AT A MEETING of the CABINET of HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on 12 May 2008.

Chairman:

p Councillor T.K. Thornber, CBE

Councillors:

Also present with the agreement of the Chairman: Councillors M.F. Cartwright; A.P. Collett, Dr R.J. Ellis; P.R.C. Hutcheson; Mrs C.A. Leversha

398. APOLOGIES

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor R.J. Perry who was representing the Leader at a meeting with the Government Office of the South East on the Sub-National Review.

399. 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.

400. MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting held on 31 March 2008 were confirmed as a correct record.

Arising thereon:-

(a) Minute 394: The Executive Member for Environment reported that in regard to traffic managements solutions for Lyndhurst, a meeting had been held with various parties to look at the Scrutiny Review's recommendations.

(b) Minute 395: in response to an enquiry from the Cabinet, the Chief Executive reported that the position still remained unclear as to whether or not schools will be mandated within local authorities' portfolios in regard to new legislation relating to carbon reduction commitments.

401. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman welcomed the following people to the meeting:

(a) Caroline Mawhood attended the meeting as the next president of CIPFA to observe local government at work


(b) Helen Richardson and Rachel Higgins from the Policy Unit who were observing the meeting in terms of best practice and how meetings are run in preparation for a South East Local Partners training event


(c) Lydia Strand who was observing the meeting to assist with her university studies

402. SCHOOL TRAVEL PATHFINDER BID OUTCOME AND NEXT STEPS - HOME TO SCHOOL TRANSPORT

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Children's Services and Director of Environment (Item 5 in the Minute book) detailing the outcome of the home to school transport school travel pathfinder bid. The report also suggested ways to take the project forward in the medium term using existing funding.

In expanding on the key areas of the report, the Project Director expressed his disappointment at the decision taken by the Department for Children, Schools and Families not to proceed with the bid. Nevertheless, he confirmed that the four pilot schemes introduced are proving to be successful in terms of the project aims, namely reducing school gate congestion, providing a sustainable alternative to the car and providing a dedicated and safe bus service (main achievements detailed in appendices 2-4). Existing budgetary provision will allow continuance of the pilots to 2010. The Project Director was also pleased to report to Members that the `yellow bus' initiative had been commended by the Yellow Bus Commission.

The Cabinet shared the Project Director's disappointment and extended their thanks to the Project Team for the commendable work they had done in preparing and submitting the bid. They welcomed the progress achieved to date with the four pilot schemes and supported their continuation in accordance with the business case. In respect of this continuance, the Cabinet requested that the Children's Services department continues to lead the implementation of the pilot projects.

The Cabinet adopted the recommendations set out in the report subject to an additional resolution to reflect their request that the Children's Services department continue to lead on the implementation of the pilot projects. The decision sheet is attached to these Minutes as Appendix 1.

403. HAMPSHIRE LOCAL AREA AGREEMENT (LAA)

The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 6 in the Minute book) updating Members on progress with the Hampshire Local Area Agreement (LAA) and the proposed way forward to meet the Government's submission timetable.

The Chief Executive reported that the draft LAA was the culmination of work carried out over the last 12 months by the County Council and its partners and represented significant agreement in regard to the LAA priorities as outlined in the appendix to the report. He drew attention to the fact that given the large volume of queries being dealt with by the Government, some data and further information is still awaited; a completed document will be circulated in due course.

The Cabinet commended the work that had been done to date and welcomed the opportunity the LAA represented to work collectively with the County Council's partners to achieve improvements that the people of Hampshire really want to see. In particular, the Cabinet discussed in detail whether or not national indicator (NI) 154 relating to housing provision should be included in the LAA and concluded that it should not. In addition, they discussed the reduction of anti-social behaviour, helping older people to remain living in their homes, tackling childhood obesity, fuel poverty and equity release schemes to help people to improve their homes.

The Cabinet adopted the recommendations set out in the report, subject to an additional resolution to reflect their decision concerning NI 154 as detailed in the previous paragraph. The decision sheet is attached to these Minutes as Appendix 2.

404. AREA BASED GRANT - SAFE AND STRONG COMMUNITIES

The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 7 in the Minute book) setting out funding proposals in relation to the work of the statutory County Strategy Group for Crime and Disorder.

The Chief Executive expanded on the main points contained in the report and its recommendations, and particularly highlighted the reasoning behind the proposal to move to a strategic commissioning approach for 2009/10 for the allocation of area based funding. He confirmed that achieving this overall position had not been without its difficulties and stressed the importance that the County Council can demonstrate a strong lead in the direction of the new statutory partnership and ensure that it is effective in driving performance and improved community safety outcomes.

During the course of the ensuing discussion, Members acknowledged the strategic issues that exist and how best to address these. They also highlighted the importance of achieving a balance of resources when dealing with drug related and alcohol related problems and targeting funding at the front-end.

The Cabinet adopted the recommendations set out in the report, subject to expanding resolution (f) to include a review of resources utilised on alcohol and drug programmes to reflect the views detailed in the previous paragraph. The decision sheet is attached to these Minutes as Appendix 3.

405. REVIEW OF FINANCIAL REGULATIONS

The Cabinet considered the report of the County Treasurer (Item 8 in the Minute book) setting out revisions to the County Council's Financial Regulations following consideration by the Governance Committee. The Cabinet supported the revisions and recommended that the report be submitted to the next meeting of the County Council for approval. The decision sheet is attached to these Minutes as Appendix 4.

