Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

All Members were present and no apologies were noted

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 5 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 previous meeting

The minutes of the last meeting were reviewed and agreed

To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.

No requests to make a deputation had been received.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

Noting the outcome of the Conservative Party leadership contest was immanent, the Leader announced that would lobby the new Prime Minister for adequate funding for local government. Furthermore that when local government was required to take on new responsibilities this should be matched with funding to pay for it. Recognising the public sector pay increases that had recently been announced would affect HCC to some extent, the Leader confirmed that he would push for consequential cost pressures to be met by government.

To consider a report of the Director of Children’s Services regarding the recent ILACS and the improvement support work being offered to the region.

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Children’s Services regarding the recent Ofsted ILACS inspection and the improvement support work being offered to the region.

The report was introduced and it was noted that the outcome of the inspection was that Hampshire’s Children’s Services department was now rated as outstanding across all areas. Key highlights included the endorsement of the department’s investment strategy, the high quality social work carried out by the department and the quality of early help services.

Cabinet welcomed the report, acknowledging the achievement of the department and the important role of social workers in the community. In particular the success of early help services to replace children’s centres was welcomed. Pro-active plans to sustain the outstanding performance, including through work with local universities were outlined.

With the agreement of the Leader, Councillor House addressed Cabinet, welcoming the report and agreeing that the achievements should be celebrated. He highlighted a minor concern about support for other authorities, agreeing with the principle of doing so but questioning whether there was sufficient spare capacity. 

Cabinet acknowledged the importance of having capacity to take on additional support within the sector and it was noted that an update had been received by the Employment in Hampshire County Council Committee confirming that this work could be done without detriment to Hampshire.

The recommendations in the report were agreed. A decision record is attached to these minutes.

To consider a report of the Director of Public Health, Adults’ Health and Care providing an update on the Public Health Strategy

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Public Health, providing an update on the Public Health Strategy.

With the agreement of the Leader, Councillor Porter addressed Cabinet. With reference to the five priority areas in the report, she asked that more pressure be put on the health service to ensure sufficient support for young people through the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS).

The report was introduced and details of the five priority areas were set out to improve the health of the population. Particular successes were identified, including work with partners to reduce smoking in pregnancy, the falls champions initiative and in being awarded funding to better understand how to reduce the rate of  suicide in males.

Cabinet welcomed the update and acknowledged further successes around substance misuse, breastfeeding support and increasing rates of cervical screening. It was agreed that the responsible Cabinet Members would follow up Councillor Porter’s points about CAMHS provision.

The recommendations in the report were agreed with a small amendment to reflect the national and international nature of public health work. A decision record is attached to these minutes.

To consider a report of the Director of Public Health, Adults’ Health and Care regarding a strategic partnership between Hampshire County Council and Isle of Wight Council

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Public Health, regarding a strategic partnership between Hampshire County Council and Isle of Wight Council.

It was confirmed that the proposed formal partnership built on interim joint working and an assessment of requirements, which had led to the opportunity for longer term partnership.

The proposals were welcomed and Cabinet recognised that this work wouldn’t be to the detriment of Hampshire’s own service provision and would operate on the basis of full cost recovery, with political control being retained by the Isle of Wight Council.

The recommendations in the report were agreed. A decision record is attached to these minutes.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive regarding updates to the Constitution

Cabinet considered a report of the Chief Executive regarding updates to the Constitution.

With the agreement of the Leader, Councillor House addressed Cabinet, welcoming the proposed amendments to both the protocol around Notices of Motion and the proposed removal of a restriction on young people making deputations, which he asked be used as the basis for a suspension of Standing Orders at the Extraordinary Council meeting in September.

Cabinet Members supported the proposals set out in the report and it was clarified that these would be formally proposed to the next ordinary County Council meeting in November.

The recommendations in the report were agreed. A decision record is attached to these minutes.