Agenda and minutes

County Council - Thursday 3 October 2024 10.15 am

Venue: Council Chamber - HCC

Contact: Email: members.services@hants.gov.uk 

Media

Items
No. Item

246.

Apologies for Absence

To receive any apologies for absence.

 

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Councillors Prad Bains, Steven Broomfield, Fran Carpenter, Mark Cooper, Barry Dunning, Alexis McEvoy and Bill Withers, and from Honorary Aldermen Patricia Banks, Chris Carter and Peter Edgar.

 

247.

Declarations of Interest

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.

Minutes:

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.

 

248.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 104 KB

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting held 18 July 2024.

Minutes:

The Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 18 July 2024 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

 

249.

Deputations

To receive any deputations in accordance with Standing Order 12.

Minutes:

There were no deputations.

 

250.

Chairman's Announcements

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

Minutes:

The Chairman began by announcing that the Hampshire County Youth Band were to perform at the Royal Albert Hall in the Music for Youth Proms on 28 November.

 

He congratulated the Integrated Business Centre, which had achieved accreditation from the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals through the Payroll Assurance Scheme.

 

In recognising and celebrating the 60th anniversary of Hampshire Outdoor Centres, a video scrapbook was being created of visitors’ memories and the service was keen to include stories demonstrating the impact the centres have had on residents’ lives.

 

During the summer, the Chairman had attended the Farnborough International Airshow, the New Forest District Council’s 50th anniversary, and the New Forest and Hampshire County Show.

 

More recently, he had made a visit to Fareham and Gosport, which had included the Gosport Discovery Centre where Children’s Services library staff demonstrated the partnership work to support vulnerable residents, a county farm at Chilling where he heard about the Council’s role in spatial planning, strategic land, nature recovery and county farms.  He also met a range of partners and heard more about the climate change programme, as well as visiting the new Gosport Bus Station and experienced the new electric buses enabled by the Council’s partnership working with Portsmouth City Council and First Bus to secure Government investment.

 

Finally, he expressed thanks to the Vice-Chairman, Councillor Ann Briggs, for deputising at the British Empire Medal presentations and other civic engagements during his annual leave.

 

251.

Leader's Report

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

Minutes:

In presenting his report, the Leader welcomed Jess Hutchinson as the new Director of Adults’ Health and Care, succeeding Graham Allen, and confirmed the following changes to the Council’s Cabinet:

-       Councillor Russell Oppenheimer as the new Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing. His responsibilities included public health and the County Council’s relationship with the voluntary and community sector and the NHS. He would support Councillor Liz Fairhurst, who remains the Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health, now also responsible for young adults and directorate grants.

-       Councillor Jan Warwick becomes the Deputy Executive Member for Hampshire 2050 and Corporate Services, focusing on finance and devolution, alongside her existing Deputy Leader role.

 

The Leader advised that a special meeting of the County Council would be held on 28 November to consider nominations for conferring the title of Honorary Alderman.

 

Following the “Debate Not Hate” motion passed in May, the Leader wrote to the Minister for Local Government requesting changes to legislation to prevent the publication of councillors’ home addresses by default. The Minister responded positively, indicating that the Government intends to clarify in law, when time allows, that councillors’ home addresses should not be included in published documents unless requested by the councillor.

 

Throughout September, the Council’s Select Committees had scrutinised the Future Services savings proposals and public responses to the consultation. The Council’s Cabinet would consider the proposals, consultation responses, and feedback from Select Committees at its meeting on 14 October.  The financial shortfall was expected to increase from £132 million to at least £175 million by the 2025-26 financial year, assuming no additional grant funding for adult social care was announced by central Government. The budget announcement on 30 October was anticipated to provide further clarity.

 

The County Council, along with Southampton City, Portsmouth City, and Isle of Wight Councils, had submitted an Expression of Interest for a devolution deal on 30 August. The aim was to explore the benefits of devolved decision-making powers and funding for communities.

 

Hampshire Children’s Services received another Outstanding rating from Ofsted in July, marking their second consecutive Outstanding rating since 2019. Over 10,000 children, young people, and families benefit from the services. The Ofsted report highlighted the strong and effective services provided, which made a positive difference in children’s lives. The success was attributed to the dedication of staff across the council, from senior leadership to frontline social care workers and support staff.

 

The launch event for the Hampshire 2050 Partnership's Year of Health and Wellbeing was held on 9 September.  The year of Health and Wellbeing is a call to action for the 43 organisations that make up the Hampshire 2050 partnership to work individually and collectively on activities that will help secure long term improvements to the health and wellbeing of Hampshire's population.  The Council was keen to demonstrate that the task of improving health and wellbeing is everyone's business, and the Leader expressed thanks to officers who had been working collaboratively to plan Hampshire's year of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 251.

252.

Questions under Standing Order 16.1.1 pdf icon PDF 98 KB

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.

Minutes:

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

 

253.

Appointments pdf icon PDF 58 KB

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.

Minutes:

The Council considered the report of the Chief Executive as presented by the Leader of the Council, with additional appointments proposed verbally.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the County Council approve the appointments set out in the report, including the following additions:

 

a)    That The Revd Dominik Chmielewski be appointed as a full member to Group B within Hampshire’s Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE).

 

b)    That Ros Hartley replaces Matt Nisbet as a full member of the Health and Wellbeing Board, and Clare Whalley is appointed as the co-opted substitute member.

