At a meeting of the CABINET of HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL held at THE CASTLE, WINCHESTER on 29 October 2007.

Present:

Councillors:

p T.K. Thornber, CBE (Chairman)

Also present with the agreement of the Chairman: Councillor M.F. Cartwright; K.G. Chapman; B.D. Dash; Dr. R.J. Ellis; P.R.C. Hutcheson; C.A. Leversha.

336. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor J.K. Glen.

337. 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.

338. MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 24 September 2007 were confirmed as a correct record.

339. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

There were no communications.

340. COMPREHENSIVE SPENDING REVIEW 2007 AND THE COUNTY COUNCIL'S 2008/09-2010/11 PROVISIONAL BUDGET STRATEGY

Councillor M.J. Kendal declared a personal interest as Leader of New Forest District Council in regard to the position of specific grants detailed in the report and in particular the Waste Performance Efficiency Grant.

The Cabinet considered the report of the County Treasurer (Item 5 in the Minute book) which summarised the main features of the Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 (CSR07), confirmed the provisional budget limits for 2008/09 and 2009/10 as the basis for consultation and the development of budget options, and sought agreement of the provisional budget limits for 2010/11.

The County Treasurer firstly confirmed some minor amendments to the report as follows:-

Paragraph 3.8, second bullet point - clarified the performance indicators to be a single set of 198, including 35 indicators which the County Council can select for the Local Area Agreement, together with a further 17 for education. However, for the purpose of absolute clarity the Chief Executive would undertake a final check of the numbers and confirm in writing to the Cabinet that the 17 education targets are included in the total number of indicators (198).

Paragraph 3.28 - the final sentence of that paragraph to read that "budgets will then be financed by a single area based grant which will be treated centrally like formula grant."

Paragraph 3.41 - first bullet point to read that "business process improvement (a structured approach to diagnose what needs to change......)" with the remaining text unchanged.

In expanding on the report, the County Treasurer highlighted that the CSR07 announcement only confirmed the overall level of formula grant for the next three years; the distribution of that grant will not be announced until the grant settlement in December. Therefore he recommended that the provisional budget plans previously set continue to be followed with some slight amendments as a result of CSR07 in regard to inflation assumptions and future service savings but without altering the overall budget strategy or bottom-line projections. Overall, the County Treasurer recommended the continuance of a prudent approach as it is anticipated that the County Council will receive a relatively poor settlement in December, and this combined with cost and demographic pressures will add to the strain on council tax.

During the course of a full discussion, the Cabinet raised a number of concerns including the increasing costs of waste management contracts and the uncertainties surrounding the Waste Performance Efficiency Grant; the substantial reduction in specific grant; the continuing under-funding of social care provision for older people; flooding and the associated costs of highway repairs and maintenance; the inequitable situation in regard to the allocation of funding from the Primary capital programme to enable local education authorities to build a new school over the three-year period in that the size of each local education authority is not taken account of; and the phasing out of national health service residential accommodation for those with learning disabilities. Clarification was also sought in regard to the average figure of formula grant per head quoted in paragraph 4.4 of the report; it was confirmed that the figure of £154 is the average for authorities without a fire authority. Finally, the Cabinet reiterated the decision not to seek further savings from service departments over and above the 3% efficiency savings per annum to enable a redistribution to adult services to assist with further demographic pressures. This would instead be met from the remaining flexibility in unallocated inflation contingency and opportunities arising from the fundamental service review (paragraphs 6.8 and 6.14 of the report refer).

The Cabinet adopted the recommendations set out in the report subject to an amendment to decision 1.3(b) to reflect the position outlined above in regard to further savings. A copy of the decision sheet is attached to these minutes as Appendix 1.

341. SOUTH EAST PLAN - REPORT OF THE EXAMINATION-IN-PUBLIC PANEL

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 6 in the Minute book) detailing the outcome for Hampshire of the South East Plan Examination-in-Public Panel. The report provided the Cabinet with the opportunity to consider the outcome and identify key areas of the Panel's recommendations on which the County Council should focus its activities in the run up to the Government's finalisation of Proposed Changes to the South East Plan.

