Hampshire County Council County Council Meeting

Apologies were received from Councillors Fran Carpenter, Alex Crawford, Alan Dowden, Michael Ford, David Harrison, Mark Kemp-Gee, Rupert Kyrle, Peter Latham, Alexis McEvoy, Phil North, Tanya Park, Stephen Philpott and Seán Woodward, and from Honorary Aldermen Christopher Carter, Phrynette Dickens, Andrew Gibson and Roy Perry.

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 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.

The Chief Executive, as the Proper Officer, called for nominations. Councillor Rob Humby, seconded by Councillor Roz Chadd, proposed that Councillor Patricia Stallard be elected Chairman of the Council until the Annual General Meeting of the Council in 2024. No other nominations were received therefore the proposition was put to the vote and carried.

ORDERED:

That Councillor Patricia Stallard be elected Chairman of the County Council until the Annual General Meeting in 2024. Councillor Stallard made the declaration of Acceptance of Office and took the chair.

The Chairman invited nominations for the position of Vice-Chairman of the Council. Councillor Rob Humby, seconded by Councillor Roz Chadd proposed Councillor Keith Mans. No other nominations were received therefore the proposition was put to the vote and carried.

ORDERED:

That Councillor Keith Mans be appointed as Vice-Chairman of the County Council until the Annual General Meeting in 2024. Councillor Mans made the declaration of Acceptance of Office.

The Incoming Chairman, Councillor Patricia Stallard thanked all Members for supporting her appointment to add to her past experience of being a Select Committee Chairman and a Cabinet member.

The Chairman congratulated Councillor Marge Harvey for her outstanding service as Chairman of the Council over the last 12 months’.

The Chairman was pleased to announce that her theme for the year was Hampshire Heritage, with a view to looking ahead to ensure the quality of Hampshire’s heritage for future generations.  The Chairman would therefore be liaising closely with Members, partner organisations and members of the community involved in the Hampshire 2050 project.

To help further establish Hampshire’s cultural heritage, the Chairman was delighted that the Director of Hampshire’s Music Service had endorsed the  commissioning or composing of an Anthem for Hampshire, to depict the many facets and genres which lie within the administrative county of Hampshire and hoped that it would be a lasting legacy for Hampshire.

Turning to her announcements, it was with sadness that the Chairman reported the passing of former County Councillor Eric Neal who represented the Aldershot East division from 2005 to 2013.  The Council observed a moment’s silence as a mark of respect.

The Chairman reported on a number of awards the County Council had received and officers meriting special mention:

·         Adrian Keeble, Information Analyst in Children’s Services and a reservist with the Army – awarded a commendation by the Commander of UK’s Strategic Command for his work during the Covid pandemic while based at The Defence Academy in Swindon.

·         Mark Allen, Head of Digital and Technology Enabled Care – won the Telecare Services Association 2023 International Technology Enabled Care (ITEC) Leadership Award in recognition of his role in the development and delivery of technology-based solutions to support independent living.

In concluding her announcements, the Chairman commented on the weeks of preparation that took place across the County Council’s care services including residential and nursing homes and Day Opportunity Services for younger and older adults to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III.  All of the Services came together for the Big Lunch on 5 May, as well as many other events and parties bringing together residents, service users, families and communities, all of which were supported by the County Council’s care staff.  A Coronation Flag was also produced which toured all of the County Council’s care services and will be on display in the County Council’s HQ at Elizabeth II Court for everyone to see.

The Minutes of the meeting of the County Council held on 23 February 2023 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. There were no matters arising.

There were no deputations on this occasion.

The Leader opened his report by confirming that he was in receipt of a response from the Minister of Pensions to his letter regarding the resolution passed by the Council at its February meeting regarding changes to the state pension age affecting women born in the 1950s.  The Minister confirmed that the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s investigation into the Department for Work and Pension’s communication in regard to this matter was ongoing and commenting before that investigation was complete would not be appropriate.  The Leader informed the Council he would await the outcome of that investigation before taking a decision on next steps.

Having been elected Leader of the Council one year ago the Leader reflected on the last 12 months’, which had encompassed engaging with residents, businesses, partners and Hampshire MPs, as well as focusing on the role and responsibilities of the County Council to bring together partners such as district and borough councils, universities, the NHS and businesses to tackle shared priorities such as economic regeneration and improving public health.

Other key areas of focus had been:

·         County Deal and the submission of the Pan-Hampshire County Deal prospectus to Government.  There had been positive engagement with the Levelling Up Minister and Government officials and Upper-Tier Chief Executives are continuing to progress work on the potential inclusion of the Pan-Hampshire County Deal in the next wave of devolution proposals.

