Agenda and minutes

The Chairman opened the Annual General Meeting of the County Council and welcomed all Members, new and returning to the meeting.

Before moving to the formal agenda, the Chairman reported on an event which he had attended, together with the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, to lay a wreath on behalf of the County Council in memory of HRH the Duke of Edinburgh below the bronze of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth in the Great Hall in Winchester. The Chairman and the Lord Lieutenant were accompanied by the Leader, the Chief Executive and The Sheriff of Hampshire. The Chairman, Leader and Chief Executive subsequently signed a letter of condolence which was sent to Her Majesty.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Alex Crawford.

To receive the County Returning Officer’s return of the persons elected Members of the County Council on 6 May 2021.

The Council received the report of the County Returning Officer confirming the persons elected Members of the County Council on 6 May 2021.

To elect the Chairman of the County Council to hold office until the Annual General Meeting of the Council in 2022. The Chairman to request the Chief Executive, as the Proper Officer to call for nominations which are to be seconded, with all propositions being put to the vote. The new Chairman to sign the Declaration of Acceptance of Office and then take the Chair.

The Chief Executive, as the Proper Officer, called for nominations.  Councillor Keith Mans, seconded by Councillor Rob Humby proposed that Councillor Melville Kendal be elected Chairman of the Council until the Annual General Meeting of the Council in 2022.  No other nominations were received therefore the proposition was put to the vote and carried.

ORDERED:

That Councillor Melville Kendal be elected Chairman of the County Council until the Annual General Meeting in 2022.  Councillor Kendal made the declaration of Acceptance of Office and took the chair.

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 25 February 2021.

The Minutes of the meeting of the County Council held on 25 February 2021 were confirmed as a correct record subject to a correction to paragraph 256 that Councillor Derek Mellor participated in the recorded vote.  The Minutes were signed by the Chairman.  There were no matters arising.

To appoint a Vice Chairman of the County Council to hold office until the. Annual General Meeting of the Council in 2022. The Chairman will call for nominations which are to be seconded, with all propositions being put to the vote. The new Vice Chairman to sign the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

The Chairman invited nominations for the position of Vice-Chairman of the Council.  Councillor Keith Mans, seconded by Councillor Rob Humby proposed Councillor Marge Harvey.  No other nominations were received therefore the proposition was put to the vote and carried.

ORDERED:

That Councillor Marge Harvey be appointed as Vice-Chairman of the County Council until the Annual General Meeting in 2022.  Councillor Harvey made the declaration of Acceptance of Office.

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

Councillor Kendal confirmed he had pleasure in accepting the nomination to serve as Chairman of Hampshire County Council for a second year and in so doing thanked all of his councillor colleagues he had served with over the years, many of whom had now retired.  The Chairman also extended thanks to the Chief Executive and his staff for their work, not only in the challenging circumstances of the last 15 months, but as also indicated by the numerous awards received.  In particular the Chairman commented on John Coughlan who retires shortly after his successful tenure as Chief Executive, a position he has held since 2015.  The Chairman wished the Chief Executive the very in the years ahead and a very happy retirement. 

The Chairman commented on the many attributes of the County of Hampshire such as two National Parks, the coastline and beautiful countryside.  The County we have been at the forefront of household waste disposal, recycling plastics and converting non recyclables including plastics to energy, which led to the Chairman’s continuing theme for the year ahead - for a Cleaner, Greener Hampshire led by the County Council – in particular encouraging the use of clean energy wherever possible and to continue to reduce carbon emissions improving air quality to reach carbon neutrality.  The Chairman also commented on the music services offered through Children’s Services and expressed hope that the coming year will allow young people to perform in live concerts to showcase their talents and hard work.

It was with sadness that the Chairman advised the passing of former County Councillor and Honorary Alderman John Waddington who had represented the Ringwood division from 1997 to 2005 following a distinguished career in the insurance industry.  Councillors Peter Chegwyn and Jonathan Glen paid tribute and a minute’s silence was observed as a mark of respect.

a)        Election of Leader

To elect a Leader of the County Council pursuant to Part 1, Chapter 11 of the Constitution. The Chairman will call for nominations, which are to be seconded with all propositions being put to the vote.

b)        Cabinet Members

The Leader of the Council to confirm the Members of the Cabinet.

The Chairman called for nominations for the position of Leader of the County Council pursuant to Part 1, Chapter 9 of the Constitution.  Councillor Rob Humby, seconded by Councillor Peter Latham proposed Councillor Keith Mans.  In the absence of any other nominations the proposition was put to the vote and carried. Councillor Keith Mans was duly elected Leader until the Annual General Meeting of the Council in 2022.

The Leader confirmed the members of his Cabinet as follows:

-        Councillor Keith Mans - Leader of Hampshire County Council and Executive Member for Policy and Resources

-        Councillor Rob Humby - Deputy Leader of Hampshire County Council and Executive Lead Member for Economy, Transport and the Environment

-        Councillor Russell Oppenheimer – Executive Member for Highways Operations

-        Councillor Jan Warwick – Executive Member for Climate Change and Sustainability

-        Councillor Stephen Reid – Executive Member for Performance, Human Resources and Partnerships

-        Councillor Roz Chadd – Executive Lead Member for Children's
Services

-        Councillor Liz Fairhurst – Executive Lead Member for Adult Services and Public Health

-        Councillor Edward Heron – Executive Member for Recreation, Heritage and Rural Affairs

-        Councillor Steve Forster – Executive Member for Commercial Strategy, Estates and Property

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

The Leader congratulated Councillors Kendal and Harvey on their second term of office as Chairman and Vice-Chairman respectively and thanked Members for re-electing him as Leader of the County Council and congratulated those Members who had been re-elected and those that had been elected to the Council for the first time, with commiserations to those who were not re-elected.  He thanked district, borough and County Council staff for all their hard work to deliver what had been complicated elections to administer to support democracy.

