Archived decisions

AT A MEETING of the CABINET of HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on 23 February 2009

Chairman:

p Councillor T.K. Thornber, CBE

Councillors:

 

Mrs P.G. Banks

  

M.J. Kendal

 

Dr. R.J. Ellis

  

D.A. Kirk

 

J.K. Glen

  

R. Perry

 

Felicity Hindson, MBE

  

Mrs M.D. Snaith

Also present with the agreement of the Chairman: Councillors M.F. Cartwright; K.G. Chapman; A.P. Collett, B.D. Dash; P.R. Edgar, P.R.C. Hutcheson; Mrs C.A. Leversha; Mrs A.M. McNair-Scott and Mrs P.A. West

504. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

      There were no apologies for absence.

505. 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.

506. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

      The minutes of the meeting held on 6 February 2009 were confirmed as a correct record.

507. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman advised that he had recently received an invitation to today's meeting of the Parliamentary Cabinet, the arrangements for which had unfortunately clashed with this meeting. While grateful for the invitation that had come from Government Office of the South East (the organisers), the Chairman regretted the absence of notice and the fact that it had not been possible for Hampshire County Council to be represented.

508. REVIEW OF RELATIONSHIP WITH VOLUNTARY AND COMMUNITY SECTOR - UPDATE

          The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 5 in the
          Minute book) which updated on progress and outcomes of the review of the County Council's relationship with voluntary and community organisations. Prior to the commencement of debate, the following members declared personal, non prejudicial interests as follows:-

      Councillor David Kirk - as a Vice President of the Hampshire Association of Local Councils (HALC);

      Councillor Roy Perry - as Co-Chairman of the Hampshire InterFaith Network;

      Councillor Adrian Collett - as a member of two separate parish councils.

      The Corporate Equalities and Third Sector Manager advised that a Third Sector Strategy and plan was currently in preparation with the aim to further develop and improve the County Council's relations with voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations. The term `Third Sector' is increasingly being used as it recognises the important role that faith organisations play in communities. The strategy will be reported to Cabinet in April, prior to wider consultation.

      Cabinet noted the recent changes to EU procurement rules and the potential impact that this could have on the Council's ability to contract with VCS (or Third Sector) organisations. Due to the need for full competitive tendering such changes could have a negative impact on the ability of third sector organisations to compete for contracts.

      While noting and welcoming the efforts undertaken by VCS organisations, particularly those individuals within the Third Sector who gave their time as volunteers, Cabinet also stressed the need for the County Council to ensure that value for money was being obtained from local VCS service providers. Cabinet therefore requested that the Policy & Resources and/or the appropriate Select Committee(s) be asked to scrutinise the value for money provided through grants to voluntary and community organisations (VCS or the Third Sector).

          Cabinet adopted the recommendations set out in the report, subject to an amendment reflecting their views above. The amended decision record is attached to these Minutes as Appendix 1.

509. THE COUNTY COUNCIL'S STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP GOVERNANCE ARRANGEMENTS

    The Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 6 in the Minute book) which sought agreement to the strategic partnership arrangements for the County Council.

          The Chief Executive pointed out that the current Hampshire Strategic Partnership (HSP) membership was restricted and no longer represented the complete group of partners that the County Council would wish to engage with. Membership of the proposed Hampshire partnership Network was more comprehensive but the indicative list shown in the report was not intended to be exhaustive. Other organisations could therefore be invited to participate.

      Cabinet noted the proposal for the Hampshire Senate to convene an Annual Partner Conference to share ideas and assess progress towards the achievement of the County Council's Sustainable Community Strategy ambitions. Cabinet also felt that approval to the recommendations contained within the report would create a wider partnership link to the County Council's consolidated strategic partnership governance arrangements.

Cabinet adopted the recommendations set out in the report. The
decision record is attached to these Minutes as Appendix 2.


510. EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC

      Resolved:

      that the public be excluded from the meeting during the following items of business, as it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the public were present during that item there would be disclosure to them of exempt information within Paragraphs 1 or 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, and further that in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons set out in the report.

511. HAMPSHIRE WORKSTYLE - PROPOSED NEXT STEPS


    Cabinet considered the report of the acting Director of Property, Business and regulatory Services (Item 8 in the Minute book) and received a short PowerPoint presentation.

      Cabinet welcomed the principles contained within the report which were aimed at developing enhanced customer service, achieving more efficient asset management strategies and developing more flexible working practices. Allied with better use of technology, Cabinet believed that there was scope for considerable service delivery improvements to be achieved.

      In support of the recommendations contained within the report, Cabinet approved an amendment to recommendation five, approving the principle of earmarking capital receipts to support the Hampshire Workstyle programme when such a decision would result in efficiency benefits being achieved.

          Subject to an amendment reflecting their view above, Cabinet adopted the recommendations set out in the report. The amended decision record is attached to these Minutes as Appendix 3.

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Executive Decision Record:

Decision Maker:

Cabinet

Item 5

Date of Decision:

23 February 2009

Decision Title:

Review of relationship with voluntary and community sector - update

Decision Reference:

501

Report From:

Chief Executive's Department

Contact name:

Jane Goodwin

Paddy Hillary

Tel:

7789/7391

Email:

[email protected]

[email protected]

1) Summary:

    The following decisions were made:

      1.1. Cabinet endorsed the work so far undertaken as part of the review

      1.2. Cabinet approved the development of a VCS (Third Sector) strategy.

      1.3. That the Policy & Resources and/or the appropriate Select Committee(s) be asked to scrutinise the value for money provided by voluntary and community organisations (VCS or the Third Sector).

      1.4. Cabinet formally recorded its appreciation of the work undertaken by all of the volunteers working in the Third Sector.

