Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors Roland Dibbs, Mark Kemp-Gee, Peter Latham, Floss Mitchell and Roger Price JP.

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 16 July 2020.

The Council considered the Minutes of the Meeting held on 16 July 2020, which were agreed as a correct record.

To receive the following deputation:

a) Samantha Dalling and Yvette Riley regarding Access to Alresford Refuse Centre

The Council received a deputation from Samantha Dalling and Yvette Riley regarding access to Alresford Recycling Centre.

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

It was with regret that the Chairman advised the death of former County Councillor Peter Baker.  Peter represented the Ringwood division from 1993 to 1997.  Councillor Harrison paid tribute to Peter.  Members bowed their heads for 30 seconds as a mark of respect.

It was with pleasure that the Chairman announced some awards for the County Council:

·         To Amanda Whatley, Business Development Manager for HC3S, the County Council’s Catering Service, had recently been awarded the ‘Public Sector Catering’ Marketing Award for HC3S’s 30th Anniversary marketing campaign last year, made all the more pleasing as this is an Award the Service had not previously won.

·         Sir Harold Hillier Gardens were awarded Gold (High) at South and South East in Bloom for the sixth year running which is part of the Britain in Bloom competition.   The Chairman reported it is a testament to the hard work all the staff and over 200 volunteers who were delighted to win an award again.

·         Britain in Bloom’ South and South east, have awarded the Wynton Way horticultural site and gardens, near Fareham, the highest grade of level 5 Outstanding. This is only the second year that they have entered and a great achievement to reach such a high standard.

The Chairman was also pleased to report that two new primary school buildings were completed on time despite the Covid-19 crisis and opened their doors at the beginning of this term. The state of the art buildings are at Stoneham Park in Eastleigh and Barton Farm in Winchester.  Officers in Children’s Services and Property Services worked very closely with the building contractor and the Academy sponsor, the University of Winchester, to ensure the buildings were finished and fitted-out in time for the arrival of pupils.  The Chairman congratulated everyone involved for such a great outcome in these challenging times.

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

The Leader added his condolences to the family of Peter Baker.  His thoughts were also with the children and families affected by the bus accident in Winchester on Thursday 10 September.  The County Council was providing all possible support to Henry Beaufort School including support by the County Council’s Education Psychology Team.

In regard to Covid-19 and the challenges concerning testing, the Leader reported that this was a national issue largely caused by insufficient laboratory capacity and increased public demand for tests.  The immediate impacts on Hampshire were recognised by the County Council and its partners who were doing all they could to mitigate these impacts to ensure vital services were not interrupted and that Business Continuity Plans are in place across all services.  The Leader had also updated Hampshire’s MPs on the challenges regarding testing and the support they could give by making representations to central Government and several responded to confirm they had done so.  The County Council continues to ensure that its staff and residents are aware of the key public health messages around testing through on-line and countryside outdoor campaigns were proving effective.  Good arrangements are also in place for the testing of care workers in care homes.  The level of infection in Hampshire was not only below the national average but also below that of many other parts of the South East, borne out by the latest figures which indicated that since the start of the pandemic there had been 5,722 cases in Hampshire with just over 1,000 deaths.  In the last week there had been 107 new cases and two deaths.

Turning to schools, the Leader welcomed the positive outcome of the  Government’s decision to deal with the examination results of pupils over the last year through assessment by teachers.  In terms of attendance levels, since September over 90% of children had returned to school in Hampshire which was very encouraging.  Advice and support was being provided to individual schools in regard to any Covid-19 related issues they might have.

The Leader confirmed that a report would be considered by Cabinet next week regarding the position of the County Council’s finances, which continues to be challenging.  The Transformation Programme that was based on last year’s settlement to save £80m over two years was continuing, albeit in the current situation it would be difficult to do everything that was planned.  The latest figures indicate that, separate from the programme, the County Council has an £83m funding shortfall unless additional funding from central Government is forthcoming.  Due to the prudent use of its reserves, the County Council is in a position to cover this shortfall in the short-term.  However, reserves could only be used once, therefore it was important that additional funding was received to balance the revenue budget.  Strong representations to central Government were being made highlighting the impact that responding to Covid-19 was having on the County Council’s finances.

