Archived decisions

AT A MEETING of the CABINET of the HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on Monday, 27 April 2009.

PRESENT:

Chairman:

p Councillor T.K. Thornber, CBE

Also present with the agreement of the Chairman:

Councillors: Mrs. A. Buckley; K.G. Chapman; A.P. Collett; B.D. Dash; K. Evans and Mrs C.A. Leversha

522 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

All Members of the Cabinet were present.

523 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 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 save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with paragraph 12 of the Code. The declaration to be made at the time of the relevant debate. No such interests were declared on this occasion.

524 CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting held on 30 March 2009 were confirmed as a correct record.

525 CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Chairman was pleased to report that the refurbishment of Ashburton Court had recently been commented upon by Government Ministers as an exemplar of good practice refurbishment of a public building. The Chairman also invited the County Treasurer to summarise the main points of interest arising from the recent budget statement from the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Chief Executive to update Cabinet on action being taken in respect of the recently reported outbreak of `Swine Flu'.

The County Treasurer advised that there had been no change to the previously announced grant that the County Council could expect in 2010/11 but a real term decrease in public expenditure and specifically grants to local government, could be expected from thereafter. The Chief Executive advised Cabinet that staff in the County Council's Emergency Planning unit were monitoring the situation in relation to swine flu and that discussions would be held with the Director of Public Health. Public health information would be made freely available as required and/or as appropriate.

526 DEPUTATIONS

A deputation was received in respect of Item 5 on the agenda "Oak Farm Community School, Farnborough - to discontinue the school with effect from 31 August 2011" from Mrs Sue Riddlestone, a local resident and community worker. (Mrs Riddlestone had been invited by the Chair of the School's governing body to provide a community perspective on the school's possible closure).

527 OAK FARM COMMUNITY SCHOOL, FARNBOROUGH - APPROVAL TO DISCONTINUE THE SCHOOL WITH EFFECT FROM 31 AUGUST 2011

Councillor A.P. Collett declared a personal, non-prejudicial interest by virtue of having a nephew who lived within the school's catchment area (albeit that he attended a different school) and relatives who taught at other schools nearby to Oak Farm.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Children's Services (Item 5 in the Minute Book). The report outlined the factors relevant to the publication of Public Notices to discontinue Oak Farm Community School with effect from 31 August 2011 and sought approval to the closure of Oak Farm Community School with effect from 31 August 2011, with admissions to Year 7 ceasing from September 2010 and beyond.

The Director of Children's Services reminded Cabinet that the County Council needed to ensure an appropriate balance between the supply and demand for school places, especially in the context of Building Schools for the Future (BSF). Current advice in respect of BSF was that surplus places should now account for no more than 5% of total capacity whereas the surplus places within Rushmoor Secondary Schools were currently at 16.6% and expected to rise. While commending the commitment and professionalism of the staff at Oak Farm Community School, and the good results achieved in respect of Contextual Value Added (CVA) for pupils attending the school, the Director of Children's Services nonetheless expressed his concern in relation to the relatively low number of pupils who were attaining five or more GCSE's within the A* to C grade range.

Cabinet was mindful of its earlier consideration of this item, i.e. at their meeting on 26 January 2009. Cabinet particularly noted the continuing trend in terms of low numbers of pupils on roll (the forecast number for September 2010 being 168) and with 83 per cent of pupils within the school's catchment area currently electing to attend other schools.

Cabinet sought reassurance in respect of the special educational needs (SEN) provision currently being offered at the school and an update on their previously expressed wish for the school site to continue to have an educational and community use after 31 August 2011, should a decision to close the school be taken. The Director of Children's Services confirmed that should Oak Farm be closed, pupils with special educational needs currently in attendance and the schools that they might transfer to would receive a similar level of support to that currently being provided. The Director also indicated that in the event of a decision to close, consultations with relevant agencies would take place regarding potential educational and community uses for the site.

Having given careful consideration to the points made in the deputation and the comments made during the debate, Cabinet approved the two recommendations within the report along with an amendment instructing the Chief Executive and Director of Children's Services to discuss the potential community facilities at Oak Farm in future with Rushmoor Borough Council and appropriate community organisations as a matter of urgency. The substantive decision record is attached to these records as Appendix 1.

528 BUILDING SCHOOLS FOR THE FUTURE (BSF) : IMPLEMENTATION IN THE HAVANT/HORNDEAN AREA

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Children's Services (Item 6 in the Minute Book).

