Agenda, decisions and minutes

None were received.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 5 August 2015 as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 5 August 2015 be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

To note any declarations of interest made by members in connection with an agenda item.  The nature of the interest must also be specified.

Members are asked to discuss any possible interests with Democratic Services prior to the meeting.

Cllrs E J Heron and Rickman disclosed non-pecuniary interests in respect of minute 20.

To note any issues raised during the public participation period.

No issues were raised in the public participation period.

To discuss the prospectus that had been prepared for submission to Ministers in support of the bid for devolved powers.

Please note:  All Members of the Council are invited to attend the meeting to participate in the debate.

RESOLVED:

That the prospectus for submission to Ministers to present the bid for devolved powers for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight be endorsed.

Further to Minute 11 (5 August 2015), the Cabinet considered the prospectus that had been prepared for submission to Ministers to support the bid for devolved powers for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.  The prospectus was supported by a technical annex for consideration by Government officials.  The timetable for the submission of the bid had been extremely tight, with final documents having to be submitted to Government by 4 September 2015.  The Leadership Group drawn from each local authority had considered a draft prospectus on 1 September 2015.  A limited number of editing changes had been made subsequently, but there had been no change to the substance of the document.

Cllr Harrison submitted a number of suggestions, for consideration, of powers that might be devolved to the area.

Members noted that this was still the earliest stages of the process and consequently it was impossible to form a definitive picture of the shape of the proposals that would come forwards from Government.  Further detailed consideration would need to be given to the wider implications of any deal that was subsequently offered.

RESOLVED:

That the prospectus for submission to Ministers to present the bid for devolved powers for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight be endorsed.

To consider renewing the Service Level Agreements for the New Forest National Park Authority to provide tree and ecology functions for this Authority.

RESOLVED:

That the Head of Planning and Transportation be authorised, in consultation with the Planning and Transportation Portfolio Holder, to finalise the terms of the Service Level Agreements under which the National Park Authority will discharge the Council’s functions in respect of tree matters and offering advice on ecological issues.

Cllrs E J Heron and Rickman disclosed non-pecuniary interests as members of the New Forest National Park Authority, who were the other party to the Service Level Agreements. They each concluded that there were no grounds under common law to prevent them from remaining in the meeting to speak and to vote.

The Cabinet considered whether the Council should renew the Service Level Agreements under which the New Forest National Park Authority undertake the tree function on behalf of this Council and also provide an ecological advice service.  The current arrangements had been in place for 3 years and were working well, serving the needs of customers and this Authority.  The agreed quality standards and savings had been achieved.

RECOMMENDED:

That the Head of Planning and Transportation be authorised, in consultation with the Planning and Transportation Portfolio Holder, to finalise the terms of the Service Level Agreements under which the National Park Authority will discharge the Council’s functions in respect of tree matters and offer advice on ecological issues.