Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies for absence on this occasion.

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.

The Chairman confirmed that the Monitoring Officer has written to all Members reminding them of the dispensation from the Conduct Advisory Panel in Item 10 on the Agenda (Revenue Budget and Precept 2021/22), and that it will be taken as read that all Members who are Council Tax payers in the administrative area of the County Council have declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in this item.  It was also taken as read that all Members with a personal interest in Item 12 on the Agenda (2020 Review of the Hampshire Minerals and Waste Plan and Revised Development Scheme) by virtue of them being a Member of another authority have declared an interest accordingly.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting held on 3 December 2020.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 3 December 2020 were agreed and signed by the Chairman.

There are no deputations on this occasion.

There were no deputations on this occasion.

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

It was with sadness that the Chairman advised the Council of the passing of Councillor Keith Evans and Honorary Alderman Stuart Juniper.  Keith represented the Fareham Warsash division since his first election in May 2005 and Honorary Alderman Juniper represented the Drayton and Farlington division from 1976 until 1981 and again from 1985 to 1996.

The Chairman also paid his respects to Stan Wade who was a contemporary councillor on New Forest District Council, and extended his commiserations to Stan’s son Malcom, who is a serving Member of Hampshire County Council.

Councillors: Woodward, Reid, Carter, Glen, McEvoy, Collet, House and Chegwyn paid tribute and a short silence was observed as a mark of respect.

The Chairman had pleasure in reporting a number of awards and accolades:

·         the publishing by Defra of an independent review of the arrangements for determining responsibility for surface water and drainage assets carried out by David Jenkins supported by the Flood and Water Management team.  The review is being considered by Government ministers.  12 of the review’s recommendations were accepted immediately.

·         congratulations to Rachel May, Assistant Highway Engineer, who won the Construction Apprentice of the Year Award at Southampton Solent University on 9 February 2021

·         congratulations to Angala Joseph (Forest Court), Renjith George (Forest Court), Daisy Daniel (Emsworth House) and Lincy Varghese (Hawthorne Court) for completing their overseas nurse and now have their Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) PINs

·           Congratulations to staff in Adults’ Health and Care completing the Council’s Transformation LeadershipProgramme:

Mark Allen, Ileana Cahill, Samantha Davenport, Amanda Jordan, Jo Lockhart, Jason Norum, Stuart Outterside and Tracy Marie Williams

and to the following Adults’ Health and Care staff in the Reablement Service completing Apprenticeships:

Imogen Wright, Joel Rush, Gemma Petersen, Claire Rocha, Thomas Meredith and Anna Brown

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

The Leader reflected on the difficult and challenging impact of the pandemic over the last year but was encouraged by the vaccination programme and this week announcement setting out a roadmap for recover.  The County Council together with public and private sector partners have worked hard to contain the virus and extended thanks to all partners.  He highlighted the community testing partnership that had a significant effect in containing the South African variant outbreak in Bramley and emphasised the importance of continuing to follow the rules to ensure the current lockdown is the last. The task ahead would be to continue to work together on recovery to revive the economy in Hampshire, particularly in the retail and hospitality sectors. Pupils would be returning to school in two weeks’ time and arrangements in place for relatives to resume visiting loved ones in care homes was welcomed.

In conclusion, the Leader recognised that a number of Councillors would be retiring from the Council in May and that this would be their last Council Meeting.  In light of the current circumstances, the Leader proposed that when it was safe to do so, all retiring Councillors would be invited to an event to properly thank them for their service.

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 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.

No appointments were proposed on this occasion.

To consider a report of the Cabinet seeking approval of Constitutional changes: to the allocation of Executive Functions, in the responsibility for scrutiny of Regulatory Services, Deputations at remote meetings and Executive Decision Days and an amendment to Contract Standing Orders.

Council considered a report of the Cabinet seeking approval of Constitutional changes: to the allocation of Executive Functions; in the responsibility for scrutiny of Regulatory Services; to deputations at remote meetings and Executive Decision Days, and an amendment to Contract Standing Orders.

In responding to a question raised, the Leader confirmed looking into the continuance of remote meetings after 6 May at which time the current Regulations will expire.

RESOLVED:

a)   That the changes in Executive Responsibilities at Appendix 1 of the Cabinet report are noted.  

b)   That the revised allocation of Scrutiny Function contained at Appendix 2 of the Cabinet report are approved, to take effect from 1 April 2021. 

c)    That the amendments to Standing Order 12 and Executive Procedures contained at Appendix 3 and 4 of the Cabinet report are approved. 

d)   That the amendment to Contract Standing Order 3 contained at Appendix 5 of the Cabinet report is approved. 

e)   That delegated authority is given to the Monitoring Officer to amend the Constitution to take account of the recommendations in this report.

