Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Rhydian Vaughan, Malcolm Wade and Bill Withers and from Honorary Aldermen Patricia Banks, Keith Chapman, Phrynette Dickens, Roger Kimber and Marilyn Tucker.

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 18 May 2018.

The Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 18 May 2018 were agreed and signed by the Chairman.

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 welcomed Honorary Alderman Michael Woodhall to the meeting and also welcomed Councillor Peter Edgar to his first Council meeting following a period of illness.  The Chairman also congratulated Councillor Kirsty North (nee Locke) on her recent marriage.

The Chairman was presented with a wreath by Hampshire MP’s, Maria Miller, Caroline Nokes and Mims Davies on Sunday 15 July at Queen Eleanor’s Garden to commemorate the 100 year anniversary when women finally won the right to vote.  

The Chairman reported on a recent visit to The Bluebells family respite holiday home in North Waltham, the hosting of a Civic Day on 5 September at Royal Victoria Country Park and Manor Farm and 40 Year Long Service Awards.

It was with sadness the Chairman reported the passing for former County Councillor and Honorary Alderman Edith Randall who represented Totton Division from 1977 to 1981 and Totton South from 1981 to 1993 and again from 1997-2005.  Councillors Roy Perry and David Harrison paid tribute to Edith for her dedication to the community she represented.  The Council observed a minute’s silence as a mark of respect.

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

In presenting his report, the Leader reflected on finance matters and the possible effect on the County Council in the event of a ‘no deal’ Brexit.  In regard to the latter, an assessment was being carried out and would be reported to Council when the national position crystallizes.

The Commission of Inquiry – Vision for Hampshire 2050 was up and running.  Two meetings had been held to date, the first of which received presentations from the Ordnance Survey and Office of National Statistics, and the second looked at the economy and the importance of place in shaping.

The County Council continues to maintain close links with Hampshire MPs, and continues to alert ministers and MPs to the financial pressures  on local authorities especially those with the statutory social care responsibilities.

The Leader confirmed that a decision had been taken by the Cabinet on 17 September regarding a new recruitment venture for temporary agency staff in partnership with Kent County Council to recruit good quality, skilled, temporary staff to supplement the Council’s permanent workforce to meet unprecedented demand for services, particularly in adult and children’s social care. 

The Leader had pleasure in reporting on a number of successes:

• recent GCSE and A Level results in Hampshire were once again above the national average 
• a reminder to Members about the concert in November in Romsey Abbey to be given by the County Youth Orchestra and a School Choir from Giessen in Germany
• the opening of the Lookout at Lepe Beach and the refurbished Chapel at the Royal Victoria Country Park at Hamble – a concert will be held on 10^th November as part of the County Council’s commemoration events to mark the centenary of the end of World War I.
• The head of the Hillier Gardens at Ampfield, Mr Wolfgang Bopp, had left the County Council in August to take up a role with the New Zealand National Botanical Service August

It was with sadness the Leader reported:

• attendance, on behalf of the County Council, at the funeral of Mr Stephen Lugg, Chief Executive of the Hampshire Association of Town and Parish Councils; and. 
• the funeral of Enda Ryan, Head of the Outdoor Service who, among his many outstanding contributions to the County Council, was a driving force behind the Poppy Pods at Tile Barn Brockenhurst, made available to military personnel and their families at weekends – a contribution by the County Council to the Military Covenant.

The Leader advised Members of his election as Chairman of South East Councils - a grouping of over 80 councils (districts, counties and unitaries) across the south east of England.  One of his key objectives is to foster closer working between this body, South East Strategic Leaders and South East 7. announced that the next full Council Meeting on 29 November will be the last day of Karen Murray’s service to the Council as our Director of Culture, Community and Business Services.  The Leader placed on record the Council’s appreciation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 89.

To receive the following deputations:

a)    School Transport Provision on Ancells Farm in Fleet - Mr Theo Holloway

b)    Government proposals to amend Permitted Development rules - Mr Barrie Slipper

Deputations were received as detailed on the Summons.

