AT A MEETING of the CABINET of HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on 27 November 2006.

Chairman:

p Councillor T.K. Thornber, CBE

Councillors:

Also present: Councillors M.F. Cartwright; K.G. Chapman; A.P. Collett (part of meeting); B.D. Dash; Dr R.J. Ellis and Mrs C.A. Leversha

200. APOLOGIES

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor D.A. Kirk who was representing the County Council at the RETIS Annual General Meeting in Brussels.

201. 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.

202. MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting held on 30 October 2006 were confirmed as a correct record.

203. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

(i) The Chairman welcomed Andrew West, Member of the Youth
Parliament who was attending the meeting to observe the proceedings.


(ii) The Chairman reported on Statutory Instrument 3096 - The Local Authorities (Categorisation) (England) Order 2006 detailing ratings for authorities in England under the Corporate Performance Assessment (CPA) Framework. As the CPA refresh has been delayed until February 2007, the Chief Executive would verify the intention of this Order.

(iii) The Chairman reported that the release of the Commission for Social Care Inspection's (CSCI) ratings for every local authority in the country was due on 30 November 2006. The Adult Services department was confident that it would retain its two-star rating against the backdrop of the many difficulties the service had been experiencing.


(iv) The Chairman had pleasure in confirming that Stoner Hill would re-open on 30 November 2006 following the completion of extensive and complex work as a result of a major landslip eight months ago.

204. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

205. COMMUNITY SAFETY SERVICE

Councillor Kendal declared a personal interest as a Leader of New Forest District Council and Chairman of the New Forest District Council Cabinet, as the district council make a financial contribution to the service.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 6 in the Minute Book) seeking approval to expand the Community Safety Service by creating a fifth central team of Accredited Community Safety Officers (ACSOs). To ensure that as much of the county is covered as possible by the teams, agreement was sought to expand the service into five Tactical Areas of Responsibility (TAORs). The Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Service expanded on the report highlighting the key points including the recruitment process, training and deployment of ACSOs.

Members strongly supported the work of the ACSOs which to date had proved very effective, whether it be in towns or villages, in response to calls for assistance with specific problems in order to make Hampshire a safer and more secure place for everyone. Members also requested the Director of Property, Business & Regulatory Services contact the Chief Constable and other interested parties to develop a protocol to provide for the deployment of Police Community Service Officers (PCSOs) and ACSOs and a guide to parish councils in particular.

The Cabinet adopted the recommendations set out in the report together with an additional resolution to reflect the request for the development of a protocol. A copy of the decision sheet is attached to these minutes as Appendix 1.

206. SOUTH EAST CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE (SECE)

Councillor Felicity Hindson declared a personal interest as a member of the A2 Winchester Housing Association.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Item 7 in the Minute Book) seeking approval for the continued development and contribution of the County Council to SECE, the aim of which is to improve procurement arrangements in the South East. The Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services expanded on the report by detailing the progress made to date on developing the work of the SECE and the benefits it is reaping for local authorities working in partnership, as well as promoting best practice and efficiencies in terms of cashable and non-cashable savings.

Members were supportive of the progress that had been made and the role the County Council was playing as the lead authority for the construction work stream. However, the Cabinet emphasised the need for robust risk management arrangements to ensure that the County Council's resources were protected for the longer-term and the need for flexibility in the rewards for staff working on this programme particularly in relation to the retention of staff.

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

207. 2006/07 BUDGET MONITORING UPDATE

The Cabinet considered the report of the County Treasurer (Item 8 in the Minute Book) reviewing the latest budget monitoring position against the current 2006/07 cash limits. The County Treasurer expanded on the key points of the report including the latest position with the Adult Services and Children's Services budgets.

Members noted that robust monitoring arrangements were in place across the organisation and for Adult and Children's services in particular. Extensive trend analysis indicated that the authority was moving in a positive direction to manage effectively budgetary difficulties in the face of increased service demands. In the meantime, the Cabinet would continue to lobby the government in respect of the lack of adequate funding for adult social care.

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

208. LOCAL PUBLIC SERVICE AGREEMENT 1 - REWARD GRANT INVESTMENT PROPOSALS

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Children's Services (Item 9 in the Minute Book) seeking approval for the release of Local Public Service Agreement reward grant to the Children's Services department for investment proposals. The Children's Services Deputy Director for Education and Inclusion expanded on the report and drew particular attention to the report's appendix which detailed the three proposed areas for investment namely, one-off costs for departmental restructure, one-off costs for looked after children, and spend to save initiatives for the Change for Children Programme.

Following careful consideration of the proposals, Members were supportive of the proposals but expressed a strong desire for more funds to be made available to the Rights, Respect and Responsibilities programme, which was proving to be very successful. Therefore, in adopting the recommendations the Cabinet asked the Director of Children's Services to consider the view expressed in regard to the Rights, Respect and Responsibilities programme. A copy of the decision sheet is attached to these minutes as Appendix 4.

209. STREET LIGHTING PRIVATE FINANCE INITIATIVE - GOVERNANCE ARRANGEMENTS

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 10 in the Minute Book) seeking approval of governance arrangements in respect of the County Council's involvement in a joint project for a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) bid to renew and upgrade street lighting. The Director of Environment briefly expanded on the key points of 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 5.

