Hampshire County Council Cabinet Meeting

Apologies were received from Councillor Adams-King and Oppenheimer.

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.

Councillors Fairhurst, Forster, North and Warwick declared a personal interest in item 11, Waste Disposal Recycling Arrangements, as elected members of district and borough councils within Hampshire.

The minutes of the meeting held on 13 June reviewed and agreed

The Chairman made the following announcements:

The response from Government to the proposed County Deal had been positive.  However, the three Unitary Councils had requested a two-deal solution which was not supported by Government and therefore the deal had been rejected by the Unitary Councils.  It was unrealistic that a County Deal could be taken forward in the Hampshire area.  However, the County Council would continue to work constructively with partners in the interests of the wider communities.

The first Hampshire Business Awards scheduled for 30 November had recently been launched, with nominations open until 15 Sept.  The Made in Hampshire Award was being sponsored by the County Council.

He expressed disappointment on the Government decision to ban charging for disposal of DIY waste, and noted that the mid-year implementation would add a financial burden.

The NHS marked 75 years of service earlier this year. He congratulated the NHS on the milestone and expressed thanks for the dedication and energy in delivery of healthcare needs for Hampshire residents.

Hampshire Day on 15 July celebrate everything that makes Hampshire a good place to live, work, play and visit. 

There were no deputations on this occasion.

Cabinet considered the regular report of the Director of Hampshire 2050 and Assistant Chief Executive regarding long-term economic strength for Hamsphire.  The Director updated Cabinet on the latest position as set out in the report and anticipated a response from central government in relation to the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) proposals before the summer recess.  He advised that Hampshire continued to be an attractive place for continued inward investment.  In response to questions, he explained that interest rates were forecast to rise and peak at around 6% by the end of the calendar year.  The rises were an ongoing challenge for business in terms on borrowing for investment.

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

The Director summarised the position as set out in the report, explaining that the 2022/23 year had been challenging, ending with a small surplus due to delivery of £23million in savings.  Cabinet heard that the year end position for home to school transport was concerning for future forecasts and difficult to predict.  Trend analysis suggested an additional £18million pressure in 2024/25.

The Director explained a funding gap of £86million was anticipated for 2026/27, and that £89million of reserves had been identified to be set aside to support the budget and provide funding to deliver highways maintenance and the switch to digital due to the retirement of analogue.  Although the reserves had been earmarked for future capital investment, funding had not been committed so schemes will not need to stop, but that funding would not be available for future capital investment.

The Chairman expressed thanks to the Director and his team.  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 Adults’ Health and Care on the activities undertaken to maintain system resilience in the discharge of Hampshire residents from hospital settings.  The Director drew attention to the finance section of the report which detailed the funding challenges that would impact services to support residents leaving hospital.  Responding to questions, the Director explained that the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board (ICB) were in Tier 4 financial recovery and needed to reduce spend in a number of areas. The County Council had been funded by the ICB to deliver some NHS responsibilities, which may need to reduce if funding was withdrawn. 

The Cabinet acknowledged the excellent performance and expressed appreciation of the work undertaken, noting the challenges ahead and the intention for the County Council to continue to work closely with the ICB on savings plans to reduce the impacts to service provision for vulnerable patients.   

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 the strategic oversight of the County Council’s performance against the Serving Hampshire Strategic Plan.  It was heard that performance had generally improved across the year building on strong performance at the half year point, with two thirds of targets already met at the mid-point of the four-year plan.  It was noted that targets were aspirational and challenging and Directorates had plans in place to meet them.

In response to questions around the sickness absence and employee wellbeing, the Director described how the County Council supports the wellbeing of employees including a comprehensive suite of support tools and events to ensure an interactive focus and a free confidential support programme through Health Assured. 

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 Hampshire 2050 and Director of People and Organisation regarding a review of the Hampshire 2050 Vision and mid-term review of the Serving Hampshire Strategic Plan.

Cabinet heard that the outcomes of the revalidation work indicated that the Vision remained largely fit for purpose, and updates were proposed to reflect the economic changes and enable wider engagement and integration with the Serving Hampshire Strategic Plan.  The mid-term review of the Serving Hampshire Strategic Plan strengthens alignment with the Vision and alongside a refresh of the corporate performance framework, a revised Performance Assurance Framework is proposed to ensure improved oversight of the County Council’s delivery against its Strategic Plan and contributions to the H2050 Vision.

The Director of Hampshire 2050 explained that the Hampshire 2050, Corporate Services and Resources Select Committee had scrutinised the report at its meeting on 13 July.  The Select Committee was broadly in support and had provided feedback in writing via the Chairman of Cabinet.  The letter was attached to the report.  The Select Committee requested an additional recommendation recognising the importance of national policy in delivering the County Council’s vision, as follows:

That Hampshire County Council approaches Government relating to constraints which may need to be overcome to achieve our vision.

The recommendations set out in the report and the additional recommendation, above, were considered and agreed. A decision record is attached to these minutes.

Councillors Fairhurst, Forster, North and Warwick declared a personal interest in this item, as elected members of district and borough councils within Hampshire.

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Universal Services on financial and operational arrangements between the County Council and the district, borough and unitary authorities within Hampshire.  The Director explained the background to the inter-authority arrangements which had been in place since the 1990s as set out within the report, and the factors which had led to a review of the arrangements; in particular the Resources and Waste Strategy and the waste management measures within the Environment Act 2021, which requires changes to the approach for processing materials and therefore the existing arrangements were no longer fit for purpose.

The Director briefly explained the proposed financial and operational arrangements as set out in the report which would ensure the County Council’s contribution for costs both initial and ongoing.  In response to questions, the Director confirmed that there had been extensive engagement over the last five years, including consultative works and working groups with all interested parties provided with opportunities to contribute to the proposal.

The Chairman thanked the Director and officers for the extensive work on this matter.  The recommendations in the report were considered and agreed. A decision record is attached to these minutes.

Cllr Porter provided a written submission which had been circulated to Cabinet.  She expressed support for the redevelopment and conversion of existing buildings, and disappointment at the potential loss of affordable accommodation at Merrydale, which she believed could be further utilised whilst redundant buildings were repurposed.

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Adults’ Health and Care on the proposed future direction of the County Council’s Older Adults service portfolio and supporting capital investment strategy.

The Director outlined proposals for changes to the care home model to increase specialist provision including dementia care and for complex nursing needs, and homes which are fit for the future.  The proposals, subject to consultation, include the closure of five homes, two of which had been closed since 2021, the expansion and remodelling of three existing homes and the provision of three new build homes.  The expected timescale was five to seven years and would provide specialist support to residents over the next 30-40 years.  The initial capital investment was significant but would yield savings overall and increase the number of care beds by approximately 100.

Responding to questions, the Director confirmed the importance of the County Council retaining its position as a provider in this sector.  The County Council is required to step in at times to provide support when it fails elsewhere, and is in a good position to support the private sector to exit the market safely when needed.  Disruption to residents would be limited by carrying out work in stages to avoid the need to move out.  The County Council has a good track record in managing change and working with residents and families to ensure positive and improved outcomes.

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

That the public be excluded from the meeting during the following item of business, as it was likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the public were present during this item there would be disclosure to them of exempt information within Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, and further that in all the circumstances of the cases, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons set out in the exempt report.