 

c)    That Councillor Juliet Henderson be appointed as a full member on the H2050, Corporate Services and Resources Select Committee.

 

d)    That Councillor Lesley Meenaghan be appointed as a full member on the Children and Young People Select Committee

 

254.

Youth Justice Plan pdf icon PDF 57 KB

To consider a report which seeks approval for the Hampshire Youth Justice Service Youth Justice Plan 2024, as endorsed by the Executive Lead Member for Children’s Services at their Decision Day on 13 September 2024.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Council considered a report of the Executive Lead Member for Children’s Services seeking approval for the Hampshire Youth Justice Service Youth Justice Plan 2024.

 

In introducing the report, the Executive Leader Member advised that the Plan had been reviewed by the scrutiny committee, which engaged in a productive dialogue.

 

During the discussion it was acknowledged that there were concerns around the mental and emotional well-being of children, speech and language issues, and the re-offending rate of children with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.  Clarity was sought on actions and funding to address these issues, including timelines and sources of finance. 

 

Concern was expressed around the availability of health services for children and long delays for diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions.

 

The report was welcomed and it was acknowledged that many children were diverted from criminal behaviour and that excellent support was provided by the County Council.

 

The Executive Lead Member recognised the challenges faced by young people emphasised the importance of partnership working and ongoing dialogue to improve outcomes. She noted Members’ comments and undertook to provide a written response regarding clarity on the contribution of Probation Services and engagement with district and borough councils.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the County Council approve the Hampshire Youth Justice Service Youth Justice Plan 2024, as endorsed by the Executive Lead Member for Children’s Services at their Decision Day on 13 September 2024.

 

255.

Notice of Motion pdf icon PDF 69 KB

To consider a Notice of Motion on Winter Fuel Allowance, submitted in accordance with Standing Order 18.1 by Councillor Debbie Curnow-Ford and seconded by Councillor Lesley Meenaghan:                    



Additional documents:

Minutes:

The following Councillors declared a personal interest as they had been in receipt of the Winter Fuel Allowance: Jackie Branson, Ann Briggs, Pamela Bryant, Graham Burgess, Adrian Collett, Rod Cooper, Alex Crawford, Debbie Curnow-Ford, Tim Davies, Alan Dowden, Liz Fairhurst, Michael Ford, Jonathan Glen, Tim Groves, David Harrison, Marge Harvey, Dominic Hiscock, Wayne Irish, Andrew Joy, Mark Kemp-Gee, Melville Kendal, Peter Latham, Derek Mellor, Stephen Parker, Neville Penman, Jackie Porter, Roger Price, Stephen Reid, Patricia Stallard, Elaine Still, Michael Thierry, Rhydian Vaughan and Malcolm Wade.

 

In additional, Councillor Wayne Irish declared an interest as a Trustee of Age Concern Eastleigh.

 

The Council considered the Notice of Motion proposed by Councillor Debbie Curnow-Ford and seconded by Councillor Lesley Meenaghan, submitted in accordance with Standing Order 18.1.

 

Councillor Porter, seconded by Councillor Harrison moved the following Amendment in accordance with Standing Order 19.7:

 

Insert a new paragraph C, and substantive paragraphs C, D and E become paragraphs D, E and F:

 

“Acknowledging that the cost of keeping warm does not just affect pensioners, HCC will write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer urging a further extension to the Household Support Fund (currently extended for another period only) to support all households who cannot afford to heat their home adequately.”

 

Councillor Crawford, seconded by Councillor Taylor moved the following Amendment in accordance with Standing Order 19.7:

 

Replace paragraphs A to D with the following:

 

“Welcome the decision of the Work and Pensions Secretary to allocate £7.1 million in Household Support Fund to Hampshire so that Council can ensure that vulnerable pensioners, particularly those who do not claim Pension Credit, are protected from fuel poverty.

 

Make arrangements to contact, through council services and partnerships with local charities and community organisations, all pension-age households eligible for, but not claiming Pension Credit in Hampshire, to ensure that they can claim it.”

 

During the course of a full debate, the following points were made:

-       many factors beyond age and income affect the need for higher heating costs, including medical need, property conditions, and access to banking.

-       means-testing can create barriers and exclude those just above the eligibility threshold.

-       concern about significant negative impacts on vulnerable pensioners.

-       noted the health risks of reduced heating and the potential increased pressure on social care services and hospital admissions.

-       the Household Support Fund (HSF) supported schools for clothing for children, community pantries, food vouchers, and families in rent arrears. If diverted to support costs of winter fuel it wouldn’t be possible to continue to support families.

-       Concern that the short notice of the change would create stress and impact on mental health of older residents.

 

Following debate, the Amendment proposed by Councillor Alex Crawford was put to the vote and lost, due to concerns around diverting funding from other vulnerable groups.  The Amendment proposed by Councillor Jackie Porter was put to the vote and carried.

 

In accordance with Standing Order 22.3, Councillor Steve Forster called for a recorded vote on the amended Motion.

 

The outcome  ...  view the full minutes text for item 255.

256.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority

256a

HIWFRA Questions

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.

Minutes:

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

 

256b

HIWFRA Report pdf icon PDF 54 KB

To receive a report of the Authority.

Minutes:

The Council received the report as presented by Councillor Rhydian Vaughan, in his capacity as Chairman of the Authority.