Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies.

It was noted that apologies had been received from Councillors M Bunday, Harris and Vaughan.

To authorise the signing of the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 20^th July, 2022 attached.

RESOLVED: that the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 20^th July 2022, be approved and signed as a correct record.

Matters especially brought forward by the Lord Mayor and the Leader.

Announcements from the Lord Mayor:

(i)  The Lord Mayor confirmed that she had now received the official Letters Patent dated by the Crown Office giving formal recognition of conferring the new Lord Mayor on the City.  Following this we await confirmation of when the Royal visit to the city would take place and in what format.

(ii)  The Lord Mayor expressed her thanks and gratitude to all those involved with the arrangements for this year’s commemorations on Remembrance Sunday.  She had received messages of appreciation from many people who attended who also enjoyed the knitted poppies that were on display.

(iii)  The Lord Mayor invited Council to stand for a minute’s silence in memory of HM The Queen, former Councillor Terry Streets and former Honorary Alderman and Leader of the Council Alec Samuels.

Announcements from the Leader:

(iv)  The Leader announced the following new appointments

Claire Edgar, Executive Director Wellbeing and Housing (DASS)

Mel Creighton, Executive Director Corporate Services (Section 151)

(v)  The Leader announced the following leaving the authority

Mary D’Arcy, Executive Director Communities, Culture and Homes

Janet King, Service Director – HR and OD

Steve Smith, Head of Stronger Communities, Neighbourhoods and Housing

To receive any requests for Deputations, Presentation of Petitions or Public Questions.

The Council received and noted the following deputations:-

(i)  Ms Ely Iles, Mencap – issues relating to the unadopted lane behind Portswood Road

(ii)  Mr Sam Thompson, Portswood Residents Gardens Conservation Area – relating to the Portswood Corridor proposals

(iii)  Ms Jenny Davies, Mrs Barbara Hancock and Ms Emma Rowe – regarding the deterioration of the Harefield bus service and the impact it has had on the community. 

Report of the Cabinet Member for Transport and District Regeneration providing an update on TCF (Transforming Cities Fund) programme seeking approval for delegation of decision to accept funding and implement scheme proposals.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Transport and District Regeneration providing an update on TCF (Transforming Cities Fund) programme seeking approval for delegation of decision to accept funding and implement scheme proposals.

RESOLVED:

(i)  To approve capital expenditure of £47.70M (£27.89M in 2022/23 and £19.81M in 2023/24) for all schemes within the programme, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

(ii)  To approve budget virements of £5.02M between schemes within the programme as detailed in paragraph 35 and set out in Appendix 2 and Appendix 3 of the report.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Change seeking approval of the Flexible Capital Receipts Strategy.

RESOLVED:

(i)  To approve the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy for 2022-23, as set out in Appendix 1 and comply with the Secretary of State’s Direction for the use of capital receipts to fund service reform and transformation;

(ii)  To approve an increase in the capital programme budget for 2022-23 of £1.20m, to reflect the capitalisation of the transformation activities to be funded by capital receipts under the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy, as set out at Appendix 1 of the report.

Report of the Chief Executive seeking approval to enter into the University of Southampton Civic University Agreement.

RESOLVED:

(i)  To endorses the University of Southampton Civic University Agreement, as appended at appendix 1 of the report.

(ii)  To delegated to the Chief Executive to agree minor amendments to the agreement, following consultation with the Leader of the Council.

Report of the Director of Legal and Business Services.  Under the Local Government (Members Allowance) (England) Regulations 2003, local authorities are required to have Independent Remuneration Panels for the purpose of reviewing their schemes of Members' allowances. Southampton City Council is required to review its scheme by 19 November 2022 at the latest and have regard to the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel before adoption of a new one.

Report of the Director of Legal and Business Services.  Under the Local Government (Members Allowance) (England) Regulations 2003, local authorities are required to have Independent Remuneration Panels for the purpose of reviewing their schemes of Members' allowances. Southampton City Council is required to review its scheme by 19 November 2022 at the latest and have regard to the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel before adoption of a new one.

It was agreed to modify the recommendations with a new (iii) recommendation, details below. 

