Agenda item

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

The Leader opened his report by reflecting on the latest position with Covid, with the focus moving more towards it being the responsibility of individuals to prevent the spread of the virus. Whilst the County Council continues to do everything possible to keep Hampshire safe, the Leader highlighted the importance of taking personal responsibility to follow the preventative principles.

Protecting and caring for vulnerable children remained a priority, and the Leader was pleased to report that the County Council had awarded grants totalling £398,979 to local organisations that are providing free activities and a meal to lower income children during the forthcoming half-term break.  He was also pleased to report that the County Council had agreed to maintain contract payments for community transport operators at 100% from 1 April 2022 through to 31 March 2023, to assist transport operators in the recovery and operation of their vital services and to support them to maintain service levels while they experience lower than usual passenger numbers as user confidence rebuilds.

The Leader reported that from 27 January, the Government had returned to Plan A measures, and further information was awaited on their ‘strategy for living with Covid’.  Meanwhile Members and Officers were making a gradual return to the office and embracing the hybrid approach to working.

The County Council welcomed the recent publication of the Government’s Levelling Up White Paper, which contained the long-awaited details of a new devolution framework, alongside details of the wider role of local government in the levelling up agenda.  Whilst it was disappointing that Hampshire had not been selected as one of the pilot areas for a county deal, the County Council remained committed to their ambition of bringing more power to the people and places of Hampshire.  The work undertaken to date with partners had built a firm foundation from which plans for a county deal would continue to be developed in line with the White Paper, before putting them forward to members of the public and stakeholders for their views.  The Leader also confirmed that a Pan-Hampshire County Deal was also being explored.  Positive conversations with neighbouring authorities including Surrey County Council were underway on the potential for a wider Economic Prosperity Board, which would complement any County Deal and enhance economic development and regeneration opportunities post-Covid.

The Leader reported that Cabinet had been able to recommend prudent plans to balance the budget, which would be considered later in the meeting. This had been a challenging task given annual funding shortfalls and the major new budget pressures that had emerged due to the financial impact of Covid and the growth in the cost of adult social care. It was particularly disappointing that the Government had limited the amount that could be raised via the adult social care precept, which has been reduced from a 2% increase in council tax, down to 1% resulting in approximately a £7m loss for the County Council.  The Leader emphasised he would continue to press MPs and Ministers on the severity of the financial position and to make the point that without a long-term sustainable funding solution to the growth in social care costs, the County Council was simply not financially sustainable in the longer-term. Whilst the County Council was in a better position than many councils due to careful financial planning and was capable of dealing with some pressure, a resolution from national government was nonetheless needed urgently.

The Leader reported that he was delighted to mark the start of the County Council’s Platinum Jubilee year celebrations last Thursday with the unveiling of a new life-sized bronze statue - ‘Licoricia of Winchester’ – outside the Arc, as the Chairman referred to in his announcements.  The Platinum Jubilee presents a remarkable opportunity to not only celebrate Her Majesty the Queen’s 70 years of dedicated public service, but to also come together again as a community. A wide range of events and activities to help Hampshire residents commemorate and celebrate were being planned, including a special Queen’s Platinum Jubilee concert with performances from the Hampshire Music Service.

The Leader had been pleased to approve proposals for a £0.5 million initiative to create a living, environmental legacy in recognition of the Jubilee. The aim is to help schools, organisations, communities, and individuals to plant thousands of trees across Hampshire, which will contribute towards the Queen’s Green Canopy project, and further the County Council’s own environmental ambitions for tree planting.  The Leader encouraged all Members to support this project.

Lastly, the Leader was delighted that Hampshire County Council is backing Southampton City Council’s bid for the UK City of Culture in 2025.  The opportunity of becoming the UK City of Culture 2025 would not only bring millions of pounds worth of investment but would create jobs and attract thousands of visitors to the city and the wider Hampshire area. The final bid was submitted earlier this month, and the Government will announce the winner of the prestigious title in the spring.