Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors Keith Evans, Jonathan Glen, Geoff Hockley, Mel Kendal, Robert Taylor and Mike Thornton and from Honorary Aldermen Patricia Banks, Phrynette Dickens and Felicity Hindson.

Owing to the absence of the Vice Chairman (Councillor Kendal), Councillor Burgess provided support to the Chairman for the meeting.

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 2 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 meeting held on 7 November 2019.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 7 November 2019 were agreed and signed by the Chairman.

With regards his reference to Brexit at the previous meeting, Councillor Gavin James apologised for his use of language that had caused offence.

No deputation requests have been received.

No deputations were heard on this occasion.

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

The Chairman had circulated the list of engagements carried out by the Chairman and Vice-Chairman since the last Council meeting which reported on the wide range of duties undertaken to represent and promote the County Council and its strong community leadership role.

The Chairman confirmed that he had represented the County Council at the recent funeral of former County Councillor Alan Thame. At the Chairman’s invitation, Councillor Collett reflected on working with Mr Thame and in particular his contribution to the waste disposal strategy, including successfully increasing recycling rates, instigating the energy from waste plants and founding project integra.

Councillors stood for a one minute silence to show their respect.

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.

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 in accordance with Standing Order 16.1.1 as published.

To consider a report of the Cabinet seeking approval of the Terms of Reference for a newly constituted Corporate Parenting Board, and subject to this approval to approve an update to the terms of reference for the Children and Families Advisory Panel.

Council considered a report of Cabinet, presented by the Leader, proposing the enlargement and re-establishment of the Corporate Parenting Board as a full committee of the County Council.

RESOLVED:

That the County Council:

1.    Agrees to establish a new Corporate Parenting Board, consisting of nine County Councillors appointed on a proportionate basis, as an advisory Committee of the County Council.

2.    Agrees the adoption of the draft Terms of Reference for the Corporate Parenting Board found at appendix 1 of the Cabinet report.

3.    Agrees the updated terms of reference for the Children and Families Advisory Panel found at appendix 2 of the Cabinet report.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive to review the Council’s proportionality and 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 an updated report of the Chief Executive, as presented by the Leader, setting out revisions to the proportionality table and proposing a number of appointments to the County Council’s committees and advisory panels.

RESOLVED:

That the County Council:

1.    Approves the Proportionality Table at Appendix 1 to the report.

2.    Notes the position with a new combined fire and rescue authority known as “Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority” set out in paragraphs 2.4 to 2.6 of the report.

3.    Approves Member and Co-opted Member appointments set out in paragraph 3.1 of the report.

To consider the recommendations of Cabinet for the Revenue Budget and Precept for 2020/21 and the Capital Programme for 2020/21 to 2022/23.

[Councillor Mans declared a personal interest in this item by virtue of being a Director of the Oakhaven Care Agency]

The Leader introduced the Revenue Budget and Precept for 2020/21 and the Capital Programme for the period 2020/21 to 2022/23. He highlighted the priority of supporting those in need, the additional money that would be available for highway maintenance and for climate change reduction and resilience. In moving the recommendations he noted that council tax in Hampshire would remain amongst the lowest in the country. Councillor Stephen Reid, the Executive Member for Commercial Strategy, Human Resources and Performance presented a detailed budget report.

In commending the revenue budget proposals the Executive Member for Commercial Strategy, Human Resources and Performance set out the strategies of dealing with financial pressure through a two year planning cycle; of capitalising on a skilled workforce through selling services to others and of a reliable pooled investment strategy. He noted the flexibility and resilience that Hampshire’s reserves strategy had provided and welcomed the proposal to re-build the Budget Bridging Reserve (BBR). He paid tribute to the Director of Corporate Resources and her team for their work in managing and preparing the budget.

Opposition Group Leaders responded to the proposals. During the course of a full debate, views in support of, or raising concern, about the proposals were expressed. No Amendments were moved therefore the recommendations were put to the vote in accordance with Standing Order 22.2, the outcome of which was recorded as follows:

FOR - 51

Councillors: John Bennison, Fred Birkett, Martin Boiles, Ray Bolton, Jackie Branson, Ann Briggs, Ziliah Brooks, Graham Burgess, Adam Carew, Fran Carpenter, Christopher Carter, Roz Chadd, Rod Cooper, Roland Dibbs, Peter Edgar, Liz Fairhurst, Steve Forster, Andrew Gibson, Judith Grajewski, Marge Harvey, Pal Hayre, Edward Heron, Gary Hughes, Rob Humby, Roger Hexstep, Andrew Joy, David Keast, Mark Kemp-Gee, Peter Latham, Keith Mans, Alexis McEvoy, Anna McNair Scott, Derek Mellor, Floss Mitchell, Rob Mocatta, Kirsty North, Russell Oppenheimer, Neville Penman, Roy Perry, Stephen Philpott, Lance Quantrill, Stephen Reid, Patricia Stallard, Elaine Still, Tom Thacker, Michael Thierry, Rhydian Vaughan, Jan Warwick, Michael White, Bill Withers, Seán Woodward.