There had been much reporting in the press on Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 227.

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 1 to 10 submitted in accordance with Standing Order 16.1.1 as published within the 30 minutes permitted. 

A Proposal pursuant to Standing Order 20.6 to suspend Standing Orders to allow the remaining questions to be put and responded to at the meeting was proposed by Councillor Martin Tod.  The Chairman put the proposal to the vote.  The majority of Members in attendance voted against the Proposal which was lost.

The Chairman confirmed that in accordance with Standing Order 16.1.5 written responses for Questions 11-18 would be circulated to all Members.

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), and presented by the Leader, proposing a number of appointments to the County Council’s committees.

RESOLVED:

a)        That Lisa-Marie Taylor be appointed as the Buddhist representative in Group A on the Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education replacing the Reverend Seishin Darren Clarke.

b)         That Captain Steven Masters be appointed as the Associated British Ports representative on the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee replacing Captain Phil Buckley.

To consider a Notice of Motion, submitted in accordance
 with Standing Order 18.1:

a)      Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Jackie Porter, seconded
         by Councillor Malcolm Wade.

Please see the attachment at Item 9 within the agenda pack for the detail of the Motion.

The Council considered a Notice of Motion proposed by Councillor Jackie Porter and seconded by Councillor Malcolm Wade, submitted in accordance  with Standing Order 18.1 as set out in Item 9 on the Agenda.

Councillor Steve Forster declared a personal interest in his involvement with a business looking at electrification and sustainability.

In speaking to the Motion, Councillor Porter drew Members attention to a typographical error, as submitted, in recommendation 3 that should read “in all 11 districts”, which was noted.

In opening the debate and welcoming the principle of the Motion, the Leader highlighted that, should the recommendations be agreed by the Council, careful consideration would need to be given to the financing of those recommendations in light of the Council’s current financial position as a result of responding to Covid-19 as reported earlier in the proceedings.  The Leader also highlighted that it may be necessary for the Council to consider the matter again once the implications of the Motion were better understood.

During the course of the debate there was cross party support for the Motion  in terms of climate change and health benefits such as reducing obesity.  Concerns were expressed regarding the funding of the recommendations, detailed consideration and evaluation of the implications of the recommendations, and the importance of appropriate levels of consultation. A number of Members made it clear that their support for the Motion was conditional upon further consideration of the financial implications.  It was noted that a number of initiatives were in operation in schools such as ‘park and stride’ and that the County Council had already introduced cycling and walking pop-up schemes which have been monitored, and where necessary modified to ensure they are effective, and in some cases, removed if they have proved unsuccessful.  Members also noted that the County Council was waiting to hear if their bid for funding from the Emergency Active Travel Fund is successful.  In addition, a lot of work was being done nationally regarding electrification of modes of transport which will have significant impact on reducing air quality issues.

Members were also reminded of the work carried out by the Economy, Transport and Environment (ETE) Select Committee regarding walking and cycling as a consistent theme and it was confirmed that the Select Committee would also be giving consideration to the issues set out in the Motion at future meetings.

In summing up the debate the Leader welcomed the various views expressed by Members and the opportunity to debate these important issues.  The Leader also highlighted the need for wider discussion about home to school transport, for those that qualify and the year-on-year rising cost of provision, which was in excess of £30m in the last year.  For clarity, the Leader confirmed that the proposals were currently unfunded and would require further consideration by Cabinet and the ETE Select Committee before final determination on implementation.

Councillor Porter welcomed that further work on the Motion would be carried out by the ETE Select Committee.

RESOLVED:

This Council resolves  ...  view the full minutes text for item 230.

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 of the Shadow Authority.

The Council received and noted the report of the Shadow Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority as presented by Councillor Chris Carter in his capacity as Chairman of the Shadow 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:

·         Hampshire Disabilities Day Opportunities Model (HDDOM)