Hampshire County Council
Councillors:
78
Wards:
76
Committees:
49
Meetings (2026):
57
Meetings (2025):
155
Meeting
Cabinet - Hampshire
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Tuesday, 9th December 2025
10:30 AM
Tuesday, 9th December 2025
10:30 AM
End:
Tuesday, 9th December 2025
2:30 PM
Tuesday, 9th December 2025
2:30 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
09 Dec 2025
09 Dec 2025
Location:
Ashburton Hall, Elizabeth II Court, The Castle, Winchester
Ashburton Hall, Elizabeth II Court, The Castle, Winchester
Meeting Attendees
Committee Member
Councillor Jan Warwick
Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Hampshire 2050 - Finance
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Councillor Liz Fairhurst
Executive Lead Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Councillor Lulu Bowerman
Executive Member for Highways and Passenger Transport
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Councillor Zoe Huggins
Executive Member for Hampshire 2050 - Transformation and People
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Leader of the Council
Agenda
1
Apologies for absence
To receive any apologies for absence.
Minutes
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Rob Mocatta (Select Committee Chairman, Standing Observer) who was attending a South Downs National Park Authority meeting on behalf of Hampshire County Council. All Cabinet Members were present.
2
Declarations of interest
All Members who believe they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting must declare that interest and, having regard to Part 3 Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members’ Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore all Members with a Personal Interest in a matter being considered at the meeting should consider, having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 4 of the Code, whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 5 of the Code, consider whether it is appropriate to leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.
Minutes
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.
Personal interests were declared as follows: Councillor Zoe Huggins declared a personal interest as Chair of a multi-academy trust and as a non-executive director for Business South, both relevant to the Skills Strategy item. Councillor Roz Chadd declared a personal interest as a governor at Farnborough College of Technology, also in relation to the Skills Strategy. Both Members remained in the meeting for the relevant item.
Personal interests were declared as follows: Councillor Zoe Huggins declared a personal interest as Chair of a multi-academy trust and as a non-executive director for Business South, both relevant to the Skills Strategy item. Councillor Roz Chadd declared a personal interest as a governor at Farnborough College of Technology, also in relation to the Skills Strategy. Both Members remained in the meeting for the relevant item.
3
Minutes of previous meeting
To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting.
Attachments:
- Document Minutes of 30 October 2025 Cabinet meeting 01 Dec 2025
- Document 2025-11-11 Cabinet Minutes Draft 01 Dec 2025
Minutes
The minutes of the meetings held on 30 October 2025 and 11 November 2025 were agreed as a correct record.
4
Deputations
To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.
Minutes
No requests for deputations had been received, and no non-executive Members had requested to speak at this meeting.
5
Chairman's Announcements
To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.
Minutes
The Chairman addressed the Cabinet regarding the recent postponement of mayoral elections that had been due to take place in May 2026 and the implications for devolution. It was emphasised that Hampshire and the Solent authorities were fully prepared for devolution, and that the delay was a result of changes in ministerial priorities. The Chairman confirmed ongoing engagement with government ministers and reiterated the commitment of all four upper-tier authorities to deliver the best outcomes for Hampshire residents as a result of devolution.
The Chairman also reported on the annual staff carol concert and thanked those involved, and highlighted the forthcoming closure in both directions of Junction 9 to 11 of the M27 over the Christmas period as part of works to upgrade junction 10 to improve traffic flow.
The Chairman also reported on the annual staff carol concert and thanked those involved, and highlighted the forthcoming closure in both directions of Junction 9 to 11 of the M27 over the Christmas period as part of works to upgrade junction 10 to improve traffic flow.
6
Skills Strategy
To consider a report of the Director of Hampshire 2050 seeking approval to adopt and publish the Hampshire Skills Strategy.
Attachments:
- Document Skills Strategy Report 01 Dec 2025
- Document Appendix - Skills Strategy 01 Dec 2025
- Document Skills Strategy - Annex 1 01 Dec 2025
- Document Skills Strategy - Annex 2 01 Dec 2025
- Document Skills Strategy - Annex 3 01 Dec 2025
- Document Skills Strategy - Annex 4 01 Dec 2025
- Document Decision Record 10 Dec 2025
Minutes
Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Hampshire 2050 seeking approval to adopt and publish the Hampshire Skills Strategy. The strategy was developed in response to changes in the skills landscape, including the dissolution of Local Enterprise Partnerships and new funding arrangements. The new Strategy covered the area that was due to become a Mayoral Combined County Authority (MCCA) to support the development of a skills commissioning strategy, which was due to be an early task for the MCCA.
Members discussed the importance of business engagement, lifelong learning, and the challenges posed by employment costs and skills shortages. The strategy’s six priorities were endorsed, including aligning training with economic need, removing participation barriers, strengthening careers guidance, supporting digital and green skills, deepening employer-provider collaboration, and enabling upskilling for the adult workforce.
The recommendations in the report were considered and agreed. A Decision Record is attached to these minutes.
Members discussed the importance of business engagement, lifelong learning, and the challenges posed by employment costs and skills shortages. The strategy’s six priorities were endorsed, including aligning training with economic need, removing participation barriers, strengthening careers guidance, supporting digital and green skills, deepening employer-provider collaboration, and enabling upskilling for the adult workforce.
The recommendations in the report were considered and agreed. A Decision Record is attached to these minutes.
7
Annual Safeguarding Report - Children's Services 2024-25
To consider a report of the Director of Children’s Services providing an annual update to Cabinet on safeguarding children activity within Children’s Services during 2024/25.
Attachments:
- Document Childrens Annual Safeguarding Report 2025 01 Dec 2025
- Document Decision Record 10 Dec 2025
Minutes
Cabinet received an annual report from the Director of Children’s Services, which highlighted strong performance in safeguarding, including a 15% reduction in children subject to child protection plans (compared to a national increase) and improved timeliness of assessments. ‘Family help’ teams had been rolled out early. The report noted ongoing challenges such as increased demand and the complexity of cases, as well as the importance of robust multi-agency working and workforce sufficiency.
Members commended the outstanding rating achieved by the service following an inspection earlier in the year and the effectiveness of early intervention and partnership working.
The recommendations in the report were considered and agreed. A Decision Record is attached to these minutes.
Members commended the outstanding rating achieved by the service following an inspection earlier in the year and the effectiveness of early intervention and partnership working.
The recommendations in the report were considered and agreed. A Decision Record is attached to these minutes.
8
Annual Safeguarding and Quality Report – Adults’ Health and Care 2024-25
To receive a report of the Director of Adults’ Health and Care providing an annual update on the local authority’s safeguarding adults responsibilities as well as its remit to support the quality of social care provision.
Attachments:
- Document Annual Adult Safeguarding and Quality Cabinet report 01 Dec 2025
- Document Decision Record 10 Dec 2025
Minutes
Cabinet received an annual report from the Director of Adults’ Health and Care, which provided assurance regarding safeguarding arrangements and the quality of social care provision. Despite a significant rise in safeguarding referrals, the directorate demonstrated strong performance through improved practice, training, and digital tools to support data driven decision making. The importance of voluntary sector involvement and multi-agency partnership working was emphasised, and Members welcomed the ongoing commitment to continuous improvement and learning.
The recommendations in the report were considered and agreed. A Decision Record is attached to these minutes.
The recommendations in the report were considered and agreed. A Decision Record is attached to these minutes.
9
Annual PREVENT Report
To consider a report of the Director of Adults’ Health and Care providing annual assurance on delivery of the Prevent duty.
Attachments:
- Document Annual PREVENT Report 2025 01 Dec 2025
- Document Decision Record 10 Dec 2025
Minutes
Cabinet considered an annual report from the Director of Adults’ Health and Care on delivery of the Prevent duty, noting the substantial terrorism threat level and the impact of global conflicts on local risks. The report confirmed robust compliance with Home Office requirements, strong governance, and effective partnership working. Achievements included high staff training uptake, enhanced school engagement, and strengthened leadership. Members welcomed the positive assurance received from the Home Office and the ongoing evolution of processes to address radicalisation and extremism.
The recommendations in the report were considered and agreed. A Decision Record is attached to these minutes.
The recommendations in the report were considered and agreed. A Decision Record is attached to these minutes.
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