Agenda and minutes

Prior to the start of the formal business of the meeting, the Retiring Chairman presented his final announcements to the Council and expanded on duties undertaken since the last meeting of the Council to represent and promote the County Council and its strong leadership role.  The list of engagements had been previously circulated.  In particular, he expressed his thanks to Councillor Graham Burgess for his support as his Vice-Chairman throughout the year, to all the Councillors past and present that had supported his many events and to the officers.

In particular the Retiring Chairman had pleasure in presenting a Chairman’s Business Award to recognise the County Council’s support for business.  The award was received by ASV Global, based in Portchester, who develop marine autonomous vessel technology. 

The proceeds of money raised by the Music Service during the Retiring Chairman’s Year of Music was presented to Cancer Research UK.

The full announcements are attached to these Minutes as Appendix 1.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Roz Chadd, Tonia Craig, Alan Dowden, Mel Kendal, Neville Penman and Rhydian Vaughan.

Apologies were also received from Honorary Aldermen Phrynette Dickens and Marilyn Tucker.

To receive the County Returning Officer’s return of the persons elected Members of the County Council on 4 May 2017.

The Council received the report of the County Returning Officer confirming the persons elected Members of the County Council on 4 May 2017.

To elect the Chairman of the County Council to hold office until the Annual  General Meeting of the Council in 2018. The Chairman to request the Chief Executive, as the Proper Officer to call for nominations which are to be seconded, with all propositions being put to the vote. The new Chairman to sign the Declaration of Acceptance of Office and then take the Chair.

The Chief Executive, as the Proper Officer, called for nominations.  Councillor Chris Carter, seconded by Councillor Stephen Philpott proposed that Councillor Graham Burgess be elected Chairman of the Council until the Annual General Meeting of the Council in 2018.  No other nominations were received therefore the proposition was put to the vote and carried.

ORDERED:

That Councillor Graham Burgess be elected Chairman of the County Council until the Annual General Meeting in 2018.  Councillor Burgess made the declaration of Acceptance of Office and took the chair.

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 and, having regard to 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, 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, considered whether it was appropriate to leave the meeting while the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting held on 16 February 2017

The minutes of the meeting of the County Council held on 16 February 2017 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.  There were no matters arising.

To appoint a Vice Chairman of the County Council to hold office until the Annual General Meeting of the Council in 2018.  The Chairman will call for nominations which are to be seconded, with all propositions being put to the vote. The new Vice Chairman to sign the declaration of acceptance of office.

The Chairman invited nominations for the position of Vice-Chairman of the Council.  Councillor Stephen Reid, seconded by Councillor Anna McNair Scott proposed Councillor Elaine Still.  Councillor House confirmed that the Liberal Democrat Group was not proposing a nomination and requested a discussion with the Leader about this particular office, given its non-political status. 

No other nominations were received therefore the proposition was put to the vote and carried.

ORDERED:

That Councillor Elaine Still be appointed as Vice-Chairman of the County Council until the Annual General Meeting in 2018.  Councillor Still made the declaration of Acceptance of Office.

To receive such announcements as the Chairman may wish to make to the Council

The Chairman welcomed all new Members to the Chamber and congratulated Councillor Elaine Still for her appointment as the Council’s new Vice-Chairman. 

The Chairman confirmed that the theme for his chairmanship year would be the Armed Forces of Hampshire and Veterans.  Hampshire has the largest number of serving members of the Armed Forces and also veterans and the Chairman hoped to raise their profile at every opportunity.

It was with sadness that the Chairman informed the Council of the death three former County Councillors:

-          Honorary Alderman John Bryant, a former Chairman of Hampshire County Council from 2004 to 2005 and a Councillor for Fareham North West from 1997 to 2005 and Fareham Town from 2004 to 2013.

-          Honorary Alderman Harvey Cole, Councillor for Eastgate Division from 1985 to 1989 and Westgate Division from 1993 to 2001.

-          Councillor Freddie Emery-Wallis who represented St. Thomas Division from 1973 to 1985 and Stakes North Division from 1985 to 2001. He was also the Leader of Hampshire County Council from 1976 to 1993 and 1997 to 1999. He was Chairman of the County Council from 1999 to 2001.

The Chairman invited Councillor Roy Perry to say a few words and to invite personal tributes from the Chamber.  The following Councillors spoke: Councillors Peter Chegwyn, Adrian Collett, Jonathan Glen and Martin Tod.  The Council observed a minute’s silence as a mark of respect.

The Chairman’s full announcements are attached to these Minutes as Appendix 2.

To elect a Leader of the County Council pursuant to Part 1, Chapter 11 of the Constitution. The Chairman will call for nominations, which are to be seconded with all propositions being put to the vote.

The Chairman called for nominations for the position of Leader of the County Council pursuant to Part 1, Chapter 9 of the Constitution.  Councillor Kirsty Locke, seconded by Councillor Jonathan Glen proposed Councillor Roy Perry.  In the absence of any other nominations the proposition was put to the vote and carried. Councillor Roy Perry was duly elected Leader until the Annual General Meeting of the Council in 2021.