406. GOVERNMENT CONSULTATION PAPER ON PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING

The Cabinet considered the report of the County Treasurer (Item 9 in the Minute book) seeking approval of a draft response to the Government's consultation on participatory budgeting.

In expanding on the report, the County Treasurer highlighted the three models of participatory budgeting which are being used to date. He also drew attention to the work the County Council is already doing in terms of engaging the community such as holding annual budget workshops with individuals in Hampshire, who are selected on a random basis to raise awareness and hear their views, together with consultation meetings with organisations in the voluntary, health and business communities and local campaign groups such as Is It Fair.

During the course of the ensuing discussion the Cabinet expressed their concern about the proposals which they feared would lead to yet more bureaucracy and targets, the potential for an inconsistent approach across the county and felt it was "tokenism for localism". They were of the view that the County Council was already doing much of what the proposals outlined, by Councillors who have responsibility for strategic decision making having been democratically elected to carry out that mandate. They also cited the very positive outcome of the Adult Services financial recovery plan and a successful modernisation exercise undertaken at the same time as an excellent example of sound strategic decisions being taken.

The Cabinet adopted the recommendations set out in the report. The decision sheet is attached to these Minutes as Appendix 5.

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) note the outcome of the Pathfinder submission and the Leader's response

(b) agree that pupils attending Park View Infant and Junior schools whom are entitled to free school meals or from families in receipt of the maximum level of Working Families Tax Credit and those with special needs as defined under the Disabilities Discrimination Act, be granted free places from September 2008

(c) agree continuation of the original pilot schemes through to the envisaged end date of Summer 2010, in accordance with the business case

(d) requested that the Children's Services department continue to lead on the implementation of the pilot projects

(e) receive a further report in September 2009 to determine the longer term approach to home to school transport provision

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.

3 Other Options considered and rejected:

3.1 None

4. Conflicts of Interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive Member consulted - None.

4 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - None.

5 Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent - Not applicable.

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

Contact: Robert Ormerod, Ext: 5122, email: [email protected]

1. Summary

The following decisions were made, that Cabinet authorise:

(a) The submission of the draft Local Area Agreement (LAA), subject to the agreement of the County Council to confirm this as an executive function in the County Council's constitution


(b) That the national indicator NI 154 in relation to housing provision not be included in the LAA

(c) The Chief Executive, in consultation with the Executive
Member for Policy and Resources, to approve the final target levels prior to submission, in consultation with statutory partners as appropriate.

2. Reason

2.1 The Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 requires that the County Council, as the responsible body prepares and submits to the Secretary of State a draft local area agreement (LAA) specifying:

(a) a range of improvement targets

(b) the respective partner bodies; and

(c) the period of the agreement.

3. Other Options considered and rejected -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 - None.

Approved by: Date:
Councillor T.K. Thornber, CBE - Chairman

Contact: Robert Ormerod, Tel: 01962 845122, email: [email protected]

Jon Whale, Tel: 01962 833691, e-mail: [email protected]

1. Summary:

The following decisions were made:

On the advice of the County Strategy Group, the Cabinet are asked to:

(a) Agree to a further allocation to district Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships (CDRPs) of £275,000 in 08/09 conditional upon the implementation of new strategic commissioning arrangements for subsequent years and on the basis that there is no guarantee of funding beyond 2008/9.

(b) Approve the funding of the four countywide projects as follows:

-Youth Inclusion Support Project (Wessex YOT) - £99,000

-Drug Intervention Project (Hampshire DAAT) - £79,423

-Alcohol Co-ordinator post (Hampshire DAAT) - £43,050

-CADDIE (HCC) - £36,656

Cabinet also approved:

(c) a contribution in 08/09 to the Bobby Trust of up to £31,500 and a contribution to the Hampton Trust of £32,000 subject to further discussion with partners;

(d) further work be undertaken with partners through the County Group to understand how the remaining capital funding can best be applied;

(e) further work with partners to develop the role of the County Strategy Group including the development of the new commissioning arrangements for 2009/10 and beyond;


(f) the Chief Executive bringing forward a review of community safety policy and objectives as part of (e) above and that a review of resources utilised on alcohol and drug programmes be undertaken to ensure a balanced approach is adopted.

2. Reason

2.1 These decisions relate to all three of the Corporate Strategy priorities: Hampshire safer & more secure for all, Maximising wellbeing and Enhancing our quality of place.

3. Other Options considered and rejected - 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 - None.

Approved by: Date:
Councillor T.K. Thornber, CBE - Chairman

Contact: Bevis Ingram (01962) 847508; [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decision was made:

That it be a recommendation to the County Council that the revised Financial Regulations recommended by the Governance Committee be approved.

2. Reason

2.1 To maintain high standards of governance in relation to financial matters.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 None. Revisions are required to reflect decisions made previously by the
County Council.

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: Paul Carey-Kent, (01962) 847525; [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions were made:

(a) That the Cabinet responds to the consultation as set out in the report, subject to some strengthening to reflect their views as expressed.

(b) That the County Treasurer, in consultation with the Leader, be authorised to finalise the response, a copy of which will be available on the County Council's website.

(c) That the Cabinet receives a further report in July/September setting out options for consideration if it wishes to pilot participatory budgeting approaches in the County Council during 2009/10.

2. Reason

2.1 The Cabinet will wish to make its views known in response to the consultation. The place for participatory budgeting is the promotion of community engagement needs to be considered but could support the Corporate Strategy in enhancing our quality of place.

3. Other options considered and rejected - 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