Archived decisions

AT A MEETING of the CABINET of HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on 21 January 2008.

Chairman:

p Councillor T.K. Thornber, CBE

Councillors:

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

367. APOLOGIES

There were no apologies for absence.

368. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were mindful that where they believed they had a personal or prejudicial interest in any matter considered at the meeting declared that interest at the time of the relevant debate and, having regard to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the County Council's Code of Conduct, considered whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with paragraph 12 of the code.

369. MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting held on 17 December 2007 were confirmed as a correct record.

Arising thereon:-

(i) Minute 360 (i): Post Office changes programme - the Cabinet requested that the Chief Executive confirm if a response has been received to the County Council's Freedom of Information request. Subsequently, it was confirmed that a response had been received which would be circulated.

(ii) Minute 362: Provisional formula grant settlement - the Chairman reported that it had not been possible to meet with Ministers to make face-to-face representations on the settlement proposals therefore a letter setting out the County Council's representations had been sent to the Minister of State, John Healey MP. The County Treasurer confirmed that a reply had not been received to date.

370. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman called forward Item 8 on the agenda (Village 30 mph speed limit proposals - approval to progress traffic orders) to be considered as the first item of business.

371. VILLAGE 30 MPH SPEED LIMIT PROPOSALS - APPROVAL TO PROGRESS TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDERS

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 8 in the Minute book) seeking authority to place Notices of Intention to make Traffic Orders under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, the effect of which would be to introduce 30 mph speed limits in specified villages included in the `Village 30' programme. These proposals have been developed following the Cabinet decision of 18th December 2006 that village speed limits be positively reviewed in accordance with the revised Department for Transport guidance that 30 mph should be the norm in villages.

The Director of Environment expanded on the main issues contained in the report including the position of the Police in regard to 30 mph proposals in villages where measured mean speeds are up to 45 mph, together with the advice given by the County Council's Legal Practice in regard to associated risks.

During the course of the ensuing discussion, the Cabinet stressed that there is clear public demand for 30 mph speed limits in villages, with an ICM survey showing 69% overall support for this approach - 74% in villages). They were satisfied that the risks associated with the project had been robustly assessed with due process having been followed and that all the proposals in the Village 30 programme would be subject to a statutory public consultation exercise which would allow all interested parties to submit their views. Furthermore, the Chairman stressed that it is the intention of the Cabinet, once the Village 30 programme is complete and subject to Government guidance at the time, to consider applications for formal 20 mph limits outside schools.

In conclusion of detailed consideration of all the issues, the Cabinet adopted the recommendations set out in the report subject to some revisions, together with an additional resolution at paragraph 1.1 (v). A copy of the substantive decision sheet is attached to these minutes as Appendix 1.

372. COMPREHENSIVE AREA ASSESSMENT (CAA) CONSULTATION REPONSE

The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive and County Treasurer (Item 5 in the Minute book) seeking approval of the proposed response to the CAA and Use of Resources consultation. The Chief Executive confirmed that the action learning pilot that the County Council is taking part in is not progressing in as timely a manner as was envisaged due to organisational difficulties within the central Government Inspectorates, which is outside of the County Council's control. However, the pilot presents the County Council with an early opportunity to influence the CAA process, which is welcomed.

The Cabinet considered appendices one and two in detail as the basis for the County Council's response to the consultation. In doing so, they requested that the response be strengthened to put forward their view:

· that the CAA should have more emphasis on local issues

· that an annual process could be even more bureaucratic than CPA and that the procedure for the better performing councils should be for a `lighter touch' approach

· that democratic responsibility be strengthened to ensure the County Council has a strong voice as a democratic body elected by the local community

· that Parish Councils are included in the response as the most local level of consultee; and

· that quality of service as part of any assessment must be emphasised

The Cabinet adopted the recommendation set out in the report subject to the response being strengthened to reflect the views detailed above and to be finalised in consultation with the Leader and the Chief Executive. A copy of the decision sheet is attached to these minutes as Appendix 2.

373. IMPLEMENTATION AND COMPLETION OF THE EXTRA NURSING HOME AND NURSING CARE EXTENSION (ENHANCE) NURSING STRATEGY

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Adult Services (Item 6 in the Minute book) outlining the operational implementation of the ENHANCE Nursing project, which has been successfully completed with the last nursing home, Westholme in Winchester, opening beds in April 2007. In expanding on the report, the Director of Adult Services confirmed that Hampshire County Council is the only local authority in the country to have designed, developed, built and be running its own nursing homes. The nursing homes offer state of the art nursing care, improving the prospects of those people requiring care and demonstrating good co-operation between NHS organisations and the County Council's Adult Services and Property, Business and Regulatory Services departments.

During the course of the ensuing discussion, Members welcomed the success of the project and congratulated all those involved in achieving that outcome. They also recognised that the state of the art care available provides for timely re-enablement to allow people to return to living within the community. Members also discussed staffing issues raised at section 6 of the report and the possibility of utilising the eastern European labour force whilst being mindful that this approach would have some funding implications.