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 with the exception of questions 9 and 10 on the list for which a written answer would be provided in accordance with Standing Order 16.1.5.

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 (Item 8 in the Minute Book), as presented by the Leader, proposing a number of appointments to the

County Council’s committees and advisory panels.

RESOLVED:

That the County Council approved the following:

a)      That Councillor Stephen Philpott be appointed as the second Conservative Substitute Member on the Audit Committee.

b)      That Councillor Fred Birkett be appointed to replace Councillor Geoff Hockley as the second Conservative Substitute Member on the Economy, Transport and Environment Select Committee.

c)      That Councillor Jackie Branson be appointed to the Education Advisory Committee in place of Councillor Peter Edgar.

d)      That Councillor Peter Edgar be appointed as the second Conservative Substitute Member on the Children and Families Advisory Panel.

e)      That Councillor Trevor Cartwright, Fareham Borough Council be appointed to the Hampshire Pension Fund Panel and Board as a Co-opted member representing Hampshire District Councils to replace Councillor Peter Giddings.  This appointment has been recommended by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Local Government Association at their meeting held on 15 June 2018.

f)      That Sarah Manchester be appointed to the Hampshire Pension Fund Panel and Board as the Substitute Representative for the Scheme Members.

g)     That Councillor Jeanette Smith (Portsmouth City Council) be appointed as her Council’s Employer Representative on the Hampshire Pension Fund Panel and Board. In accordance with the Appointments Policy for the Hampshire Pension Fund Panel and Board the respective appointees from Southampton and Portsmouth City Council rotate between being the full member and substitute member on an annual basis.

h)     That Graeme Rowe and Julie Kelly be appointed as representative and substitute representative, appointed by the Teachers’ Liaison Panel, to Group C of the Standing Advisory Committee for Religious Education. 

i)          That Rob Sanders be appointed as a substitute representative, appointed by the Church of England, to Group B of the Standing Advisory Committee for Religious Education.

To consider a report of the Cabinet setting out the end of year position for the financial period 2017/18.  Approval is also sought of the County Council’s treasury management activity and prudential indicators.

The Council considered the report of the Cabinet (Item 9 in the Minute Book) setting out the end of year financial position for 2017/18.  The Leader presented the report and handed over to Councillor Mel Kendal, Executive Member for Economic Development who highlighted key areas of the report.

The Council’s debate focused on the pressures the Council continues to face and the measures in place to deal with these pressures.  The policy of planning well ahead coupled with the prudent use of the Council’s reserves and robust treasury management has resulted in the Council being in a good position going forward.

In summing up the Leader responded to Members’ questions and confirmed that the Government was being lobbied about local government funding.

RESOLVED:

That the report on the County Council’s treasury management activities and prudential indicators set out in Appendix 2 of the End of Year Financial Report at Annex 1 be approved.

To consider a report of the Cabinet recommending a number of decisions in regard to the medium term financial strategy.

The Council considered the report of the Cabinet (Item 10 in the Minute Book) recommending a number of decisions in regard to the medium term financial strategy.  The Leader presented the report and moved the recommendations.

During the course of the debate, it was recognised that the financial landscape in which the Council was operating required difficult decisions to be taken.  Good planning would continue to be essential to meet service demands and address other pressures on the Council’s budget such as rising inflation and the uncertainty around Brexit.   It was noted that the Government is considering important proposals to change current funding arrangements such as business rates and the Fair Funding Review.  The Green Paper on Social Care Reform to try to find a solution to the issue faced throughout the country of how to cope with an increasing elderly population is anticipated by the end of the year.

RESOLVED:

That the County Council approves:

a)        The allocation of recurring funding totalling £19.7m from 2019/20 onwards to be met from a further round of corporate efficiencies, achieved from a review of treasury management activity, inflation allowances, contingencies and reserves, is approved to provide for the following:

- £5m for the revenue consequences of the Digital Programme and the  expanding use of technology that underpins the delivery of transformation.

- £1.2m to re-align the Strategic Procurement income allowing corporate prioritisation of this resource to take place.

