Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors Martin Boiles, Keith Evans, Jonathan Glen, Geoff Hockley, Mel Kendal and Russell Oppenheimer and from Honorary Aldermen Patricia Banks, Phyrn Dickens, Roger Kimber, Tim Knight, Marilyn Tucker, Alex Varden and Sharyn Wheale.

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 1, 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.

The following personal declarations of interest were made in respect of Items 4 and 12 on the Agenda:

Item 4 – Deputations by Professor Joy Carter, Patron of WINACC and Alison Skillen, member of WINACC

Councillor Roger Huxstep - County Council’s nominated trustee for WINACC

Item 12 – Notice of Motion

Councillor David Simpson – served in the British Army
Councillor Gary Hughes – served in the Royal Navy

Councillor Andrew Joy – served in the British Army, Royal Air Force and HQ
  Northern Ireland

Councillor Liz Fairhurst – served in the Women’s Royal Naval Service

Councillor Graham Burgess – served in the Senior Service

Councillor Bill Withers Lt Col (Retd) – served in the British Army and HQ
  Northern Ireland

Councillor Rhydian Vaughan – served in the Welsh Guards

Councillor Fred Birkett – served in the Royal Navy

Councillor Roland Dibbs – served in the Royal Navy

Councillor Keith Mans – served in the Royal Air Force, the Regular Force and
  the Reserves

Councillor Chris Carter – served in the Royal Naval Reserves

Councillor Roger Huxstep – served in the Senior Service

Item 11 – Consideration of Motion referred by County Council: Climate Change

Councillor Kirsty North declared a disclosable pecuniary interest through her employment and would leave the Chamber for any discussion on that item.

To confirm the Minutes of the Special County Council Meeting and the Annual General Meeting of the County Council held on 17 May 2019.

The Minutes of the Special Meeting and the Annual General Meeting of the County Council held on 17 May 2019 were agreed and signed by the Chairman.

To receive the following deputations:

a)        Professor Joy Carter CBE DL, University of Winchester, regarding a climate emergency.

b)        Sara Timossi regarding climate change.

c)         Kathie Knell, Extinction Rebellion, regarding climate change.

d)        John Hubbard, Energy Alton, regarding the climate emergency.

e)        Alison Skillen, Winchester Action on Climate Change, regarding the climate emergency.

Deputations were received as listed on the Summons.

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

The Chairman had circulated the list of engagements carried out by the Chairman and Vice-Chairman since the last Council meeting which reported on the wide range of duties undertaken to represent and promote the County Council and its strong community leadership role.

In particular the Chairman highlighted the first Hampshire Day celebrations at which the Hampshire flag was raised.  This will be an annual event in recognition of Hampshire’s rich history, traditions, landscapes and people, past and present.  

It was with much sadness that the Chairman reported to Members the passing of former County Councillor Angela Whitbread on 15 June.  Angela represented Gosport Hardway division from 1985 to 1997 and was also Mayor of Gosport for the municipal year 1994/95.  The Chairman invited Members to speak and Councillors Peter Chegwyn, Chris Carter, Peter Edgar and Stephen Philpott paid tribute.  The Council observed a minute’s silence as a mark of respect.

In conclusion, the Chairman referred to the Extraordinary Council Meeting scheduled on 23 September to consider the outcomes of the Hampshire 2050 Commission of Inquiry evidence gathering hearings.  As this is a single purpose meeting, the Chairman proposed under Standing Order 20.6 that the Extraordinary Council Meeting be a single-item Agenda and that the usual order of business will not apply to this meeting. 

The Proposal was seconded by Councillor Keith Mans and put to the vote.  The Proposal was agreed.

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

The Leader reported that in the last two months he had met with four Government Ministers, including Jake Berry from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and Therese Coffey, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Environment.  The Leader had also had meetings with most Hampshire MPs, had received a significant number of briefings on major topics such as the important development at Manydown and various other developments, attended a meeting of the Anglo Indian Group in London and more locally, the Gosport Task Force Meeting led by Caroline Dinenage MP. 

The Leader had also spent time visiting as many Hampshire District Councils as possible since taking up post and personally discussing with the Leader’s of those Councils how the County Council might work more closely with them.  So far, visits had been made to Rushmoor Borough Council, East Hampshire District Council, New Forest District Council and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, and hoped to have visited all 11 district council partners by the autumn.