In conclusion of a full discussion, the Cabinet adopted the recommendation set out in the report adding its congratulations to all those involved in the project. A copy of the substantive decision sheet is attached to these minutes as Appendix 3.

374. HAMPSHIRE COMMISSION ON SOCIAL CARE FOR ADULTS - MOVING TO PERSONALISED SERVICES

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Adult Services (Item 7 in the Minute book) outlining a proposal to set up a Hampshire Commission on Adult Social Care to explore how to move towards a more personalised service for people in need of support and care. The Director of Adult Services expanded on the report particularly emphasising that moving towards a more personalised service would lead to a change in culture, identify more robust financial arrangements and influence the Government's Green Paper on the future of Adult Social Care.

During the course of the ensuing discussion, Members welcomed the setting up of a Commission, which would provide an excellent opportunity to receive evidence to enable the County Council to build on the strength and quality of its existing services to address the complex needs of people requiring support and care. They also emphasised the importance of considering recruitment and training implications and raising the profile of care workers. Members supported the proposal that Commissioners would be drawn from a variety of external organisations to bring together a wealth of expertise in order to achieve the best possible outcome for all concerned.

The Cabinet adopted the recommendations set out in the report together with an additional resolution that the Leader will invite a debate on the Commission at full Council on 3 April 2008, which will inform a half day briefing session for all Members of the County Council to be held on 29 April 2008 as part of the Council half day briefings schedule. A copy of the decision sheet is attached to these minutes as Appendix 4.

Contact: Peter Bayless, tel 874610 email: [email protected]

Graham Carter, tel 874581 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions were made:

(i) that proposed 30 mph speed limits for villages in the `Village 30' programme that the Police are supporting continue to be progressed through the Traffic Order process as soon as practicable.

(ii) that authority be given to place Notices of Intention to make Traffic Orders under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, the effect of which would be to introduce 30 mph speed limits in those villages in the `Village 30' programme which are not supported by the Police but to which they are not raising specific objections.

(iii) that the Director of Environment be instructed to work on traffic management concerns in the three areas, namely Newtown, Mattingley and Pamber End with a view to their later inclusion in the Village 30 programme, in consultation with the Executive Member for Environment and local members.

(iv) that objections which arise through the Traffic Orders process be determined by the Executive Member for Environment in the normal way when the individual schemes are brought forward for authority to implement them.

(v) that it is the intention of the Cabinet to apply 20 mph speed limits where requested upon completion of the 30 mph speed limit programme, subject to guidance applying at the time.

(vi) that the Director of Environment seek the views of the Department for Transport on the speed management regulations for villages in France and elsewhere to ask if they would consider introducing such a system in the UK and advising that Hampshire County Council would support such arrangements.

2. Reason

2.1 A total of 39 villages, selected according to locally determined priorities through the Hampshire Action Teams, are included in the 2007/08 Safe and Secure Communities Programme. This followed the Cabinet decision on 18 December 2006 that village speed limits be positively reviewed in accordance with the revised Department for Transport guidance that 30 mph should be the norm in villages. In accordance with the requirements of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, consultations on these proposals have been undertaken formally with the Police with a view to obtaining their agreement to seeking public views through the posting of Public Notices.

2.2 The Police have responded as follows:

(i) that schemes where mean speeds are at or below the proposed new limit have their support;

(ii) that schemes where mean speeds are above the proposed new limit but not above 45 mph are not supported; and

(iii) that schemes where the mean speeds are in excess of 45 mph in a proposed 30 mph speed limit and 55 mph in a proposed 40 mph buffer limit are objected to.

2.3 Work is progressing on the programme and there are currently eight schemes which satisfy the Police requirement outlined in paragraph 2.2 (i) and are therefore able to go ahead with local Member support. The only constraint on timescales is that, where it is sensible to advertise a number of speed limits in fairly close proximity, such as Bramshaw, Brook and Furzley, individual schemes may be delayed to suit the overall timetable.

2.4 The majority of schemes in the programme are in the category outlined in paragraph 2.2 (ii) where the Police are maintaining that existing vehicle speeds are too high for a 30 mph speed limit to be effective and self-enforcing, even if supported by additional signing and carriageway markings, and for this reason they do not support the placing of formal advertisements seeking public views. If the schemes are to go forward, therefore, a formal decision is required to place the statutory notices without Police support and to consider all outstanding comments or objections when the individual schemes are brought forward for authority to implement them.

2.5 Schemes in the final category outlined in paragraph 2.2 (iii) are those which, on detailed assessment, do not meet the selection criteria for the `Village 30' programme in terms of frontage development. Alternatively they are locations where existing speeds are considerably in excess of 30 mph due to an unrestrained road layout. These schemes clearly require re-evaluation and consideration for traffic calming features, which are outside the scope of this programme, and therefore should be referred back to the relevant Hampshire Action Team.