RESOLVED:

(i)  After having regard to the recommendations of the Independent Renumeration Panel as set out in the Panel’s report, not to accept the recommendations except in respect of (a) the proposed dependant carer’s allowance and (b) to remove the members IT allowance and adopt a core Members Allowance Scheme based on the current scheme from 8th May 2023.

(ii)  To sincerely thank the members of the Independent Renumeration Panel for their work in reviewing the Members’ Allowance Scheme.

(iii)  To freeze Members’ Allowances in 2023/24. 

(a)  Moved by Councillor Guthrie

Southampton City Council notes that 1 in 4 adults and one child in six will experience a mental health problem in any year, mental ill health costs some £119 billion each year in England alone.  Southampton has higher proportions of GP registered patients with deprivation and severe mental illness than the England average, risk factors linked to poor mental health can include deprivation, poor physical health, loneliness, lack of social interaction and a range of other individual factors including social relationships.  People with severe mental illness in England die on average 15-20 years earlier than the general population and timely diagnosis, treatment and support can improve long term health and wellbeing.  The Covid-19 pandemic and the current pressure on the cost of living has put extra strain on people’s mental health, and this is likely to last for some time after.

This Council believes as a local authority we have a crucial role to play in improving the mental health of everyone in our community and tackling some of the widest and most entrenched inequalities in health.  Mental health should be a priority across all the local authority’s areas of responsibility.  All councillors, whether members of the Executive or Scrutiny and in our community and casework roles, can play a positive role in championing mental health on an individual and strategic basis.

This Council resolves to sign the Local Authorities’ Mental Health Challenge run by Centre for Mental Health, we have and will continue to commit to appointing an elected member as ‘mental health champion’ across the Council.  We will support the member champions to enable them to take on this role.

The Council will also continue to support positive mental health in our community, including in local schools, neighbourhoods and workplaces and continue to work on reducing inequalities in mental health in our community.  We will continue to work with local partners as a member of the Integrated Care System to offer effective support for people with mental health needs and tackle discrimination on the grounds of mental health in our community.  We will proactively listen to people of all ages and backgrounds about what they need for better mental health.

(b)  Moved by Councillor Shields

This Council notes the alarming consequences of the cost-of-living crisis, which has already seen many individuals and families in Southampton struggling to eat and is set to get worse.

This Council applauds the Labour administration’s timely initiative in co-convening a Southampton Cost of Living summit in October and requests that it continues to work with organisations, businesses, and other bodies across the city to find practical ways to support residents in greatest need.

This Council agrees that a key objective should be an end to food poverty in our city and we therefore commit to:

1.  Join other cities across the UK, including nearby Portsmouth, to declare Southampton a Right to Food City

2.  Build on the City Council’s child obesity strategy by taking steps  ...  view the full agenda text for item 44.

(a)  Councillor Guthrie moved and seconded by Councillor Goodfellow

(Originally tabled by the late Councillor Streets)

Southampton City Council notes that 1 in 4 adults and one child in six will experience a mental health problem in any year, mental ill health costs some £119 billion each year in England alone.  Southampton has higher proportions of GP registered patients with deprivation and severe mental illness than the England average, risk factors linked to poor mental health can include deprivation, poor physical health, loneliness, lack of social interaction and a range of other individual factors including social relationships.  People with severe mental illness in England die on average 15-20 years earlier than the general population and timely diagnosis, treatment and support can improve long term health and wellbeing.  The Covid-19 pandemic and the current pressure on the cost of living has put extra strain on people’s mental health, and this is likely to last for some time after.

This Council believes as a local authority we have a crucial role to play in improving the mental health of everyone in our community and tackling some of the widest and most entrenched inequalities in health.  Mental health should be a priority across all the local authority’s areas of responsibility.  All councillors, whether members of the Executive or Scrutiny and in our community and casework roles, can play a positive role in championing mental health on an individual and strategic basis.

This Council resolves to sign the Local Authorities’ Mental Health Challenge run by Centre for Mental Health, we have and will continue to commit to appointing an elected member as ‘mental health champion’ across the Council.  We will support the member champions to enable them to take on this role.

