Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies.

It was noted that apologies had been received from Councillors Guest, McEwing and J Payne. 

To authorise the signing of the minutes of the Extraordinary and Council Meetings held on 21^st July, 2021, attached.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Meetings held on 21^st July, 2021 be approved and signed as a correct record.

Matters especially brought forward by the Mayor and the Leader.

Announcements from the Mayor:

(i)  Afghan Refugees

Members, I would like to recognise the incredible contribution from staff across the council, working in partnership with colleagues from the NHS, voluntary sector and central government departments, in supporting a large group of Afghan evacuees who arrived in our city 3 weeks ago at very short notice as part of the Afghan resettlement scheme. Operation Warm Welcome has seen the council work tirelessly to support these families, who have come to the UK to start a new life. We are currently looking after our Afghan friends whilst more permanent arrangements are made to secure them accommodation in the UK.  It has been a truly heart-warming effort from many people across the council in supporting and caring for these individuals, and I know from the responses received they are incredibly grateful to the city council and other local organisations who are helping them.

(ii)  Death of Greg Gilbert

Members, it is with sadness I announce the recent passing of Greg Gilbert – front man for the Delays and an artist.  He is represented in the Art Gallery collection and his work is on show in the Art Gallery at the moment as part of a new exhibition.  I am pleased to say that a picture of it on display was sent to him when he was in the hospice so he did see it just before he died.  Council stood for a minute’s silence. 

(ii)  The Mayor reflected on events in the City over the past weeks many of which were returning following the pandemic restrictions, including the Southampton Boat Show, the ABP Southampton Marathon, Reclaim Festival, Music in the City and the Solent University graduation celebrations. 

Announcements from the Leader:

(i)  Change to Cabinet responsibilities

I’d like to formally announce a change in Cabinet responsibilities for Waste and Open Spaces (City Services) from Cllr Steve Galton to Cllr Rob Harwood.

(ii)   City of Culture Bid 2025

In addition, I’d like to take a moment to mention the City of Culture and send congratulations to staff and partner organisations from across Southampton who have helped us to secure a place in the final 8 of the UK City of Culture bid 2025. This is a fantastic achievement, having been up against 20 other bids, and secures our position in the next chapter of the process. City of culture status will bring huge benefits to our city and we wish everyone involved the very best of luck as we move forward with our bid.

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

It was noted that no deputations, petitions or public questions had been received. 

Report of the Leader of the Council, attached.

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.  Life Expectancy

Question from Councillor Fielker to Councillor Fitzhenry

The gap in life expectancy between the most and least deprived neighbourhoods in Southampton is almost 10 years.  Why then has your administration removed reducing this gap as a measure to success in your new corporate priorities?

Answer

The measures we chose for the plan, were selected on the basis that City Council activity had a substantial impact on the outcome/measure and the timeframe of the plan – ie 4 years, with a focus on change in the next 2.  The measure is obviously important, but not included in the Corporate Plan as life expectancy is a measure in the current Health and Wellbeing Strategy; Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2017-2025 (southampton.gov.uk). 

2.  Health in Planning

Question from Councillor Professor Margetts to Councillor White

What steps in the administration taking to include health as a factor in planning applications?

Answer

The issue of health and planning was referred to officers shortly after we took control of the Council and following advise it was decided that we would not pursue any planning policy changes. 

3.  Buses

Question from Councillor Bogle to Councillor Moulton

The Government’s National Bus Strategy requires bus usage to increase beyond pre-Covid levels.  Can the Cabinet Member detail what his plans are to achieve this in Southampton?

Answer

At Cabinet on 19 June 2021 it was agreed that developing an Enhanced Partnership was the most appropriate route for Southampton to increase bus patronage.  The first step of this will be the submission of a Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) that is going to Cabinet on 18 October before being submitted to the Department of Transport by the end of October.  This sets out the vision for how we, the bus operators and stakeholders will work together to achieve aims for bus usage, reliable journeys and passenger satisfaction.  Following the submission of the BSIP we will work and consult on the details of the Enhanced Partnership in advance of that coming into place in April 2022.  

