Agenda and minutes

COUNCILLOR BURKE IN THE CHAIR

RESOLVED upon the motion of the Mayor (Councillor Burke) and seconded by the Sheriff (Councillor White), that the City of Southampton Award be presented to Roger Thornton and Trixie Neilson.

RESOLVED that Matt West be appointed as Southampton’s Children’s Poet Laureate

RESOLVED upon the motion of Councillor Baillie, seconded by Councillor Letts and supported by Councillor Turner, that Councillor White be elected to the Office of 791st Mayor of Southampton and Chair of the Council for the ensuing year.

The Mayor (Councillor White) then made and subscribed to the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

THE MAYOR (COUNCILLOR White) IN THE CHAIR

The Mayor announced that he would be supporting the Southampton Women’s Aid and would be setting aside money raised for a community chest.

RESOLVED upon the motion of Councillor Rayment, seconded by Councillor Claisse and supported by Councillor Vinson, that Councillor Blatchford be appointed the 576th Sheriff of the City of Southampton and Vice-Chair of the Council for the ensuing year.

The Sheriff (Councillor Blatchford) then made and subscribed to the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

1.  Vote of thanks to retiring Mayor

RESOLVED upon the motion of Councillor Barnes-Andrews, seconded by Councillor Smith and supported by Councillor Vinson, that the Council places on record its appreciation for the distinguished manner in which Councillor Burke had discharged the duties of the Mayor of the City during the period of his term of office.

RESOLVED that the Southampton Business Success Award be presented to Southampton Solent University

AT THE RECONVENED MEETING OF THE SOUTHAMPTON CITY COUNCIL HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, CIVIC CENTRE ON 15^th MAY, 2013

To receive any apologies.

Apologies were received from Councillor McEwing.

To authorise the signing of the minutes of the Council Meetings held on 20 March 2013 and 25^th April 2013, attached.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 20^th March, 2013 and 25^th April 2013 be approved and signed as a correct record.

Matters Arising

Cllr Moulton referred to the meeting of 25^th April and sought clarification as to the number of requests there had been to film as there was evidence to suggest conflicting information had been provided.  It was agreed that the Monitoring Officer would review this outside of the meeting and feedback to Cllr Moulton.

Matters especially brought forward by the Mayor.

The Mayor thanked all Members for their support in electing him as Mayor. In order for the meeting to run efficiently and effectively, he asked Members to keep in mind throughout the year the basic courtesies needed to be adhered to for this to happen; timeliness both in arriving at the meeting and when speaking; speaking to the point, and listening carefully to the arguments. He also asked Members to remember the courtesies they would like from members when they were speaking and to extend those to others. 

To elect a Leader of the Council for the ensuing year.  Following the election the Leader will announce membership of the Cabinet.

The nomination of Councillor Letts was moved and seconded.

UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE IT WAS:

RESOLVED that Councillor Letts be elected as Leader of the Council for the ensuing year.

Following his election as Leader, Councillor Letts informed the Council of his Cabinet and their Portfolio responsibilities.

Deputy Leader and Resources – Councillor Barnes Andrews

Health and Adult Services – Councillor Shields

Children’s Services - Councillor Bogle

Change and Communities – Councillor Rayment

Economic Development and Leisure - Councillor Tucker

Environment and Transport – Councillor Thorpe

Housing and Sustainability – Councillor Payne

The Leader then circulated details of the contents of each of the Portfolios and announced that these would be incorporated into the scheme of Executive Delegation in the Constitution (copy appended to signed minutes).

Report of theHead of Legal, HR and Democratic Services, seeking approval for changes to the City Council’s Constitution, attached.

The report of theHead of Legal, HR and Democratic Services, was submitted seeking approval for changes to the City Council’s Constitution (copy of report circulated with the agenda and appended to signed minutes).

