Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors Debbie Curnow-Ford, Tim Davies, Steve Forster, Tim Groves, Marge Harvey, Edward Heron, Rob Humby, Derek Mellor, and from Honorary Aldermen Patricia Banks, Keith Chapman and Andrew Gibson.

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 Non-Pecuniary 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 Annual General Meeting held on 23 May 2024.

The Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 23 May 2024 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.

A deputation was received in accordance with Standing Order 12 regarding improved walking and cycling infrastructure on Andover Road and keeping Andover Road open.

The Executive Lead Member for Highways and Waste thanked the deputation for their attendance and would respond to them in due course.

To receive such announcements as the Chairman may wish to make to the Council.

The Chairman began by congratulating new and returned MPs following the recent General Election, and commiserated with those unsuccessful.

He highlighted the following achievements:

-       Hampshire Youth Justice Service had been successful in being awarded the new Restorative Justice Council’s ‘Restorative Service Provider’ status.  It emphasised the significance of the Council’s restorative approach, the commitment of dedicated teams and efforts in facilitating victim-led interventions within the Hampshire Youth Justice Service.

-       All five of the County Council’s Country Parks had been awarded an internationally recognised Green Flag for 2024, in recognition of their excellent facilities. Staunton Country Park and Royal Victoria Country Park had also once again received Green Heritage Accreditation, and Lepe Country Park had been awarded Green Heritage Accreditation for the first time.

-       The Hampshire Farmers Club held its annual Hampshire Farms and Conservation Competition in late-June, with their awards ceremony taking place at Highclere Castle.  Classes are dictated by farm size, and county farms tenant Richard Stiles of Upper Brownwich Farm, Fareham, won a Special Award in the smallest Class 4, and Peter Barfoot of the County Council’s Little Abshot Farm, won the Championship Class.

-       The Sir Harold Hillier Gardens exhibited at this year’s Royal Horticultural Society Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival, and he congratulated Barry Clarke, Botanist, and the Horticultural Students who were awarded a Silver-Gilt medal for the Garden display, a silver medal for the Pine collection and Barry Clarke, a Silver-Gilt for the Rubus collection, now located at the Gardens. 

The Chairman acknowledged the forthcoming retirement of Debbie Vaughan, who was retiring after 30 years at the County Council, with the last 15 as Head of Democratic and Member Services.  On behalf of members he recognised and thanked Debbie for her service and wished her all the best for the future.  The Council responded with a round of applause.

The Chairman also reported on several civic events attended:

• D Day Memorial Service, Lepe Country Park (9 June)
• HRH The Princess Royal attending a British Nutrition Foundation Visit at Worthy Down (11 June)
• Armed Forces Flag Raising (24 June)
• Defence School of Logistics & Administration Freedom Parade in Winchester (26 June)
  Hampshire Scouts Annual Review and AGM (30 June)
• Duke of Edinburgh's Gold Award Holders' Reception (5 July)
• Hampshire Education Awards Programme (8 July)

The Chairman paid tribute to Sir Howard Bernstein who had passed away the previous month.  The County Council worked closely with Sir Howard between 2021 and 2023, on its devolution ambitions for Pan-Hampshire.  He was highly knowledgeable, warm, charismatic, and generous with his insights. One of the leading local government figures of the last 30 years, serving as Chief Executive of Manchester City Council for 19 years until he retired in 2017. On behalf of the County Council, he expressed condolences to Sir Howard’s family and friends. 

It was with much sadness that the Chairman reported on the passing of former County Councillor and Honorary Alderman Michael Cartwright.  Michael represented the Bramshott electoral division from 1997 to 2005 and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 235.

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

During his report, the Leader reflected on the results of the General Election and expressed congratulations and commiserations accordingly.  The Leader and Deputy Leader were in the process of meeting all Hampshire MPs to discuss how the County Council can help them going forward.

He made reference to the Governments’ ambitions as set out in the King’s Speech and the opportunities for Hampshire in terms of Devolution.

He confirmed, that due to the timing of the General Election, the scrutiny and decision-making on the Council’s Future Services proposals had been delayed to the Autumn.  Members would then fully consider the impact of the proposals amd the response to the consultation that took place earlier in the year.

