Archived decisions

Hampshire

__________

At a Meeting of Hampshire County Council held at The Castle, Winchester on Thursday 2 April 2009.

Chairman:

p Councillor M. J. Woodhall

Vice-Chairman:

p Councillor T. G. Knight

366. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs. Buckley; Mrs. Byrom; Clarke; Davies-Dear; Mrs. Dickens; A. Evans; Gillett; James; Simpson.

367. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST.

All Members who believed they had a personal or prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting were asked to declare that interest and, having regard to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the County Council's Code of Conduct, to consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with paragraph 12 of the Code. The declaration should be made at the time of the relevant debate.

368. MINUTES.

The minutes of the meeting of the County Council held on 19 February 2009 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

On minute 355 concerning the adoption of roads in the Rooksdown area, Councillor Reid reported that continued good progress had now resulted in the roads in question having been adopted.

369. DEPUTATIONS.

There were no deputations on this occasion.

370. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS.

The Chairman presented his report (Item 5 in the Minute Book) and expanded on the wide range of duties undertaken to represent and promote the County Council and its strong community leadership role. In conclusion, the Chairman wished those members who were retiring well for the future.

371. LEADER'S REPORT.

Having welcomed Honorary Aldermen to the meeting, the Leader of the Council reported on the recently published Audit Commission Annual Audit and Inspection Letter for 2007/08 which had again assessed Hampshire County Council as a `four star' authority, the highest category possible. The County Council had been assessed as `improving strongly' with its capacity for further improvement being considered `good'. The Leader asked the County Council to join with him in thanking the Chief Executive and all of the County Council's staff for the hard work that they had put in and which had helped to obtain this favourable rating.

It was with much pleasure that the Leader reported that the County Council or its staff had received a number of other prestigious awards, as follows:

· The `sustainability' category at the Government Business Awards event, held in March, which aimed to recognise "effective business practice in the public sector". The innovative ways in which the County Council was bringing sustainability in to the heart of its activities, through awareness raising, changes in its procurement practices and its efforts to adopt the Aalborg Commitments had all helped to secure this recognition.

· The Nurture Groups from four of the County Council's schools, Mill Rythe Infants School, Hayling Island; Gomer Infant School, Gosport; Stoke Park Infant School, Bishopstoke and Park View Junior School, Basingstoke had all recently achieved the ` Marjorie Boxall Quality Mark' from Nurture Group Network UK. The Leader commended the students and staff who had helped in achieving the Quality Mark status.

· Congratulations were also extended to the staff within The Property Services Teams who had won recognition through the Civic Trust awards. The Civic Trust awards recognise the best in the UK's built environment, especially in public buildings and the Minstead Study Centre, Pinewood Infant School and the Winchester Discovery Centre had all been commended by the judges for elements of their design.


It was also with pleasure that the Leader reported that Andrew Motion, Poet Laureate and Chairman of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council had launched the Hampshire Treasures exhibition in Winchester on 19 March as a part of the major `Culture All' campaign encouraging residents to visit the numerous local attractions in Hampshire. The Leader welcomed the visit from Mr Motion and the tribute that he had paid to Alison Orlowska, Hampshire County Council's own Poet Laureate, for her contribution to the National Year of Reading. The Leader paid his own tribute to Sophie Davis, an Accredited Community Safety Officer (ACSO), founder of the Junior Community Teams (JCT's) and the one person who it had been agreed should be entered in to the Council Worker of the year awards. Sophie works with children in some of the most challenging areas of the county and the positive feedback that was being received in the areas where JCT's were active was a testament to the excellent work being undertaken. The positive contribution that young people involved in JCT's were making in their local communities was extremely pleasing and an event to celebrate the launch of the recently expanded JCT scheme, which by September 2009 would be operating in 11 schools, had been held in the Great Hall on 17 March.

The Leader reported that £10,000 from his Special Grants Budget had been awarded to the Greening campaign, a group set up to help motivate local communities to cut their energy consumption and reduce their carbon footprint. Any newly built County Council schools or offices would be built to the highest design specifications that were possible and recognition from the Carbon Trust for the new Ashburton Court development (where double the number of staff would be accommodated but with half of their previous carbon footprint) was welcomed.

Subject to the outcome of the County Council elections in June, the Leader advised that it was intended to create a politically proportionate, non-executive Rural Policy panel as a `think tank' to advise and support the Executive Member for Efficiency, Performance and Rural Policy. The Leader also reported that the Governance Committee had recently considered the Notice of Motion relating to the Sustainable Communities Act that had been referred to it on 20 November 2008. The Committee had offered its support to the Act and had been in unanimous agreement that a proposal should be developed to take back strategic powers from the region. A full report would be submitted to the Council in July 2009 with further information on the Sustainable Communities Act being added to Hantsweb.

The Leader also brought to the Council's attention the retirement of Colin Hinxman, Group Manager in the Chief Executive's Department after many years' service to the Council.

The Leader concluded his report by offering his personal thanks to all retiring members, or those who may not be returned to office following the June elections, for their unstinting efforts during the past four years on behalf of the residents of Hampshire.

372. QUESTIONS UNDER STANDING ORDER 20(b).

Councillor M.J. Kendal, Executive Member for Environment, answered a question from Councillor Cooper concerning the Audit Commission's figures in respect of the condition of surface footways.

Councillor M.J. Kendal, Executive Member for Environment, agreed that a written reply be given to Councillor Mrs Buckley concerning the commencement of work at the Rusty Cutter roundabout in Bedhampton.

Councillor Felicity Hindson, Executive Member for Adult Social Care, answered a question from Councillor Mrs West concerning the expenditure on items distributed at events and conferences in respect of personalisation and the future of adult social care.