RESOLVED:

(i)  that the changes to the Constitution as set out in the report be approved subject to the re-wording of Appendix 1; 4.1 last bullet point and Appendix 2, Executive Procedure Rules 2.7 being withdrawn at this time and revisited as part of proposed constitutional changes for 2014;

(ii)  that delegated authority be granted to the Head of Legal, HR and Democratic Services to finalise the arrangements as approved by Full Council and make any further consequential or minor changes arising from the decision(s) of Full Council;

(iii)  that the City Council’s Constitution, as amended, including the Officer Scheme of Delegation for the municipal year 2013/14 be approved;

(iv)  that the Head of Communities, Change and Partnership be designated s the Council’s Scrutiny Officer; and 

(v)  that the Head of Legal, HR and Democratic Services develop protocols between the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee and the Police and Crime Panel, the Health Overview and Scrutiny Panel, the Health and Wellbeing Board and the successor to Southampton Link.

RESOLVED that subject to certain decisions that may, from time to time be made by the Council, the following Committees, Sub-Committees and other bodies be appointed with the allocation of seats to political groups shown therein and they be delegated authority to act within their Terms of Reference.

(a) APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS

1)  Appointment to Committees / Sub-Committees and other Bodies NOT subject to political proportionality and therefore not included in the above calculations.

To approve the following dates for meetings of the Council in the 2013/14 Municipal Year:

17th July 2013

18th September 2013

20th November 2013

12th February 2014 (Budget)

19th March 2014

4th June 2014* - Date reflects current understanding of date of European Elections which will be combined with local elections.

RESOLVED that the following dates for meetings of the Council in the 2013/14 Municipal Year be approved:

17th July 2013

18th September 2013

20th November 2013

12th February 2014 (Budget)

19th March 2014

4^th June 2014 – Date reflects current understanding of date of European Elections which would be combined with Local Elections.

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

The following petition has been received containing 1,500 signatures.  Under the Council’s Procedure Rules it is a qualifying petition which must be debated at Council.

Title: Southampton Keep Our NHS Public

Government changes to the NHS give the Council increased responsibilities to safeguard public health. These changes provide a base for further privatisation of health services within our NHS.  Already private companies are heavily involved in delivering health services that were once NHS operated.  As residents of Southampton, we urge the Council to declare itself in favour of protecting and promoting the public provision of health services in Southampton.

We need the Council to explain to the petitioners, where in your preparations for these changes to our NHS the Council has recognised any thereat to it its public integrity and integration.  We have examined your documents as best we could.  We’ve attended meetings of the Council’s Health and Overview Scrutiny Panel and the Health and Wellbeing Boards, and we’ve seen the communication in Cityview. However, we can not find any clear expression that the Council is aware of the dangers highlighted in this petition.  The communications so far identify very well the health needs of Southampton and the services needed to meet them but, they don’t identify who will deliver the required services. This is a particular failing of the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

The joint Strategy document has only one clear reference to procurement, in Section 4.1 entitled Scope which states

“The focus of the joint work is on commissioning not on the integration of procurement processes.”

Yet, we believe, this is the area in which the Council will have least control, since procurement is hedged round with all kinds of obligations, especially those expressed in the recently issued Section 75 regulations.

We therefore have 3 urgent requests for the Council:

Ø  to revisit the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy taking account of these points;

Ø  to give the Council’s Health Overview and Scrutiny Panel the role of monitoring how the increased privatisation forced by regulations affect Southampton’s health provision in the coming years; and

Ø  require that the Panel detail its findings to Council every 6 months. 

We recognise that what we’re asking presents you with problems as recent Freedom of Information requests have been met with refusals to disclose on the grounds of commercial confidence.  Even so, we urge the Council to expose as much information as possible rather than allowing such arguments to obscure the transparency owed to us.

(i)  The Council received and noted a deputation from Maybush Residents Association and pupils from Newlands School – 20mph.

(ii)  The Council received and noted a deputation from Steve Squibb on behalf of Southampton against the Bedroom Tax. 

(iii)  The Council received and noted a petition having reached 1,500 signatures under the Council’s Procedure Rules regarding Government Changes to the NHS from Jane Freeland.

The Council agreed to suspend Council Procedure Rule 14.4 to enable flexibility in debate.

With the consent of the meeting, Councillor Shields altered and moved his motion and Councillor Pope seconded

“The Council notes the petition from Southampton Keep Our NHS Public / Southampton Defend NHS Group, and recognises the concern expressed in relation to the potential effect of the National Health Service (Procurement, Patient Choice and Competition) Regulations on service provision and delivery.

