Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Taylor.

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 Personal 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.

Councillor Reid declared a personal interest with regards item 8 on the agenda by virtue of being the County Council’s representative on the Hampshire Hospitals Trust.

Councillor Forster declared a pecuniary interest with regards to item 7, question 12 by virtue of his involvement in the electric car charging industry and confirmed that he would leave the meeting during that question should it be received in the 30 minutes allocated for the item.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting held on 24 September 2020.

The Council considered the Minutes of the Meeting held on 24 September 2020, which were agreed as a correct record.

To receive the following deputation:

a)  Mike Slinn regarding road safety on Andover Road.

The Council received a deputation from Mike Slinn regarding road safety on Andover Road.

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

The Chairman announced that since the previous meeting he had officiated at a Remembrance Day event and laid a Hampshire County Council wreath at the memorial site near the Great Hall. The event was videoed and included a poem read by the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire. It was issued as a webinar to all staff on the 11th November. He had also recently engaged with the Chief Executive to honour staff who have had 25 years and 40 years of service, again creating a webinar for the occasion.

The Chairman highlighted with pleasure some recent awards achieved by County Council departments and staff:

-       Property Services had received national recognition in the Electric Vehicle Innovation and Excellence awards 2020 for the successful establishment and implementation of the Central Southern Regional Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Framework. This innovative framework was the winner in the Public Infrastructure Strategy of the Year category which celebrates the work of public sector bodies that have supported the growth of electric vehicle usage in the UK.

-       The Lookout at Lepe beach, which provides a range of visitor services at the heart of the Lepe Country Park, has become a Regional Finalist in the 2021 Civic Trust Awards and will now be considered by a National Judging Panel.  It will also be considered by the Selwyn Goldsmith Awards Panel which recognise Universal Design excellence in the built environment. These prestigious awards are granted for building projects which make a valuable contribution to place making and enhance the public visitor experience. We will be notified of the outcomes in January.

-       Oakmoor Secondary School in Bordon has also been recognised as a 2021 Civic Trust Awards regional finalist. The County Council’s property services designed and managed the delivery of this 750-place secondary school to provide an inspirational learning environment for the Bordon and Whitehill communities. The school is run by the University of Chichester Academy Trust. A strong partnership was developed to enable the new facility to be a state-of-the-art education campus with a full range of curriculum and community spaces. The Council contributed significant funding along with the DfE and local developers to relocate the school into the heart of the expanding town of Bordon.

-       David Rose, has been awarded his social work degree with first class honours.

-       Lucy Platt (activity co-ordinator) and Fiona Hare (care assistant) both from Westholme achieved their Level 3 diploma in Health and Social Care.

-       Anne Dudley, HCC Care's Catering support officer who won the award of Catering Manager of the Year, and Peter Hall, Head of Kitchen at Cranleigh Paddock who won the 'Our catering Hero' award!  At the National Association of Care Catering Virtual Awards 2020.

-       Claire Jupp from Strategic Procurement was presented with an award at the Chief Constable's Award Ceremony for services to the Constabulary.

-       Helen Harris has recently been awarded an Honorary Member of Modeshift.

The Chairman congratulated all staff members who had received or contributed to these awards and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 238.

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

The Leader added his thanks to all who had received awards or recognition.

With regards to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the Leader identified the three key priorities of: keeping the objective in sight, working together and looking after each other. Noting that Hampshire had recently been placed in Tier 2, he confirmed that infection rates were falling and that the County Council was working with partners to try to achieve a move to Tier 1. Progress on the vaccine was positive, and the Leader encouraged support for a high uptake, but cautioned that seeing its impact would still take some time.

The Leader highlighted the support that had been given to Hampshire schools and noted that attendance at both primary and secondary level was 6% above the national average.

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 9 submitted in accordance with Standing Order 16.1.1 as published within the 30 minutes permitted.

The Chairman confirmed that in accordance with Standing Order 16.1.5 written responses for Questions 10-13 would be circulated to all Members.

To consider a report of the Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee seeking approval of recommendations in regard to the ‘Hampshire Together’ proposals including delegation of health scrutiny powers to a Joint Health Scrutiny Committee (JHOSC).

The Council considered a report of the Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee seeking approval of recommendations in regard to the ‘Hampshire Together’ proposals including delegation of health scrutiny powers to a Joint Health Scrutiny Committee (JHOSC).

The report was introduced by the Chairman of the Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee and welcomed by Members. There were a number of questions relating to local Member engagement with the proposed JHOSC and it was confirmed that meetings would be run in accordance with the County Council’s Constitution.

RESOLVED:

That the County Council:

1.    Delegates the County Council’s health scrutiny function in relation to the ‘Hampshire Together – Modernising our Hospitals and Health Services’ programme to a Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the purpose of scrutinising this topic.

2.    Agrees that five Conservative and two Liberal Democrat Health and Adult Social Care Select (Overview and Scrutiny) Committee members are appointed to the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the ‘Hampshire Together – Modernising our Hospitals and Health Services’ programme, in line with political proportionality rules.

