AT A MEETING of the CABINET of HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on 22 January 2007.

Chairman:

p Councillor T.K. Thornber, CBE

Councillors:

Also present: Councillors B.D. Dash; Mrs C.A. Leversha and Mrs P.A. West

223. APOLOGIES

No apologies for absence were received.

224. 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.

225. MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting held on 18 December 2007 were confirmed as a correct record.

Arising thereon:-

(i) Minute 219: the County Treasurer reported that the Government had now published its grant settlement and despite strong representations from the County Council in response to the provisional settlement, the final position had not changed to which the Cabinet expressed their disappointment.

Furthermore, the Cabinet expressed concerns about the anomaly of the County Council's `supported' borrowing sustainability as a `floor' authority whereby increased capital financing costs were not matched by increased amounts of revenue support grant. Cabinet was keen to continue to lobby the Government about this position. The County Treasurer advised that the best approach would be to write in the context of the forthcoming spending review and accordingly, he would organise this.

226. WINCHESTER BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

Councillor M.J. Woodhall declared a personal prejudicial interest as the freeholder of two business outlets referred to in the report and took no part in the ensuing discussion.

Further to initial consideration at the 18 December meeting, the Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 5 in the Minute Book), which sought support for the development of a Business Improvement District (BID) for Winchester to offer city businesses the opportunity to take ownership of an area and improve the trading environment. The Head of Economic Development expanded on the report and confirmed that as per the Cabinet's request, this revised report gave more detail of the benefits of a BID for Winchester and the advantages likely to flow from the additional investment.

During the course of a full discussion, the Cabinet were mindful of the importance of securing the economic and environmental future of Winchester whilst ensuring value for money for all Hampshire council taxpayers given that the financial investment would be made by the county as a whole. In addition, the active participation of other key stakeholders such as the Winchester and Eastleigh NHS Healthcare Trust, Her Majesty's Prison, the University of Winchester and the Diocese of Winchester, was agreed.

In order to reflect the views expressed above, the Cabinet revised the recommendations and the substantive decisions taken are detailed in the decision sheet attached to these minutes as Appendix 1.

228. RESPONSE TO THE CARE MATTERS GREEN PAPER

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Children's Services (Item 6 in the Minute Book), which sought endorsement of a response to the consultation Green Paper "Care Matters - Transforming the Lives of Children and Young People in Care" which had been submitted to meet the closing date of 15 January 2007. In addition, approval was sought for the establishment of a Member led Corporate Parenting Group within the Children and Young People's Strategic Partnership which will be linked to the Children's Services Policy Review Committee to ensure a high level of political support and engagement for this service. Members' attention was also drawn to the establishment of a high level officer working group to monitor the implementation of a service improvement plan for children in care.

The Director of Children's Service highlighted the significance of the proposals contained in the Green Paper which details the ways in which the Government believes outcomes for children in care (or children looked after by the local authority) need to be improved, coupled with the implications for the Joint Area Review. Furthermore, the Director expanded on the key elements of the response along with some important provisos and the implications for the County Council.

In endorsing the response, the Cabinet emphasised the importance of the role the County Council has as corporate parents for children in care in Hampshire. Furthermore, the Cabinet were keen to see the development of a clear role for Members of the Hampshire Action Teams (HATs) to help promote the corporate parenting role and to explore how they could contribute to the well being and progress of children in care. Also highlighted was the importance of partnership working with the district councils and universities in Hampshire to improve outcomes for children 16 years and above in respect of further education and other issues such as accommodation.

The Cabinet adopted the recommendations set out in the report subject to an additional resolution to reflect their views detailed above. A copy of the substantive decision sheet is attached to these minutes as Appendix 2. A copy of the County Council's Green Paper response would be sent to Les Lawrence, Chairman of the Local Government Association Children and Young People Board.

Contact: John Rees-Evans, Head of Economic Development, ext: 6628 email:

[email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions were made:

(a) That Hampshire County Council supports in principle the development
of a Business Improvement District (BID) for Winchester City, subject to the County Council's involvement in the Business Plan, the overriding need for value for money for Hampshire County Council's taxpayers and the participation of the Council on the Board of the Company.

(b) That the County Council further urges the Partnership to invite active
participation of other bodies such as the Winchester and Eastleigh
Healthcare Trust, Her Majesty's Prison, the University of Winchester
and the Diocese of Winchester.

2. Reason

2.1 Following discussions at the last Cabinet meeting on 18^th December, the attached report amplifies the benefits of the proposed BID for Winchester Centre (see para 5). The draft business plan can also be viewed at http://www.wincity.uk.com/bid/OutlineBusinessPlan.pdf

2.2 Business Improvement Districts offer town and city businesses the opportunity to take ownership of an area and improve the trading environment. The proposal offers an opportunity for improved and sustainable economic prosperity for the city through the engagement and regular involvement of private and public sector businesses in a strong and transparent partnership.

3. Other options considered and rejected

Not applicable.

4. Conflicts of interest declared by the decision maker or a member or officer consulted.

Not applicable.

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, C.B.E. - Chairman

Contact: Pam Robinson, ext no 7991, [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions were made:

(a) That Cabinet endorses the attached response submitted by the Director of Children's Services to the Green Paper consultation;

(b) That Cabinet gives its approval for the establishment of a Members' Corporate Parent Group and notes the introduction of the officer working group as described within the paper;

(c) That work be undertaken to explore how the Hampshire Actions Teams (HATs) could contribute to the well being and progress of children in the care of the County Council.

2. Reason

2.1 On 9 October 2006, the Department for Education and Skills published the Green Paper - "Care Matters." In this paper, the Government describes the ways in which it believes children who are unable to grow up with their birth parents should be cared for. The Government seeks the views of stakeholders in children's services in relation to its proposals. The closing date for consultation is 15 January 2007.

2.2 Following consultation with officers, elected Members and young people, a response has been co-ordinated by the Strategic County Manager (Children & Families), the Strategic Service Manager (children living away from home), the manager of the team for the education of children in care and the former participation development worker.

2.3 The consultation revealed agreement between the stakeholders, and, as a result, the County Council's Children's Services Department would like to recommend a corporate response to the paper.

2.4 This decision supports the following Hampshire County Council priorities:

· "Making Hampshire safer and more secure for all" - by contributing to Government policy on children in care, and ensuring the life chances of children in care are enhanced; and

· "Maximising well-being" - by contributing to Government policy as above.

These decisions are supportive of all five of the Children Act 2004 outcomes for children as they apply to this most vulnerable group.

3. Other options considered and rejected

3.1 No other options were considered; it was always deemed to be best practice, to send a corporate response from Hampshire to the Green Paper.

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