The Leader of the Council to confirm the Members of the Cabinet; Cabinet Members to take their seats in the Chamber

The Leader confirmed the members of his Cabinet as follows:

Councillor Keith Mans - Deputy Leader and Executive Lead Member for Children’s Services
Councillor Peter Edgar – Executive Member for Education
Councillor Liz Fairhurst – Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Health
Councillor Andrew Gibson – Executive Member for Culture, Recreation and Countryside
Councillor Rob Humby – Executive Member for Environment and Transport
Councillor Andrew Joy – Executive Member for Communities, Partnerships and External Affairs including Brexit
Councillor Mel Kendal – Executive Member for Economic Development
Councillor Stephen Reid – Executive Member for Human Resources and Performance
Councillor Patricia Stallard – Executive Member for Public Health (to include Troubled Families and Emergency Planning)

The Leader also reported that Councillor Edward Heron would continue in the role of Assistant to the Executive - Rural Affairs Champion.

To receive such reports as the Leader of the Council may wish to bring before the Council.

The Leader thanked Members for re-electing him for a further term of office as Leader of the Council, which would expire at the County Council’s AGM in 2021.  He also thanked Keith Chapman for the sterling work he had done over the last year as Chairman of the Council and congratulated Councillor Graham Burgess on his appointment as Chairman. 

The Leader reported that he had recently had briefings with the Police and Crime Commissioner and with the County Council’s Head of Emergency planning, who had confirmed that the well rehearsed plans of progressing from a severe alert to critical had moved seamlessly into place.

The Leader reported on the task ahead - to keep Hampshire prosperous, to maintain the quality of the environment and to maintain the good level of services with council tax demands under control.  Councils have to set a balanced budget, cannot borrow to cover revenue and are limited by how much council tax can be raised.  The County Council faces a £140million budget saving and it is the Council’s task to face up to that in as fair and equitable way possible.

The Leader’s full report is attached to these Minutes as Appendix 3.

There are no deputations on this occasion.

There were no deputations on this occasion.

To deal with questions pursuant to Standing Order 16.1.1.  Where a Member has submitted more than one question, their second and subsequent questions will not be answered until all Members’ first questions have been dealt with.

The list of Questions submitted in accordance with Standing Order 16.1.1 is attached to these Minutes as Appendix 4.  Executive Members responded.

The Council considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 12 in the Minute Book), as presented by the Leader, setting out the proportionality between the political groups following the Elections on 4 May and making provision for appointments to be made to County Council committees including Co-opted Members and to Joint Committees and Outside Bodies on which the County Council is represented, and for which appointments are to be made by the full Council.

An Addendum to the report was circulated setting out the draft Proportionality Table for the Council following consultation with the Group Leaders and nominations for appointments as detailed above.             

To determine for the purpose of Part 1 of the Local Government Act 1989 (the proportionality rules) the allocation of seats on County Council Committees and Panels, and other proportionate bodies the County Council is represented on.

RESOLVED:

That the County Council approved the allocation of seats on County Council Committees and Panels, and other proportionate bodies the County Council is represented on for the purpose of Part 1 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (the proportionality rules) as set out in Appendix 5 to these Minutes.

To appoint to County Council Committees and Panels, including the appointment of co-opted Members

RESOLVED:

That the County Council approved appointments to County Council Committees and Panels, including the appointment of Co-opted Members where applicable as set out in Appendix 6.

To make appointments to the Hampshire Health and Wellbeing Board

RESOLVED:

That the County Council approved appointments to the Hampshire Health and Wellbeing Board in accordance with Part 1, Chapter 10 of the County Council’s Constitution as set out in Appendix 6.

To make a full Member and a deputy Member appointment to the ACCESS (A Collaboration of Central Eastern and Southern Shires) Joint Governance Committee.

RESOLVED:

That the County Council agreed a nomination for Hampshire’s seat on the ACCESS Joint Governance Committee (JGC) and for a deputy as set out in Appendix 6.

To make appointments, on a proportionate basis to the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority, the New Forest National Park Authority and the Chichester Harbour Conservancy.

RESOLVED:

That the County Council approved appointments, on a proportionate basis to the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority, the New Forest National Park Authority and the Chichester Harbour Conservancy as set out in Appendix 6.

To appoint County Council representatives to Joint Committees and Outside Bodies.

RESOLVED:

That the County Council approved appointments to represent the County Council on Joint Committees and Outside Bodies, as reserved to the County Council as set out in Appendix 6.

There are no Notices of Motion on this occasion.

There were no Notices of Motion on this occasion.

To deal with any questions which have been submitted pursuant to Standing Order 16.3 concerning the discharge of the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority’s functions.

There were no questions pursuant to Standing Order 16.3 concerning the discharge of the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority’s functions. 

To receive a report from the Authority.

The Chairman of the Fire Authority presented a report and drew Members attention to a document “Fire as a Health Asset”.  In March the Chairman had written to the Members of all Councils within Hampshire, to MPs and to the CCGs enclosing a copy of the booklet to draw attention to what HFRS is doing to assist with the promotion of health and wellbeing across the County.   For the benefit of new Members on the County Council, copies of the booklet were available.