3.    Approves the Terms of Reference of the Joint Health Scrutiny Committee.

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

RESOLVED:

1.    That Councillor Charles Choudhary replace Councillor Roland Dibbs on the Economy, Transport and Environment Select Committee and the Regulatory Committee.

2.    That Councillor Pal Hayre replace Councillor Jan Warwick on the Regulatory Committee and that Councillor Ray Bolton be appointed as a Conservative deputy on the Regulatory Committee to fill the vacancy created by Councillor Hayre becoming a full member.

3.    That Councillors Ann Briggs, Fran Carpenter, Rod Cooper, David Harrison, Roger Huxstep, David Keast, and Mike Thornton be appointed to the Hampshire County Council/Southampton City Council Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (JHOSC) on Hampshire Together – Modernising our Hospitals and Health Services.

4.    That the appointments of Mr Peter Moore and Mr Michael Cronin as

Independent Persons (Localism Act) are continued to the end of July 2021.

5.    That Councillor Cynthia Garton (Eastleigh Borough Council) be appointed to the Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee to replace Councillor Rosemary Reynolds. That Councillor Julie Butler (East Hampshire District Council) be appointed to the Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee to replace Councillor Trevor Cartwright. That Councillor Jonathan Canty (Rushmoor Borough Council) be appointed to the Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee to replace Councillor Alison Finlay.

NB: These appointments are as recommended by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Local Government Association at their meeting held on 19 September 2020

To consider a report of Cabinet seeking approval of recommendations in regard to budget setting and provisional cash limits 2021/22.

The Council considered a report of Cabinet seeking approval of recommendations in regard to budget setting and provisional cash limits 2021/22.

The Leader and the Executive Member for Commercial Strategy, Human Resources and Performance jointly introduced the report, highlighting the direct and indirect financial impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting impact on the County Council’s budget. Covid pressures were on top of the savings that the Council already needed to make and meant that the late delivery of savings programmes could not be funded. Urgent expenditure for health and safety reasons was noted and it was confirmed that decisions and recommendations were being made on the basis of thorough analysis and projections. The County Council was in a very difficult position as a result of the pandemic, but strong financial management of reserves in the past meant that others were in greater difficulty. The final financial settlement from government for 2021/22 had not yet been received and therefore the position would be further updated at the February 2021 Council meeting. The recommendations were commended to the Council.

Opposition Group Leaders and other County Councillors responded to the report and to the recommendations and a number of views as to the cause of the Council’s current projection for a budget deficit were expressed.

Highlighting promises made by government that had not been met, an Amendment was proposed by Councillor Tod and seconded by Councillor Collett to add a further recommendation, that Council:

"condemns the Government for its failure to do 'whatever it takes' to support local government in meeting COVID costs - and agrees to call on Ministers and MPs to ensure an adequate funding settlement to local government”

The Amendment was debated and a number of points both supporting and opposing the amendment were made around the promises that had been made by government, the evolving severity of the pandemic and the volume of support that government had been able to deliver.

Councillor House requested a recorded vote on the Amendment and this received support in accordance with Standing Order 22.3.

A recorded vote on the proposed Amendment was conducted with the result:

For – 19

Councillors: John Bennison, Peter Chegwyn, Daniel Clarke, Adrian Collett, Mark Cooper, Alan Dowden, David Harrison, Dominic Hiscock, Keith House, Wayne Irish, Gavin James, Jackie Porter, Roger Price, David Simpson, Bruce Tennent, Mike Thornton, Martin Tod, Malcolm Wade and Michael Westbrook,

Against – 53

Councillors: Fred Birkett, Martin Boiles, Ray Bolton, Jackie Branson, Ann Briggs, Ziliah Brooks, Graham Burgess, Adam Carew, Fran Carpenter, Christopher Carter, Roz Chadd, Charles Choudhary, Rod Cooper, Peter Edgar, Keith Evans, Liz Fairhurst, Steve Forster, Andrew Gibson, Jonathan Glen, Judith Grajewski, Marge Harvey, Pal Hayre, Edward Heron, Geoff Hockley, Gary Hughes, Rob Humby, Roger Huxstep, Andrew Joy, David Keast, Mark Kemp-Gee, Peter Latham, Keith Mans, Alexis McEvoy, Anna McNair Scott, Derek Mellor, Floss Mitchell, Rob Mocatta, Kirsty North, Russell Oppenheimer, Neville Penman, Roy Perry, Stephen Philpott, Lance Quantrill, Stephen Reid, Patricia Stallard, Ellaine Still, Tom Thacker, Michael Thierry, Rhydian  ...  view the full minutes text for item 243.

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:

The Council received the reports of the following Executive Members:

-       Children’s Services Capital Programme Update

-       School Meal Price from November 2020

-       Proposed Changes to the Short Break Activities Programme and Consultation Outcomes

-       Expansion of Osborne School on the Site of Kings’ School

Report to follow.

-       Tier 2 Adult Weight Management Service

-       Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council Social Inclusion Grant Covid-19 Support Payment

-       Demand Management and Prevention Grants