The Leader confirmed he had written to the leader of the national Conservative party to request his support for the LGA’s Debate Not Hate campaign, and would be writing to the newly appointed Minister for Local Government shortly to ask for changes to legislation so that the home addresses of councillors were not published by default.  He confirmed that incidents of harassment or abuse should be reported to the Monitoring Officer, who would work with colleagues to determine an appropriate response, and that security and wellbeing resources were available on the Members Portal.

The Leader highlighted some of the Council’s recent achievements:

-       Hampshire hospital discharge performance had remained exceptionally high, despite operating with reduced service levels in the last financial year. In 2023-24, over 21,000 people were supported to leave hospital settings with the direct support of the County Council and wider health and care community partners.  Through these services many Hampshire residents were safely returned to their own homes to live as independently as possible. He recognised the efforts of all staff, volunteers and families in supporting this vital area of activity.

-       Following significant work by the Finance Team, the County Council had published its draft year end accounts in line with the legal timeframes.  He acknowledged the time and effort involved in producing the complex financial statements, which was a credit to the Finance team to have achieved it again.

-       Designed and delivered by Property Services, construction had recently started on site for two new Hampshire primary schools scheduled for opening in September 2025, with a third starting on site later this month.  The three new primary schools would provide a total of 1,179 places for pupils arising from three major developments in Hampshire.

The Leader reported that he had attended the first meeting of the Hampshire Prosperity Partnership Board in June.  The Board received confirmation that an award of £3.8 million from the Department for Education ensured Hampshire’s Skills Bootcamp training would be available for a further year.  

Hampshire County Council’s Fostering Service had launched a new campaign to find more loving homes for children in care.  Hampshire and 19 other councils in the South East had formed the country’s largest local authority fostering partnership in a bid to increase the number of foster carers across the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 236.

To deal with questions pursuant to Standing Order 16.1.1.  Where a member has submitted more than one question, their second and subsequent questions will not be answered until all members’ first questions have been dealt with.

Executive Members responded to questions submitted, as published, in accordance with Standing Order 16.1.1.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive to make any Member appointments or alterations as required to the membership of committees and standing panels of the County Council, to statutory joint committees, to other proportional bodies the County Council is represented on, or to any other bodies which are not subject to proportionality rules.

The Council considered the report of the Chief Executive as presented by the Leader of the Council..

RESOLVED:

That the County Council approve the appointments set out in the report.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive recommending a change of appointment to the statutory role of Scrutiny Officer for the County Council with effect from 1 September 2024.

The Council considered the report of the Chief Executive regarding the appointment of the statutorily required Scrutiny Officer following the retirement of the current postholder on 31 August 2024.

RESOLVED:

That the County Council approve the appointment of Stephanie Randall, Deputy Director People and Organisation as the County Council’s Scrutiny Officer with effect from 1 September 2024.

To consider a report of the Cabinet seeking approval the County Council’s treasury management activities and indicators; the updated Capital and Investment Strategy; the updated capital programme and other associated recommendations.

The Council considered the report of the Cabinet setting out the end of year position for the financial period 2023/24, seeking approval of several recommendations relating to the capital programme, the updated Capital and Investment Strategy, and the County Council’s treasury management activities and prudential indicators.

In presenting the report the Leader highlighted the ongoing revenue pressures across Adults’ and Children’s social care and School Transport which had contributed to an unfavourable year end position, necessitating a further draw down from the Budget Bridging Reserve at year end of £5.6m.  However, the earlier actions taken to put money aside ensured an overall net underspend of £11.9m.  After meeting the current year budget deficit, around £20m remains in the Budget Bridging Reserve to help with future challenges, and despite the reduction in revenue reserves overall, over half a billion pounds remained.

The capital programme delivered nearly £200m in the fabric of Hampshire last year and extra funding is being recommended to honour the Council’s commitment to complete the Botley By-Pass scheme. Respond to a question, the Leader confirmed that the increase in costs for Botley By-Pass was partly due to the complex river crossing and the need to extend the length of the bridge, and partly due to inflationary increases.

RESOLVED:

That the County Council approves:

a)      The report on the County Council’s treasury management activities and indicators set out in Appendix 2 and prudential indicators set out in Appendix 3 Annex 4.

b)      The updated Capital and Investment Strategy, including the updated MRP Statement, set out in Appendix 4.

c)      The updated capital programme presented in Table 4 of Appendix 3 including changes to the programme since February 2024.

d)      A reduction in the Fawley Waterside scheme value of £5.6m from £11.4m to £5.8m.

e)      That £7.5m is brought forward from 2025/26 to 2024/25 in the Universal Services capital programme to deliver earlier additional improvements to highways under the Stronger Roads Today campaign.

f)       An increase of £16.488m to the Botley Bypass scheme within the Universal Services capital programme funded from the capital payments reserve.

g)      A reduction of £25m to the Manydown scheme within the Hampshire 2050 capital programme, releasing this earmarked funding within the capital payments reserve.