The Leader reported his attendance at Hampshire Day and D-Day celebrations including some very moving events which were relevant to the county's past.  As important as the County’s history is, the Leader also emphasised the importance of focussing on the future as highlighted by the deputations received on climate change.         

The Leader had pleasure in thanking everyone in the Children’s Services Department for the hugely successful inspection report received from Ofsted and asked the Director of Children’s Services to pass on his thanks for all the work that had been carried out over many years to achieve this outstanding report.

Looking ahead to discussions about the Environment later on the agenda, the Leader confirmed that Councillor Jan Warwick would take up the role of Environment Champion to work with Councillor Rob Humby, Executive Member for Economy, Transport and Environment. 

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.

Executive Members responded to questions submitted in accordance with Standing Order 16.1.1 as published with the exception of question 4 for which a full written answer would be circulated in accordance with Standing Order 16.1.5.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive to make any Member appointments or alterations as required to the membership of committees and standing panels of the County Council, to statutory joint committees, to other proportional bodies the County Council is represented on, or to any other bodies which are not subject to proportionality rules.

The Council considered the updated report of the Chief Executive (Item 8 in the Minute Book), as presented by the Leader, proposing a number of appointments to the County Council’s committees and advisory panels, and to Outside Bodies that the County Council is represented on.

RESOLVED:

That the appointments listed in the updated report be approved.

To consider report of the Cabinet setting out the end of year position for the financial period 2018/19 seeking approval of the County Council’s treasury management activities and prudential indicators.

The Council considered the report of the Cabinet (Item 9 in the Minute Book) setting out the year end position for the financial period 2018/19 and seeking approval of the County Council’s treasury management activities and prudential indicators (Appendix 2 of the Cabinet report).  The Leader presented the report and handed over to Councillor Stephen Reid, Executive Member for Commercial Strategy, Human Resources and Performance who highlighted key areas of the report.

The Council’s debate focused on the pressures the Council continues to face and the measures in place to deal with these pressures.  The policy of planning well ahead coupled with the prudent use of the Council’s reserves and robust treasury management has resulted in the Council being in a good position going forward.

In summing up the Leader responded to Members’ questions and highlighted the importance of continuing to run the Council’s affairs as efficiently as possible.  The Leader reassured Members that every opportunity possible was being taken to promote the message that local government must be properly funded for the future. 

RESOLVED:

That the County Council’s treasury management activities and prudential indicators set out in Appendix 2 of the Cabinet report be approved.

To consider a Report of the Chief Executive regarding the outcome of the recent inspection of the County Council’s Children’s Services.

The Council considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 10 in the Minute Book) regarding the exceptionally positive outcome of the recent inspection of the County Council’s Children’s Services. 

Before presenting the report Councillor Patricia Stallard, the Executive Lead Member for Children’s Services reassured Members that representations for children's services funding had been made to central Government and would continue to be made.  The Executive Lead Member reported that she had been in discussion with her opposite numbers across the South East and there is agreement for a collective push to keep the pressure up.

In presenting the report, the Executive Lead Member commented on the remarkable achievement the outcomes of the Ofsted report represented and demonstrated focused determination to achieve the best possible outcomes for children.  The Executive Lead Member therefore asked Members to applaud the significant contribution and quality of work of the Children’s Services Directorate.  Members signified their support and added their congratulations.

Members noted a request for Corporate Parenting to be added to the work programme of the Children’s and Young People Select Committee.

RESOLVED:

That the County Council:

a)      Noted the exceptionally positive findings of the Ofsted report and communicates the Council’s support for this to Cabinet.

b)      Congratulates the Director of Children’s Services and his officers.

To consider a report of the Cabinet detailing the outcome of their deliberation of a Motion referred by the County Council on 17 May 2019.

The Council considered the report of the Cabinet (Item 11 in the Minute Book) detailing the outcome of their deliberation of a Motion referred by the County Council on 17 May 2019.

Councillor Martin Tod, seconded by Councillor Adrian Collett proposed the following Amendment:

To add the words:

“In addition, the County Council calls upon the Cabinet, as part of its action planning process and reflecting the urgency of the need to address the Climate Emergency, to set an ambitious schedule of specific dates by which it will pledge to achieve carbon neutrality for the County Council itself and work in partnership with others to seek carbon neutrality for the County as a whole.”

During the course of the debate many Members spoke, indicating their support for the report’s recommendation and the proposed Amendment.  Given the challenges highlighted during the debate, focussing on practical steps and an effective set of measures in seeking to achieve carbon neutrality would be important.

