Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

All Members were present and no apologies were noted

All Members who believe they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting must declare that interest and, having regard to the circumstances described in Part 3 Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members' Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore all Members with a Non-Pecuniary interest in a matter being considered at the meeting should consider whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 2 of the Code, consider whether it is appropriate to leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter considered at the meeting they must declare that interest at the time of the relevant debate and, having regard to the circumstances described in Part 3, Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members' Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Non-Pecuniary interest in a matter being considered at the meeting they considered whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 2 of the Code, considered whether it was appropriate to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting

The minutes of the last meeting were reviewed and agreed

To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.

There were no requests to make a deputation at the meeting. It was noted that with the agreement of the Chairman, Councillor House would speak on item 7 (Transformation to 2019)

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the first Cabinet meeting following the County Council elections and confirmed that the new administration would continue to provide a high level of service with the mandate they had been given.

A number of events were drawn to the attention of the Cabinet, including the Hampshire Service and a subsequent tea party joining the national “Great Get Together” and events to mark the end of Ramadan. The importance of standing together across political and religious lines at difficult times was emphasised.

Following the Grenfell fire tragedy, the Chairman confirmed that he had received assurances regarding the safety of high-rise buildings in Hampshire and had commissioned a survey of all County Council buildings, including schools.

It was noted that the General Election had resulted in changes at national government level and the Chairman expressed a commitment that Hampshire would continue to get on and deliver services.

To consider a report of the Director of Corporate Resources providing a summary of the County Council’s 2016/17 final accounts.

Cabinet received a report of the Director of Corporate Resources setting out the end of year financial position 2016/17.

The report was outlined and key features highlighted, including the recommendations to both Cabinet and subsequently to the County Council.

Members welcomed the report, in particular noting that the zero balance for Children’s Services was a better position than had been anticipated.

The recommendations within the report were proposed and agreed. The decision record is attached.

To receive a report of the Chief Executive regarding the Transformation to 2019 programme.

Cabinet received a report of the Chief Executive regarding the Transformation to 2019 programme.

The report was introduced and the challenge of Transformation to 2019 (T19) highlighted. Key details were set out, including a breakdown of the saving requirements and the wider context. It was confirmed that the Transformation to 2017 savings had been achieved and therefore there was no legacy to face and the County Council was well positioned to meet the challenge.

With the agreement of the Chairman, Councillor House addressed the meeting. He cited national speculation about the reversal of austerity measures and recommended that the Cabinet should encourage this. He expressed concern that all services are treated equally with regards savings targets and stated his opposition to this practice. A focus on the opportunities of income generation was proposed by Councillor House, who also called for an opportunity for scrutiny of the consultation document prior to its launch.

Cabinet discussed the report, acknowledging Cllr House’s comments. It was noted that the County Council was in regular contact with national government and Members agreed that the approach of requiring all departments to make savings and subsequently identifying priority areas for support was the right one to take. The County’s policy of investment in corporate bonds for a safe and reliable return was agreed to be preferable to the higher risk property investment that had been undertaken by other Councils, particularly due to the scale at which the County was able to invest.

It was noted that a significant proportion of the £140 million required saving was as a result of inflation and demographic shift rather than austerity and Cabinet agreed that it was necessary to plan ahead to meet these challenges. Areas of innovation to make savings were highlighted, such as the adoption of electric vehicles and LED lighting, which would save £500,000. The benefit derived from selling services to partners, both to raise revenue and enable specialist capacity to be retained, was recognised.

The recommendations within the report were proposed and agreed. The decision record is attached.

To receive a report of the Chief Executive setting out the background to, and content of, the proposed revised Strategic Plan: Serving Hampshire – Strategic Plan for 2017-2021.

Cabinet received a report of the Chief Executive setting out the background to, and content of, the proposed revised Strategic Plan: Serving Hampshire – Strategic Plan for 2017-2021.

The background and purpose of the report were set out and the recommendations presented. Members welcomed and were supportive of the revisions to the Strategic Plan, proposing and agreeing a minor amendment to the delegation to the Head of Law and Governance set out at recommendation c.

With a minor amendment, the recommendations within the report were proposed and agreed. The decision record is attached.

To receive a report of the Chief Executive regarding the County Council’s performance during 2016/17 against priorities within the Shaping Hampshire Strategic Plan for 2013-2017

Cabinet received a report of the Chief Executive regarding the County Council’s performance during 2016/17 against priorities within the Shaping Hampshire Strategic Plan for 2013-2017.

It was confirmed that, as set out in the report, high performance had been achieved against challenging targets. Two areas of higher risk were identified and explained. Members noted the difficulty of self-assessment in an era of change and therefore the importance of external review. High performance in a number of areas, including school performance was acknowledged.

Recognising and expressing appreciation to County Council staff in recognition of their role in achieving such high performance, the recommendations within the report were proposed and agreed. The decision record is attached.

To consider a report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services regarding the development of Hampshire County Council’s Relationships with Parish and Town Councils

Cabinet received a report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services regarding the development of Hampshire County Council’s relationship with Parish and Town Councils.

Key points of the report were set out, including the role of the Hampshire Association of Local Councils (HALC) and levels of engagement with the County’s Town and Parish Councils.

The recommendations within the report were proposed and agreed. The decision record is attached.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive regarding the allocation of responsibility for Executive Functions

Cabinet received and considered a report of the Chief Executive regarding the allocation of responsibility for Executive Functions.

The recommendations within the report were proposed and agreed. The decision record is attached.