Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor North, who was on maternity leave.

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 held on 18 October 2022 were reviewed and agreed.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Leader recognised the tragic death of a child in a Hampshire school from Strep A, sending condolences to the family on behalf of Cabinet and the County Council. Communication via schools to provide advice on the symptoms was detailed and the public health team thanked for their response.

It was confirmed that there had been two cases of avian flu in kept birds in Hampshire, which were part of a series of outbreaks nationally. These cases were being dealt with and the County Council was working with other owners of kept birds to try to prevent further outbreaks.

It was noted that the Solent Freeport had received Government approval and this important step was welcomed by the Leader.

The Leader drew attention to the new Cabinet portfolios which would take effect from January 2023 to align with the new organisational structure and would ensure that the Council was best placed to face the challenges ahead.

To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.

No requests to make a deputation had been received.

To consider a report of the Director of Corporate Operations regarding the financial position and Budget Setting and Provisional Cash Limits for 2023/24.

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Corporate Operations regarding

the financial position and Budget Setting and Provisional Cash Limits for 2023/24.

In introduction, it was explained that the report addressed the significant pressures facing the County Council, in particular the impact of inflation in areas such as social care and home to school transport. These additional pressures would add approximately £150million to the budget in a single year, which was roughly equivalent to the previous four years’ savings. The expected outcome of the forthcoming local government settlement was set out and assuming a Council Tax increase at the new referendum limit of 5%, it was projected that there would be £50million gap for 2023/24 to be met from the budget bridging reserve.

Cabinet welcomed the comprehensive report and noted that it relied on a number of assumptions in an unstable economic period. It was confirmed that the most concerning of these assumptions were the level of volatility in the provision of Adult Social Care and in the level of social care grant, for which the distribution formula had not yet been confirmed. It was furthermore confirmed that the 2023/24 budget had a 3% pay award built in, but should another flat rate pay award be agreed, this may not be sufficient and increases in the national living wage would also have to be accounted for.

The Director of Adults’ Health and Care joined the meeting and was asked to detail the pressures facing their Department and any connection with the Covid crisis. It was explained that there were increasing numbers of younger adults with complex needs and high cost care packages. The cost inflation in this area was significant with some now costing £3900 per week, resulting in very high ongoing pressure. Demand also had increased due to an increase in self-harm by young adults and a reversal of family carers providing support following the pandemic. The recruitment and retention of staff was difficult, particularly in some complex care areas. Cabinet asked whether the funding requirements for this area were likely to be met by the provision announced in the Autumn Statement, as suggested by the Secretary of State, and it was confirmed that it was unlikely to be sufficient to meet the additional pressures being faced.

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

To consider a report of the Chief Executive regarding working towards economic strength for Hampshire.

Cabinet considered the regular report of the Chief Executive regarding working towards economic strength for Hampshire.

With reference to the report, the national position and Hampshire’s specific response was outlined, as was the progress being made by the first wave of Authorities with a County Deal. It was noted that Hampshire was ready to progress its own Deal and hoped to do so in the new year. The leadership restructure to focus the organisation on the 2050 vision and to drive economic strength was highlighted.

Cabinet recognised the positive steps forward and noted the particular importance of international trade links in the context of predictions that the UK recession will be the longest of all G7 economies. The readiness of Hampshire to enter into a County Deal was also welcomed and as well as the prospectus, the extent of the work undertaken with MPs, partners and local businesses was noted.

The recommendations 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 providing an update on the Economic Development Strategy Consultation.

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

Environment providing an update on the Economic Development

Strategy Consultation.

It was confirmed that a consultation on the draft Economic Strategy presented to Cabinet earlier in the year had been carried out and approval was now sought for the updates arising from the consultation. Once approved, a detailed action plan would be drawn up to implement the Strategy.

Cabinet discussed the role of devolution in delivering the Strategy and recognised that meaningful devolution would allow more significant decisions to be made locally. As the South East is a net contributor to the UK economy and Hampshire is a significant element of the region, devolution could help to maintain international competitiveness that would be of benefit to the Hampshire economy and to the whole of the UK.