Council reaffirms its commitment to the policy on the NHS reforms agreed at its meeting of 20^th March

Council resolves:

• That the position set out in the petition that services available though the NHS should be delivered by NHS providers in preference to private providers be supported provided that the quality of patient safety is not compromised.
  
  
• That a letter be sent to local Members of Parliament seeking their support in encouraging commissioners of services provided to local people to ensure they are delivered by NHS providers wherever possible.

• That the Council will work closely with local NHS commissioners, neighbouring local authorities and the Local Government Association to promote and develop a high quality integrated care system in the Solent/ Wessex region based on democratically accountable public ownership. 

• That the Health Overview and Scrutiny Panel works with Healthwatch Southampton and other patient and user groups to monitor the impact of the implementation of the Health and Social Care Act 2012 on the development of local health services.”

With the consent of the meeting Councillor Vinson altered and moved an amendment seconded by Councillor Turner

First bullet point third line DELETE

“safety is not compromised”

INSERT

“care is always the overriding consideration”

Second Bullet point third line after ensure they are

INSERT

“available to be delivered by”

Third bullet point last line

DELETE

“Ownership”

REPLACE with

“Services”

AMENDED MOTION TO READ:

“The Council notes the petition from Southampton Keep Our NHS Public / Southampton Defend NHS Group, and recognises the concern expressed in relation to the potential effect of the National Health Service (Procurement, Patient Choice and Competition) Regulations on service provision and delivery.”

Council resolves:

• That the position set out in the petition that services available though the NHS should be delivered by NHS providers in preference to private providers be supported provided that the quality of patient care is always the overriding consideration;

• That a letter be sent to local Members of Parliament seeking their support in encouraging commissioners of services provided to localpeople to ensure they are available to be delivered by delivered by NHS providers wherever possible.

• That the Council will work closely with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

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 (copy of report circulated with agenda and appended to signed minutes).

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

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

1. Sea City Museum

Question from Councillor Keogh to Councillor Payne

What is the predicted payback period for the SeaCity Museum and does the recent good attendance for its first year suggest it is generating net revenue to repay the debt required to support its building?

Answer

The first year’s visitor numbers have been very encouraging. The aim is for SeaCity to cover its operational costs. It is not anticipated that surplus funds will be generated to accelerate the payback of borrowing.

2. St Mark’s School

Question from Councillor Moulton to Councillor Bogle

Can the Cabinet Member provide an update on Council efforts to resolve the damage caused by flooding at St Mark’s school last year?

Answer

  The works to the roof at St. Marks have been phased as follows:

·  The Authority was first notified of lead theft at the school in September 2012. The work to rectify this problem was completed in October 2012;

·  The Authority was notified of further lead theft in October 2012. These issues were rectified in November 2012;

·  The Authority took the decision to prevent the potential for further lead theft by replacing all vulnerable areas of lead on the school roof with an ubiflex solution (which has no resale value). It is anticipated that this work will be completed this month (May).

Repair of internal damage resulting from the water ingress into the property, together with the rectification of any remaining leaks (which classify as minor repairs) are the responsibility of the school, as set out in the Council’s Scheme for financing Schools.

3. Education Costs

Question from Councillor Moulton to Councillor Bogle

How much does the Cabinet Member think is an adequate sum to educate a child in a Southampton School?

Answer

The factors in the formula and the data for each school are defined by the Department for Education. 

Each Primary and Secondary school and Academy's budget share is calculated according to the Southampton funding formula. 

The funding unit value assigned to each factor is agreed locally by the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services following consultation with the Schools Forum.  Southampton’s formula is made up of ten factors

(a)  Councillor Furnell to move:

This Council believes that the introduction of 20mph zones across the City increases road safety for pedestrians.  We support the proposed introduction of a trial 20mph zone in the Maybush and Redbridge areas. If this pilot scheme proves a success then Council calls on the Executive to bring forward proposals for similar schemes in other parts of the City as and when resources allow.

(b)  Councillor Moulton to move:

This Council calls for a rethink of the Executive's plans to introduce new charges for residents parking schemes in the City. Council believe that in these difficult times we should be keeping costs down for residents and not lumbering them with new taxes. Council believes that first permits should remain free.

(c)  Councillor Hannides to move:

Following the resignation of former Cllr Richard Williams, this Council calls for his half a million pound 'slush fund' for Leader's pet projects to be returned to Council balances and that this money should then instead be used to either help protect existing services under threat of cuts or instead be put to use repairing the City's roads and pavements.

(d)  Councillor Morrell to move:

Further to the resolution of the Council concerning the under-occupation penalty (so-called ‘Bedroom Tax’), Southampton Council further resolves not to evict any tenant who goes into rent arrears because of the ‘Bedroom Tax’ and calls on other local social housing providers to do the same. This Council also calls on the next Government to scrap the ‘Bedroom Tax’ legislation and reimburse councils where debts have accrued through non-payment.

a)  20mph Zones

The Council agreed to suspend Council Procedure Rule 14.4 to enable flexibility in debate.

Councillor Furnell moved and Councillor Pope seconded

“This Council believes that the introduction of 20mph zones across the City increases road safety for pedestrians.  We support the proposed introduction of a trial 20mph zone in the Maybush and Redbridge areas. If this pilot scheme proves a success then Council calls on the Executive to bring forward proposals for similar schemes in other parts of the City as and when resources allow”.

Amendment moved by Councillor Moulton and seconded by Councillor Smith

Third line following Maybush and Redbridge areas ADD

“subject to support from local residents”.

DELETE the third sentence and REPLACE with the following

“Council also resolves to roll out further schemes across the city as a priority, where residents are supportive”.

AMENDED MOTION TO READ

This Council believes that the introduction of 20mph zones across the City increases road safety for pedestrians.  We support the proposed introduction of a trial 20mph zone in the Maybush and Redbridge areas subject to the support of local residents.  Council also resolves to roll out further schemes across the city as a priority, where residents are supportive.

With the consent of the meeting, Councillor Turner withdrew her amendment

UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE AMENDMENT WAS DECLARED LOST

UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE MOTION IN THE NAME OF COUNCILLOR FURNELL WAS DECLARED CARRIED

RESOLVED that the motion be approved.

b)  Charges for Residents Parking Schemes in the City

Councillor Moulton moved and Councillor Fitzhenry seconded

“This Council calls for a rethink of the Executive's plans to introduce new charges for residents parking schemes in the City. Council believe that in these difficult times we should be keeping costs down for residents and not lumbering them with new taxes. Council believes that first permits should remain free”.

UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE MOTION WAS DECLARED LOST

RESOLVED that the motion be not approved.

c)  Council Finances

Councillor Hannides moved and Councillor Moulton seconded

“Following the resignation of former Cllr Richard Williams, this Council calls for his half a million pound 'slush fund' for Leader's pet projects to be returned to Council balances and that this money should then instead be used to either help protect existing services under threat of cuts or instead be put to use repairing the City's roads and pavements”.

Amendment moved by Councillor Vinson and seconded by Councillor Turner

Forth Line DELETE

instead be

Fifth line INSERT

or to promote specific costed projects to generate employment.

AMENDED MOTION TO READ

Following the resignation of former Cllr Richard Williams, this Council calls for his half a million pound 'slush fund' for Leader's pet projects to be returned to Council balances and that this money should then instead be used to either help protect existing services under threat of cuts or be put to use repairing the City’s roads and pavements, or to promote specific costed projects to generate  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

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

It was noted that no questions to the Chairs of Committees or the Mayor had been received.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Leisure Services seeking approval for the phased rebuild of Erskine Court, attached.

The report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Leisure Services was submitted seeking approval for the phased rebuild of Erskine Court. (Copy of report circulated with the agenda and appended to the signed minutes).

RESOLVED that subject to obtaining Care and Specialist Supported Housing (CASSH) Grant of £2,7000,000 from the Homes and Communities Agency:-

1. acceptance of the CASSH grant to part fund the rebuild of Erskine Court be approved;
2. in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules, the addition of £9,800,000 to the HRA Capital Programme for the rebuild of Erskine Court funded by the CASSH grant, any available capital receipts and the balance from additional borrowing within the HRA Business Plan be approved; and
3. in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules, expenditure of £1,000,000 in 2013/14, £5,200,000 in 2014/15, and £3,600,000 in 2015/16 on the rebuild of Erskine Court be approved.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Resources, updating the Council’s Accommodation Strategy seeking approval to implement measures necessary to vacate Marland House, attached.

