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 last meeting were reviewed and agreed.

To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.

No deputation requests had been received.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

Recognising that the pandemic was not over, the Chairman welcomed the progress that was being made with the roll out of a vaccine across the country. The financial strain of responding to the crisis was highlighted in the context of the budget items later on the agenda and the Chairman noted that the County Council’s resilience had been possible thanks to its reserves strategy.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive regarding the County Council’s response to the Covid-19 crisis.

Cabinet considered a report of the Chief Executive setting out progress on the

County Council’s response to the Covid-19 crisis.

In introducing the report, the high levels of activity since the previous update were highlighted, particularly with regards to the re-introduction of a national lockdown and the roll out of the vaccine. Changes in the County Council’s emergency planning team were drawn to Members’ attention and Ian Hoult, the retiring head of emergency planning was thanked for his long service and contribution. The Government’s intention to proceed with local elections in May 2021 were noted and it was confirmed that the preparations for the elections had been drawn into Gold command to ensure their safety and success. Members heard that schools were working very hard on remote learning and the ongoing high quality of work by County Council staff was recognised.

The Director of Public Health updated Cabinet on the position in Hampshire, noting that the County was seeing a general fall in the rate of infection, which was in line with the South East average and younger people and the over 80s were most likely to be affected. Developments in the track and trace programme were highlighted and it was confirmed that there had been a strong take up of the vaccine by the over 80s and over 70s. The County Council was working in partnership with the NHS to deliver the vaccine, with the aim of preventing illness and mortality.

Cabinet welcomed the report and the Leader confirmed that he had recently written to all County Council staff thanking them for their hard work over the crisis. The challenges that many people were facing were recognised.

The recommendations set out in the report were considered and agreed. A

decision record is attached to these minutes.

To consider a report of the Director of Corporate Resources regarding the 2021/22 Revenue Budget and Precept.

Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Corporate Resources regarding the revenue budget and precept 2021/22.

With the agreement of the Chairman, Councillor House addressed Cabinet, paying tribute to all public sector staff through the pandemic. He highlighted that the Council’s accounts were not initially signed off by the auditors, that the estimated cost impact of Covid had been revised and pointing out that the Council was not financially viable in the medium term, asked for details of how financial sustainability would be achieved.

With the agreement of the Chairman, Councillor Porter addressed Cabinet, also noting her appreciation of the work of Council staff. The presentation of figures in the budget report was queried and Councillor Porter questioned the support for access to high performance broadband and for IT equipment for children. She also noted the financial pressure on schools relating to dedicated schools grant (DSG) deficit and the impact of changes to home to school transport provision.

The Director of Corporate Resources clarified the presentation of the figures relating to the precept proposals. She confirmed that £1million to support broadband remained in the capital budget and noted that the school DSG deficit issue was a national problem, which the County Council was not allowed to subsidise. It was confirmed that work was underway with the transport sector with regards home to school transport.

In introduction to the report, the impact of the Covid pandemic was highlighted and it was confirmed that an almost balanced position had been achieved. The medium term presented a more significant challenge, although the shortfall had reduced from £210million to £88million, the shifting nature of crisis made projecting figures difficult. The projected shortfall was a risk to financial sustainability in the medium term and the uncertainty in this area was exacerbated by the lack of a medium term financial settlement or stability of funding of social care from government. Recommendations on the council tax precept, the level of support received from government, changes to the Members’ devolved budgets, support for climate change initiatives, the reserves strategy and treasury management were highlighted to Members.

Cabinet welcomed the report and noted that although auditors had sought more information on the accounts leading to a delay, they had been given an unqualified sign-off. It was agreed that balancing the budget to within £3.8million had been a remarkable achievement and hoped that in the future a three year rolling settlement would be forthcoming from government to provide stability in medium term planning. Members recognised the benefit of a prudent reserves strategy to allow budget pressures to be met and noted that in the future the reserves would need to be replenished. The changes to the Members’ devolved grant budgets were welcomed.  

The recommendations set out in the report were considered and agreed. A

decision record is attached to these minutes.

To consider a report of the Director of Corporate Resources regarding the Capital Programme 2021/22 to 2023/24.

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Corporate Resources regarding the capital programme 2021/22 to 2023/24.

The report was introduced with reference to a number of significant areas of capital investment, as well as to the recent success of bids for funding to support decarbonisation. Members praised the Council’s ability to take advantage of grant funding opportunities and highlighted the scale of the capital programme, in particular the investment in schools and education.

The recommendations set out in the report were considered and agreed. A

decision record is attached to these minutes.