4.  Universal Credit

Question from Councillor Dr Paffey to Councillor Vassiliou

Does the Cabinet Member accept that removing the £20 uplift of Universal Credit at the same time as the cost of living increases will have a detrimental effect on vulnerable families in Southampton?

Answer

The £20 Universal Credit uplift was part of the Government’s temporary support measures brought in during the Covid-19 pandemic. Now that the temporary uplift is coming to an end, our administration is bringing in policies which will help our City’s economy and support our residents to

Get Southampton Moving. Some of the other work we are doing includes:

•  The Government has recently announced a £500 M Household Support fund – we await further information  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

(a)  Councillor Fielker, seconder Councillor Margetts

Social Care Reform

Council notes the 10% rise in National Insurance tax by this Conservative Government will affect the working poor in Southampton the most. This comes as food and energy prices increase and cuts are being made to Universal Credit. Southampton families don’t deserve to be hit by this triple whammy.

Council further notes that the extra money raised by this hike in National Insurance will go mainly to the NHS and does little to support adults with disabilities, improve the pay of care workers, address the crisis of staff shortages or protect the savings and investments of people who need residential care. Small business owners will be disproportionately hit and local authority budgets will be expected to plug the gap between the care cap and actual cost.

This Council believes that reform of social care can only be fixed by a fairer taxation system and fair funding to local government.

Therefore, Council resolves to:

·  Commit to not cutting services in other areas that local residents rely on, to fill a gap made by government’s failure to effectively reform social care.

·  Call on government to guarantee to meet the costs of the social care cap, while making the taxation system fairer to reduce inequality.

·  Work with the LGA and others to lobby government to set out a programme which fundamentally reforms social care.

(b)  Councillor Renyard, seconder Councillor Bunday

Crime and Policing

Council expresses its concern at the level of crime and anti-social behaviour affecting our communities and the everyday lives of our residents who no longer feel safe in their homes and neighbourhoods.

Council condemns Government for being soft on crime and the causes of crime and regrets how austerity measures have put a strain on local policing, which has had a negative impact for Southampton people.

Council believes Southampton residents are not getting value for money on policing and deserve better, and we therefore call on Government and the newly elected Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner to:

·  Ensure Southampton residents get their fair share of necessary funding and resources needed to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour on our streets.

·  Provide policing levels that go higher than pre-2010 numbers, and therefore, not just replacing police officers lost by this Government’s previous police cuts.

·  Value neighbourhood policing and work more closely with Southampton City Council, to bring forward a plan for ‘Police Hubs’ across the entire city (starting with the one being proposed for Bitterne), so that policing can be brought closer to our local communities again.

a)  Councillor Fielker moved and Councillor Margetts seconded

 Social Care Reform

Council notes the 10% rise in National Insurance tax by this Conservative Government will affect the working poor in Southampton the most. This comes as food and energy prices increase and cuts are being made to Universal Credit. Southampton families don’t deserve to be hit by this triple whammy.

Council further notes that the extra money raised by this hike in National Insurance will go mainly to the NHS and does little to support adults with disabilities, improve the pay of care workers, address the crisis of staff shortages or protect the savings and investments of people who need residential care. Small business owners will be disproportionately hit and local authority budgets will be expected to plug the gap between the care cap and actual cost.

This Council believes that reform of social care can only be fixed by a fairer taxation system and fair funding to local government.

Therefore, Council resolves to: 

•  Commit to not cutting services in other areas that local residents rely on, to fill a gap made by government’s failure to effectively reform social care. 

•  Call on government to guarantee to meet the costs of the social care cap, while making the taxation system fairer to reduce inequality.

•  Work with the LGA and others to lobby government to set out a programme which fundamentally reforms social care.

UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE MOTION WAS DECLARED LOST.

