Scott be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Children's Services Policy Review Committee with immediate effect and that

Mrs. C. A. Leversha be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Policy and Resources Policy Review Committee with effect from 1 October 2006;

c) That Councillor A. W. Rice be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Standards Committee and that Councillors J. K. West and S. D. T. Woodward be appointed members of the Standards Committee in place of Councillors Mrs. E. M. Byrom and R. J. Kimber, all with effect from 1 October 2006.

132 REVIEW OF THE CORPORATE STRATEGY 2006-09

The Council considered and approved the report of the Cabinet/Leader following a review of the Corporate Strategy 2006-09. There was a full and wide-ranging debate of the issues and a proposal was made that the strategy should make specific reference to certain activities or actions such as the Council's responsibilities under Children Act. The majority of members, however, supported the Corporate Strategy as presented to the Council.

RESOLVED:

That approval be given to the political direction and priorities and plans for the revised Corporate Strategy as described in the Appendix to the report of the Cabinet/Leader.

133 POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEES (PRCs) - TERMS OF REFERENCE

The Committee considered and approved the report of the Governance Committee promoting new Terms of Reference for the PRCs. The proposed terms of reference had been developed in consultation with a cross-party group of leading non-executive members and had the support of that group.

RESOLVED:

That the revised terms of reference for PRCs set out as an appendix to the report of the Governance Committee be approved and that the Monitoring Officer be authorised to make consequential changes to Part 3D of the Constitution, the rules of procedure for PRCs.

134 ETHICAL INVESTMENT AND THE HAMPSHIRE PENSION FUND -

NOTICE OF MOTION

The Council considered the following Notice of Motion submitted in accordance with Standing Order 17 by Councillor Collett and seconded by Councillor Payne:

"This Council notes the consistent record of the Pension Fund Panel in fulfilling the duty of the County Council to ensure that funds are available to provide for the pensions of members of the Hampshire Pension Scheme.

This Council recognises:

(i) that there is concern among contributors and beneficiaries of the Hampshire Pension Scheme, and other residents of Hampshire, about the investment of pension fund monies into companies which manufacture and export arms;

(ii) that the Hampshire Pension Fund has been identified as the south-east's largest investor in the arms trade with more than £22,414,800 tied up with arms manufacturers;

(ii) that many pension schemes successfully invest all or part of their funds in socially responsible investments, which avoid arms manufacturers and take account of environmental and social issues; and

(iii) that only a small portion of the Hampshire Pension Fund has been so invested.

This Council also notes that the performance of socially responsible investment of pension funds can match or outperform general pension fund investment when pursued seriously.

This Council recognises the fiduciary duty of the Pension Fund Panel and the wider duty of the County Council to promote the public good. This Council, therefore, instructs the Pension Fund Panel to review the investment policies of the Pension Fund with a view to maximising the proportion of the funds allocated to socially responsible investment, compatible with their fiduciary duty."

Councillor Kendal declared a personal interest in this matter arising from his employment in the pensions industry. Councillors Dowden declared an interest being a member of the Pension Fund Panel.

There was a wide-ranging debate at the end of which the Motion did not receive the support of a majority of members of the Council.

RESOLVED:

That the Motion be not approved.

135 HAMPSHIRE POLICE AUTHORITY

The Council received and noted the report of the Hampshire Police Authority. No questions had been received pursuant to Standing Order 20(d).

136 HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY

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

137 REPORTS FOR INFORMATION

The Council received the reports of the following:

a) The Leader/Cabinet;

b) Executive Lead Member for Children's Services and Executive Member with Special Responsibility for Education;

c) Executive Member for Adult Social Care;

d) Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee;

e) Governance Committee.

Proportionality for 1 October 2006 implementation: Appendix

Standards Committee and the Health Overview and Scrutiny Joint Committee are excluded from proportionality rules.