Hampshire County Council Cabinet Meeting

All Members were present and no apologies were noted

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.

Members were reminded of a general dispensation granted by the Conduct Advisory Panel relating to the Revenue Budget and Precept item. This dispensation enables Members with a beneficial interest in land within the administrative area of the County Council to participate and vote in County Council business relating to the setting of Council Tax or Precepts. It was therefore taken as read that all Cabinet Members had declared an interest in item 7 on the agenda.

The minutes of the last meeting held on 13 December 2022 were reviewed and agreed

The Chairman shared the following announcements:

On behalf of Cabinet, he expressed thanks and congratulations to Clare Hobbs, Hampshire County Council’s Manager of the Wessex Dance Academy, on receiving a British Empire Medal for services to young people in the county.  She had generously accepted the award on behalf of colleagues at Wessex Dance Academy.

Hampshire County Council’s Library service was the first countywide library network to receive the Library Service Sanctuary Award. On behalf of Cabinet, he thanked the Library Service and offered congratulations on the prestigious award.

He congratulated Rushmoor Borough Council on its £20m award from the Levelling Up Fund for a new leisure and culture hub in Farnborough. The County Council was supportive of the bid and looked forward to working with Rushmoor on delivery of the project.

He thanked all those who had helped communities and residents during the recent cold snap and paid special tribute to highways officers.

He reported that the County Council had supported 2000 new apprenticeship starts since 2017. The County Council’s Apprenticeship hub supported small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to deliver their own apprenticeship programmes and had provided funding for local employers.

No requests to make a deputation had been received.

Cabinet considered the regular report of the Director of Hampshire 2050 regarding long-term economic strength for Hampshire.

The Chairman reported that he had recently received a positive letter from the Levelling Up Minister, Dehenna Davison, regarding her interest in engaging with Councils across the wider Hampshire area to discuss a potential county deal.

In terms of engagement with partners, the Director reported that the County Council had good relationships with businesses of all sizes through existing governance and partnerships. Translating the vision and ambition into action and delivery required wider engagement and understanding of the mutual benefits for the County Council and business and working with Further Education providers to generate the skills needed now and into the future in terms of helping to drive the growth agenda.

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

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Corporate Operations regarding proposals for the revenue budget and precept for 2023/24, and an update on the financial position for 2022/23.

The Chairman noted that the financial outlook was challenging with growth and inflation pressures at unprecedented levels.  He was encouraged that Government had listened and responded positively to the joint letter from Hampshire and Kent County Council and the additional funding was welcomed.  The County Council continued to deliver services to its most vulnerable residents as well as universal services for all and the sound financial management of the County Council meant it was in a stronger position than many others.  An increase in Council tax of 4.99% was recommended and although Cabinet was mindful of the impact on households there was no choice but to make the increase, which was below the overall rate of inflation, as set out in the report.

Cabinet noted the growth in social care and children’s safeguarding and the pioneering work around early intervention to enable better outcomes for vulnerable people.  It was noted the pioneering work was only possible if there was sufficient funds from Government for investment.

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

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Corporate Operations regarding the proposed capital programme for 2023/24 and provisional programmes for the subsequent two financial years.

It was noted that despite the financial challenges, the County Council continues to invest in assets and infrastructure and was putting forward a total capital programme of over £1.2billion, including schemes already underway.  This would provide major investment in Hampshire and contribute to economic growth through jobs and infrastructure.  Due to the inflationary pressures, an additional £15m inflation underwrite had been set aside to enable schemes to go ahead.  It was likely that further requests for inflationary increases could be received and therefore a capital inflation risk reserve would be created.

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

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of People and Organisation on strategic oversight of the County Council’s perfomance against the Serving Hampshire Strategic Plan.

Cabinet heard that review and rating of performance was undertaken in Directorates, ensuring performance measures and associated risks were fully embedded.  Recruitment and retention measures at operational and strategic level included ensuring reward mechanisms remained competitive as well as highlighting benefits of working for the County Council.

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

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of People and Organisation regarding changes to the Constitution of Hampshire County Council. Cabinet welcomed the amendment to Standing Orders to enable Councillors to question officers on points of technical detail, and acknowledged that opportunities existed for members to ask technical questions of officers at any time and in advance of meetings and decision making.

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