·         Over 1,600 families (over 3,300 guests) had been welcomed to Hampshire under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, with 2,100 residents becoming hosts.  The Leader expressed thanks to the Children’s Services Directorate for the work they had done to implement the Scheme alongside Hampshire district and borough councils and community partners.

·         The County Council adopted a new organisational structure with effect from 1 January to support and strengthen joined-up working across the Council’s strategies and services.  Cabinet roles had been aligned with the new model with the Leader and Deputy Leader being the portfolio leads for Hampshire 2050.  The Leader would report further on plans for this important area of work soon.

·         A personal highlight for the Leader had been the appointment of a Cabinet Member for Inclusion and Diversity.  The role is held by Councillor Kirsty North and the Leader was pleased to announce that Councillor Arun Mummalaneni would be the County Council’s new Member Champion for Inclusion and Diversity to champion matters related to all legally protected characteristics.

·         The Leader drew Members attention to the positive feedback received by the Children’s Services Directorate following a focused visit by inspectors earlier this year to look at the County Council’s arrangements for children in care, giving well deserved recognition to Children’s Services frontline staff and officers.

·         Over the last year, the Leader had actively campaigned for central Government to make urgent reforms to the local government funding model and develop a clear plan for the long-term financial sustainability of the sector.  A constructive and positive discussion was held with the Local Government Minister and the Leader of Kent County Council in March.  The momentum would be maintained and a strong case to MPs and Ministers for urgent action would continue to be made.  The extent of the County Council’s budget pressures (a budget shortfall of around £132m is forecast by 2025/26) means that a public consultation will soon be undertaken looking at options for detailed savings proposals to attempt to close the predicted budget gap.  Members will receive a briefing pack a week in advance of the consultation launch at noon on Monday 12 June.  A decision on the next steps will be taken in the Autumn.

·         The Leader reported that one of the low points for him during the past 12 months was the death of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.  In contrast, the Leader had been delighted to see the variety of events to celebrate the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III and wished His Majesty the King and Her Majesty Queen Camilla a long and successful reign.

·         The Leader concluded his report by congratulating the Hampshire County Youth Band on celebrating its 60^th anniversary last month.  The Leader congratulated all members of the Youth Band, past and present for making the group such a success.

Executive Members responded to questions submitted, as published, in accordance with Standing Order 16.1.1.

The Chairman reminded all Members that question time was not to be used for making statements.

The Council considered the report of Cabinet seeking an endorsement of a reorganisation of the County Council’s Select Committees and Advisory Panels.  In presenting the report, the Leader confirmed it was recommended to cease the Buildings, Land and Procurement Panel and to streamline the two Universal Services Committees, one dealing with transport and environment matters and the other dealing with countryside and regulatory matters into one committee, and to adopt a consistent approach to the size of all of the Select Committees at 17 members on each.

During the course of the debate Members expressed both support and concerns regarding the proposals to have one Universal Services Select Committee instead of two and the timing of this change.  Those in support felt it would provide focus to ensure matters that required pre-scrutiny were prioritised whilst remaining flexible enough to look at other matters within the remit of these Committees.  Those who had concerns felt that Universal Services covers many of the County Council’s services that have high visibility for local residents and by moving from two to one committee would erode the power of the scrutiny function.

In responding to the debate, the Leader confirmed that the timing of the proposal to move to one Universal Services Select Committee was linked to the new organisational model introduced on 1 January and giving that time to settle down.  He had received suggestions from some Members that a one-Committee model for Universal Services might work better.  Those suggestions had been considered, advice taken and discussions held with Select Committee Chairmen in putting forward this proposal.  The Leader re-iterated the point raised that Select Committees should focus on matters that needed their attention rather than focussing on items for noting.  This model would still allow flexibility for additional meetings if there was a good business reason to do so.  The Leader was of the view that this change would enhance scrutiny and make it more efficient; the number of members on each Select Committee had been increased, as had the number of substitute members enabling all Members the opportunity to engage.  The Leader also confirmed that the Member Development Group had re-formed and would be working in a different way which provided an opportunity for that Group to consider the best forum for information items.

RESOLVED:

That the County Council agrees:

(a)     That the Universal Services – Transport and Environment Select Committee, the Universal Services – Countryside and Regulatory Services Select Committee and BLAPP are ceased.

(b)     That a new single Universal Services Select Committee be created, to comprise 17 Members, with Terms of References as set out at Annex 1 of this report.