RESOLVED: that the motion be rejected. 

b)  Councillor Renyard moved and Councillor Bunday seconded

Crime and Policing

Council expresses its concern at the level of crime and anti-social behaviour affecting our communities and the everyday lives of our residents who no longer feel safe in their homes and neighbourhoods.

Council condemns Government for being soft on crime and the causes of crime, and regrets how austerity measures have put a strain on local policing, which has had a negative impact for Southampton people.

Council believes Southampton residents are not getting value for money on policing and deserve better, and we therefore call on Government and the newly elected Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner to:

·  Ensure Southampton residents get their fair share of necessary funding and resources needed to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour on our streets.

·  Provide policing levels that go higher than pre-2010 numbers, and therefore, not just replacing police officers lost by this Government’s previous police cuts.

·  Value neighbourhood policing and work more closely with Southampton City Council, to bring forward a plan for ‘Police Hubs’ across the entire city (starting with the one being proposed for Bitterne), so that policing can be brought closer to our local communities again.

Amendment moved by Councillor Vassiliou and Councillor Moulton seconded:

Paragraph 1, first line, delete ‘expresses its concern’ and replace with ‘is concerned’

Paragraph 1, second line, delete ‘who no longer feel safe in their homes and neighbourhoods.’ 

Paragraph 2,delete all ‘Council condemns Government for being soft on crime and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.

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 Mayor had been received. 

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

Council noted that the following Members had been appointed to “Accessible Southampton” Scrutiny Inquiry Panel:-

Councillors Coombs, Guest, Rayment, Streets and Vaughan.

Council also noted that Councillor Renyard would be replaced on Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee by Councillor Kaur. 

Report of the Leader of the Council setting out the Council’s commitment to the delivery of a statutory Local Government Boundary Commission – Electoral Review. 

Report of the Leader of the Council setting out the Council’s commitment to the delivery of a statutory Local Government Boundary Commission Electoral Review. 

RESOLVED:

(i)  That Council resolves Option B:

That the Council consultation submission to the Boundary Commission recommends that the Council increases its size with additional Councillors (51 in total across 17 wards – an increase of 1 ward).

(ii)  That Council resolves to maintain its current electoral cycle of elections by thirds following the commencement of the electoral review from 2024 onwards. 

Report of the Leader of the Council, seeking Council approval to bid for Lord Mayoralty status as part of Her Majesty The Queen's Civic Honours Competition 2022 and Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Report of the Leader of the Council, seeking Council approval to bid for Lord Mayoralty status as part of Her Majesty The Queen’s Civic Honours Competition 2022 and Platinum Jubilee celebrations. 

RESOLVED that the Council bids for Lord Mayoralty status as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year celebrations, to cement our status as a destination city of historic and cultural significance and to:

·  Coincide with the celebration of Southampton’s 800^th Mayor in 2022

·  Complement our City of Culture 2025 bid.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Heritage seeking approval of recommendations for the future procurement of Housing Related Support for young people, young parents and single vulnerable adults. 

Report of the Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Heritage seeking approval of recommendations for the future procurement of Housing Related Support for young people, young parents and single vulnerable adults.

RESOLVED subject to approval of Cabinet recommendations (i) – (iii) set out in the report, to agree to the procurement of a range of HRS services for young people, young parents and vulnerable single adults.  This is for a maximum period of seven years (4 years initially with option to extend for two further periods of 2 years and 1 year) and a total value from existing budgets of up to £3.66m per annum (£25.62m for the 7 year period).

RECORDED VOTE:

ABSTAINED: Councillors Bogle, Bunday, Chaloner, Coombs, Cooper, Denness, Fielker, Hammond, Kataria, Kaur, Margetts, Mitchell, Noon, Paffey, W Payne, Rayment, Renyard, Savage, Shields, Spicer and Windle. 

Report of the Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Heritage detailing proposals for the recommissioning of Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse services in Southampton.

Report withdrawn from the agenda following the approved change in Financial Procedure Rules, there was no decision for Council to take.