Issue - meetings

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

The Leader noted a number of significant national events since the last Council meeting, including a General Election, the establishment of a new Government, Britain’s exit from the European Union and the new focus on reaching a trade agreement. He anticipated that economic and cultural ties with individual European countries would remain significant. The Leader noted that he had recently met with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government and it was noted that the first of a series of regular meetings with Hampshire MPs would take place in March.  The Leader confirmed that he would continue to press for fairer funding for Hampshire.

The Leader offered congratulations to Peter Colenutt and two Hampshire foster carers on awards they had received in the New Year Honours list. He also paid tribute to the many officers who had supported the County Council’s response to storm Ciara. 

Additional Government grant funding for transport, in particular to support buses and cycling was highlighted and it was confirmed that the County Council would be assessing the schemes and making bids where appropriate.

The Leader was pleased to see a high level of public engagement in the ongoing Library Service consultation, which was to both achieve savings and to ensure the service was relevant and fit for the future. 

The worldwide outbreak of coronavirus was highlighted and the Leader praised the actions of Public Health England. He gave details of how the County Council was monitoring the outbreak and ensuring that information was communicated appropriately to residents.

The Leader proposed that former County Councillor Criss Connor be made an Honoury Alderman at the annual meeting of the Council in May 2020.