Agenda and minutes

Prior to the commencement of formal business, the Retiring Chairman presented his final announcements to the Council and expanded on duties undertaken since the last meeting of the Council to represent and promote the County Council. The list of engagements had been previously circulated. In particular he reflected on his abseil down the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth and his Chairman’s Concert held at the Albert Hall in London.

The retiring Chairman was delighted to announce that Gill Clements, a carer at Westholme Residential and Nursing Home, had been named as Britain’s Best Care Home worker at the Great British Care Award finals and to present Gill with her award.

The full announcements are attached as an appendix to these Minutes.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Peter Chegwyn, Peter Edgar, Keith Evans, Mark Kemp-Gee, Rupert Kyrle, David Simpson and Jan Warwick.

Apologies were also received from Honorary Aldermen Patricia Banks and

Marilyn Tucker.

In accordance with Standing Order 6.1, to elect a Chairman of the County Council to hold office until the next Annual General Meeting of the Council.

The Outgoing Chairman to request the Chief Executive, as the Proper Officer, to call for nominations which are to be seconded, with all propositions being put to the vote. 

The new Chairman to sign the Declaration of Acceptance of Office and take the Chair.

The Chief Executive, as the Proper Officer, called for nominations. Councillor

Stephen Reid, seconded by Councillor Anna McNair-Scott proposed that Elaine Still be elected Chairman of the Council until the Annual General Meeting of the Council in 2019. No other nominations were received therefore the proposition was put to the vote and carried.

ORDERED:

That Councillor Elaine Still be elected Chairman of the County Council

until the Annual General Meeting in 2019. Councillor Still made the

declaration of Acceptance of Office and took the chair.

In accordance with Standing Order 6.1, to appoint a Vice-Chairman of the County Council to hold office until the next Annual General Meeting of the Council.

The Incoming Chairman will call for nominations which are to be seconded with all propositions being put to the vote.

The new Vice-Chairman to sign the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

The Chairman invited nominations for the position of Vice-Chairman of the

Council. Councillor Roger Huxstep, seconded by Councillor Bill Withers

proposed Councillor Charles Choudhary. No other nominations were received therefore the proposition was put to the vote and carried.

ORDERED:

That Councillor Charles Choudhary be appointed as Vice-Chairman of the County Council until the Annual General Meeting in 2019. Councillor Choudhary made the declaration of Acceptance of Office.

The new Chairman of the County Council took the opportunity to thank Councillors for electing her, and her friends and family for their support. She also congratulated Councillor Choudhary on his appointment.

The Chairman set out her theme for the year of “All Things Healthy and Green; All Creatures Great and Small.” She elaborated on her reasons for this, emphasising the importance of the natural environment.

The full comments can be found as an appendix to these minutes.

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 Non-Pecuniary interest in a matter being considered at the meeting they considered whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 2 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 Special County Council Meeting and the Ordinary County Council Meeting held on 22 February 2018.

The Minutes of the Special meeting held on 22 February 2018 were agreed and signed by the Chairman. The Minutes of the Precept and Budget meeting held on 22 February 2018 were agreed subject to the correction of two minor typographical errors and signed by the Chairman.

To receive the following deputations:

a) Steve Jones, and Joanne Parish, regarding the need to upgrade the existing informal crossing on The Avenue in Alresford to a formal Pelican crossing

b) Janet Sheehan regarding services and support for autistic young people in North East Hampshire

The deputation from Steve Jones, and Joanne Parish was received as detailed on the Summons.

Councillor Keith House rose on a point of order and with regard to Standing Orders 12.2.1 and 12.2.4 requested an explanation as to why the deputation at item 6b on the Agenda had been withdrawn. It was confirmed by the Chief Executive that in his considered opinion the content was likely to risk confidentiality on serious casework issues and for this reason was likely to breach the basis of the deputation process, as a result of which he had decided to withdraw the deputation. The Chief Executive indicated that the opportunity of a meeting with the Executive Lead Member for Children’s Services and the Director of Children’ Services had been offered.

To receive such announcements as the Chairman may wish to make to the Council.

The Chairman reminded Members about the County Service in June and encouraged them all to attend if possible.

To receive such reports as the Leader of the Council may wish to bring before the Council.

The Leader congratulated Councillor Still on her election as Chairman and thanked Councillor Burgess for his work over the past year.

Members were reminded of the Leader’s photographic competition and encouraged to support entries to it. The Leader also urged Members to visit Gilbert White House museum.