2) Reasons for the decision:

    These are the reasons for this decision being made, including any links to the corporate strategy:

      2.1. CPA recommended that "The Council should review and update its relationship with the voluntary and community sector across its services, including the operation of the Compact. In particular it should help to develop the capacity and capability of the sector"

      2.2. Cabinet and CMT agreed a project to look at the relationship with the voluntary and community sector and recommends ways to improve working relationships.

      2.3. The relationship supports the Council's aim to improve the wellbeing of residents. Voluntary and community organisations provide support and services which make a significant positive impact on the quality of life across many areas and contribute to many social, economic and environmental issues. .

3) Other options considered and rejected:

      3.1. Option 1: Agree the recommendations

        a) This will have a positive impact on the relationship.

        b) It will help the County Council to get better value from the support provided to the sector

        c) This will ultimately have a positive impact on the wellbeing of residents.

      3.2. Option 2: not agree the recommendations

        a) Potential negative impact on the relationship which may affect some services and the reputation of the Council

4) Conflicts of Interest:

      4.1. Conflicts of interest declared by the Decision-Maker:

        a) None

      4.2. Conflicts of interest declared by other Executive members consulted:

        a) None

5) Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee:

    None

6) Any reasons for the matter being dealt with urgently:

    None

7) Statement from the Decision Maker:

.

Approved by:

--------------------------------------------------

Date:

23 February 2009

Councillor T. K. Thornber, CBE

Chairman of the Cabinet

  

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Executive decision record:

Decision Maker:

Cabinet

Item 6

Date of Decision:

23 February 2009

Decision Title:

The County Council's strategic partnership governance arrangements

Decision Reference:

590

Report From:

Chief Executive

Contact name:

Robert Ormerod, Community Strategy Manager

Tel:

01962 845 122

Email:

[email protected]

1) Summary

      The following decision was made:

      That the Cabinet agrees

      1.1. to developing the Hampshire Strategic Partnership into a recognised network of established partnerships for strategic partnership governance purposes; and

      1.2. to encourage the Hampshire Senate to recognise and work with the wider capacity of this network, and to use the revised Hampshire Strategic Partnership as the basis for its Annual Partnership Conference.

 

2) Reasons for the decision

      These are the reasons for this decision being made, including any links to the corporate strategy.

      2.1. Clarification of the County Council's recognised strategic partnership governance arrangements following the establishment of the Hampshire Senate.

 

3) Other options considered and rejected:

 

      3.1. Option 1:

        a) To retain the Hampshire Strategic Partnership profile as it currently exists with its own separate annual conference.

 

4) Conflicts of Interest:

      4.1. Conflicts of interest declared by the decision-maker:

        None

 

      4.2. Conflicts of interest declared by other Executive Members consulted:

        None

 

5) Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee:

      None

 

6) Any reasons for the matter being dealt with if urgent :

      None

 

7) Statement from the Decision Maker:

 

Approved by:

--------------------------------------------------

Date:

23 February 2009

Councillor T. K. Thornber, CBE

Chairman of the Cabinet

 

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Executive Decision Record:

Decision Maker:

Cabinet

Item 8

Date of Decision:

23 February 2009

Decision Title:

Hampshire Workstyle - Proposed next steps
(Summary of an Exempt Decision)

Decision Reference:

276

Report From:

Acting Director of Property, Business and Regulatory

Contact name:

Howard Short

Tel:

01962 847833

Email:

[email protected]

1. Summary

The following decision was made:

      1. The Workstyle Strategy be developed in phases based on geographical areas, starting with the north east of the County, moving on as the second phase to the south east, the whole programme to be given a target completion of mid 2014.

      2. The key issues in the north east of the County, the extent of the consultation process to date, and the emerging shape of the proposed strategy be noted.

      3. Authority be given to consult with local members and staff groups, and the necessary consultations with third parties be initiated (for example, landlords and district council planning authorities).

      4. Negotiations and discussions with key partners continue in order to capitalise on opportunities for improved joint working.

      5. The principle of applying 100% of capital receipts, earmarked to the programme where a building is disposed of and its services are re-provided more efficiently through the Workstyle programme, be endorsed.

      6. That further efficiency reviews in the north east should now be set in train, including:

      · scoping the direct customer service efficiencies;

        · developing new FM opportunities as the next stage of the FM rollout;

      · creating shared services (with partners as appropriate);

      · considering the likely scale of potential IT efficiencies; and

      · considering other overhead costs.

      7. That approval in principle be given to the use of prudential borrowing to support the capital investment required in the first phase of the strategy, and to the provision of invest to save funding estimated at £0.5 m during the implementation phase of the north east strategy.

2. Reasons for the decision

        2.1 To support and promote the development of enhanced customer service initiatives.

        2.2 To complement existing, and introduce new, asset management strategies.

        2.3 To build upon work done relating to the more efficient use of technology and other key support activities in the delivery of services.

        2.4 To contribute to the evolution of more sustainable working practices

        2.5 To enhance all three key elements of the corporate strategy by providing a platform from which to focus resources, service, and partnership effort in new and productive ways.

3. Other options considered and rejected:

 

This report develops the themes previously reported to Cabinet arising from the

options contained in the (exempt) report considered in July 2008, which

articulated the rationale, and potential scope of a programme of activity, under the

banner `Hampshire Workstyle'.

 

4. Conflicts of Interest:

        a. Conflicts of interest declared by the decision-maker:

        None

 

        b. Conflicts of interest declared by other Executive Members consulted:

        None

 

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee:

      None

 

6. Any reasons for the matter being dealt with if urgent :

      None

 

7. Statement from the Decision Maker:

Approved by:

Date:

23 February, 2009

Councillor T.K. Thornber, CBE

Chairman of the Cabinet