To consider a report of the Cabinet recommending that the Hampshire Minerals and Waste Plan: Partial Update – Submission Plan and associated submission documents be approved for submission to the Secretary of State.

The Council considered the report of Cabinet recommending approval of a partial update to the Hampshire Minerals and Waste Plan – Submission Plan for submission to the Secretary of State.

In presenting the report, the Leader outlined the process undertaken to review the statutory planning document, including two full consultations as set out within the report.  He reported that Cabinet had considered the issues raised in relation to the consultations and recommended approval of the partial update for submission to the Secretary of State.

In response to a request to propose an amendment, the Monitoring Officer provided a technical explanation of the provisions within the Constitution which did not allow for amendments to specific Plans and Strategies.  The options open to the Council therefore were to approve or not approve the Plan.  Should the Council decide to not approved the Plan, it must also agree the reasons for objection. 

During a full debate, the following points were raised:

-       Concerns of the negative effect of environment and ecology and wildlife and protected habitats on the Mitcham Farm area.

-       Concerns relating to the inclusion of the Hamble airfield site following an application for the site which was recently refused by the Regulatory Committee, and the potential implications of its inclusion on the outcome of any appeal by the applicant.

-       Concerns around safeguards for waste sites and the need for restoration of sites once they had served their purpose.

-       Support for the inclusion of reference to the supreme court ruling in relation to the expanded Environmental Impact Assessments on burning of fossil fuels

-       Support for approval of the Plan with the inclusion of the Hamble airfield site on the basis that the Regulatory Committee refused an application for the site but did not find the site itself unsuitable for development. Refusal was based on inadequate transport and flooding mitigation.

-       Importance of ensuring existing operators are not moth-balling operations.

-       Strength of Plan in terms of required deposits and conditions which must be complied with.

-       Concern about agreeing a Plan which may not be right and suggestions to ask Cabinet to re-consider.

In responding to debate, the Leader thanked members for their comments.  He reminded members of the Council’s responsibility to ensure it had a sufficient number of sites to deliver minerals and waste and there was a risk in delaying approval of this submission. The Government had an agenda of growth, which included significant additional house building and sites for commercial and industrial development which need minerals to deliver them. The risk of not delivering the Plan in timely fashion may open the Council to approaches from operators of sites already rejected for inclusion, and the Council could be required to review all of its sites.

The Leader reminded members that in agreeing the recommendation, the Council was not approving the final sites, but submitting the Plan to the Planning Inspector and Secretary of State for comment. There would be another chance to put forward concerns  ...  view the full minutes text for item 241.

To deal with any questions which have been submitted pursuant to Standing Order 16.3 concerning the discharge of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority’s functions.

No questions had been received in accordance with Standing Order 16.3.

To receive a report of the Authority.

The Council received the report as presented by Councillor Rhydian Vaughan, in his capacity as Chairman of the Authority. Councillor Vaughan undertook to respond outside the meeting to a question from Councillor Porter on the availability of waders for residents placing sandbags.  Responding to a question about recruitment and retention issues for On-Call (Retained) Firefighters, Councillor Vaughan confirmed that the service relied on the availability of community members with time and flexibility, and was not a matter of pay and conditions.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive detailing changes in responsibility for Executive functions.

The Council received the report of the Chief Executive detailing changes in responsibility for Executive functions, as reported to Cabinet on 8 July 2024. In addition, the Leader advised that Councillor Meenaghan had taken over from Councillor Huggins as the Champion on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.

To receive the annual report of the Hampshire 2050, Corporate Services and Resources Select Committee summarising the work carried out by the County Council’s Select Committees during 2023/24.

The Council received the annual report of the Hampshire 2050, Corporate Services and Resources Select Committee summarising the work carried out by the County Council’s Select Committees during 2023/24.

To receive the annual report of the Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee summarising the health scrutiny work carried out by the committee during 2023/24.

The Council received the annual report of the Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee summarising the health scrutiny work carried out by the committee during 2023/24.