The Director of Environment expanded on the key implications for Hampshire, namely the Panel's recommendation for a higher rate of house building than in the draft South East Plan at Andover, Basingstoke, Whitehill/Bordon and Winchester; the Panel's recognition of the need for infrastructure improvements and calls for increased Government spending thereon, but disappointingly it also recommends the deletion of the draft Plan's proposal that new development should be conditional on infrastructure improvement. In addition the Panel did not support the Council's recommendation for part of the housing allocation for South Hampshire to be reserved, given the very aspirational economic growth target.

During the course of the ensuing discussion, Cabinet welcomed the successes that the County Council had achieved in regard to the Panel's findings. They did however express their strong disappointment at the Panel's recommendations for increased housing and the deletion of the draft South East Plan's proposal that new development should be conditional on infrastructure improvement and were of the view that jobs and infrastructure should go hand-in-hand with development, not follow it. They emphasised their commitment to a plan, manage and monitor approach to development, the importance of creating sustainable communities, and were supportive of affordable housing but urged the Government to provide adequate direct funding. They also welcomed the Panel's rejection of the notion that housing could be made more affordable by increasing the rate of housebuilding. Of concern also was the Panel's recommendation for a major new development area on the western edge of Reading and how traffic would impact within Hampshire's borders. In addition, the Office of National Statistics had recently published increased population projections which the Director of Environment confirmed would not have been taken into consideration at the time the EiP was held. The Cabinet therefore expressed concern that these new figures may prompt Government to demand even higher levels of housebuilding in the South East without due regard to sustainability or the infrastructure required.

In conclusion, the Cabinet agreed to make a submission to the Government before its proposals for the South-East are published reflecting their concerns which would be copied to Hampshire MPs. A copy of the substantive decision sheet is attached to these minutes as Appendix 2.

342. SCHOOL TRAVEL PATHFINDER BID - HOME TO SCHOOL TRANSPORT

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Children's Services and the Director of Environment (Item 7 in the Minute book) which detailed the background to, and sought approval of a school travel pathfinder bid for home to school transport. The Project Director expanded on the main components of the bid, the consultation that had been undertaken in developing the bid and the financial implications for the County Council, particularly after the three-year pathfinder period has ended.

During the course of a full discussion, the Cabinet agreed that the pathfinder scheme provides an excellent opportunity to attract a significant amount of funding from 2009-2012 to help reduce traffic queues caused by the school run as well as improving educational choice and health and wellbeing. However they expressed some concerns about the potential financial implications post 2012 when the pathfinder scheme period has expired and were disappointed at the Government's expectation that the County Council will discontinue its current free home to school transport provision for children that meet the relevant criteria and instead to charge, except for those in receipt of benefits, as part of the pathfinder submission. The Cabinet found this expectation unreasonable and will submit a scheme to the Government which does not include charging and make the case for the Government to reconsider its position. The Cabinet also emphasised that a "one size fits all approach" would not take into account the rural and diverse nature of the county which means that large numbers of children have more than a two or three mile journey in order to attend the nearest designated school.

In conclusion the Cabinet thanked the officers involved in the project for the work they had done to prepare the bid and adopted the recommendations set out in the report. A copy of the decision sheet is attached to these minutes as Appendix 3.

343. CONSULATION ON DEDICATED SCHOOLS GRANT (DSG) FORMULA REVIEW: TERMS OF REFERENCE

The Cabinet considered the report of the County Treasurer (Item 8 in the Minute book) which sought approval of a response to the consultation on the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) Formula Review: Terms of Reference for submission to the Department for Children, Schools and Families by 2 November 2007.

In welcoming the review, the Cabinet expressed a number of reservations particularly in regard to schools' funding being provided as a ring fenced grant rather than as part of the general formula grant. They were of the view that local education authorities should have full funding control, in consultation with the Schools' Forum but not subject to their decisions as the Forum is not a democratically elected body. In addition, it was not clear where children's social care funding fits into the review and the issue of the return of post 16 funding to local authorities from the Learning and Skills Council expected in 2011 is also not considered and should be.

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

344. EDUCATION POLICY STATEMENT

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Children's Services (Item 9 in the Minute book) which sought approval to adopt a policy statement "Maximising well-being through education" for Hampshire schools and colleges. The Area Director for Education and Inclusion reported that the document provides a clear statement of policy which takes account of recent changes in legislation, namely the Children Act 2004 and the Education and Inspections Act 2006, and the reorganisation of the former education and social services departments into the Children's Services Department.

