Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors Graham Burgess, Christopher Carter, Roland Dibbs, Wayne Irish, Rupert Kyrle, Kirsty North, Stephen Reid, Elaine Still, Bruce Tennent, Mike Thornton, Jan Warwick and Bill Withers, and from Honorary Aldermen Phryn Dickens, Felicity Hindson MBE and Marilyn Tucker.

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 1, 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.

The Chairman confirmed that under the provisions of the Members’ Code of Conduct a Member has a ‘personal interest’ in an item of business if, inter alia, it relates to or is likely to affect another public body of which he or she is a Member.? In such a case the Members’ Code of Conduct requires the interest to be disclosed at the meeting at which it is considered.  Advice Hs been received from the Monitoring Officer who confirmed that this would apply in relation to the Medium Term Financial Strategy Update and Transformation to 2021 Savings Proposals as regards Members who are ‘twin-hatters’.  Therefore the following personal declarations of interest were made in respect of Item 9 on the Agenda:

Councillors John Bennison, Fred Birkett, Jackie Branson, Zilliah Brooks, Adam Carew, Fran Carpenter, Peter Chegwyn, Charles Choudhary, Daniel Clarke, Rod Cooper, Mark Cooper, Tonia Craig, Alan Dowden, Keith Evans, Steve Forster, Jane Frankum, Judith Grajewski, David Harrison, Edward Heron, Dominic Hiscock, Keith House, Gary Hughes, Rob Humby, Gavin James, David Keast, Rupert Kyrle, Alexis McEvoy, Robert Mocatta, Russell Oppenheimer, Neville Penman, Stephen Philpott, Jackie Porter, Roger Price, David Simpson, Michael Thierry, Martin Tod, Malcolm Wade, Michael Westbrook and Sean Woodward.

The following additional personal interests were declared:

Councillor Michael Westbrook – wife is a member of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council

Councillor Adrian Collett - member of Yateley Town Council and Chair of Blackwater and Hawley Town Council

Councillor Mel Kendal - member of the New Forest National Park Authority

Councillor Roz Chadd - father is a member of Rushmoor Borough Council

Councillor Patricia Stallard - member of Southwick Parish Council

Councillor Edward Heron - member of New Forest National Park Authority

Councillor Jonathan Glen – personal interest in Robert Mays school

Councillor Keith Mans - member of New Forest National Park Authority

Councillor Jane Frankum - son is a member of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council

Councillor Neville Penman - member of New Forest National Park Authority and Totton and Ealing Town Council

Councillor David Harrison - member of New Forest National Park Authority and Totton and Ealing Town  ...  view the full minutes text for item 169.

To confirm the Minutes of the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 18 July 2019 and the Extraordinary Council Meeting held on 23 September 2019.

The Minutes of the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 18 July 2019 and the Extraordinary Meeting of the County Council held on 23 September 2019 were agreed and signed by the Chairman.

To receive the following deputations:

a)      Kate Clarfelt regarding plastic recycling in Hampshire

b)     Mike Gray from the Ackender Road Resident’s Association regarding the Alton Town Centre 20mph zone

Deputations were received.  Deputation b) on the Summons was made by Mike Gray and Mike Hayward who also delivered a petition.

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

The Chairman had circulated the list of engagements carried out by the Chairman and Vice-Chairman since the last Council meeting which reported on the wide range of duties undertaken to represent and promote the County Council and its strong community leadership role.

In particular the Chairman highlighted a conference held on 10 October to highlight World Mental Health Day to discuss opportunities to work in collaboration and partnership to promote better mental wellbeing.

The Chairman had pleasure in reporting that he had hosted Long Service Awards on reporting 12 September and 3 October 2019 for those members of staff who had completed 25 and 40 years of service.

The Chairman also had pleasure asking Members to join him to congratulate Councillor Kirsty North on the birth of her daughter on 5 October 2019.

Lastly, the Chairman reminded Members of the Staff Act of Remembrance Service which would be held on Monday 11 November 2019 at 10.50am at the War Memorial in Castle Avenue.

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

The Leader reported that meetings had been held involving preparations for the possibility of a no-deal Brexit including discussions with the Leaders of the three Unitary Councils in Hampshire.  Everyone worked with a common purpose and all are well prepared.  The new Secretary of State for Transport had recently visited Portsmouth to see the actual problems on the ground and commented favourably on the preparations that had been made.  The Leader has also met with the new Secretary of State for Housing, Local Government and Communities which provided the opportunity to emphasise the financial challenges faced by the County Council.

During the summer the Leader had written to all Hampshire MPs asking them firstly to make representations to the Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding the Autumn Statement and secondly, after the Autumn Statement had been made, to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government regarding how his budget would be allocated.  The Leader had received confirmation from many of those MPs that representations had been made.  There had also been a meeting of all the Hampshire MPs at which the Leader had briefed them on the County Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy.

The Leader confirmed a letter had been received from the Hampshire borough and district councils regarding the Medium Term Financial Strategy and in particular, waste management services. Cabinet made an additional recommendation to cover some of the points they raised and the Leader, together with the Deputy Leader, look forward to having collective discussions on how more streamlined waste management services can be developed.