2.6 Furthermore, it is the intention of the Cabinet, once the Village 30 programme is complete and subject to Government guidance at the time, to consider applications for formal 20 mph limits outside schools.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 To proceed to formal advertising only with those proposals which have the support of both local Members and the Police. This would result in over three-quarters of the programme being withdrawn and would be contrary to the previous decision by the Cabinet to allow every village in Hampshire to have a 30 mph speed limit if that is the local wish.

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: Gary Smith, ext 7402/ Paul Carey-Kent ext 7525

1. Summary

1.1 The CPA (Comprehensive Performance Assessment) framework for measuring and comparing the performance of local government is changing. CPA is being replaced by CAA (Comprehensive Area Assessment) which will judge delivery of outcomes in an area, spanning both local authorities and other partners. The Audit Commission and other inspectorates are consulting on the CAA proposals broadly and on the proposals for a revised Use of Resources assessment in detail. This report contains Hampshire County Council's draft response to the consultations for consideration by Cabinet.

1.2 As a top performing Four Star authority others look to Hampshire County Council to provide leadership. This places the Council well to exert positive influence on the development of CAA. This response will be submitted to the inspectorates and used to inform the Council's input to the CAA Action Learning.

1.3 The following decision was made:

That Cabinet approve the use of appendices one and two as the County Council's response to the CAA and Use of Resources consultation, subject to a strengthening of the response to reflect the views of Cabinet expressed at the meeting together with any final changes, in consultation with the Leader and the Chief Executive to address any further issues arising in the course of the Action Learning.

2. Reason

2.1. A joint inspectorates' consultation, `Comprehensive Area Assessment', and an Audit Commission's consultation, `Use of Resources 2009', were published in November 2007 and responses invited before 15 February 2008.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected - Not applicable.

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

Contact: Gill Duncan, Assistant Director of OP/PD on telephone number 01962 847260 or [email protected]

1. Summary:

1.1 The purpose of this paper is to report to the Cabinet on the operational implementation of the ENHANCE Nursing project. The project is now complete with the last nursing home - Westholme in Winchester - opening beds in April 2007.

1.2 The following decision was made:

That Cabinet members welcomed the successful outcome of the ENHANCE Nursing Strategy in the delivery of 10 state of the art Nursing Homes and the contribution the strategy has made to `whole system' service delivery and performance improvement, together with congratulating all those involved in the project.

2. Reason

2.1 This paper seeks to:

· set out the background to the project

· consider the finance for the project and the impact ENHANCE has had on the budget

· highlight the impact ENHANCE has made on the performance of the County Council

· look at issues of staff recruitment and training

· briefly consider the future direction of the ENHANCE scheme

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

Contact: Rea Mattocks, Ext (01962) 847200, [email protected]

1. Summary:

1.1 The following decisions were made:

That Cabinet:

a) approve the setting up of a Commission on Adult Social Care which will hear evidence and involve leading experts with a view to informing Hampshire (members, staff and citizens) on how social care services for adults can be made more relevant to individuals' needs and how this should be funded into the future.

b) That the following members be nominated to serve on the Commission (name to be determined by Cabinet) as County Council nominated Commissioners:

The Executive Member for Policy and Resources (Chairman)

The Executive Member for Adult Social care (Vice Chairman)

The Executive Member for Children and Families

The Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage

The Leader of the Liberal Democratic Group (or nominee)

The Leader of the Labour Group (or nominee)

c) That the Chairman, on behalf of the Commission, be authorised to co-opt additional Commissioners, or Special Advisers, to support the Commission as appropriate

d) Other Commissioners, who may be co-opted onto the Commission will be drawn from a variety of potential external organisations and interests, including academia, national organisations, and community stakeholders.

e) Receive a report on the findings of the Commission in November 2008.

f) Ensure that the findings of the Commission inform the Green paper on the future of Adult Social care.

g) That the Leader invite debate on the Commission at the meeting of the County Council on 3 April 2008, which will inform a half day briefing session for all Members on 29 April 2008 as part of the Council half day briefings schedule.

2. Reason

2.1 Personalisation of Adult Social Care Services (also called `Putting People First', individualised services, self-directed care or total transformation) signals a fundamental change in the relationship between people needing support and care and local authorities delivering services. This also brings opportunities and challenges for the County Council which need to be explored and managed.

2.2 The Commission will hear evidence and involve leading experts with a view to informing Hampshire (members staff and citizens) about the move towards personalisation and begin to change culture. At the same time a greater understanding of the implications of the necessary changes will emerge and actions to maximise opportunities and manage challenges will be developed in response to the findings of the Commission.

2.3 The timetable for the Commission will be managed to ensure that findings will influence and inform the Green Paper on the future of Adult Social care.

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