In light of the support indicated, the Leader proposed that the remainder of Members who had indicated they wished to speak be deferred to the Extraordinary Meeting on 23 September and therefore proposed that the recommendation be now put.  The Proposal was put to the vote and carried.

The proposed Amendment, as detailed above in italics, was put to the vote and carried.  The Amendment and the report’s recommendation was put to the vote as the Substantive Recommendations and carried.  It was therefore

RESOLVED:

a)        That the County Council endorses the decision of Cabinet to declare a ‘Climate Emergency’ in line with the action taken by many other Councils and organisations in the UK and globally, and commits to develop an action plan to provide a meaningful and effective set of measures to ensure that Hampshire moves towards carbon neutrality and greater resilience to the effects of climate change.

b)        That the County Council calls upon the Cabinet, as part of its action planning process and reflecting the urgency of the need to address the Climate Emergency, to set an ambitious schedule of specific dates by which it will pledge to achieve carbon neutrality for the County Council itself and work in partnership with others to seek carbon neutrality for the County as a whole.

To consider the following Notice of Motion, submitted in accordance  with Standing Order 18.1:

Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Simpson, seconded by Councillor Andrew Joy:

‘This Council recognises the extreme circumstances which can arise in military operations, and asks Her Majesty’s Government to ensure the fair and proportionate treatment of Her Majesty’s Forces who served in Operation Banner from 1969 to 2007 in relation to any allegations of criminal acts while undertaking their duties.

It further requests that the Director of Public Prosecutions urgently reviews any current or pending prosecutions of present or former members of Her Majesty’s Forces regarding Operation Banner to ensure that members of Her Majesty’s Forces are not inequitably subjected to the trauma of investigation and prosecution.

Finally, this Council asks Her Majesty’s Government to ensure that proper protection is put in place for all those who serve, have served or will serve in Her Majesty’s Forces from inappropriate prosecution for doing their duty under extremely difficult circumstances.’

The Council considered the Motion set out at Item 12 submitted in accordance with Standing Order 18.1, as proposed by Councillor David Simpson and seconded by Councillor Andrew Joy.

The Motion was put to the vote and carried.  It was therefore

RESOLVED:

This Council recognises the extreme circumstances which can arise in military operations and asks Her Majesty’s Government to ensure the fair and proportionate treatment of Her Majesty’s Forces who served in Operation Banner from 1969 to 2007 in relation to any allegations of criminal acts while undertaking their duties.

It further requests that the Director of Public Prosecutions urgently reviews any current or pending prosecutions of present or former members of Her Majesty’s Forces regarding Operation Banner to ensure that members of Her Majesty’s Forces are not inequitably subjected to the trauma of investigation and prosecution.

Finally, this Council asks Her Majesty’s Government to ensure that proper protection is put in place for all those who serve, have served or will serve in Her Majesty’s Forces from inappropriate prosecution for doing their duty under extremely difficult circumstances.

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.

No questions had been received in accordance with Standing Order 16.3.

To receive a report of the Authority.

The Council received the report as presented by Councillor Chris Carter in his capacity as Chairman of the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority.  In particular Councillor Carter reported that progress with setting up a Combined Fire Authority comprising all of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight had been delayed for one year following a letter from the Home Office. 

To receive a report of the Chief Executive notifying changes to the allocation of Executive Functions.

The Council received the report of the Chief Executive (Item 14 in the Minute Book) notifying changes to the allocation of Executive Functions.

To consider a report of the Health and Wellbeing Board updating the Council on membership changes to the Board taken under delegated authority.

To consider the report of the Health and Wellbeing Board for Hampshire updating the Council on membership changes to the Board taken under delegated authority.

To receive the annual report of the Policy and Resources Select Committee summarising the work carried out by the County Council’s Select Committees during 2018/19.

The Council received the Annual report of the Policy and Resources Select Committee summarising the work carried out by the Council’s Select Committees during 2018/19.

To receive the annual report of the Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee summarising the health scrutiny work carried out by the Committee during 2018/19.

The Council received the Annual report of the Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee summarising the health scrutiny work carried out by the Committee during 2018/19.

To receive for information the reports of the following:

a)    Transformation to 2019

b)    Serving Hampshire – 2018/19 Performance Report

a)    River Hamble Country Park

a)    Continuing Healthcare – Discharge to Assess Pathway – 2019/20 Section 75 Agreement

a)    Rural Communities Fund

b)    Parish and Town Council Investment Fund