(c)     That Membership of the Hampshire 2050, Corporate Services and Resources, Children and Young People and Heath and Adult Social Care Select Committees be increased so as to comprise 17 Members.

(d)     That the Monitoring Officer be authorised to amend the Constitution to allow for the appointment of 4 Substitute Members per group for Select Committees.

(e)     That the County Council’s proportionality table to reviewed to take account of the recommendations set out at Paragraphs (a) to (d) above.

Prior to this item being considered the Chairman confirmed that the report was published after the main agenda and is being considered as an urgent item due to the need for the Council to approve its proportionality table and make the appointments required at the Annual General Meeting.

The Council considered a report of the Chief Executive reviewing the County Council’s proportionality and making appointments, as set out in the report. 

The Leader confirmed that the proposed proportionality table was the result of full and detailed consultation with all Group Leaders and the appointments proposed took into account changes in the draft table together with changes arising from the previous report.  The Leader reported a correction to the appointments detailed in paragraph 3.4 (j) – that Councillor Mark Cooper remains on the River Hamble Harbour Management Committee and Councillor Rupert Kyrle comes off instead and that Councillors Rupert Kyrle and Tonia Craig replace Councillors Tanya Park and Roger Price as Liberal Democrat Substitute Members. 

Councillor House raised concern that under the current proposals of 17 members on each Select Committee that this did not allow every member of his Group to be on a Select Committee.  In responding to this point, the Leader confirmed that a previous draft of the table had proposed a 16-member model for all of the Select Committees, which would have left the ruling Group one seat under their allocation.  A 17-member Select Committee model had been proposed by Councillor House as an alternative during the consultation process, as reflected in the balanced proportionality table being considered by the Council and commented that the utmost had been done throughout the process to be fair to all Groups.

RESOLVED:

a)      Approves the Proportionality Table at Appendix 1 to the report and appended to these Minutes.

b       Approves the appointment of Chairmen and Vice-Chairman of County Council Committees and Panel set out in Appendix 2 to the report and appended to these Minutes.
 

c)      Approves the appointments set out in Section 3 of the report.

The Council considered the Notice of Motion (as published) proposed by Councillor Jacky Tustain and seconded by Councillor Kim Taylor, submitted in accordance with Standing Order 18.1.

During the course of debate, much support was expressed for the Motion with a suggestion of some strengthening to recommendations b) and c) and an additional recommendation that those schools not already operating school uniform and school book exchanges considering exploring this opportunity.  As neither suggestion was formally proposed as an Amendment, the Leader in responding to the debate proposed that the Motion be voted on as published and if the recommendations were agreed he would pick up the points suggested in the drafting of a letter to the Minister of State for Education by consulting on the draft with the Opposition Group Leaders.  Members agreed this was a pragmatic way forward.

The Motion was put to the vote and was carried. It was therefore

RESOLVED:

(a)     Encourage all Hampshire schools to comply with the Statutory Guidance issued pursuant to the Education (Guidance about Cost of School Uniforms) Act.

(b)     Ask the Council Leader to write to the Minister of State for Education to review the eligibility criteria for free school meals, including those below the poverty line, defined as 60% of the current median household income of £31,400.

(c)     Ask the Council Leader to write to Hampshire MPs to lobby the Minister of State for Education and their government on this issue.

(d)     To place on record our thanks to all council services, community organisations and charities involved in supporting families of Hampshire through the cost-of-living crisis and beyond.

Prior to the consideration of the Motion (as published), which had been approved by all political Groups on the Council, the Chairman asked Members to confirm that they were prepared for Standing Orders to be suspended to allow the Motion to have four Proposers and Four Seconders and drew Members attention to the email from the Monitoring Officer setting out the procedure that would be followed on this occasion to deal with the Motion.  Members indicated their agreement.

The Chairman also confirmed that there had been an indication that a Member might want to requisition a Recorded Vote on the Motion.  Standing Order 22.3 prevents a Member requisitioning a Recorded Vote on a Motion therefore given the exceptional nature of the Motion, the Chairman asked Members to confirm that they were prepared for Standing Orders to be suspended to allow for a Recorded Vote on the Motion if, at the point of voting a Member requisitions a Recorded Vote and is supported by 10 further Members rising from their seats to signify their support in accordance with Standing Order 22.3.  Members indicated their agreement.

The Chairman also took the opportunity to remind Members that during the debate, Members should direct their speech to the question under discussion and emphasised that the debate was not an opportunity to discuss the merits or otherwise of any individual complaint or complaints made about any individual Member.  The Chairman confirmed it was not appropriate for the Chamber to discuss individual cases where no formal investigation or consideration has been given to a complaint.