AGAINST – 19

Councillors: Peter Chegwyn, Daniel Clarke, Adrian Collett, Mark Cooper, Tonia Craig, Alan Dowden, Jane Frankum, David Harrison, Dominic Hiscock, Keith House, Wayne Irish, Gavin James, Jackie Porter, Roger Price, David Simpson, Bruce Tennent, Martin Tod, Malcolm Wade, Michael Westbrook.

ABSTAIN – 1

Councillor Charles Choudhary

RESOLVED:

1. Revenue Budget and Precept 2020/21

That the County Council approve:

a.    The Treasurer’s report under Section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003 (Appendix 7 of the Cabinet report) and take this into account when determining the budget and precept for 2020/21.

b.    The Revised Budget for 2019/20 set out in Appendix 1 of the Cabinet report.

c.    The Revenue Budget for 2020/21 as set out in Annex 1 to this Part I report.

d.    Funding for one off revenue priorities linked to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 190.

To consider a report of the Employment in Hampshire County Council Committee recommending Hampshire County Council’s Pay Statement for the financial year 2020/21.

The Council considered a report from the Employment in Hampshire County Council (EHCC) Committee, as presented by Councillor Stephen Reid in his capacity as Chairman of the EHCC Committee, which sought approval of the County Council’s Pay Statement for the financial year 2020/21 as set out in the Annex and Appendix A to the report. Councillor Reid reported that the County Council is required to prepare and publish its Pay Statement on an annual basis and commended the draft Pay Statement to the Council.

RESOLVED:

That the County Council approve the Pay Statement for 2020/21 as detailed at the Appendix to this Report, and agrees that EHCC Committee remains the appropriate  Committee to agree Chief Officer renumeration for Chief Officers above Grade K, including individual salary offers in respect of any new Chief Officer appointments, any changes to Chief Officer salaries after appointment and any severance packages for Chief Officers leaving the County Council, in accordance with the Pay Statement.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive seeking approval of an update to the County Council’s Financial Standing Orders and to note changes to Executive Portfolios with effect from 1 April 2020.

Council considered a report of the Chief Executive, introduced by the Leader, seeking approval of an update to the County Council’s Financial Standing Orders and to note changes to Executive Portfolios with effect from 1 April 2020. In presenting the report, the Leader recognised that as Britain had now left the European Union, the national focus was on the transition and no longer on the process of leaving. With this in mind, he notified Council of a further update to the Executive Portfolios, to update the title of the “Executive Member for Communities, Partnerships and External Affairs including BREXIT” by removing “including BREXIT”. The Leader confirmed that the portfolio responsibilities remained unchanged and therefore the Executive Member would continue to hold the remit of corporate oversight of external and International policy and activities and to champion the County Council’s relationship with external and international bodies, which will be of great importance during and after the transition period.

RESOLVED:

That the County Council:  

1.    Notes the changes in responsibility for Executive Functions as referred to above and in Paragraph 1 of the report.

2.    Approves the amendment to Financial Regulations as set out at Paragraph 2 of the report.

To deal with any questions which have been submitted pursuant to Standing Order 16.3 concerning the discharge of the Hampshire 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 and noted the report of the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority as presented by Councillor Chris Carter in his capacity as Chairman of the Fire Authority.

To receive a report from the Chairman of the Health and Wellbeing Board for Hampshire notifying the Council of appointments made to the Board under delegated authority.

The Council received the report of the Health and Wellbeing Board for Hampshire reporting a number several changes to the membership of the Board taken under delegated authority by the Head of Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Chairman of the Health and Wellbeing Board.

To receive for information the reports of the following:

The Council received the reports of the following Executive Members:

·         NHS Long Term Strategic Delivery Plan for Hampshire and The Isle Of Wight

·         Hampshire Community Safety Strategy Group

·         Interim Progress on Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan

·         Serving Hampshire – 2019/20 Half Year Performance Report

·         Children’s Services Partnership With West Sussex County Council

·         Fryern Junior School, Eastleigh

·         Older Person's Day Services Contract Extensions

·         Demand Management and Prevention Grants

·         Alcohol Nurse Service Grants