Issue - meetings

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

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  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53