To consider the recommendations of Cabinet for the Revenue Budget and Precept for 2021/22 and the Capital Programme for 2021/22 to 2023/24.

The Leader introduced the Revenue Budget and Precept for 2021/22 and the Capital Programme for the period 2021/22 to 2023/24. 

The Leader reflected on the last year and the financial impact of the pandemic and highlighted the flexibility and resilience of the County Council’s  reserves strategy that had enabled the Council to use some of its free reserves to take action when needed quickly to support services.  The future was unpredictable, with no guarantee that there would not be further Covid-related costs going forward.  The Leader highlighted the difficulty of calculating the level of collection of council tax and business rates against the backdrop of the pandemic and the uncertainty of the level of ongoing funding from central Government to cover the County Council’s Covid costs.  In terms of specific proposals, the  Leader reported the Council would be using the £3m New Homes Bonus to directly support Operation Resilience; providing additional money from the Social Care grant for Children’s services, and £1.2m from the pay award to set aside for IT growth pressures.

The Leader referred to the County Council’s extensive Capital Programme amounting to £0.75 billion and the Council’s success in bidding for and use of Government grants to support the programme.

Finally, the Leader reported that the Council was being asked to agree a 1.99% council tax increase together with a further 3% specifically for social care in line with the Government’s recommendations.

In commending the revenue budget proposals Councillor Stephen Reid, the Executive Member for Commercial Strategy, Human Resources and Performance reported the proposals were for a balanced budget in line with the Council’s legal obligations.  The Executive Member extended thanks to all officers for their efforts during these very difficult times recognising the pressure on all departments to record Covid-related costs for monthly submissions to MHCLG for the purpose of recovery from the Government and extended thanks to the Director of Corporate Resources and her team for their work in preparing the budget.  It was therefore pleasing that the County Council’s Auditors had unconditionally accepted the County Council’s accounts. 

Opposition Members responded to the proposals. During the course of a full debate focussing on service delivery and the uncertainty of future Government funding, 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 - 52 

Councillors: Jon Bennison, Martin Boiles, Ray Bolton, Jackie Branson, Ann Briggs, Zilliah Brooks, Graham Burgess, Adam Carew, Fran Carpenter, Chris Carter, Roz Chadd, Charles Choudhary, Rod Cooper, Peter Edgar, Liz Fairhurst, Steve Forster, Andrew Gibson, Jonathan Glen, Judith Grajewski, Marge Harvey, Pal Hayre, Edward Heron, Rob Humby, Gary Hughes, Roger Huxstep, Andrew Joy, David Keast, Mark Kemp-Gee, Peter Latham, Keith Mans, Alexis McEvoy, Anna McNair Scott, David Mellor, Floss Mitchell, Rob Mocatta, Kirsty North, Russell Oppenheimer, Mike Penman, Roy Perry, Stephen Philpott, Lance Quantrill, Stephen Reid, Patricia Stallard, Elaine Still, Robert Taylor,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 256.

To consider a report of the Employment in Hampshire County Council Committee recommending Hampshire County Council’s Pay Statement for the financial year 2021/22.

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 2021/22 as set out in the report and contained at Appendix 1. 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 approves the Pay Statement for 2021/22 as referred to in this report and contained at Appendix 1, setting out the County Council’s policies in respect of pay accountability for the financial year 2021/22, in accordance with the requirements of the Localism Act.

To consider a report of Cabinet recommending that the County Council resolves the Hampshire Minerals and Waste Development Scheme, which sets out the timetable and programme for the partial update of the Hampshire Minerals and Waste Plan, comes into effect from March 2021 and authorises the work required to undertake this, subject to agreement by the plan-making partner Authorities.

Council considered the Cabinet report (Item 12 in the Minute Book) presented by the Leader recommending that the County Council resolves the Hampshire Minerals and Waste Development Scheme, which sets out the timetable and programme for the partial update of the Hampshire Minerals and Waste Plan, comes into effect from March 2021 and authorises the work required to undertake this, subject to agreement by the plan-making partner Authorities.

The importance of having an up-to-date Plan was emphasised by the Executive Member for Economy, Transport and Environment to guard against planning by appeal.  Focus on the ensuing debate centred on the importance of recycling and reducing waste going to landfill, the extraction of aggregates and environmental impacts.

