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 previous meeting were reviewed and agreed

To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.

Three deputees were invited in turn to address Cabinet.

Phil Joyce from Extinction Rebellion Winchester spoke in reference to item 6 on the agenda (Covid-19 Response Progress Update). He highlighted an ongoing petition calling for more action to make the city’s streets safer for cyclists and pedestrians, including road reallocation and restrictions on vehicles.

Martin Heath from the Basingstoke and Dean Transition Network spoke in reference to item 10 on the agenda (Climate Change Strategy). He addressed the role, causes and impact of carbon emissions, calling for Hampshire to take a leadership role in reducing energy use and the wider uptake of renewable energy sources.

Philippa Brealey spoke in reference to item 10 on the agenda (Climate Change Strategy). She welcomed the strategy but, noting predictions for global temperature increases, felt that the 2050 target was not soon enough. She highlighted the number of local groups actively proposing initiatives and schemes within the scope of the strategy and welcomed engagement with them.

The Chairman thanked the deputees on behalf of Cabinet. He noted his past personal involvement in environmental issues and his support for the climate change strategy in the County Council.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman noted that the phase of recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic was well underway. He welcomed the recent decision by government to require that facemasks be worn in shops and other buildings to reduce transmission. It was confirmed that the first meeting of Hampshire’s Local Outbreak Engagement Board to monitor local Covid-19 outbreaks would take place following Cabinet. The significant impact of the pandemic on both the County Council’s own budget and on the Hampshire economy was highlighted and the Chairman indicated the importance of government support in this element of recovery.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive regarding the County Council’s continuing responses to and process (and leadership) of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cabinet considered a report of the Chief Executive regarding the County Council’s Response to the COVID-19 crisis.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor House addressed Cabinet, welcoming a full and helpful report. He raised questions on the position on data sharing with government and on the provision of telephone based services. Councillor House highlighted the importance of learning from experience to ensure both transparency and better outcomes in the future.

Key elements of the report were introduced, highlighting the importance of keeping “R” as low as possible, the learning that had taken place with regards care homes, preparations for the wider re-opening of schools and recreational facilities, the booking system in place at HWRCs and the work of officers in Corporate Resources to keep key support processes running. The position of telephone based services was clarified.

Cabinet welcomed the report and agreed the importance of learning from experiences to both understand what could have gone better and also what went particularly well and could become part of a new normal.

Tributes were paid to officers delivering services and working hard to bring back services that had been suspended. The resilience and response of Hampshire’s communities in looking after each other and working together was praised.

The recommendations set out in the report were considered and agreed. A

decision record is attached to these minutes.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive regarding the Local Outbreak Control Plan and Local Outbreak Engagement Board

Cabinet considered a report of the Chief Executive regarding the Local Outbreak Control Plan and Local Outbreak Engagement Board.

The outbreak control structure as set out in the report was introduced. It was confirmed that data on positive test results by the NHS or by mobile test units was being shared. Some location data was also available but should be treated with caution because transmission did not always occur at home.  

The recommendations set out in the report were considered and agreed. A

decision record is attached to these minutes.

To consider a report of the Director of Corporate Resources regarding the Medium Term Financial Strategy

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Corporate Resources regarding the Medium Term Financial Strategy.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor House addressed Cabinet noting that it was now not looking likely that the County Council would receive full reimbursement of the costs of managing the Covid-19 crisis and highlighting the uncertainty of the position.

The report was introduced and the level of unfunded loss to date drawn to Cabinet’s attention. The scenarios regarding government funding and various possible outcomes set out in the report were detailed. The impact on the Transformation programme was highlighted and it was confirmed that with much of T21 paused, it would be necessary to extend delivery for a year. It was emphasised that the situation was fast moving with changing consequences.  

Cabinet welcomed the report, noting that although the long term position was difficult, prior to Covid-19 the County Council was on track to meet its budget, but in some scenarios it was now no longer financially viable. The importance of explaining the County Council’s situation and of government honouring its commitments of support was agreed.

The recommendations set out in the report were considered and agreed. A

decision record is attached to these minutes.

To consider a report of the Director of Corporate Resources regarding the 2019/20 End of Year Financial Report

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Corporate Resources presenting the 2019/20 End of Year Financial report.

The report was introduced and the strong and reliable delivery of budgeted savings prior to Covid-19 was emphasised. With regard to departmental summaries, it was noted that budgets were balanced or savings had been achieved in advance. Cabinet recognised that the County Council’s strong financial position had enabled it to take action that wasn’t available to other authorities, such as advancing government money for Covid-19 related PPE to care homes in order to speed up delivery.

The recommendations set out in the report were considered and agreed. A

decision record is attached to these minutes.

To consider a report of the Director of Economy, Transport and Environment regarding the Climate Change Strategy

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Economy, Transport and

Environment regarding the Climate Change Strategy.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor Tod addressed Cabinet highlighting the scale of the climate change crisis. He welcomed the commitment to change and proposed that progress across different areas of the Council’s activity be monitored through the scrutiny committees.

The report was introduced with reference to the extensive work that had been carried out on policy development. The duel targets of reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and of building resilience to temperature change were set out. It was confirmed that the baseline level of emissions had been established using recognised methodology from the Carbon Trust. The development of impact assessment tools to integrate with the Council’s future decision making process was highlighted. It was confirmed that stakeholder events had been held and a number of new projects to both engage with communities and provide advice were detailed.

Cabinet welcomed the report and the evidence based approach and thanked officers for their work and the progress that had been achieved. It was recognised that the direct influence of local government was limited and therefore working with partners and communities was essential.

With the agreement of the Chairman, the Assistant to the Executive – Environment (Councillor Warwick) addressed Cabinet. She praised the work in the report to provide a starting point for the significant action that was needed to meet the targets that were set. She welcomed the community support and advice projects that had been launched and highlighted the benefits of bringing partners together.

The recommendations set out in the report were considered and agreed. A

decision record is attached to these minutes.

To consider a report of the Director of Economy, Transport and Environment regarding Transport for the South East’s Proposal to Government

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Economy, Transport and

Environment regarding Transport for the South East’s (TfSE) Proposal to Government.

 In introducing the report, the context of the TfSE’s proposals to establish a sub-national transport body were set out. It was noted that the strategy had climate change at its centre and Cabinet welcomed the proposals to work in partnership and support the ongoing prosperity of the region.

The recommendations set out in the report were considered and agreed. A

decision record is attached to these minutes.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive regarding the Council’s performance in 2019/20

Cabinet considered a report of the Chief Executive regarding the Council’s performance in 2019/20.

An overview of the Council’s performance was set out with reference to the report and key areas of corporate diversity and the prevention of modern slavery. Data on referrals to and determinations by the local government ombudsman were drawn to Cabinet’s attention. The objectivity of the report and high overall performance of the Council was recognised, in particular activity on equality and diversity was welcomed.

The recommendations set out in the report were considered and agreed. A

decision record is attached to these minutes.