- £13.5m for the forecast growth in Children Looked After numbers.

b)      An initial allocation of £200m is added to the capital programme for Adults’ Services Bed Based Programme to be funded from prudential borrowing.

c)      A sum of £1.8m is added to the capital programme in 2018/19 and £0.5m in 2019/20 to be funded from departmental reserves to proceed with the next phase of the Country Parks Transformation Programme and specific proposals for the Empire Room at Royal Victoria Country Park, the farm attractions at Staunton and Manor Farm and for Queen Elizabeth Country Park.

d)      £4m is added to the capital programme to fund the replacement of the current social care IT system to be met from existing funding set aside for this purpose.

e)      A sum of £9.53m is added to the capital programme to progress the completion of phase 1 of the Eclipse Busway from Fareham to Gosport and that funding of up to £2.5m is approved to underwrite the scheme in the event that further grant funding cannot be secured.

To consider a report of the Cabinet seeking approval of changes in the responsibility for Executive and Scrutiny functions. 

The Council considered the report of the Cabinet (Item 11 in the Minute Book) seeking approval of changes to the responsibilities of the Policy and Resources Select and the Culture and Communities Select (Overview and Scrutiny) Committees as a result of revised  Executive responsibilities reported to the Cabinet by the Leader on 18 June 2018.  The Leader presented the report and moved the recommendations.

RESOLVED:

That the County Council:

a)        Notes the changes in responsibility for Executive Functions as set out in Annex 1 to the report.

b)        Approves the amendment of the responsibilities of the Policy and Resources Select (Overview and Scrutiny) Committee to include responsibility for Skills as set out in Annex 2 to the report.

c)         Approves the amendment of the responsibilities of the Culture and Communities Select (Overview and Scrutiny) Committee to include responsibly for Rural Hampshire and Countryside and Rights of Way as set out in Annex 2 to the report.

d)        Delegates authority to the Monitoring Officer to amend the Constitution to give effect to the recommendations at (b) and (c) above.

To consider a report of the Conduct Advisory Panel recommending that responsibility for approval of absence of an elected Member of the County Council, pursuant to Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972, be delegated to the Conduct Advisory Panel.

The Council considered the report of the Conduct Advisory Panel (Item 12 in the Minute Book) seeking approval of absence of an elected Member of the County Council, pursuant to Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972, be delegated to the Conduct Advisory Panel.

Councillor Mark Kemp-Gee, Chairman of the Conduct Advisory Panel presented the report and in so doing drew Members attention to paragraph 1.3 of the report clarifying that this delegation was not replacing that of the County Council but was in addition.

RESOLVED:

a)      That the County Council agrees that the responsibility for approval of  Absence of an elected Member of the Council pursuant to Section 85 of The Local Government Act 1972 be delegated to the Conduct Advisory panel.

b)      That delegated authority be given to the Monitoring Officer to amend the

Constitution to give effect to the recommendation at a) above.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive seeking approval of a draft response to the consultation on the proposed creation of a new Combined Fire Authority for Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton.

The Council considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 13 in the Minute Book).  The Leader presented the report and moved the recommendations.

RESOLVED:

That the County Council approves the draft response set out in the Annex to 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 from 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 the annual report of the Policy and Resources Select Committee summarising the work carried out by the County Council’s Select Committees during 2017/18.

The Council received the Annual Report of the Policy and Resources Select Committee as presented by Councillor Glen in his capacity as Chairman of the Committee.

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 2017/18.

The Council received the Annual Report of the Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee as presented by Councillor Roger Huxstep in his capacity as Chairman of the Committee.

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, as presented by Councillor Liz Fairhurst in her capacity as Chairman of the Committee.  The changes to the membership of the Board were noted.

To receive for information the reports of the following:

The Council received the reports of the following Executive Members:

a)     Serving Hampshire – 2017/18 Performance Report

a)    Local Welfare Assistance (LWA) Funding (2018-20)

b)    NHS Health Checks

c)    Approval to spend for Domestic Abuse Services

a)    Regional Adoption Agency

a)    Technology Enabled Care Partnership Arrangements - permission to spend