RESOLVED:

a)   That County Council endorses the conclusions of the 2020 Review of the Hampshire Minerals & Waste Plan as set out in the report and approves its publication following agreement by the Plan-making Authorities.

b)  That County Council approves the Hampshire Minerals & Waste Development Scheme setting out the timetable and programme for the partial update of the Hampshire Minerals & Waste Plan to come into effect from March 2021, and authorises the work required to undertake this, subject to agreement by the Plan-making partner Authorities.

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

a) Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor David Harrison, seconded by

    Councillor Martin Tod.

Please see Item 13 within the agenda pack for the detail of the Motion.

  

Councillor Kirsty North declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest through her employment with The Rt Hon Thérèse Coffey MP and left the meeting for the duration of the discussion.

Councillor Martin Tod declared a personal interest as the Chief Executive of an organisation which produced a report in 2014 entitled Husband, Partner, Dad, Son, Carer.

The Council considered the Notice of Motion proposed by Councillor David Harrison and seconded by Councillor Martin Tod, submitted in accordance with Standing Order 18.1, as detailed at Item 13 in the Agenda reports.

The Leader confirmed that the Motion proposed was acceptable to the Administration.  In regard to the part of the Motion calling for him to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, the Leader reported that this action had already been taken.

No Amendments were proposed. 

During the course of debate, Members noted the work carried out by the County Council to support both adult and young carers and their families during the pandemic including the provision of specialist advice and support, workshops, on-line facilities, reaching out to schools and partnership working with other organisations.  The difficulty of identifying carers was recognised as those carrying out the caring often do not identify themselves in that role.

The proposals were put to the vote and were carried unanimously.

RESOLVED:

That:

a)     We must stand up for carers, do more to support them, and build a more caring society as we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic.

b)     We will review how carers in Hampshire are made aware of existing support that is available and to bring back any recommendations to Hampshire County Council.

c)     Promote Young Carers Action Day on March 16th 2021 as widely as possible on an annual basis, particularly to young carers and their families.

Council calls on the Leader of the Council to:

d)     Write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, urging them to raise Carer’s Allowance by £20 a week immediately, in line with the increase in Universal Credit, and copy in our local MPs, asking for their support.

The Chairman of the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority and the Shadow Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire Authority made the following statement:

“Members may have seen recent press comment being very critical of fire services across the UK for a lack of volunteer support particularly for the vaccination programme.  I wanted therefore to reassure you that this does not apply to the Hampshire or the Isle of Wight Fire Services. 

As reported at a previous Council Meeting, Basingstoke Fire Station was selected to be a Vaccination Centre and is currently delivering circa 1,000 vaccinations per day whilst continuing as a fully operational fire station.   More widely across both fire services there are 10 volunteer vaccinators and a significant number of staff undergoing training to take on this role.  More locally, the Redbridge Fire Station has become the hub for surge testing which was required due to an outbreak of the South African variant of the virus detected in Southampton.

Additionally, a number of detached firefighters are providing driving support for South Central Ambulance Service with several detached fire firefighters providing the same service on the Isle of Wight.  27 firefighters are also providing in-house hospital support for Intensive Care Units.  Volunteers are also providing support to the Grayson facility and to Hampshire Constabulary for the fitting of masks within the Custody Suite.  Neil Odin, Chief Fire Officer has also been providing support to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Local Resilience Forum.

I would therefore like to place on record pride and appreciation for the scale of volunteering by all firefighters, including retained firefighters, control and support staff including administration support provided by the County Council carried out over the last year, much of which is still continuing.”

Members extended their thanks to Councillor Carter for his service as a long-standing local Councillor in Gosport and during his time as a Member and Chairman of the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority, and in the last year as Chairman of the Shadow Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority.

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 of the Conduct Advisory Panel on the outcome of the Hearing that took place on 9 December 2020.

The Council received a report presented by the Chairman of the Conduct Advisory Panel on the outcome of a Hearing Panel that took place on 9 December 2020.

To receive for information the reports of the following:

The Council received the reports of the following Executive Members:

-       School Streets

-       Regulation 11 (Key Decisions)

-       Covid Winter Grants

-       Enlargement of Samuel Cody specialist Sports College and Icknield School

-       Cobots in Care Programme

-       Demand Management and Prevention Grants

-       Grant funding to culture and community organisations in Hampshire – Independent Community Libraries

-       HCC Public Rights of Way Enforcement Policy

In calling the meeting to a close, the Chairman wished Members that were not seeking re-election all the best for the future.

The Meeting closed at 2.03pm.