During the course of the ensuing discussion, the Cabinet noted that there had been wide consultation with the County Council's partners on the draft policy which had been favourably received. In welcoming the policy, the Cabinet requested that the elements regarding high aspirations be strengthened so that young people are encouraged to set themselves goals, coupled with the important role that schools have to play in providing the right learning environment and skills that young people need in order to achieve their goals.

The Cabinet adopted the recommendations set out in the report subject to some strengthening to reflect the views detailed above. A copy of the decision sheet is attached to these minutes as Appendix 5.

Contact: Jon Pittam, (01962) 847544; [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 Cabinet agreed in May that budget pressures and savings options (within the limits contained in the provisional budget for 2008/09 and 2009/10), value for money benchmark activity and performance activity should be reviewed and reported to this meeting. A report was made to Cabinet on 24 September 2007, but was deferred because of the pressure of business.

1.2 Since then the Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 (CSR07) has been published. This report now summarises the main features of CSR07 and makes some slight amendments to the previous provisional budget plans concerning inflation assumptions and future service savings, but without altering the overall provisional budget strategy or bottom-line projections. The relatively poor CSR07 settlement is as anticipated when the County Council set its provisional budget strategy and no further action is required at this stage to amend the provisional three-year strategy.

1.3 The following decisions were made

a) To update Cabinet with the main features of CSR07.

b) To confirm the provisional budget limits for 2008/09 and 2009/10, subject to the provisions in regard to further savings as detailed in paragraphs 6.8 and 6.14 of the report, as the basis for consultation and for the development of budget options (paragraph 6.10).

c) To agree the provisional budget limits for 2010/11 as set out in paragraph 6.11.

d) To agree the proposals for carrying out budget consultation as set out in paragraphs 7.1 and 7.2.

e) To agree the provisional locally resourced capital programme guidelines for 2008/09 to 2010/11, as set out in paragraph 8.2.

2 Reason

2.1 The development of budget options and budget consultation during the autumn will need to continue, based upon CSR07 and the likely outcome of the next three year grant settlement (to be announced in December).

3 Other options considered and rejected:

3.1 None.

4 Conflicts of interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive member consulted

4.1 None.

5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee

5.1 None.

6 Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent

6.1 None.

Approved by: Date:
Councillor KT Thornber, CBE - Chairman

Contact: Stuart Roberts, ext 6782 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 A public inquiry into the draft South East Plan took place last winter. That inquiry - called an Examination-in-Public - was conducted by a panel of three inspectors whose report has now been published. The inspectors recommend only minor changes to many of the policies in the draft Plan but their more significant proposals include higher rates of housebuilding across the region. In Hampshire, they recommend more housebuilding than in the draft Plan at Andover, Basingstoke, Whitehill/Bordon and Winchester. The Panel recognises the need for infrastructure improvements and calls for increased Government spending thereon, but it also recommends the deletion of the draft Plan's proposal that new development should be conditional on infrastructure provision. Later this year or in early 2008, the Government will publish, for public comment, its proposed changes to the draft Plan taking account of the Panel's recommendations. The Cabinet now has an opportunity to review the outline of the Examination-in-Public and decide where to focus its activities in preparation for the next stage of the Plan process.

1.2 The following decision was made:

Agreed that a submission be made to the Government before its proposals for the South East are published detailing the Cabinet's:

(a) support for affordable housing whilst urging the Government to intervene
in terms of adequate direct funding


(b) commitment to a plan, manage and monitor approach to development


(c) concerns about the Panel's recommendation for a major new
development area on the western edge of Reading and how traffic would

impacts within Hampshire's borders


(d) strongly held view that infrastructure should precede, not follow housing development; and


(e) that the submission be copied to all Hampshire MPs.

2. Reason

2.1 By influencing the evolution of the South East Plan, the County Council can ensure that the required new homes and jobs are provided, in the right place and with the necessary investment in infrastructure.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 To not react to the Examination-in-Public Panel's recommendations.