The Leader referred to the challenges faced by the Covid-19 pandemic during which the focus had been to reduce the spread of the virus and keep Hampshire safe.  While the Government’s announcement on easing restrictions was awaited, he emphasised the importance of continuing to follow the rules.  The pandemic had also had a major impact on already constrained finances – a consequence of the growing demand for social care for vulnerable children and adults, against a backdrop of rising inflation and reduced Government funding. 

The Leader reported that he continued to believe the best way forward for Hampshire is the two-tier model of local government, by working in partnership with the District and Borough Councils to ensure that efficiencies are gained from the work done to support the communities that those local authorities serve. He expressed his hope that if the Government decide on a unitary authority approach that this will be clearly stated in the White Paper which is anticipated for publication in the autumn.  If this was the case, the Leader was of the view that a whole county unitary model would work best for Hampshire on the basis that any savings that might be made by that model would be lost if services already provided throughout the county were to be disaggregated.

The Leader reported that the Administration’s overriding objective remains to keep Hampshire safe, continue to deliver the highest outcomes for residents, and maintain Hampshire as a successful and prosperous county - supporting post-COVID economic recovery, balancing economic success with care for the environment, and tackling climate change.  He also highlighted the continuing prioritisation of support for the most vulnerable in the community with a commitment to delivering high performing services, and a desire to maintain council tax amongst the lowest of any county in England.  The Leader also commented on the need for the Government to address the Social Care situation and for a more equitable form of tax for both on-line businesses and shops.

The Leader expressed his sadness at the death of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and referred to the Duke of Edinburgh Award as a lasting legacy.  He also added his condolences in respect of former County Councillor and Honorary Alderman John Waddington.

The Leader thanked the Chief Executive, John Coughlan for his work during his career with the County Council and commented that it had been a pleasure working with him.  The Chairman invited Members to speak after which the Chief Executive thanked everyone for their  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

There are no deputations on this occasion.

There were no deputations on this occasion.

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.

a)        Proportionality

To determine for the purpose of Part 1 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (the proportionality rules) the allocation of seats on County Council Committees and Panels, and other proportionate bodies the County Council is represented on.

b)        Appointment of Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of County Council Committees and Standing Panels

To appoint a Chairman and Vice-Chairman for every Committee and Standing Panel of the County Council.

c)         Appointment to County Council Committees and Panels

To appoint to County Council Committees and Panels, including Substitute Members and the appointment of co-opted Members.

d)        Appointment to the Health and Wellbeing Board

To make appointments to the Hampshire Health and Wellbeing Board, including Substitute Members.

e)        Appointment to the ACCESS Joint Governance Committee

To make a full Member and a deputy Member appointment to the ACCESS (A Collaboration of Central Eastern and Southern Shires) Joint Governance Committee.

f)          Appointment to other Proportionate Bodies

To make appointments, on a proportionate basis to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority, the New Forest National Park Authority and the Chichester Harbour Conservancy.

g)        Appointment to Joint Committees and Outside Bodies

To appoint County Council representatives to Joint Committees and Outside Bodies.

The Council considered the updated report of the Chief Executive (Item 12 in the Minute Book), as presented by the Leader, setting out the proportionality between the political groups following the Elections on 6 May and making provision for appointments to be made to County Council committees including Co-opted Members and to Joint Committees and to Outside Bodies on which the County Council is represented, and for which appointments are to be made by the full Council.

RESOLVED:

That the County Council:

a)         Approves the Proportionality Table (Appendix 1 to these Minutes).

b)         Approves the appointment of Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of the County Council’s Committees and Standing Panels (Appendix 2 to these Minutes).

c)         Approves the appointment of Members, Substitute Members and Co-opted Members, where applicable, of the County Council’s Committees and Standing Panels (Appendix 2 to these Minutes).

d)         Approves the appointments to the Health and Wellbeing Board in accordance with Part 1, Chapter 10 of the County Council’s Constitution (Appendix 2 to these Minutes).

e)         Approves the appointment of the County Council’s representative on the ACCESS Joint Governance Committee (Appendix 2 to these Minutes).

f)          Approves the appointment of the County Council’s representatives on the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority (Appendix 2 to these Minutes).

g)         Approves the appointment of the County Council’s representatives on other proportionate bodies, Joint Committees and Outside Bodies reserved to the County Council for appointment (Appendix 2 to these Minutes).

To consider a report of the Chief Executive seeking approval of a number of Constitutional matters.

The Council considered the report of the Chief Executive (Item 13 in the Minute Book) seeking approval of some constitutional matters, namely: the appointment of the County Council’s Scrutiny Officer and approval of an amendment to the Terms of Reference for the Pension Fund Panel and Board.

RESOLVED:

a)      That the Deputy Head of Governance and Head of Democratic Services be appointed as the County Council’s Scrutiny Officer.

b)      That the Monitoring Officer be authorised to make the necessary amendment to the County Council’s Constitution consequential upon this appointment.

c)      That the County Council agrees the amended Terms of Reference for the Pension Fund Panel and Board at Appendix 1 to the report, for inclusion in the Constitution.

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 and noted the report of the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and.Rescue Authority as presented by Councillor Roz Chadd in her capacity as Vice-Chairman of the Fire Authority.