The Director of Children's Services explained that the report sought Cabinet's agreement to the detailed implementation of the school organisation aspects of BSF in six mainstream and two special secondary schools within the Havant/Horndean area, along with approval to the second phase which would include the remaining three Havant mainstream secondary schools and the three Gosport secondary schools. The Director of Children's Services reported that the response to the proposals outlined in the report had been overwhelmingly favourable, with Havant Borough Council's strong support for the proposal to establish an academy on the site of the current Staunton Community Sports College particularly welcome. The Director emphasised, however, that a reduction of surplus places was essential for Hampshire to be able to benefit from BSF funding, pointing out that the County Council could not expect Government support for its BSF projects if there were more than 5% of surplus school places available.

Cabinet welcomed the proposals outlined in the report and commended the detailed public consultation programme that had been undertaken. Noting the considerable level of funding and financial commitment that, of necessity, would lead to the letting of contracts with significant values Cabinet asked the Director of Children's Services to seek to minimise the financial exposure of the County Council by letting such contracts only an `as and when necessary' basis and preferably after financial contributions promised to the County Council had been received.

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

529 RURAL DELIVERY ACTION PLAN FOR HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Councillor Roy Perry declared a personal, non-prejudicial interest by virtue of his daughter being the Chief Executive of the National Pony Society. (Councillor Perry had noted that as part of the Action Plan, consultation was expected to be undertaken with organisations involved in the equine industry.)

Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive and Director of Recreation and Heritage (Item 7 in the Minute Book). The report outlined the proposed Action Plan to help in developing a rural delivery strategy for Hampshire County Council, following the stakeholder consultation exercise undertaken in autumn 2008.

The Head of Countryside (representing the Director of Recreation and Heritage) reminded Cabinet of the overall vision in support of rural Hampshire which would be to work to achieve "rural communities are resilient and sustainable socially, economically and environmentally". The Head of Countryside also indicated that the Action Plan, if approved, would seek to `rural proof' the delivery of key services in rural communities across all of Hampshire County Council's departments. This was particularly important given the onset of the national economic recession, which was likely to have a significant, detrimental effect on rural businesses and communities.

Cabinet welcomed the detailed proposals contained within the Action Plan and the extensive consultation being undertaken in support of it. Cabinet noted with regret the particular difficulties of rural communities in relation to transport options and also the trends in relation to the loss of amenities such as post offices and banking outlets. Particular concern was expressed in relation to the recent growth in rural crime and the environmental damage being done by heavy goods vehicles on roads that were not designed to carry vehicles of such size and weight.

Cabinet welcomed the references to schools and church buildings and to their potential expansion for greater community use. Cabinet also recognised that grants played a significant role in being able to maintain the financial viability of many rural community groups. In relation to the need to work with partner organisations, Cabinet particularly acknowledged that close links would need to be maintained with both the New Forest National Park and the South Downs National Park given the variety of issues which they and the County Council shared an interest in.

Cabinet welcomed the wide ranging cross cutting approach being proposed within the report and commended the recommendations put before them. The decision record is attached to these minutes as Appendix 3.

530 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - STRATEGY AND PROPOSALS

Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 8 in the Minute Book).

The Chief Executive highlighted the key points made in his report, including the proposed establishment of a new Members' Panel or Board (the Hampshire Economic Board (HEB)) following the County Council elections. The Chief Executive also stressed the importance of the strength and quality of the infrastructure base within and beyond the County Council area in relation to its potential scope to help regional economic growth.

Cabinet accepted that the County Council was central to the issues that would aid economic growth and that the County Council would play a key leadership role in relation to its environmental policies, sustainability and planning for climate change, along with its desire for a Countywide employment and skills strategy.

Cabinet Members were particularly keen to ensure comprehensive transport options for Hampshire residents, particularly those in rural communities. Cabinet indicated that the Council should therefore develop the model of transport for South Hampshire (TFSH) to explore policies, opportunities and flexibilities in relation to the recent Transport Act. To that end, the Cabinet emphasised that the Council should develop the notion around a countywide (and possibly beyond) transport forum with existing partners and others as appropriate to ensure countywide coverage.

The Cabinet adopted the recommendations set out in the report. The decision record is attached to these minutes as Appendix 4.