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

1466Decn/SR

Contact: Roger Mead, Project Director, Children's Services Dept; telephone number 01962 846183; email address: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decision was made:

That Cabinet

(a) agrees that Hampshire County Council makes a submission to the Government of a pathfinder bid for school travel which does not commit it to extending charging for home to school transport beyond those who are already charged, and that accordingly section D2 of the draft submission document is amended. Furthermore, and as a matter of principle, the current free home to school transport provision for those pupils entitled on the grounds of distance from their nearest or designated catchment area school or, free school meals or from families in receipt of the maximum level of Working Families Tax Credit, those with special needs, those for whom a walking route is not available and Children Looked After (CLA) will continue.

(b) agrees the submission of a Pathfinder Bid on school travel - home to school transport for three years commencing in 2009/10 and with an initial annual revenue value of up to £2.5 million

(c) authorises the Leader of the County Council to sign off the final submission for submitting to the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DfCSF) by 30 November 2007

(d) requests a further report following receipt of the decision from the DfCSF

(e) agrees that the bid should emphasise the rural nature of the county where large numbers of children have a longer than 2 or 3 mile journey to attend the nearest designated school

(f) determines that if the Pathfinder Bid is successful, the Government should be requested to provide permanent funding for the scheme once the three year pathfinder period has expired.

2. Reason

2.1 This decision supports the following Hampshire County Council priority:

"Making Hampshire safer and more secure for all" - by reducing the congestion associated with the number of journeys to school by car

"Maximising well-being" - by encouraging more walking and cycling in partnership with external organisations and district councils

"Enhancing our quality of place" - through introducing new options and improvements for children and young people journeying to and from school at different times of day

2.2 The decision supports the following Aims of the Children Act:

Being healthy; Staying safe; Enjoying and achieving; Making a positive contribution; Economic well-being through a menu of options to assist children and young people to attend school

7 Other Options considered and rejected:

3.1 The criteria set out in the Pathfinder literature enabled a clear focus to be
achieved from the outset.

8 Conflicts of Interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive Member consulted

4.1 None.

9 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee -

5.1 None.

10 Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent -

6.1 Not applicable.

Approved by: Date:
Councillor T.K. Thornber, C.B.E. - Chairman

Contact: Sarah Pook, (01962) 847045; [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

That Cabinet approve the consultation response for submission to the Department for Children, Schools and Families by 2 November 2007.

2. Reason

2.1 The County Council needs to influence the Government in its decisions on Dedicated Schools Grant distribution as this could affect financial position of the County Council and its schools from 2011.

3. Other options considered and rejected:

3.1 None.

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 - not applicable.

Approved by: Date:

Councillor T.K. Thornber, CBE - Chairman

Contact: Gerry Price, Area Director (Education & Inclusion), telephone 023 8081 6127, email [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

a) That the Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education) recommends to Cabinet that the policy statement (attached as an Appendix to the main report) be adopted as the County Council's policy for education.

b) That this policy is reviewed in October 2010.

2. Reason

2.1 This decision supports the following Hampshire County Council priority:

"Making Hampshire safer and more secure for all" - by reinforcing to schools and other education providers the importance of education in enabling citizens to feel safe and secure

"Maximising well-being" - by promoting the importance of a high quality education in enabling children and young people to achieve well and to be equipped with the values, knowledge, skills and attitudes they need to live life to the full.

"Enhancing our quality of place" - by making explicit the County Council's commitment to excellence with responsibilities shared between learners, parents, educational providers and other public and voluntary organisations.

2.3 The decision supports all five aims of the Children Act (Being healthy; Staying safe; Enjoying and achieving; Making a positive contribution; Economic well-being) since the proposed policy for education explicitly promotes eight principles that reflect these aims and makes explicit the County Council's commitment to working in partnership with all stakeholders to ensure that these are reflected in educational practice throughout Hampshire.

3. Other Options considered and rejected:

3.1 To do nothing is not an option because this leaves the County Council vulnerable to the suggestion that it is failing in its responsibility to lead educational thinking and practice in Hampshire. Key partners have expressed a wish for a clear lead from the County Council in respect of its vision and objectives for education in the context of the Children Act 2004 and the Education and Inspections Act 2006.

3.2 A shorter statement limited to the vision and principles was considered but rejected because it would result in a policy that lacked clarity about how the County Council intended to lead partners in its implementation.

4. Conflicts of Interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive Member consulted

4.1 None.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee -

5.1 None.

6. Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent -

6.1 Not applicable.

Approved by: Date:
Councillor T.K. Thornber, C.B.E. - Chairman