It was noted that following a Cabinet reshuffle in National Government, a new Secretary of State, for Local Government, James Brokenshire, had been appointed; the fourth Local Government Minister since Councillor Perry had become Leader of the Council. It was confirmed that Mr Brokenshire had been invited to visit Hampshire and with reference to devolution, the Leader hoped that the policy of only acting with the agreement of the County Council would be continued. Recognising that financial pressures would not reduce, and emphasising that he did not wish Hampshire to face the problems experienced in Northamptonshire the Leader confirmed that he had proposed a meeting with District and Borough Council Leaders to discuss greater collaborative working. 

The Leader set out a number of changes in his Cabinet, explaining that Councillors Edgar and Gibson had both resigned due to ill health and paid tribute to both for their respective work with schools and with country parks. It was confirmed that Councillor Heron and Woodward would become Executive Members. Councillor Heron in an expansion of the Assistant Executive Member role he already held and Councillor Woodward taking on a Heritage and Countryside portfolio. It was also confirmed that Education and Skills had been added to Councillor Reid’s existing Human Resources portfolio.

The Leader confirmed that Councillor Mark Cooper had joined the Commission for the Future of Hampshire.

Prior to their forthcoming wedding, the Leader took the opportunity to express best wishes to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on behalf of the County Council.

To deal with questions pursuant to Standing Order 16.1.1.  Where a member has submitted more than one question, their second and subsequent questions will not be answered until all members’ first questions have been dealt with.

Executive Members responded to questions submitted in accordance with

Standing Order 16.1.1, as published.

To consider a report of the Cabinet seeking approval for the provision in the Constitution for the appointment of Substitute Members on Committees and Panels of the County Council to which proportionality applies, be extended to allow appointment of up to two Substitute Members per Political Group, represented on such Committees and Panels.

The Council considered a report of the Cabinet as presented by the Leader, seeking approval for the provision in the Constitution for the appointment of Substitute Members on Committees and Panels of the County Council to which proportionality applies, be extended to allow appointment of up to two Substitute Members per Political Group, represented on such Committees and Panels.

RESOLVED:

That the County Council approves:

a.    that provision in the Constitution for the appointment of Substitute Members on Committees and Panels of the County Council to which proportionality applies, be extended so as to allow appointment of up to two Substitute Members per Political Group, represented on such Committees and Panels.

b.    that delegated authority be given to the Monitoring Officer to make suitable amendment to the Constitution to give effect to the recommendation at a. above.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive to review the Council’s Proportionality Table and to make any Member appointments or alterations as required to the membership of the County Council’s committees and standing panels, to statutory joint committees, to other proportional bodies the County Council is represented on, or to any other bodies which are not subject to proportionality rules.

The Council considered an updated report of the Chief Executive as presented by the Leader, to review the Council’s Proportionality Table and to make any Member appointments or alterations as required to the membership of the County Council’s committees and standing panels, to statutory joint committees, to other proportional bodies the County Council is represented on, or to any other bodies which are not subject to proportionality rules.

RESOLVED:

That the County Council:

a.    Approves the Proportionality Table at Appendix 1 to the report.

b.    Approves the appointment of Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of committees and panels at Appendix 2 to the report.

c.    Approves the appointment of the County Council’s representatives on the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority as set out in paragraph 3.2 of the report.

d.    Approves the Substitute Member table at Appendix 3 to the report.

e.    Approves the appointments listed in paragraph 3.4 and 3.5 of the report.

f.     Approves the absence as detailed in paragraph 4.1 of the report.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive seeking approval of the appointment of Data Protection Officer for the County Council in accordance with the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation.

The Council considered a report of the Chief Executive, as presented by the Leader, seeking approval of the appointment of Data Protection Officer for the County Council in accordance with the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation.

RESOLVED:

That the County Council:

a.    Approves that the Monitoring Officer be appointed as the County Council’s Data Protection Officer as detailed in paragraph 1 of the report.

b.    Authorises the Monitoring Officer to make the necessary amendment to the County Council’s Constitution upon this appointment.

No Notices of Motion have been submitted on this occasion.

No Notices of Motion had been received on this occasion.

To deal with any questions which have been submitted pursuant to Standing Order 16.3 concerning the discharge of the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority’s functions.

No questions had been received in accordance with Standing Order 16.3.

To receive a report from the Authority

The Council received and noted the report of the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority as presented by Councillor Chris Carter in his capacity as Chairman of the Fire Authority.

To receive for information the reports of the following:

The Council received the reports of the following Executive Members:

a.    Adults’ Health and Care – Vision and Strategy

b.    Developing a Strategic Partnership For Public Health Between Hampshire County Council and the Isle of Wight Council

c.    Supporting Children’s Services in Buckinghamshire County Council

d.    Addition to the County Council’s Capital Programme for a Strategic Land Acquisition

a.    Country Parks Transformation – Phase 2 Approvals