Meetings had also been held with the Vice-Chairman of the University of Winchester to discuss environmental initiatives, with Professor Mark Smith, the new Vice-Chairman of the University of Southampton at which a new joint working agreement had been signed; with the Managing Director of ABP, the Chief Constable and the Chief Fire Officer.

The Leader reported on a number of events he had attended recently, in particular success at the Education Awards; the Spaces National Awards at which the Lepe Lookout was runner-up in the small builds category, Robert Mays Secondary School extension was highly commended and Whitchurch Silk Mill was also recognised in the heritage category.  All teams working on these projects are to be congratulated on these achievements.

Finally, the Leader added his congratulations to Councillor Kirsty North on the birth of her daughter.

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 Chief Executive to review the Council’s proportionality and to make any Member appointments or alterations as required to the membership of committees and standing panels of the County Council, 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 the report of the Chief Executive (Item 8 in the Minute Book), as presented by the Leader, seeking approval of the revised Proportionality Table and proposing a number of appointments to the County Council’s committees and advisory panels.

RESOLVED:

a)         That the Proportionality Table at Appendix 1 to the report be approved.

b)         That Member appointments set out in paragraph 3.1 of the report be approved.

To consider the report of Cabinet seeking approval of recommendations in regard to the Medium Term Financial Strategy and Transformation to 2021 savings proposals.

The Council considered a report from the Cabinet (Item 9 in the Minute Book) providing an update on the medium term financial strategy for the County Council and Transformation to 2021 savings proposals together with detailed Equality Impact Assessments, as considered by the Cabinet on 15 October 2019. The Cabinet report outlined the feedback from the consultation exercise ‘Serving Hampshire – Balancing the Budget’ which had been instrumental in informing the proposals.

In presenting the report, the Leader confirmed that it dealt with some difficult recommendations as a result of the intense pressure the County Council is under and an £80m funding gap. This was against the backdrop of increased demand for adult social care services and rising costs, and the demands of delivering its statutory obligations for children’s services.

The Leader drew Members’ attention to the Cabinet’s additional recommendation set out at paragraph 1.5 (x) to work collaboratively with council partners to boost recycling performance and improve waste collection and management arrangements. 

In commending the Cabinet’s recommendations, the Leader referred to the County Council’s strategy of investing early, maximising opportunities and the targeted use of reserves which had served the County Council well during recent years.

Opposition Group Leaders responded to the proposals. During the course of a full debate, views in support of, or raising concern, about the proposals were expressed. No Amendments to the savings proposals were moved therefore the recommendations were put to the vote.  The majority of Members present voted for the recommendations and it was accordingly

RESOLVED:

That the County Council agree that:

a)    The mid-year report on treasury management activity at Appendix 2 be approved.

b)    Delegated authority be given to the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Corporate Resources to make pre-payments of employer contributions to the Pension Fund (including any residual deficit) if it is considered financially favourable to do so.

c)    The savings proposals in Appendix 4 be approved, including proposal WD4 as amended, subject to further consultation and executive decision making where necessary.

d)    Recurring funding of £10m for Adult’s Health and Care is approved in response to a step change in costs, along with an additional £3.5m per annum to cover ongoing growth driven by complexity and demography.

e)    Up to £4m of one off funding for Adult’s Health and Care is approved to provide potential cash flow support that may be required given the current pressure on care packages.

f)     A sum of £6.8m for the forecast growth in the cost of Children Looked After in 2020/21 is approved, with further increases of £1.9m in 2021/22 and £1.2m per annum thereafter, along with up to £1m for growth in associated legal costs.

g)    Funding of up to £555,000 is ring-fenced within existing contingencies to provide resources to respond to the potential direct impact of Brexit on the County Council as set out in more detail in Appendix 3, with approval Page 24 delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Corporate Resources, in the event that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 176.

To consider a report of the Cabinet recommending amendments to the provisions of County Council Standing Orders 12 and 18 in respect of deputations and Notices of Motion.

The Council considered the report of the Cabinet (Item 10 in the Minute Book) setting out proposed updates to the County Council’s Standing Orders in respect of Deputations and Notices of Motion.

RESOLVED:

a)        That the amendments to the provisions of Standing Orders 12 and 18 as set out at Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 of the Cabinet report be approved.

b)        That delegated authority be given to the Head of Law and Governance to amend the Constitution accordingly.

To consider a report of the Employment in Hampshire County Council (EHCC) Committee recommending an amendment to the Members’ Allowances Scheme for 2019/20.

The Council considered the report of the Employment in Hampshire County Council Committee (Item 11 in the Minute Book) setting out proposed changes to the Members’ Allowance Scheme relating to the Assistant to the Executive – Climate Change.

RESOLVED:

That the County Council approve the IRP proposal set out at Paragraph 1.5 of the report and regarding amendment to the Members’ Allowances Scheme for

2019/20 in respect of the Special Responsibility Allowance and list of

approved duties referred to in the recommendations of the IRP.

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 of the Authority.

The Council received and noted the report of the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority as presented by Councillor Roz Chadd in her capacity as Vice-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 – Year One Strategy Progress

b)    Public Health Annual Report

a)    Mental Health Prevention Concordat

a)    Demand Management and Prevention Grants

a)    County Farms Policy Review