To consider a report of the Director of Economy, Transport and Environment regarding the 2020 review of the Hampshire Minerals & Waste Plan.

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Economy, Transport and Environment regarding the 2020 Review of the Hampshire Minerals & Waste Plan and revised Development Scheme.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor Porter addressed Cabinet, welcoming the development of the Plan and requesting that policies on oil extraction, good neighbour criteria for aggregate sites and carbon emissions be considered as part of the review.

The context of the process of reviewing the Plan with partners was set out and it was noted that a partial update was required to ensure consistency with national policy and the County Council’s policy framework. All partners would need to agree the proposals to take forward and a funding agreement was in place to share the costs of the review.

Members recognised that making sound planning decisions relied on working in partnership and noted that discussions so far had been positive.

The recommendations set out in the report were considered and agreed. A

decision record is attached to these minutes.

To consider a report of the Director of Economy, Transport and Environment regarding the climate change work programme 2020-2025

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Economy, Transport and Environment setting out the climate change work programme.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor Warwick addressed Cabinet, welcoming the report and highlighting the importance of community engagement and the success of the stakeholder event in December.

The main areas in the report were drawn to Members’ attention, including updates on the strategic framework, community projects, the position of the programme’s budget, the development of climate change impact assessment tools, website development and e-learning tools for staff.

Members welcomed the update and recognised the importance of working with the community and other partners to pro-actively work towards the targets that had been set.

The recommendations set out in the report were considered and agreed. A

decision record is attached to these minutes.

To consider a report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services regarding the County Council’s internal carbon reduction programme.

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services regarding the County Council’s internal carbon reduction programme.

The internal challenge for the County Council was presented with reference to the report and key successes highlighted, including a move to a carbon neutral energy supply and work to influence suppliers. It was confirmed that methodologies to measure carbon emissions were being worked on with the climate change team. Members recognised the importance of the County Council demonstrating leadership in this area.

The recommendations set out in the report were considered and agreed. A

decision record is attached to these minutes.

To consider a report of the Director of Economy, Transport and Environment recommending a limited trial of the “School Streets” initiatives in Hampshire during 2021, as part of the Active Travel programme.

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Economy, Transport and Environment regarding the school streets pilot project.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor Porter addressed Cabinet, welcoming the development of the pilot project and posing questions about the schools that had been selected.

The report was introduced and it was clarified how the criteria for school participation had been developed. Members noted that the aim of the project was to change travel behaviour and improve air quality around schools. It would be implemented by volunteers and the schools were keen to be involved. Volunteers would be appropriately trained and it was confirmed that there would also be wider community engagement, including consultation with the police as part of the traffic regulation order process. It was acknowledged that this pilot was funded from the active travel plan and any longer term implementation or further roll out of school streets would need to be budgeted for. It was agreed that an update would be brought back to Cabinet following the pilot.

The recommendations set out in the report were considered and agreed. A

decision record is attached to these minutes.

To consider a report of the Director of Economy, Transport and Environment regarding the M27 Junction 10 Improvement Scheme.

[Councillor Grajewski declared a personal interest as a Solent LEP Board Member]

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Economy, Transport and Environment regarding the Welborne, M27 Junction 10 project review.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor House addressed Cabinet, highlighting the benefits that the County Council could bring on strategic issues. He welcomed the addendum to the report and the revised recommendations and expressed hope that progress towards a satisfactory funding and scheme delivery solution could be made.

Members heard details of the background and progress of the scheme, recognising that the County Council had been working with all parties to take the scheme forward. The importance of the scheme to the local area was acknowledged and the long term support for it by the County Council was welcomed. With reference to wider service obligations and financial pressures, as well as the inherent risks in undertaking major highway development works on the strategic road network managed by Highways England, it was agreed that the County Council could not become financially liable for the scheme. The contents of the addendum and the revised recommendations were noted and supported. 

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

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive regarding the County Council’s performance during the first half of 2020/21.

Cabinet considered a report of the Chief Executive presenting the Serving Hampshire – 2020/21 half year performance report.

The report was introduced and key areas of highlighted to Members, who noted that performance had remained high despite the pressures of Covid and EU Exit. Staff were congratulated for this achievement in difficult circumstances.

The determination of the LGSCO was highlighted to and acknowledged by Cabinet. It was confirmed that all actions in the determination had been completed.

The recommendations set out in the report were considered and agreed. A

decision record is attached to these minutes.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive regarding a number of Constitutional matters.

Cabinet considered a report of the Chief Executive setting out a number of proposed constitutional updates, the nature and context of which were detailed with reference to the report.

The recommendations set out in the report were considered and agreed. A

decision record is attached to these minutes.