531 ADULT SERVICES STRATEGIC UPDATE

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Adult Services (Item 9 in the Minute Book). The report provided a strategic update on adult services with particular emphasis on (i) Transformation; (ii) Care governance and safeguarding; (iii) Finance and efficiency and (iv) Risks and Challenges.

The Director of Adult Services advised that there was a substantial programme of change underway within Adult Services which was part of a long term national strategy to reform Adult Social Care. Good progress was being made with transformation projects, many of which were aligned with the Hampshire Model. The Director Adult Services reminded Cabinet that the priorities within the Hampshire Model were:





· The Universal Offer


· Free crisis care


· Self directed support


· Improvements for carers


· User lead initiatives


· Market development


In respect of free crisis care, the Director of Adult Services advised that elements of such care would be implemented within the 2009/10 financial year but at this stage of development it would offered for 6 weeks, rather than the 8 weeks originally suggested in the Personalisation Commission' report. This would, however, be in line with financial and legal advice and also be subject to further work on the charging policy .

Cabinet welcomed the continuing positive publicity which the Hampshire model and the Personalisation Commission's recommendations continued to receive and were confident that the free crisis care proposals would maintain the independence of those in receipt of such care for a longer period of time, while also being cost effective. Cabinet also welcomed the option for the Executive Member for Adult Social Care to refer issues to the Safeguarding Board and Scrutiny Committee along with the revision to the terms of reference for the Member led Joint Adults and Children's Services Transition Board so that it included safeguarding.

The Cabinet approved the recommendations set out in the report. A decision record is attached to these minutes as Appendix 5.

532 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 there would be disclosure to them of exempt information within paragraph 1 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 information, for the reasons set out in the exempt report.

533 A MODERN BUSINESS PROVIDING PUBLIC SERVICES - PROPOSED MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS

Cabinet considered the exempt report of the Chief Executive (Item 11 in the Minute Book) which set out the proposed management arrangements in respect of a revised organisational structure.

The Chief Executive briefly outlined the rationale behind the proposals and his belief that they would build on existing strengths but also strengthen corporate working. The Chief Executive also expected the proposals to help develop new capacity from existing staff. Cabinet welcomed the principles underpinning the report and approved the recommendations without amendment. The decision record is attached to these minutes as
Appendix 6.

Appendix 1

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Executive Decision Record:

Appendix 2

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Executive Decision Record:

Appendix 3

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Proposed Executive Decision:

1) Summary:

The following decisions were made:

That Cabinet

1.1. Approves the action plan included in the report as a means to rural proof the delivery of key services delivered in rural communities across all Departments. (Key recommendation.)

1.2. Supports the development of new partnership approaches and projects which seek to tackle the key issues faced by rural communities and highlighted in the consultation process. Consideration should be given to raising the potential partnership issues underpinning this work with the Hampshire Senate in an appropriate manner and timescale. (Key recommendation.)

1.3. Prioritises the use of new investment to support such initiatives and to seek maximum gearing of funding wherever possible.

1.4. Supports work undertaken on a corporate basis to demonstrate the rural context, both to relevant targets identified in the Local Area Agreement, and preparation for the CAA.

1.5. Fully endorses ongoing work to influence rural policy at a regional and national level including work with the Commission for Rural Communities, Defra, the LGA and South East Rural Board.

1.6. That each Departmental Action Plan be formally referred to the appropriate Executive Member for detailed consideration and implementation.

2) Reasons for the decision:

2.1 With over 85% of Hampshire's land area described as rural, it is crucial for Hampshire County Council to consider how it can best support its rural communities. It delivers a number of significant statutory and discretionary services in rural areas, ranging from schools, adult social care, libraries and rights of way, to waste management and strategic transport planning. Hampshire County Council wishes to ensure that in delivering a wide range of services for rural communities, both directly and in partnership with others, the essential issues are tackled in the right way.

2.2 The Rural Delivery Action Plan assists Hampshire County Council in meeting its Local Area Agreement targets as well as targets set under various other local indicators.

3) Other options considered and rejected:

3.1. Option 1: None - this report fulfils a recommendation approved by Cabinet in March 2009 (Rural Delivery Strategy for Hampshire County Council - Results of Consultation and Future Development)

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:

.

Appendix 4

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Executive Decision Record:

Appendix 5

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Executive Decision Record:

Appendix 6

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Executive Decision Record: