Hampshire County Council
Councillors:
78
Wards:
76
Committees:
49
Meetings (2026):
57
Meetings (2025):
155
Meeting
Cabinet - Hampshire
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Tuesday, 17th March 2026
10:30 AM
Tuesday, 17th March 2026
10:30 AM
End:
Tuesday, 17th March 2026
2:30 PM
Tuesday, 17th March 2026
2:30 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
17 Mar 2026
17 Mar 2026
Location:
Ashburton Hall, Elizabeth II Court, The Castle, Winchester
Ashburton Hall, Elizabeth II Court, The Castle, Winchester
Meeting Attendees
Committee Member
Councillor Lulu Bowerman
Executive Member for Highways and Passenger Transport
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Councillor Liz Fairhurst
Executive Member for Corporate Services – People, and Member and Cabinet Development
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Councillor Jan Warwick
Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Services - Finance
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Leader of the Council
Agenda
1
Apologies for absence
To receive any apologies for absence.
Minutes
An apology for absence was received from Councillor Roz Chadd.
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
No declarations of interest were made in relation to the items on the agenda.
3
Minutes of previous meeting
To confirm the minutes of the previous meetings on the 18 and 27 February.
Attachments:
- Document 2026-02-18 Cabinet Minutes 09 Mar 2026
- Document 2026-02-27 Cabinet Minutes 09 Mar 2026
- Document 2025-12-09 Cabinet Minutes 09 Mar 2026
Minutes
The Minutes of the Cabinet meetings held on 9 December 2025, 18 February 2026 and 27 February 2026 were confirmed as a correct record.
4
Chairman's Announcements
To receive any Chairman’s announcements.
Minutes
The Chairman made a number of announcements. It was noted that the Statutory Instrument establishing the Hampshire and Solent Combined County Authority had been laid in Parliament, marking the conclusion of the initial stage of the Council’s devolution journey. Members were advised that the Combined Authority was expected to come into being following the elections, with the mayoral election scheduled for May 2028. The Chairman thanked officers, Cabinet colleagues and partner authority leaders for their work in reaching this milestone and noted that the arrangements would bring significant long-term investment and powers to the area.
Cabinet was informed of the forthcoming opening of Hampshire’s first Best Start Family Hub in Leigh Park, which would provide joined-up support for families and serve as the first phase of a wider countywide programme. Members welcomed the hub as a positive step for early intervention in one of Hampshire’s most deprived communities and thanked officers for their work in delivering the project.
Positive feedback received following a visit by the Chief Executive of the National Youth Justice Board to Hampshire’s Youth Justice Service was noted, including recognition of strong partnership working and a child-first approach.
Cabinet also noted that Hampshire School Library Service had been shortlisted for a national Libraries Connected Award for its work to reduce book poverty.
Members were advised of progress on the new Materials Recovery Facility in Eastleigh, due to open in 2028, which would support improved recycling capability across the county and compliance with new recycling requirements.
The Chairman reflected on the meeting being the final Cabinet meeting of the term, thanked Cabinet Members and officers for their work during the period, and paid particular tribute to Councillor Liz Fairhurst for her long service and contribution, especially in relation to adult social care.
Cabinet was informed of the forthcoming opening of Hampshire’s first Best Start Family Hub in Leigh Park, which would provide joined-up support for families and serve as the first phase of a wider countywide programme. Members welcomed the hub as a positive step for early intervention in one of Hampshire’s most deprived communities and thanked officers for their work in delivering the project.
Positive feedback received following a visit by the Chief Executive of the National Youth Justice Board to Hampshire’s Youth Justice Service was noted, including recognition of strong partnership working and a child-first approach.
Cabinet also noted that Hampshire School Library Service had been shortlisted for a national Libraries Connected Award for its work to reduce book poverty.
Members were advised of progress on the new Materials Recovery Facility in Eastleigh, due to open in 2028, which would support improved recycling capability across the county and compliance with new recycling requirements.
The Chairman reflected on the meeting being the final Cabinet meeting of the term, thanked Cabinet Members and officers for their work during the period, and paid particular tribute to Councillor Liz Fairhurst for her long service and contribution, especially in relation to adult social care.
5
Deputations
To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.
Minutes
No deputations were received at the meeting.
6
How Hampshire County Council is Conserving and Enhancing Biodiversity - Biodiversity Report 2026
To receive a report from the Director of Universal Services seeking Cabinet approval of Hampshire County Council’s first statutory Biodiversity Report, prepared in accordance with the Environment Act 2021.
Attachments:
- Document Decision Report - How Hampshire County Council is Conserving and Enhancing Biodiversity – Biodiversity Report 2026 09 Mar 2026
- Document Appendix - How Hampshire County Council is Conserving and Enhancing Biodiversity – Biodiversity Report 2026 09 Mar 2026
- Document Letter from Universal Services Select Committee 09 Mar 2026
- Document 2026.03.11 Letter from Chairman of the Universal Services Select Committee 09 Mar 2026
- Document Decision Record 20 Mar 2026
Minutes
Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Universal Services presenting Hampshire County Council’s first statutory Biodiversity Report, prepared in accordance with the Environment Act 2021. The report set out how the Council had met its biodiversity duty between January 2023 and December 2025 and sought approval for its publication.
Members noted that the report had been developed collaboratively across the organisation and with partners, and was structured around key thematic areas demonstrating how biodiversity considerations were embedded across Council functions. Case studies were highlighted illustrating the practical impact of the Council’s work, including habitat creation linked to infrastructure schemes, the delivery of mini forest projects through the Hampshire Forest Partnership, species recovery initiatives, and opportunities for residents to benefit from access to nature.
Cabinet welcomed the positive feedback from the Universal Services Select Committee and noted the intention to publish a more accessible summary alongside the full report. The relationship between the Biodiversity Report and the Local Nature Recovery Strategy was clarified, with the latter identified as the framework guiding future activity and investment.
Members discussed partnerships, engagement with communities, the role of biodiversity net gain in development, and opportunities to share learning and best practice across authorities. The importance of continued leadership and partnership working to protect Hampshire’s natural environment alongside development pressures was emphasised.
The recommendations in the report were considered and agreed. A Decision Record is attached to these minutes.
Members noted that the report had been developed collaboratively across the organisation and with partners, and was structured around key thematic areas demonstrating how biodiversity considerations were embedded across Council functions. Case studies were highlighted illustrating the practical impact of the Council’s work, including habitat creation linked to infrastructure schemes, the delivery of mini forest projects through the Hampshire Forest Partnership, species recovery initiatives, and opportunities for residents to benefit from access to nature.
Cabinet welcomed the positive feedback from the Universal Services Select Committee and noted the intention to publish a more accessible summary alongside the full report. The relationship between the Biodiversity Report and the Local Nature Recovery Strategy was clarified, with the latter identified as the framework guiding future activity and investment.
Members discussed partnerships, engagement with communities, the role of biodiversity net gain in development, and opportunities to share learning and best practice across authorities. The importance of continued leadership and partnership working to protect Hampshire’s natural environment alongside development pressures was emphasised.
The recommendations in the report were considered and agreed. A Decision Record is attached to these minutes.
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