The Council considered the Notice of Motion proposed by Councillors Prad Bains, Arun Mummalaneni, Keith House and Kim Taylor and seconded by Councillors Louise Parker-Jones, Juliet Henderson, Adrian Collett and Jacky Tustain, submitted in accordance with Standing Order 18.1.

During the course of debate, the support of all the political Groups on the Council was welcomed and several Members shared their own experiences of discrimination. 

Councillor Kirsty North, the Executive Member whose portfolio encompasses Inclusion and Diversity thanked the proposers for bringing this Motion and for all the contributions during the course of the debated.  Councillor North reported that under the umbrella of the Member Development Group (MDG) she had asked officers to reach out to the Local Government Association (LGA) to explore some bespoke training for Members on inclusion and diversity.  Cllr North also confirmed she looked forward to working with Cllr Arun Mummalaneni as the new Inclusion and Diversity Champion, as announced by the Leader in his earlier report to the Council.

Councillor Tim Davies proposed the following Amendment which was seconded by Councillor Andrew Joy:

Add the word “should” between the words “views” and “have” in the first line of paragraph one and that the apostrophe be removed from the word “Group’s” in the first line of the third paragraph of the published Motion.

The original Motion together with the proposed Amendment detailed above was put to the vote.  Councillor Parker-Jones requisitioned a Recorded Vote in accordance with Standing Order 22.3 and 10 other Members rose in their seats to signify their support.  The outcome of the Recorded Vote of those Members present in the Meeting at the time the vote was conducted was as follows:

For:  63

Councillors: Nick Adams-King, Prad Bains, Lulu Bowerman, Jackie Branson, Ryan Brent, Ann Briggs, Steven Broomfield, Pamela Bryant, Graham Burgess, Roz Chadd, Peter Chegwyn, Adrian Collett, Mark Cooper, Rod Cooper, Tonia Craig, Debbie Curnow-Ford, Tim Davies, Christopher Donnelly, David Drew, Barry Dunning, Liz Fairhurst, Steve Forster, Jonathan Glen, Tim Groves, Marge Harvey, Pal Hayre, Juliet Henderson, Edward Heron, Dominic Hiscock, Keith House, Zoe Huggins, Rob Humby, Wayne Irish, Adam Jackman, Gavin James, Andrew Joy, Hugh Lumby, Keith Mans, Lesley Meenaghan, Derek Mellor, Rob Mocatta, Arun Mummalaneni, Kirsty North, Russell Oppenheimer, Sarah Pankhurst, Stephen Parker, Louise Parker-Jones, Neville Penman, Roger Price, Lance Quantrill, Stephen Reid, Patricia Stallard, Elaine Still, Kim Taylor, Tom Thacker, Michael Thierry, Martin Tod, Andy Tree, Jacky Tustain, Rhydian Vaughan, Malcolm Wade, Jan Warwick and Bill Withers.

Against: None.

Abstentions: None

NB: any Member who had either given apologies or had had to leave the Meeting by the time the vote was conducted is detailed as “Not voted” in the electronic vote shown in the webcast of the Meeting.

RESOLVED:

(a)     To request that the Leader of the Council writes to Government to request that the code of conduct legislation is amended, so that when racist and discriminatory remarks are made by a Councillor, in a public forum, their actions should fall within the scope of the Council’s Code of Conduct.

(b)     To request that the County Council’s Conduct Advisory Panel considers amending the County Council’s Arrangements for dealing with complaints against Members to include reference to the Council’s ability to invite a Member to resign as part of an action of censure determined by the Council in accordance with those arrangements when a Member is found to have expressed racist and or unlawfully discriminatory beliefs publicly.

(c)     To request that the Leader of the Council creates the position of an Anti-Racism Champion for Hampshire County Council and to appoint a Member to this role prior to the next Council meeting.

(d)     To request that the Executive Member for the portfolio inclusive of inclusion & diversity, ensures that equality, diversity and inclusion training is available for all Members annually.

No questions had been received in accordance with Standing Order 16.3

There was no report of the Authority on this occasion.

The Council received and noted the report of the Health and Wellbeing Board for Hampshire reporting changes to the membership of the Board taken under delegated authority by the Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Chairman of the Health and Wellbeing Board.

The Council received and noted a report regarding:

·         Short Break Activity Grant

·         Childcare Sufficiency Assessment 2022

·         Children’s Services procurement - approval to spend

The Council received and noted a report regarding:

·         Additional specialist education provision for Hampshire