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 meeting on 29 September 2020 were reviewed and agreed.

To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.

No deputation requests had been received.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman highlighted the ongoing rapid evolution of the Covid-19 pandemic, noting that some elements in reports on the agenda had already been overtaken by events. He drew Cabinet’s attention to the new Tier system and emphasised the importance of abiding by the rules in order that Hampshire could remain in the lowest possible Tier. The progress on being able to begin vaccinations was promising but would amount to an enormous logistical exercise. The success in Hampshire of maintain high levels of school attendance and keeping the rate of infection below the national average was attributed to impressive co-operation and information sharing between partners, which it was important to maintain going forward.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive providing an update on the County Council’s response to the Covid-19 crisis.

Cabinet considered a report of the Chief Executive setting out progress on the County Council’s response to the Covid-19 crisis.

The report was introduced and it was confirmed that this followed previous updates to Cabinet and therefore there was a focus on new developments.

Key elements of the report were drawn out and discussed by Members, in particular with relation to trends in infection rates, the County Council’s role in the forthcoming roll out of the vaccination and the new levels of tiered restrictions. The role of the LOEB and the importance of engagement with the public was noted as were specific projects and developments within the respective departments. The opportunities for the County Council as a community leader as well as a major employer to support and encourage the uptake of the vaccine were discussed.

Cabinet welcomed the update and in particular recognised and thanked County Council staff for their hard work in achieving the response.

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 providing a financial update and an update on budget setting and provisional cash limits

2021/22.

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Corporate Resources providing a financial update and an update on budget setting and provisional cash

limits 2021/22.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor House addressed Cabinet, raising the question of how to finance the significant unfunded net costs of the pandemic in the absence of government support.

The report was introduced and Cabinet’s attention drawn to the scale of the financial impact of Covid-19. The County Council was at least £50m short of being financially viable in the medium term and this would include exhausting all unallocated reserves, meaning further vulnerability in the event of any further pressure. As a result of the crisis, a new baseline had been set for the Transformation to 2019 programme and the impact of this incorporated into the financial projections. The process of setting the budget was explained and it was noted that there would be no scope for any late delivery of future savings programmes.

Cabinet welcomed the comprehensive report and recognised the difficulty of the situation. The importance of explaining the impact to Government was recognised and it was confirmed that the Leader was meeting regularly with Hampshire’s MPs to highlight the situation.

The proposed spend on health and safety items, in particular with regards to Ash die-back and the necessity of tackling it quickly was set out.  

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

decision record is attached to these minutes.

To consider the annual report of the Director of Children’s Services regarding safeguarding.

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Children’s Services regarding safeguarding.

The annual safeguarding report was introduced and key points highlighted, in particular with relation to the impact of Covid-19 and subsequent increase in cases as well as the regional sector support that the department was engaged in and the benefit that this brought.

Members welcomed the report, which was positive and demonstrated all statutory deadlines being met despite the pressures being faced. The commitment of staff during the crisis was highlighted and Cabinet expressed their thanks to those who had gone above and beyond. It was noted that the increased number of children entering the care system during Covid would result in a long term impact.

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

decision record is attached to these minutes.

To consider the annual report of the Director of Adults’ Health and Care regarding safeguarding.

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Adults’ Health and Care

regarding safeguarding.

The annual report was introduced, highlighting the appointment of the independent scrutineer, the work of the Adults Safeguarding Board and the impact of Covid-19.

Members welcomed the report and thanked the Director for chairing the Board.

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 Adults’ Health and Care providing an update on the work of the Hampshire Community Safety Strategy Group.

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Adults’ Health and Care providing an update on the work of the Hampshire Community Safety Strategy

Group.

In introduction, the duty of the County Council and its partners to have oversight of risks to communities was set out and it was explained that the role of the Group was to receive assurance regarding actions that were reported to it. Cabinet noted the range of priority areas that the Group covered and welcomed the achievement of drawing such a comprehensive number of 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 Adults’ Health and Care providing information and assurance on the County Council’s delivery of the PREVENT duties and responsibilities.

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Adults’ Health and Care providing information and assurance on the County Council’s delivery of the

PREVENT duties and responsibilities.

The report was introduced with reference to the sensitive work that was being undertaken across Hampshire’s communities as part of a multi-agency approach. Furthermore that an internal PREVENT delivery group worked across all departments to ensure that key principles were incorporated into other activity. It was noted that UK risk levels had been increased following events in both France and Austria. Members recognised the role of PREVENT to avoid individuals being drawn into extremism and welcomed the update on how this was being achieved.

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

decision record is attached to these minutes.