Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Warwick

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.

There were no deputations on this occasion. It was noted that Councillor Jackie Porter would speak on two items on the agenda.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman welcomed Members to the first in person Cabinet meeting for 15 months. He noted that this was the Chief Executive’s final Cabinet meeting before retirement and on behalf of Cabinet, thanked him for his contribution to Hampshire.

At the request of the Chairman, the Executive Lead Member for Economy, Transport and Environment gave an update on recent flooding in the County. It was noted that some evacuations had been necessary and Cabinet thanked the teams who had worked through the night to respond to the situation.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive regarding the County Council’s response to the Covid-19 crisis.

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

The Chief Executive and the Director of Public Health highlighted a number of key developments set out in the report relating in particular to the national move to step four, the effectiveness of the vaccination programme and its impact on transmission amongst different age groups. It was noted that those who had not yet been vaccinated were being encouraged to come forward and that PCR testing capacity had been increased.

Members heard that the emergency response structure within the Council had been wound down and all work was now overseen by CMT. Highlighting the £6-7 billion loss to the local economy, it was recognised that the County Council would play a key role in economic recovery. The exceptional work being carried out within Adults Health and Care was noted as was the support that was being provided to schools. The outcomes of the collective wisdom project, in particular plans for a return to the office and taking forward beneficial changes arising from the pandemic were reported.

Cabinet welcomed the report, acknowledging the success of the vaccine, the preparations being made for the return to school in September and the advances in technology that had been made. It was recognised that partnership working would be central to recovery.

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 summary of the 2020/21 final accounts.

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Corporate Resources providing a summary of the 2020/21 final accounts.

With reference to the report, the overall financial position for the Council and the respective departmental positions were outlined, noting that all were within budgeted expenditure and savings had been delivered. Proposed funding allocations to highways maintenance and operation resilience, to fund the return to office and hybrid working, to support the Queen’s platinum jubilee celebrations and for health and safety were detailed and discussed.

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 Culture, Communities and Business Services regarding HCC Climate Change Initiatives.

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services regarding Climate Change Initiatives.

The proposal to spend £1.2 million on a two year programme of pilot projects to take forward a range of climate change opportunities around the County Council was detailed and welcomed by Members. It was recognised that each scheme had the potential for wider long term benefit through leading by example and that engagement with young people through a number of the projects was especially beneficial. 

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 Culture, Communities and Business Services regarding progress with the Superfast Broadband Programme and highlight developments in government’s new Project Gigabit.

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services regarding progress with the Superfast Broadband Programme and highlighting developments in government’s new Project Gigabit.

With the agreement of the Chairman, Councillor Porter addressed Cabinet. She welcomed the report and the additional funding, but expressed concern regarding cost increases caused by community fibre partnerships being encouraged to add remote properties to their plans.

The report was and details of how the new scheme would work was introduced. It was noted that it was government administered and would operate on a first come, first served basis. The financial model was set out and it was confirmed that all the money was likely to be spent as costs were rising in this area. Recognising the importance of a fast broadband connection, Cabinet were pleased that the County Council was able to provide support in this way.   

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 Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects and Development Consent Orders.

[In relation to this item, Councillor Heron declared a personal interest as a planning consultant, who does not work on NSIPS]

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Economy, Transport and Environment regarding Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPS) and Development Consent Orders.

With the agreement of the Chairman, Councillor Porter addressed Cabinet, highlighting concerns on a number of practical areas of the process, including the consideration of water quality, cross-authority working and the pressure to meet deadlines.

In introduction to the report, the context and process of NSIPS was set out, it was explained that there were numerous situations where they would be used in Hampshire and it was expected that in the future they would speed up decision making. It was acknowledged that they were resource intensive and therefore the report sought to address how they should be handled going forward through guiding principles.

Cabinet recognised that the report had evolved through previous learning and reflected the County Council’s role of providing technical advice, but needed to be able to cover the cost of doing so. It was noted that although there was greater incentive for applicants anticipating a positive input from the County Council, everyone would benefit from a clear process for timely advice.

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 M27 Junction 10.

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Economy, Transport and Environment regarding the M27 Junction 10.

The report updated Cabinet following two previous reports. It was confirmed that as a result of regular meetings with all involved since February a maximum funding envelope of £97 million was now available; the Highways England role had been defined and an MoU would be signed providing a safety net against cost increases; and the grant would be split between the motorway junction and other areas of development. It was recognised that some risks of cost overrun remained but that everything was now in place for the project to be delivered with a Section 106 agreement due to be signed shortly and planning permission progressing. Cabinet noted that a project of this scale was only possible due to Hampshire’s size, capacity and knowledge.

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 Assistant Chief Executive regarding the 2020/21 Year End Performance Report.

Cabinet considered a report of the Assistant Chief Executive regarding the 2020/21 Year End Performance Report.

In consideration of the report, Cabinet noted that overall performance was judged to be good and recognised the achievement of this in light of the unprecedented challenges and pressures of the Covid crisis. It was heard that the report had been considered by the Policy and Resources Select Committee and that judgements were based on external assessment where possible. The report of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman was received and noted.

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 Assistant Chief Executive regarding the Serving Hampshire Strategic Plan 2021-2025 and Corporate Performance Management Framework.

Cabinet considered a report of the Assistant Chief Executive regarding the Serving Hampshire Strategic Plan 2021-2025 and Corporate Performance Management Framework.

The proposed updated strategic plan and amended performance management framework deriving from it were presented to Cabinet. It was confirmed that this arose through a regular four yearly review to refresh the strategic plan following the election of a new administration. Cabinet welcomed the incorporation of recommendations from the Hampshire 2050 Commission as well as an enhanced focus on climate change.

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 changes to the allocation of Executive Functions.

Cabinet considered and noted a report of the Chief Executive regarding changes to the allocation of Executive Functions.

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