210. THE FUTURE OF SOUTH HAMPSHIRE RAPID TRANSIT

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 11 in the Minute Book) seeking approval of actions that respond to the need to develop and promote mass transit access for Gosport and Fareham, but in the context of the lack of Government funding for the South Hampshire Rapid Transit scheme. The Director of Environment gave a short presentation in support of the proposals.

Members were sympathetic to the transport difficulties being experienced by Gosport and Fareham. During the course of a full discussion, they expressed strong support to explore all viable options to find a lower cost mass transit solution for south Hampshire whilst continuing with short term measures, particularly to ease congestion on the A32. Members also emphasised the importance of consulting with key stakeholders to establish priorities.

The Cabinet adopted the recommendations set out in the report. A copy of the decision sheet is attached to these minutes as Appendix 6.

211. EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC

That the public be excluded from the meeting during the following item of business, as it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the public were present during that item there would be disclosure to them of exempt information within Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, and further that in all circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons set out in the report.

212. THE FUTURE OF SOUTH HAMPSHIRE RAPID TRANSIT - EXEMPT APPENDIX

The Cabinet considered the exempt appendix to the Director of Environment's report on the future of South Hampshire Rapid Transit (Item 12 above).

Contact: Jon Whale Ext: 6170 email: [email protected]

Councillor T.K. Thornber, CBE - Chairman

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

Councillor T K Thornber, CBE - Chairman

CAB1106A

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

1. Summary

1.1 This report reviews the latest budget monitoring position for 2006/07.

1.2 The following decisions are sought:

That the actions outlined in the report in developing and implementing recovery plans for Adult and Children's services, and in achieving budgeted savings across all services, be approved.

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. This report reviews whether any further action is required in 2006/07 in addition to the measures taken in July to increase balances in 2006/07.

3. Other options considered and rejected

3.1 Not applicable.

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 - Chairman

Contact: Sheila Little, ext 7545, email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

That the release of the allocation of £1.6million of Local Public Service Agreement reward grant to the Children's Services Department for the investment proposals summarised in Table 1 of the report be approved, subject to the flexibilities set out in paragraphs 2.4 and 2.5 of the report.

2. Reason

2.1 The proposals set out in this report support the corporate priorities of Maximising well being and making Hampshire safer and more secure for all. They are a combination of one-off projects that will enhance and support the Change for Children programme and relieve some pressures in 2006/07 and spend to save initiatives.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 Not to approve the allocation of Local Public Service Agreement reward grant to the Children's Services Department.

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(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - None.

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

Councillor T K Thornber CBE - Chairman

Contacts: Alison Quant, ext 5099 email: [email protected]

Trevor Wallis, tel 02392 446 466 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions are sought:

(i) That the Executive Members for Policy and Resources and Environment be nominated to represent the County Council on the informal Joint Working Group with Southampton City Council and West Sussex County Council.

(ii) That the Executive Member for Policy and Resources and/or the Executive Member for Environment, in consultation with each other, be authorised to take such decisions as may be required to develop the Outline Business Case and matters leading up to a decision on the Private Finance Initiative Contract.

2. Reason

2.1 The County Council's Private Finance Initiative project will substantially improve Hampshire's street lighting stock, thereby increasing safety and reducing crime.

2.2 The Government's invitation to submit an Outline Business Case requires Hampshire County Council, West Sussex County Council and Southampton City Council to consider the benefits of joint working. This decision is to provide appropriate governance arrangements to achieve this.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 To set up a formal joint Committee between the three Councils.

3.2 Not to have any joint political arrangements.

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(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - None.

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

Councillor T K Thornber CBE - Chairman

1120Decn/AQ/TW

Contact: Peter Murnaghan, ext 6920 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions were made:

(i) That the promoters of the South Hampshire Rapid Transit formally abandon the scheme following the Secretary of State's decision not to provide funding, once the route is fully safeguarded.

(ii) That the former railway alignment and connecting route between Fareham and Gosport be safeguarded for use as a transport corridor.

(iii) That the proposed bus and rail interchange at Fareham Station continues to be safeguarded.

(iv) That the County Council completes the purchase by agreement of the former railway line between Fareham and Holbrook to protect it for its future use as a public transport link, and that the detailed terms and conditions for its purchase be settled by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Head of Estates).

(v) That work proceeds on developing options for an affordable transit system for South East Hampshire, including Fareham, Gosport and Portsmouth.

(vi) That a detailed review of all land held by the County Council for the South Hampshire Rapid Transit scheme is conducted, and that such properties as will not be required for any successor scheme or other County Council operational purposes are declared surplus, and brought forward for disposal on detailed terms and conditions to be settled by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Head of Estates).

(vii) That the current difficulties for the people of Gosport be recognised as a priority for short term action to deal with the capacity problems on the A32.

2. Reason

2.1 This decision addresses the need to develop and promote mass transit access for Gosport and Fareham in the context of the lack of Government funding for South Hampshire Rapid Transit.

2.2 The decision will help improve our quality of place by initiating plans for an alternative mass transit scheme that will provide relief to users of the congested A32 and connect proposed development areas to existing urban areas in South Hampshire.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 To maintain the scheme as a `live' proposal would be inappropriate in view of the expiry of the planning and compulsory purchase powers and the lack of any alternative source of funding.

3.2 Not to progress an alternative, more affordable transit system to link Fareham and Gosport with Portsmouth.

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(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - None.

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

Councillor T K Thornber CBE - Chairman

1065Decn/PM