The Council will also continue to support positive mental health in our community, including in local schools, neighbourhoods and workplaces and continue to work on reducing inequalities in mental health in our community.  We will continue to work with local partners as a member of the Integrated Care System to offer effective support for people with mental health needs and tackle discrimination on the grounds of mental health in our community.  We will proactively listen to people of all ages and backgrounds about what they need for better mental health.

UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE MOTION WAS DECLARED CARRIED

RESOLVED: that the motion be approved. 

(b)  Councillor Shields moved and seconded by Councillor Margetts

This Council notes the alarming consequences of the cost-of-living crisis, which has already seen many individuals and families in Southampton struggling to eat and is set to get worse.

This Council applauds the Labour administration’s timely initiative in co-convening a Southampton Cost of Living summit in October and requests that it continues to work with organisations, businesses, and other bodies across the city to find practical ways to support residents in greatest need.

This Council agrees that a key objective should be an end to food poverty in our city and we therefore commit to:  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44.

Report of the Leader of the Council, detailing the successes of Southampton City Council since July.

The report of the Leader of the Council was submitted setting out the details of the business undertaken by the Executive.

The Leader and the Cabinet made statements and responded to questions.

The following questions were submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.1:-

1.  SEN Sector

Question from Councillor Guest to Councillor Paffey

QUESTION:  Will the Cabinet member commit to ensuring the support and resources are put in place to support the SEN sector and ensure their needs are catered for in Southampton?

ANSWER: The Labour administration is committed to ensuring that children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities receive the support they need. Members will be aware of the current proposals for the expansion and reconfiguration of the city’s special schools, a programme launched when we were previously in office to ensure the best educational opportunities and support possible for Southampton’s children. With all feasibility studies now complete, we anticipate bringing forward the next stage and going to full public consultation shortly.

Further work is ongoing to improve our offer for pupils with SEND in mainstream education, with the aim of developing consistent and inclusive provision across the city. This is in line with the Inclusion priority in the SEND, Education and Children’s Services strategies, and will include a bid to government for more investment in this area.

2.  Children’s Homes

Councillor Guthrie to Councillor Paffey

QUESTION: What are the Cabinet Member’s plans to ensure that the city’s children’s homes are adequately and sustainably staffed once they are completed and can care for children?

ANSWER: Recruiting the highest quality staff is a priority in ensuring our proposed children’s residential homes can improve outcomes for children in our care.

We plan to stagger the opening of children’s homes, allowing for the recruitment and establishment of teams in stages. This will avoid creating recruitment pressures in a short space of time, and will help to ensure sustainability of multiple homes.

Staff will be supported through therapeutic clinical supervision which will be available on a group and individual basis as required. The aim will be to establish stable, supported, and resilient teams across the homes.

Staff salaries have been benchmarked and we are confident that renumeration will be competitive and attractive in the current market. 

Finally, leadership is key to operating a successful children’s home and so the salary of the registered manager position will attract an experienced manager with an established track record for delivering excellent services to children. 

3.  Youth Offending

Councillor Vaughan to Councillor Renyard

QUESTION: First time offenders within Youth Offending are not having their cases heard for up to two to three years. Instead of going to court for one minimal crime, a young person can end up going to court for three of a more serious nature. Can the Cabinet Member advise what the administration is doing to resolve this issue?

ANSWER: We welcome your interest in the matter.

First time entrants (FTE) are children and young people who receive a youth  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45.

To consider any question of which notice has been given under Council Procedure Rule 11.2.

It was noted that no requests for Questions from Members to the Chairs of Committees or the Lord Mayor had been received.

To deal with any appointments to Committees, Sub-Committees or other bodies as required.

The following appointments were noted:

Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee:

Councillors Savage and Moulton to replace Councillors Furnell and Stead

Children’s and Families Scrutiny Panel:

Councillors Denness and Warwick Payne to replace Councillors McEwing and Windle

HOSP:

Councillor Shields to replace Councillor T Bunday

Scrutiny Inquiry Panel - Protecting, Preserving and Promoting The River Itchen in Southampton:

Councillors T Bunday, Cooper, Moulton, Savage and White

Licensing Committee Councillor Fitzhenry.

To note that there has been no use of the Call-In procedure since last reported to Council.

It was noted that there had been no use of the Call-In procedure since last reported to Council.