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Paper 3 - 27 September 2002 meeting

Minutes of the Annual meeting held at New Forest District Council on 7 June 2002 at 10.30 am

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor R Donnelly (Basingstoke and Deane); Councillor S James (East Hampshire); Councillor K House (Eastleigh); Councillor S Woodward (Fareham); Councillor P Edgar (Gosport); Councillor B Wheeler (Hampshire); Councillors H Rees and Mrs S Smart (Isle of Wight); Councillor P Moyle (Rushmoor); Councillors T Blair, P Shaddock and E Shimbard (Portsmouth); Councillor B Palmer (Test Valley); Mr C Byrne (GOSE).

17.02 WELCOME

Councillor John Hoy, Chairman of New Forest District Council, welcomed all those present to the meeting. The Chairman welcomed Stephen Keys of Southampton City Council, Brian Briscoe and Debbie Wood of the Local Government Association and Paul Bevan of the South East England Regional Assembly (SEERA) to the meeting.

18.02 APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN

Councillor Gillett expressed his thanks to both the Members and staff of the Association for their support during his term of office.

Councillor Tony Jackson was nominated as Chairman for the year 2002/2003.

That Councillor Tony Jackson be appointed Chairman of the Association for the year 2002/2003.

Councillor Jackson took the chair for the remainder of the meeting. He thanked Councillor Gillett for steering the Association over the past two years and in particular for focussing the agenda on areas of interest to Members.

19.02 ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN

That Councillor Mrs Elizabeth Cartwright be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Association for the year 2002/2003.

20.02 MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting held on 22 March 2002 were signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

21.02 JOINT WORK WITH THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

The Chairman introduced Brian Briscoe, Chief Executive of the Local Government Association (LGA).

Mr Briscoe’s presentation focussed on:

Ž what was happening in the LGA and also its policy on lobbying priorities

Ž the changes at the LGA, allowing a better focus on project management

Ž following up the Local Government White Paper, keeping up the pressure for more freedom and flexibility for local authorities

Ž Central Local Relations, including the a meeting to be held on 10 July which would be chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister

Ž Regional Government, outlining the basic proposals in the White Paper, emphasising that, even on the most optimistic timetable in the North East, the earliest a regional assembly could be elected directly would be 2007.

After his presentation, Mr Briscoe answered questions and addressed comments and concerns from those present.

On the Planning Green Paper, a statement had been expected soon from Lord Falconer but we would now wait to see what Lord Rooker said following the Ministerial changes.

On funding for Social Care, the LGA would continue to press on Ministers the importance of funding to keep people out of hospital and care for them afterwards. The LGA would also continue to argue that doing things differently at local level to respond to local needs was a strength, not something to be condemned.

The LGA had to remain neutral on issues like the South East Area Cost Adjustment, leaving the local Associations and Regional Assemblies to lobby as necessary. Reference was made to the meeting for South East Local Authority Leaders and Chief Executives with the Secretary of State on Friday 21 June.

The Chairman thanked Mr Briscoe for his presentation.

22.02 REGIONAL GOVERNMENT WHITE PAPER

The Chairman introduced Mr Paul Bevan, Chief Executive of the South East England Regional Assembly, to the meeting.

Mr Bevan gave a presentation which focussed on the work and role of the Regional Assembly and on the proposals outlined in the Regional Government White Paper.

After his presentation, Mr Bevan answered questions and addressed concerns from those present.

Mr Bevan emphasised the need for the South East to "punch its weight" in UK and European forums. He felt that the Government was now aware of the significance of the South East role in the UK economy. The White Paper proposals enhanced the role of the Regional Assembly, in planning and transportation and by improving accountability, but the UK Government remained heavily centralised compared to other European states.

The Chairman pointed out that a fuller discussion on the implications of the White Paper would be undertaken by the Association later in the year, when individual authorities had had time to consider it.

Mr Briscoe also commented on the White Paper from the LGA’s perspective. 

The Chairman thanked Mr Bevan for his presentation.

(Copies of both presentations would be available from the Association’s office).

23.02 THE ASSOCIATION’S ACTION PLAN 2002-2003 AND ANNUAL REPORT 2001-2002

Consideration was given to a report by the Policy Manager on this subject.

(1) That the Action Plan be approved for consultation in the form of a bulletin to go to member authorities and partner organisations; and

(2) That the Annual Report be published on the Association’s website.

24.02 THE ASSOCIATION’S BUDGET AND SUBSCRIPTIONS 2002-2003

Consideration was given to a report by the Honorary Treasurer and the Policy Manager on this topic.

(1) That the budget for 2002/2003 be approved; and

(2) That the subscription unit of £2,250 agreed by the Association in January this year be confirmed.

25.02 APPOINTMENTS TO OUTSIDE BODIES

Consideration was given to a report of the Policy Manager which set out those outside bodies requiring district council representation.

(1) That the political groups agree three representatives to serve on the Hampshire Buildings Preservation Trust after the meeting on the basis of geographic and political spread;

(2) That Councillor Tony Jackson be appointed to serve on the Hampshire Economic Partnership;

(3) That Councillor Simon Hayes be appointed to serve on the board of Victim Support Hampshire;

(4) That Councillor Arthur Mandry be appointed to serve on the Hampshire County Council Youth Board; and

(5) That all other representatives on outside bodies be confirmed as reported.

Note: The following members were subsequently appointed to the Hampshire Buildings Preservation Trust:

Councillor Mrs Elizabeth Cartwright (East Hampshire)
Councillor Mark Fullbrook (Hart)
Councillor Cecily Sutton (Winchester)

(a) Consideration was given to a report of the Honorary Secretary which set out the dates of meetings in 2002 and 2003.

(b) It was noted that the next meeting of the Association would be held on 27 September 2002 at Hampshire County Council.

(1) That the meeting provisionally scheduled for 26 July be cancelled;

(2) That the dates for meetings be approved for 2003 and the dates for the remainder of 2002 be noted; and

(3) That member authorities, in fixing their diaries for 2003, try to avoid clashes of dates wherever possible.

ANNEX

REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES
APPOINTED 7 JUNE 2002