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 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 Personal Interest in a matter being considered at the meeting should consider, having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 4 of the Code, whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 5 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 Personal interest in a matter being considered at the meeting they considered whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 5 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.

No requests to make a deputation had been received.

It was noted that Councillor Keith House and Councillor Jackie Porter would speak on the Revenue Budget item (minute 103 refers). Councillor Martin Tod would speak on the Referral of Motion item (minute 106 refers) with the agreement of the Chairman.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

Noting the wintery weather conditions, the Leader paid tribute to the County’s highways teams as well as local farmers who were working hard to keep roads open. Around 200 schools had been closed for safety reasons, however the majority had been able to remain open.

The Leader drew Cabinet’s attention to a number of meetings run by the LGA that he had been involved in, in particular relating to local government preparation for Brexit. He had also met with Trade Union leaders as part of the budget setting process and had been able to convey the message that Hampshire was as well prepared as possible to deal with different possible outcomes.

The recent Commission of Enquiry 2050 meeting was highlighted to Cabinet. It was also noted that under the leadership of Hampshire’s Director of Children’s Services, an Ofsted rating of Good had been achieved for Children’s Services on the Isle of Wight.

To receive a report of the Director of Corporate Resources regarding the Revenue Budget and Precept 2019/20

[Councillor Kendal declared a personal interest in this item by virtue of being the County Council’s representative on the a Director of the Manydown Garden Communities LLP company]

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Corporate Resources regarding the Revenue Budget and Precept 2019/20.

The report was introduced and key points were highlighted. It was confirmed that the final grant settlement had been received and there was no change to the County Council, but there was a change to council tax flexibility for East Hampshire District Council. The 2019/20 budget was set out and an update provided on the position of the 2018/19 budget, noting that this was based on financial targets agreed in autumn 2017. Demographic and other pressures were identified in the context of the need to invest in the transformation of services and specific pressures facing each department were explained. Details of the proposed arrangements to make a loan to the Manydown Garden Communities LLP Company and the expected return were set out.

With the agreement of the Chairman, Councillor Keith House addressed Cabinet, raising concerns about the impact of reduced funding from government for the County Council.

With the agreement of the Chairman, Councillor Jackie Porter addressed Cabinet, suggesting that additional funding for Children’s Services should be included in the base budget rather than held in contingency.

The Director of Corporate Services explained the approach to budget setting, in particular around estimating inflationary and demand pressures and efficiency savings. She drew attention to Appendix 6 of the report, confirming her professional view that the budget was properly set.

Cabinet welcomed the budget report, noting that no new savings were proposed and that service delivery would continue to evolve to meet the financial position and the needs of service users. It was furthermore recognised that balancing public sector spending was a significant challenge for government and many areas were under pressure.

The recommendations in the report were proposed and agreed and the decision record can be found as an appendix to these minutes.

To receive a report of the Director of Corporate Resources regarding The Capital Programme 2019/20 – 2021/22

[Councillor Woodward declared a personal interest in this item by virtue of being Leader of Fareham Borough Council and a Director of the Solent LEP.

Councillor Mans declared a personal interest in this item by virtue of the being a Director of the Solent LEP]

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Corporate Resources regarding the Capital Programme 2019/20 – 2012-22.

The report was introduced and it was noted that the Capital programme was one of the largest of any local authority in the country. It was highlighted that since publication of the report, additional information had become available regarding the Botley by-pass project. In particular, confirmation had been received that funding from Homes England would be in the form of non-repayable grant and not as a loan. On this basis an additional recommendation was proposed to increase the Capital Programme by £32.869 million to meet the additional costs associated with further infrastructure works and the by-pass at Botley.

Cabinet welcomed the report and the additional information regarding the Botley project. The scale of the Programme was recognised as was the ability of the County Council to deliver it.

With the additional recommendation above, the recommendations in the report were proposed and agreed and the decision record can be found as an appendix to these minutes.

To receive a report of the Director of Adults’ Health and Care regarding the Sustainability and Transformation Partnership (STP)

[Councillor Reid declared a personal interest in this item by virtue of being the County Council’s representative on the North Hampshire Hospital Trust

Councillor Humby declared a personal interest in this item by virtue of being the County Council’s representative on the Southern Health Foundation Board of Governors]

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Adults’ Health and Care regarding the Sustainability and Transformation Partnership (STP).

In introducing the report, the Director set out the background to the STP and the strategic ambition to improve service delivery whilst achieving financial sustainability. The challenges around the structural change needed for this were outlined as were the specific complexities in Hampshire.

It was questioned whether all local issues were being addressed by the STP and it was clarified that this was not a final report and would continue to develop. It was noted that a further update report would be presented to Cabinet.

The recommendations in the report were proposed and agreed and the decision record can be found as an appendix to these minutes.

To receive a report of the Chief Executive regarding a Notice of Motion referred to Cabinet from County Council on 29 November 2018

Cabinet considered a report of the Chief Executive regarding a Notice of Motion referred to Cabinet from County Council on 29 November 2018.

The Chairman welcomed the report and noted that the outcomes of the item would be presented to the February meeting of the County Council.

With the agreement of the Chairman Councillor Tod, who was the seconder of the original Motion to County Council addressed Cabinet. Councillor Tod explained the rational behind the Motion, in particular his concerns over the impact of Brexit locally and the position the County Council should take with regard to the outcome of Brexit in light of this.

Cabinet agreed that the County Council should focus on matters that fell within its remit and that Parliament was the proper place for the outcome of Brexit to be debated. It was proposed and resolved to recommend to County Council:

That the County Council notes the Report ‘Brexit: The Potential Impact on the County Council’s Resources and Services’ considered by the Cabinet at its meeting on 10 December 2108 set out in Appendix B to this Report and supports the recommendations contained within that Report.

The decision record can be found as an appendix to these minutes.