Archived decisions

Contact: Christine Buckett : (01962) 847313; e-mail: [email protected]

1. Introduction

The County Council receives expenditure grants from Government Departments under Section 31 of the Local Government Act 2003 and other provisions, towards expenditure incurred by the County Council or to be incurred by it. Those grants may be paid on such terms and conditions as the Government Department determines, and this report seeks authority for the County Treasurer to agree terms and conditions of such grants.

2. Recommendations.

That the Constitution be amended to include at Part 2: Chapter 1, Paragraph 4 that the County Treasurer has lawfully delegated authority to agree to terms and conditions for and on behalf of Hampshire County Council in respect of grants under Section 31 of the Local Government Act 2003 and such other grants as may be awarded from time to time.

3. Grant for A 3 Bus Priority Scheme.

3.1 The Secretary of State for Transport is prepared to award a grant under Section 31 of the Local Government Act 2003 for the Integrated A3 Bus Priority Corridor Scheme for the financial year 2007 / 2008. Similar grants have been received in previous years to support this scheme

3.2 The award of this grant is subject to terms and conditions limiting its use to this scheme and among other things specifying how the grant may be claimed and what information is required by the Secretary of State for Transport.

3.3 Whilst the administration of such grants falls within the delegated authority given in the County Council's Constitution to the County Treasurer, the Secretary of State for Transport requires evidence either that the County Treasurer, as Chief Finance Officer, has authority to agree to the grant terms and conditions for and on behalf of Hampshire County Council or that the County Council has passed a specific resolution accepting the grant subject to all the terms and conditions.

3.4 There are circumstances in which other grants may be given subject to terms and conditions and accordingly it is prudent to amend the Constitution to provide for a delegated authority to the Country Treasurer to agree the terms and conditions of grants generally.