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 previous meeting were reviewed and agreed

To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.

No requests to make a deputation had been received.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman welcomed Councillor Woodward who had been re-appointed to Cabinet and Councillor Heron who had been newly appointed to Cabinet. It was noted that the Education portfolio had been added to Councillor Reid’s responsibilities and the Chairman paid tribute to the work of Councillors Edgar and Gibson who had stepped down from their Cabinet roles.

An announcement by the Government of increased spending on healthcare was highlighted by the Chairman, who reflected on the experience of increasing costs in Hampshire. He noted that work had begun on the extra-care facility at Nightingale Lodge and praised the ability of the County Council to meet financial pressures by looking at the long term position.

The Chairman reported on a peace and reconciliation event he had attended at Winchester Cathedral. He also reminded Members of the forthcoming County Service and of a youth orchestra event in Romsey Abbey in November to mark the end of the First World War.  

To consider a report of the Director of Corporate Resources setting out the end of year financial position 2017/18

Cabinet received a report of the Director of Corporate Resources setting out the end of year financial position 2017/18.

The report was introduced with particular reference to the key points set out in the executive summary, including the departmental position, the levels of contingency and resources for winter maintenance.

The report was welcomed, especially the additional £7 million available for social care. Road maintenance was also highlighted and the benefits of “Dragon Patcher” machines explained. Cabinet expressed their commitment to Hampshire roads being in the best possible condition in particular in light of the damage caused by severe winter weather. It was noted that £3 million was being made available from the Government for highway repairs following winter weather damage and that the report proposed adding £2 million to this. It was proposed and agreed that a further £1 million be added in order to match Government funding and make a total of £6 million available to purchase two Dragon Patcher machines and fund their operation. Cabinet heard that this was in addition to around £10 million being spent on highways through Operation Resilience and the general maintenance budget.

With an amendment to reflect the additional money for highway maintenance, the recommendations in the report were proposed and agreed. The decision record is attached.

To consider a report of the Director of Corporate Resources regarding the Medium Term Financial Strategy

Cabinet received a report of the Director of Corporate Resources regarding the Medium Term Financial Strategy.

The report was introduced and it was explained that its focus was on looking ahead to plan for meeting service delivery requirements. Uncertainties around funding from Government grant, Business Rates and any specific funding for Adults or Children’s Social Care were highlighted and it was noted that the report was prepared according to the best available information. The reserves position was set out and Cabinet heard that compared with the national average of 25 days contingency, Hampshire had sufficient (non-allocated) reserves for 27 days of service delivery. The significance of the net contribution of £19.5 million in generated income was also highlighted. In order to demonstrate the anticipated funding gap, Cabinet’s attention was drawn to the diagram at 6.15 of the report.

Cabinet welcomed the report and the diagram and recognised the scale of the budget involved, in light of which any possible income from Business Rates would be relatively small. The factors influencing the inflationary pressure of £76 million were discussed and it was acknowledged that substantial increases in funding from Government were unlikely. The long term economic and social benefits of investment, such as at Farnborough airport were noted and Members welcomed ongoing investment in facilities to benefit communities.

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

To consider a report of the Chief Executive and Head of Law and Governance regarding the County Council’s performance for 2017/18

Cabinet received a report of the Chief Executive and Head of Law and Governance regarding the County Council’s performance for 2017/18.

The performance highlights and risks as set out in the report were introduced, as was a summary of the small number of complaints made to the Local Government ombudsman.

Cabinet was supportive of the report, noting in particular performance success in the areas of school places and attainment as well as the re-ablement service at the Firs.

[With regard to the Firs, Councillor Reid declared a personal interest by virtue of being the County Council’s representative on Hampshire Hospitals Foundation Trust.]

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

To consider a report of the Chief Executive seeking Cabinet approval for the recruitment of a new Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services

Cabinet received a report of the Chief Executive seeking Cabinet approval for the recruitment of a new Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services.

Tribute was paid to Karen Murray, who was due to retire later in the year and Members recognised her progression from joining the Council aged 16 as an example of the opportunities available within the organisation.

The proposal to recruit to the post to secure and sustain success in the department was set out and it was noted that there was sufficient time for a full external recruitment process.

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

To consider a report of the Chief Executive regarding responsibilities for Executive functions following recent revisions by the Leader of the Council.

Cabinet received a report of the Chief Executive regarding responsibilities for Executive functions following recent revisions by the Leader of the Council.

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