To receive such reports as the Leader of the Council may wish to bring before the Council.
Minutes:
The Leader opened his report by
reflecting on the latest position with Covid, with the focus moving
more towards it being the responsibility of individuals to prevent
the spread of the virus. Whilst the County Council continues to do
everything possible to keep Hampshire safe, the Leader highlighted
the importance of taking personal responsibility to follow the
preventative principles.
Protecting and caring for vulnerable children remained a priority,
and the Leader was pleased to report that the County Council had
awarded grants totalling £398,979 to local organisations that
are providing free activities and a meal to lower income children
during the forthcoming half-term break.
He was also pleased to report that the County Council had agreed to
maintain contract payments for community transport operators at
100% from 1 April 2022 through to 31 March 2023, to assist
transport operators in the recovery and operation of their vital
services and to support them to maintain service levels while they
experience lower than usual passenger numbers as user confidence
rebuilds.
The Leader reported that from 27 January, the Government had
returned to Plan A measures, and further information was awaited on
their ‘strategy for living
with Covid’. Meanwhile
Members and Officers were making a gradual return to the office and
embracing the hybrid approach to working.
The County Council welcomed the recent publication of the
Government’s Levelling Up White Paper, which contained the
long-awaited details of a new devolution framework, alongside
details of the wider role of local government in the levelling up
agenda. Whilst it was
disappointing that
Hampshire had not been selected as one of the pilot areas for a
county deal, the County Council remained committed to their
ambition of bringing more power to the people and places of
Hampshire. The work undertaken to date
with partners had built a firm foundation from which plans for a
county deal would continue to be developed in line with the White
Paper, before putting them forward to members of the public and
stakeholders for their views. The
Leader also confirmed that a Pan-Hampshire County Deal was also
being explored. Positive conversations
with neighbouring authorities including Surrey County Council were
underway on the potential for a wider Economic Prosperity Board,
which would complement any County Deal and enhance economic
development and regeneration opportunities post-Covid.
The Leader reported that Cabinet had been able to
recommend prudent plans to balance the budget, which would be
considered later in the meeting. This had been a challenging task
given annual funding shortfalls and the major new budget pressures
that had emerged due to the financial impact of Covid and the
growth in the cost of adult social care. It was particularly
disappointing that the Government had limited the amount that could
be raised via the adult social care precept, which has been reduced
from a 2% increase in council tax, down to 1% resulting in
approximately a £7m loss for the County Council. The Leader emphasised he would continue to press
MPs and Ministers on the severity of the financial position and to
make the point that without a long-term sustainable funding
solution to the growth in social care costs, the County Council was
simply not financially sustainable in the longer-term. Whilst the
County Council was in a better position than many councils due to
careful financial planning and was capable of dealing with some
pressure, a resolution from national government was nonetheless
needed urgently.
The Leader reported that he was delighted
to mark the start of the County Council’s Platinum Jubilee
year celebrations last Thursday with the unveiling of a new
life-sized bronze statue - ‘Licoricia of Winchester’
– outside the Arc, as the Chairman referred to in his
announcements. The Platinum Jubilee
presents a remarkable opportunity to not only celebrate Her Majesty
the Queen’s 70 years of dedicated public service, but to also
come together again as a community. A wide range of events and
activities to help Hampshire residents commemorate and celebrate
were being planned, including a special Queen’s Platinum
Jubilee concert with performances from the Hampshire Music
Service.
The Leader had been pleased to approve proposals for a £0.5
million initiative to create a living, environmental legacy in
recognition of the Jubilee. The aim is to help schools,
organisations, communities, and individuals to plant thousands of
trees across Hampshire, which will contribute towards the
Queen’s Green Canopy project, and further the County
Council’s own environmental ambitions for tree
planting. The Leader encouraged all
Members to support this project.
Lastly, the Leader was delighted that Hampshire County Council is backing
Southampton City Council’s bid for the UK City of Culture in
2025. The opportunity of becoming the
UK City of Culture 2025 would not only bring millions of pounds
worth of investment but would create jobs and attract thousands of
visitors to the city and the wider Hampshire area. The final bid
was submitted earlier this month, and the Government will announce
the winner of the prestigious title in the spring.