The report of the Cabinet Member for Resources was submitted updating the Council’s Accommodation Strategy and seeking approval to implement measures necessary to vacate Marland House. (Copy of report circulated with the agenda and appended to the signed minutes).

RESOLVED that the addition of up to £1.2m, if required, to the Resources Capital Programme, phased £1M in 2013/14 and £200k in 2014/15, to complete work necessary to enable vacation of Marland House, to be funded by Council Resources be approved.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport seeking approval for additional funding to be added to the Environment and Transport Capital Programme, attached.

The report of the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport was submitted seeking approval for additional funding to be added to the Environment and Transport Capital Programme. (Copy of report circulated with the agenda and appended to the signed minutes).

RESOLVED

1. That the award of £2,470,000 of Local Pinch Point funding from the Department for Transport (DfT) be accepted;
2. That the addition of £2,470,000 to the Environment and Transport Capital Programme funded from the DfT Local Pinch Point Fund Government Grant be approved;
3. That the addition of £410,000 to the Environment and Transport Capital Programme funded from the 2015/16 Itchen Bridge Maintenance Fund (Revenue) be approved;
4. That the addition of £400,000 to the Environment and Transport Capital Programme funded from the 2014/15 Local Transport Plan Government Grant be approved;
5. That capital variations to the Environment and Transport Capital Programme totalling £910,000 in 2013/14 as detailed in Appendix 3 of the report be approved;
6. That as part of the above recommendations, a major scheme called “Bridges to Prosperity” would be created in order to maintain the major bridges in the City with a total budget of £4,190,000 and that the funding and detailed project expenditure as set out in Appendices 1 and 2 of the report be noted;
7. That in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules, capital expenditure of £4,190,000 on the Bridges to Prosperity scheme with phasing of £1,590,000 in 2013/14, £2,190,000 in 2014/15, and £410,000 in 2015/16 be approved; and
8. That there was an obligation on the Council from DfT to cover any unbudgeted additional costs associated with the scheme be noted.

To move that in accordance with the Council’s Constitution, specifically the Access to Information Procedure Rules contained within the Constitution, the press and public be excluded from the meeting in respect of any consideration of the confidential appendixto the following Item

Confidential appendix 1 contains information deemed to be exempt from general publication based on Category 3 of paragraph 10.4 of the Council’s Access to Information Procedure Rules. In applying the public interest test, it is not in the public interest to disclose this because doing so would prejudice the authority’s ability to achieve best consideration for the disposal of land (the identity of the preferred developer and the figures associated with the land transaction are commercially sensitive).

RESOLVED: that in accordance with the Council’s Constitution, specifically the Access to Information procedure Rules contained within the Constitution, the press and public be excluded from the meeting in respect of any consideration of the appendix contained in the following report .

The appendix is considered to be confidential, the confidentiality of which is based on category 3 of paragraph 10.4 of the Council’s Access to Information Procedure Rules. 

It is not considered to be in the public interest to disclose this information because this appendix would prejudice the authority’s ability to achieve best consideration for the disposal of land (the identity of the preferred developer and the figures associated with the land transaction are commercially sensitive.

Report of the Leader of the Council regarding the new arts complex scheme, attached.

The report of the Leader was submitted regarding the new arts complex scheme.  (Copy of report circulated with the agenda and appended to the signed minutes).

RESOLVED

1. That additional funding, up to the sum set out in confidential Appendix 1, of the report to the existing Southampton New Arts Complex Scheme and an increase in the capital programme by up to this additional sum be approved;
2. That authority be delegated to the Chief Financial Officer, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Resources, authority to determine the most appropriate way of financing this sum; and
3. That the potential for increased costs on the Arts Shell Fit Out, as set out in confidential Appendix 1of the report be noted.

Report of the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee detailing the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee Annual Report 2012/13 in accordance with the Council’s Constitution, attached.

RESOLVED that the report of the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee detailing the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2012/2013 in accordance with the Council’s Constitution be noted.