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 June 2026
2:00 PM
Tuesday, 9th June 2026
2:00 PM
End:
Tuesday, 9th June 2026
6:00 PM
Tuesday, 9th June 2026
6:00 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
09 Jun 2026
09 Jun 2026
Location:
Ashburton Hall, Elizabeth II Court, The Castle, Winchester
Ashburton Hall, Elizabeth II Court, The Castle, Winchester
Meeting Attendees
Chairman
Leader of the Council
Agenda
1
Apologies for absence
To receive any apologies for absence.
Minutes
Apologies were received from Councillor North, Councillor Huggins, Councillor Burton and Councillor Tree. Councillor Tree gave apologies due to a conflict of interest in being the Executive Member holding a portfolio based on the implementation of Local Government Reorganisation.
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.
Councillor Forster declared a pecuniary interest due to receiving an allowance as a District Councillor at Hart District Council.
Councillor Adams-King declared a pecuniary interest due to receiving an allowance as a District Councillor at Test Valley Borough Council.
It was noted that the Conduct Advisory Panel resolved to grant a dispensation, commencing on1 August 2025 and expiring on 31 July 2029, to all Members and Co-opted Members of the County Council in receipt of an allowance under the Hampshire County Council Members’ Allowances Scheme (section 33(2)(a)and (d)) or Members’ Allowances Scheme of another relevant Authority(section 33(2)(e)) from the provisions of sections 31(4)(a) and (b) of the Localism Act enabling all Members and Co-opted Members of the County Council to participate and vote in any business of the County Council where they would otherwise be prevented from doing so in consequence of being in receipt of a Member Allowance.
Councillor Forster declared a pecuniary interest due to receiving an allowance as a District Councillor at Hart District Council.
Councillor Adams-King declared a pecuniary interest due to receiving an allowance as a District Councillor at Test Valley Borough Council.
It was noted that the Conduct Advisory Panel resolved to grant a dispensation, commencing on1 August 2025 and expiring on 31 July 2029, to all Members and Co-opted Members of the County Council in receipt of an allowance under the Hampshire County Council Members’ Allowances Scheme (section 33(2)(a)and (d)) or Members’ Allowances Scheme of another relevant Authority(section 33(2)(e)) from the provisions of sections 31(4)(a) and (b) of the Localism Act enabling all Members and Co-opted Members of the County Council to participate and vote in any business of the County Council where they would otherwise be prevented from doing so in consequence of being in receipt of a Member Allowance.
3
Minutes of previous meeting
To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting.
Attachments:
- Document Minutes of Previous Meeting 01 Jun 2026
Minutes
The Minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 17 March 2026 were agreed as a correct record.
4
Deputations
To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.
Minutes
No deputations were received at this meeting.
5
Chairman's Announcements
To receive any Chairman’s announcements.
Minutes
The Chairman welcomed Cllr Madgwick and Cllr Barrett to their first meeting of Cabinet but had no other announcements to make.
6
Local Government Re-organisation – Potential Legal Challenge
To consider a report of the Chief Executive providing an update on correspondence with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government following the decision on which proposal for Local Government Reorganisation to take forwards. The report also seeks Cabinet approval and delegation to commence legal proceedings to challenge the Secretary of State’s decision if counsel advises there is an arguable case.
Attachments:
- Document LGR potential legal challenge report 01 Jun 2026
- Document Decision record LGR legal challenge 11 Jun 2026
Minutes
Cabinet considered a report of the Chief Executive providing an update on correspondence with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government since the decision in respect of Local Government Reorganisation in Hampshire. The report sought a delegation to challenge the Secretary of State’s decision, should external legal advice indicate the County Council had an arguable case.
The Chairman noted that this decision was not a final decision regarding launching a legal challenge as it was subject to further legal advice. It was agreed that all group leaders would be kept informed of developments.
The Chairman indicated that the reason for taking this course of action was concern for the future sustainability of local government services. It was considered that the Government had not provided sufficient justification for the choice of which Local Government Reorganisation proposal to pursue, and that for a decision of such significance such justification should be provided. This was not intended to be a rejection of the need for local government reform, rather a preference that the way forward be reached by consensus based on an agreed economic model. It was considered to be in the public interest to challenge the decision, in order to ensure public services are sustainable in the future.
The recommendations in the report were considered and agreed unanimously by Cabinet Members in attendance. A Decision Record is attached to these minutes.
The Chairman noted that this decision was not a final decision regarding launching a legal challenge as it was subject to further legal advice. It was agreed that all group leaders would be kept informed of developments.
The Chairman indicated that the reason for taking this course of action was concern for the future sustainability of local government services. It was considered that the Government had not provided sufficient justification for the choice of which Local Government Reorganisation proposal to pursue, and that for a decision of such significance such justification should be provided. This was not intended to be a rejection of the need for local government reform, rather a preference that the way forward be reached by consensus based on an agreed economic model. It was considered to be in the public interest to challenge the decision, in order to ensure public services are sustainable in the future.
The recommendations in the report were considered and agreed unanimously by Cabinet Members in attendance. A Decision Record is attached to these minutes.
7
Devolution Update and Mayoral Combined County Authority Board Appointments
To consider a report of the Chief Executive providing an update on the establishment of the Hampshire and Solent Mayoral Combined County Authority, expected next steps and seeking Cabinet approval of appointments to the Hampshire and Solent Mayoral Combined County Authority Board (MCCA Board).
Attachments:
- Document MCCA update and Board Appointments report 01 Jun 2026
- Document 9 June Devolution Decision Record 11 Jun 2026
Minutes
Cabinet considered a report of the Chief Executive providing an update on the establishment of the Hampshire and Solent Mayoral Combined County Authority, expected next steps, and seeking appointments to the Hampshire and Solent Mayoral Combined County Authority Board (MCCA Board).
It was noted that at the time of publication of the agenda papers the Combined Authority had not been established, however it had since been legally formed. The Chairman welcomed that the Combined Authority had now been established and gave thanks to those involved in the process to date.
The recommendations in the report were considered and agreed unanimously by Cabinet Members in attendance. A Decision Record is attached to these minutes.
It was noted that at the time of publication of the agenda papers the Combined Authority had not been established, however it had since been legally formed. The Chairman welcomed that the Combined Authority had now been established and gave thanks to those involved in the process to date.
The recommendations in the report were considered and agreed unanimously by Cabinet Members in attendance. A Decision Record is attached to these minutes.
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