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

Following consideration of the report, Cabinet recognised the final Cabinet meeting before retirement for the Director of Economy, Transport and Environment, Stuart Jarvis. On behalf of the County Council, he was thanked for his hard work and significant contribution to Hampshire and to the Hampshire economy over many years. Mr Jarvis thanked Cabinet members for their comments and all County Councillors for their support. He noted the huge level of ambition and passion in Hampshire and the importance of the economy in underpinning safe, healthy and successful communities.

To consider a report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services the new 5-year Strategic Asset Management Plan for the County Council’s estate.

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Culture, Communities and Business Services the new 5-year Strategic Asset Management Plan for the County Council’s estate.

With reference to the report, it was explained that the new Plan was designed to provide a framework for the management of land and assets to support corporate priorities. In the context of organisational change, its focus was on principles and objectives.

Cabinet noted the overall size of the County Council’s estate and it was clarified that the majority of this was operational (schools and care homes etc), with about 3% having commercial potential. The focus on commerciality was welcomed and it was confirmed that new opportunities would be considered under the strategy. It was recognised that the new 2050 Directorate would support improved engagement with local Members with regards any asset disposals in their area.

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

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

Cabinet considered the annual safeguarding report from the Director of

Children’s Services.

It was noted that the annual report covered all safeguarding activity in the Department. It was highlighted that there had been a sustained increase in demand for children’s social care services, but despite this performance had remained strong. The primary drivers behind the increased demand were identified as being an increase in mental health issues in both children and adults following the pandemic as well as an increase in domestic abuse. Cabinet’s attention was drawn to the independent review of children’s social care, which concluded that potential delivery improvements existed but would require significant investment.

Concern was raised around the funding support gap for unaccompanied asylum seekers when they became care leavers. It was explained that Hampshire was particularly affected by this due to the number of spontaneous arrivals, combined with those arriving in Hampshire via the national transfer scheme.

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

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

Cabinet considered the annual safeguarding report from the Director of Adults’ Health and Care.

With reference to the annual report, the trend of increasing demand for services and the increasing complexity of support required was highlighted. It was noted that safeguarding reviews throughout the year had provided significant learning and that service improvements had been brought forward. The introduction of liberty protection safeguards and the impact and implications of these were set out, in particular the role of senior social workers in carrying out reviews. The successful fire prevention programme, led by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, and the “see it to stop it” app, which allowed concerned individuals to make referrals were both drawn to Cabinet’s attention.

Members welcomed the report and questioned how Hampshire compared with other similar areas. It was confirmed that Essex and Kent were both experiencing a similar increase in referrals, driven by the common themes of acts of omission, self-neglect and physical abuse.

The outcomes of the enhanced support worker pilot were discussed and it was confirmed that around 40 individuals had been referred through the scheme and intervention had been possible to address risks from issues such as fire and hoarding in conjunction with a range of partners. A fuller update would be available in 12 months.

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

To consider the annual Community Safety Group report from the Director of Adults’ Health and Care

Cabinet considered the annual Community Safety Group report from the Director of Adults’ Health and Care.

In introducing the report it was highlighted that the Group, which is led by the County Council and incorporates a number of partners, meets on a regular basis. Its overarching aim is to make Hampshire safer and it achieves this through a focus on specific issues and the high level co-ordination of response.

Cabinet welcomed the update and discussed in particular actions being taken to reduce drug abuse and drug related violence and work to tackle violence against women. It was noted that responsibility for addressing anti-social behaviour was with local crime and disorder partnerships, but was reported up to the county-wide group in order that patterns and causation could be considered.

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

To consider the annual PREVENT report from the Director of Adults’ Health and Care

Cabinet considered the annual PREVENT report from the Director of Adults’

Health and Care.

With reference to the report it was explained that the County Council’s role in PREVENT was to work in the pre-criminal space, to try to avert radicalisation. Recent world events had led to increased referrals both nationally and in Hampshire and the Hampshire response had been assessed as meeting or exceeding requirements. It was recognised that the high volume of referrals was partially due to the scale of the County, but also reflective of the pro-active approach to raising awareness. Within the County Council, e-learning on the PREVENT responsibilities had been undertaken by almost all staff. Work to reduce the likelihood of a terror attack in Hampshire was also discussed and it was noted that this was based on: a number of specific duties, on collaboration with partners, on an awareness of the way in which organised crime can support ideological extremism and on positive messaging.

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