Councillor Felicity Hindson, Executive Member for Adult Social Care, answered a question from Councillor Dowden in respect of a recent decision taken by the Courts against another county authority concerning disability related expenses.

Councillor Felicity Hindson, Executive Member for Adult Social Care, answered a question from Councillor Mrs Leversha in respect of the number of residential care places now provided by the County Council and how this number compares with the number available in 2005.

Councillor Patricia Banks, Executive Member for Children and Families, answered a question from Councillor Mrs Leversha requesting an update on the number of children being supported through the County Council's Kinship Care project.

373. PARTNERSHIP FOR URBAN SOUTH HAMPSHIRE STATUTORY JOINT COMMITTEE

On the recommendation of the Leader of the Council, it was

Resolved:


That with immediate effect, Councillor Perry be appointed in place of Councillor Thornber.

374. CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES FOLLOWING THE RETIREMENT OF THE HEAD OF CORPORATE AND LEGAL SERVICES

The Council considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 8b in the Minute Book) seeking approval to make certain changes to the Constitution and ancillary documentation to secure continuity in the exercise of these functions following the retirement of the Head of Corporate and Legal Services.

Resolved:


(a) That (subject to paragraph 42) all references in the Council's Constitution, decisions, minutes and other documentation, to the delegation of functions to the Head of Corporate and Legal Services shall, with immediate effect, be read as referring to the delegation of the relevant function to the Head of Legal Services; and


(b) That, with immediate effect, the Deputy Head of Legal Services be designated as the Council's Monitoring Officer; and


(c) That the Chief Executive be authorised to make all necessary changes to the Constitution and other documentation to give effect to these decisions.

375. CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE'S PLAN 2009-2012

Pursuant to Part 1, Chapter 4 of the County Council's Constitution, the Council considered the report of the Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education) (Item 9 in the Minute Book).

During the course of a lengthy debate, members commended the proposed Plan and the comprehensive actions being proposed. The work being done in respect of child poverty was particularly welcomed, as was the beneficial impact being seen in areas where `Sure Start' centres were in operation. Members also commended the excellent work being done in Children's Centres and noted that 85 facilities were due for completion by the end of the year.

In welcoming the overall Plan, a number of members drew attention to specific points of interest, asking that the County Council should not forget localised areas or issues of concern where improvements were needed but which might otherwise be overlooked in data aggregated across the whole of the county.

The Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education) advised that he would ask the Director for Children's Services to address any specific areas of concern that individual Councillors raised with him. He also confirmed that initiatives such as Building Schools for the Future will assist schools and pupils in deprived areas and gave an assurance that smaller deprived areas will not be overlooked. In conclusion, the Executive Member emphasised that working with partners is critical to the success of the Plan and therefore welcomed the Leader of the Council's suggestion that the Plan be discussed at a future meeting of the Hampshire Senate. This would, for example, allow the County Council's military partners to engage in the Plan which is important given the number of service personnel and their children living in the County.

Resolved:

That the Children and Young People's Plan 2009-12 be approved for publication.

376. HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL 4 STAR RATING - NOTICE OF MOTION

Councillor Perry, seconded by Councillor Reid, presented the following Notice of Motion which had been submitted pursuant to Standing Order 17:

"The Council records its congratulations and appreciation to the officers and staff of the Council whose efforts and commitment to their work for the people of Hampshire have again ensured Hampshire County Council is awarded the top 4 star rating by the Audit Commission - the highest rating possible including the highest rating for value for money."

Councillor Cooper, seconded by Councillor Dash, proposed the following amendment:

Proposed addition:

"Council notes, however, that despite the Audit Commission rating of four stars, their comparative statistics show that Hampshire is ranked:

- 30^th out of 34 counties for the condition of our footways (BV 187);

- 27^th out of 34 counties for the condition of our unclassified roads (BV224b);

- 31^st out of 34 counties for participation and accredited outcomes for youth work (BV221b);

- 33^rd out of 34 counties for participation and recorded outcomes for youth work (BV221a);

- 21^st out of 34 counties for the percentage of residents satisfied with bus services (BV104); and

- 26^th out of 34 counties for the percentage of pedestrian crossings that have been adapted for disabled people (BV165)

Council, therefore, urges both the current administration and the new administration after June 4^th to get on with providing adequate services rather than filling in tick boxes to achieve illusory start ratings."

During the full discussion some of the comparative statistics quoted in the amendment were queried (see explanatory note below). The seconder of the Motion and the seconder of the proposed amendment both spoke and the amendment was put to the vote. The majority of Members did not support it therefore the amendment was lost and accordingly it was

Resolved:

That the Council records its congratulations and appreciation to the officers and staff of the Council whose efforts and commitment to their work for the people of Hampshire have again ensured Hampshire County Council is awarded the top 4 star rating by the Audit Commission - the highest rating possible including the highest rating for value for money.

NB: Subsequent to the meeting, the position of the comparative statistics quoted in the amendment to the Motion were checked using the Audit Commission's data and the correct position for BV 187 and BV 224b is as follows:

- 4^th out of 34 counties for the condition of our footways (BV 187);

- 7^th out of 34 counties for the condition of our unclassified roads (BV224b);

377. HAMPSHIRE POLICE AUTHORITY

No questions had been received pursuant to Standing Order 20(d). The Council received the report of the Authority.

378. HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY

No questions had been received pursuant to Standing Order 20(d). The Council received the report of the Authority and, with the leave of the Council, Councillor Cartwright, Chairman of the Authority, thanked his colleagues at the County Council and the Fire Authority for the support he had received during this time as Chairman.

379. REPORTS FOR INFORMATION

The Council received the reports of the following:

a) The Cabinet/Leader

b) Executive Member for Recreation, Heritage and Communities

c) Executive Member for Adult Social Care

d) Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee

e) Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education) and Executive Member for Children and Families