Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Roz Chadd.

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.

Members were reminded of a general dispensation granted by the Conduct Advisory Panel relating to the Revenue Budget and Precept item. This dispensation enables Members with a beneficial interest in land within the administrative area of the County Council to participate and vote in County Council business relating to the setting of Council Tax or Precepts. It was therefore taken as read that all Cabinet Members had declared an interest in item 7 on the agenda.

Councillor Forster declared a personal interest in item 10, Adoption of Local Transport Plan 4, as his business was involved in the Electric Vehicle Charging sector.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 12 December 2023 were agreed as a correct record.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman began by wishing His Majesty the King a full and swift recovery, following his recent cancer diagnosis.

He went on to make the following announcements:

He welcomed the recent announcement that the Government had topped up the Local Government Finance Settlement with an additional £600 million, of which £500 million would go to councils delivering social care services. The County Council’s share was expected to be just over £10 million.

The County Council welcomed the Government’s announcement to protect the health of children and young people through a ban on disposable vapes and a restriction on vape flavours and marketing.

Following stormy weather during January, he expressed thanks to the County Council’s highways workers, and all frontline teams, who had worked around the clock in very challenging and changeable weather conditions to support vulnerable residents and keep road users safe.

Alongside the Deputy Leader and Member Champion for the Homes for Ukraine Scheme, he had recently met and witnessed the dedication and passion of the volunteers at New Forest for Ukraine, who were doing brilliant work managing public donation points across the New Forest and sending aid to Charitable Foundations in Ukraine. He expressed thanks to Hampshire residents for continuing to show compassion and generosity towards the people of Ukraine by donating and sending aid to refugees in Ukraine or supporting resettlement of an individual or family from Ukraine. 

The Hampshire Achieves service, which offers apprenticeships and directly supports the County Council’s Apprenticeships Levy programme, was recently judged good in all aspects by Ofsted.

He had spoken recently at the Future World of Work Conference hosted by Winchester University. He emphasised the importance of joining the dots between business, education and local government in developing a shared understanding of Hampshire’s current and future skills needs.

To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.

There were no deputations.

To consider an update report of the Director of Hampshire 2050 on the state of Hampshire’s economy and to highlight latest developments on sub-national economic policy making, recognising the importance of a strong and prosperous economy on wider long-term outcomes across the county.

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Hampshire 2050 on the Hampshire’s economy and latest developments on sub-national economic policy making, recognising the importance of a strong and prosperous economy on wider long-term outcomes across the county.  The Director updated Cabinet on progress in relation to the transfer of LEP functions and accountabilities noting that shadow governance was well established.  Cabinet also discussed the wider strategic opportunities afforded by an Economic Growth Board, bringing together skills, transport and infrastructure under a single place-based governance. It was acknowledged that the County Council was committed to working with partners where it was in the Council’s interest to do so, and it was important to take advantage of the large scale of economic growth and productivity in the region and make use of existing partnerships and sectors.

The recommendations in the report were considered and agreed. A decision record is attached to these minutes.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Corporate Operations on proposals for the revenue budget and precept for 2024/25, and an update on the financial position for 2023/24.

Cabinet considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Corporate Operations on proposals for the revenue budget and precept for 2024/25, and an update on the financial position for 2023/24. 

Cabinet heard that the Section 25 Report from the Chief Financial Officer concluded that the County Council was still in a strong position for 2024/25 but that unless the deficit going forward was addressed there would be a funding gap for 2025/26. 

The pressures in children’s services had been difficult to predict due to the number of variables.  However, it was expected that forecasting, particularly for school transport need, would improve going forward. 

The adult social care grant had reduced proposed drawdown from reserves by approximately £10m.  Although welcomed, it would not be a significant change.  However, it was key that government had recognised the ongoing pressure and appeared to be giving a commitment to address it.

The recommendations in the report were considered and agreed. A decision record is attached to these minutes.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Corporate Operations regarding the proposed capital programme for 2024/25 and provisional programmes for the subsequent two financial years.

Cabinet considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Corporate Operations regarding the proposed capital programme for 2024/25 and provisional programmes for the subsequent two financial years.

During discussion, Cabinet heard that the government was consulting on increasing flexibility to use capital receipts for revenue funding, although this was regarded as an option of last resort.

The recommendations in the report were considered and agreed. A decision record is attached to these minutes.

To consider a report of the Director of Hampshire 2050 on the current School Streets trials and to set out a proposed way forward for the existing trial sites and other interested schools.

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Hampshire 2050 on the current School Streets trials and a proposed way forward for the existing trial sites and other interested schools.  In response to questions, it was noted that guidance would be available to schools via the County Council’s website, setting out the funding responsibilities and eligibility criteria for commissioning a new scheme. 

The recommendations in the report were considered and agreed. A decision record is attached to these minutes.

To consider a report of the Director of Hampshire 2050 seeking recommendation to Council for the adoption of the draft new Local Transport Plan (LTP4) as the Council’s principal transport policy document. 

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Hampshire 2050 seeking recommendation to Council for the adoption of the draft new Local Transport Plan (LTP4) as the Council’s principal transport policy document.  The draft Plan was the result cross-cutting engagement across the County Council and its neighbours.

Cabinet welcomed the Plan, acknowledged the work undertaken in Hampshire districts and the links to supporting documents.  It was also noted that the draft Plan aimed to deliver on recommendations from Public Health reports related to place shaping and tackling obesity to keep Hampshire healthy.

In endorsing the draft LTP and recommending adoption by the County Council, the Cabinet requested the addition of reference to the legislative changes resulting from the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 between public bodies and national parks from having ‘regard to’ the objectives of National Parks’ Management Plan to having a ‘requirement to contribute to the preparation, implementation or review’ of the Management Plan. Cabinet delegated authority to the Director of Hampshire 2050 to make those and other minor changes prior to publication of the document.

The recommendations in the report were considered and agreed. A decision record is attached to these minutes.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive on updates to the Constitution on Standing Orders and the Protocol for Member Officer relations.

Cabinet considered a report of the Chief Executive on updates to the Constitution on Standing Orders and the Protocol for Member Officer relations.  It was proposed to update Standing Orders to give the Chairman of Council committees and panels the ability to make reasonable adjustments to enable a person to participate in meetings.  It was heard that the Protocol for Member Officer Relations would be included in the Council’s Constitution, as previously set out informally, with the additional of guidance for members around contacting and questioning officers. This addition was intended to provide helpful guidance around subject of conversation, for clarification.

The recommendations in the report were considered and agreed. A decision

record is attached to these minutes.

To consider a report of the Director of Hampshire 2050 on the future approach to the County Council’s strategy for Hampshire as a Digital Place.

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Hampshire 2050 on the future approach to the County Council’s strategy for Hampshire as a Digital Place, covering inclusion, infrastructure and systems leadership.

During discussion, it was acknowledged that 5G and satellite broadband were likely to be part of the solution to providing digital connectivity in more rural areas across Hampshire.  Cabinet also heard that there would be opportunities through the Economic Growth Board and it was expected that the future digital strategy would be a high priority for the Board.

The recommendations in the report were considered and agreed. A decision record is attached to these minutes.