Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors Burke and Smith.

Director, Place, Stuart Love

The Mayor thanked Stuart Love for his work with the Council since his appointment as Director, Place in 2013. On behalf of all Members, the Mayor wished him well in his future career and in his new appointment at Westminster Council.

(i)  The Council received and noted a deputation together with a petition from Mr P. Williams and Mr S. Gould concerning the Library Service in Southampton; and

(ii)  The Council received and noted a deputation from Mr N. Chaffey concerning the Council Budget.

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 appendix to Agenda Item 5a.

Appendix 5 is confidential, the confidentiality of which is based on category 3 of paragraph 10.4 of Councils Access to Information Procedure Rules.  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 identify of 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 confidential appendix to Minute 78.

Appendix 5 is 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 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 identify of preferred developer and the figures associated with the land transaction are commercially sensitive).

(A) GENERAL FUND CAPITAL PROGRAMME 2014/15 TO 2017/18

(B) GENERAL FUND REVENUE BUDGET 2015/16 TO 2017/18

The reports of the Cabinet Member for Resources and Leisure were submitted seeking approval to the updated Capital Programme for 2014/15 - 2017/18 together with the latest estimated overall financial position on the General Fund Revenue Budget for 2015/16 - 2017/18 and outlining the main issues that needed to be addressed in considering the Cabinet’s budget proposals. The recommendations therein as amended by Executive Budget Resolution 2015/16 to comprise the Executive’s budget proposals were moved by Councillor Barnes-Andrews and seconded by Councillor Letts (copies of reports circulated with agenda and appended to signed minutes and a copy of the amended Executive Budget resolution as circulated at the meeting attached as Appendix 1 to these minutes).

The Council agreed to suspend Council Procedure Rules 14.2, 14.4, 14.5, 14.6, 14.7, 14.8, 14.9 and 16.2:-

(i) to enable the above items to be considered together;

(ii) to enable any amendments to be proposed, seconded and considered at the same time;

(iii) to enable any amendment to be re-introduced later into the meeting; and

(iv) to revise the time allowed for speakers as follows:-

Movers of motions - 10 minutes

Seconders - 5 minutes

Other Speakers - 4 minutes

Amendment moved by Councillor Hannides and seconded by Councillor Moulton:

“To amend the General Fund Budget by removing the £391,000 from the Medium Term Financial Reserve and instead placing it in General Fund Balances”.

UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE AMENDMENT WAS DECLARED LOST

UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE EXECUTIVE’S BUDGET PROPOSALS AS AMENDED WERE DECLARED CARRIED.

RESOLVED that the General Fund Capital Programme 2014/15 to 2017/18 and the General Fund Revenue Budget 2015/16 to 2017/18, as amended by Executive Budget Resolution 2015/16 (Appendix 1 to these minutes) be adopted.

NOTE: All members of the Council declared a pecuniary Interest in the above matter, as payers and setters of Council Tax, and remained in the meeting during the consideration of the matter.

NOTE - FOR THE AMENDMENT: Councillors Baillie, Claisse, Daunt, Fitzhenry, Galton, Hannides, B. Harris, L. Harris, Hecks, Inglis, O’Neill, Moulton, Norris, Painton, Parnell, Vassiliou and White

NOTE - AGAINST THE AMENDMENT: Councillors Barnes-Andrews, Mrs Blatchford, Bogle, Chaloner, Chamberlain, Coombs, Denness, Hammond, Jeffery, Kaur, Keogh, Letts, Lewzey, Lloyd, McEwing, Mintoff, Noon, Dr. Paffey, Payne, Pope, Rayment, Shields, Spicer, Stevens, Thorpe, Tucker and Whitbread

ABSTAINED – Councillors Morrell and Thomas

NOTE – FOR THE SUBSTANTIVE MOTION: Councillors Barnes-Andrews, Mrs Blatchford, Bogle, Chaloner, Chamberlain, Coombs, Denness, Hammond, Jeffery, Kaur, Keogh, Letts, Lewzey, Lloyd, McEwing, Mintoff, Noon, Dr. Paffey, Payne, Pope, Rayment, Shields, Spicer, Stevens, Thorpe, Tucker and Whitbread

NOTE – AGAINST THE SUBSTANTIVE MOTION: Councillors Baillie, Claisse, Daunt, Fitzhenry, Galton, Hannides, B. Harris, L. Harris, Hecks, Inglis, O’Neill, Morrell, Moulton, Norris, Painton, Parnell, Thomas, Vassiliou and White

Report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Sustainability seeking approval for the Housing Revenue Account budget proposals and long term business plan to be recommended to the budget setting Council meeting on 11 February 2015, attached.

The report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Sustainability was submitted seeking approval for the Housing Revenue Account budget proposals and long term business plan (copy of report circulated with agenda and appended to signed minutes).

RESOLVED:

(i)  that the Tenant Resources Group be thanked for their input to the capital and revenue budget setting process and their endorsement of the recommendations set out in the report be noted together with the broad support for the proposals received at the Tenants’ Winter Conference;

(ii)  that the following be approved to calculate the dwelling rent increase from 1 April 2015:

·  That the standard increase applied to all dwelling rents should be 2.2% (CPI plus 1.0%), as set out in paragraph 11 of the report, equivalent to an average increase of £1.84 per week; and

·  That dwelling specific adjustments should be made to give an additional increase in average rent levels of 1.3% (£1.09 per week), subject to the total increase from both elements not exceeding £10.00 per week for any individual property, as set out in paragraph 13 of the report;

(iii)  that based on the calculation set out in resolution (ii) above, it be approved that with effect from the 1 April 2015, the current average weekly dwelling rent figure of £83.92 should increase by 3.5%, which will equate to an average increase of £2.93 per week;

(iv)  that it be noted that the actual total increase in individual rents would vary by property, as explained in paragraph 14 of the report;

(v)  that it be noted that the following weekly service charges from 1 April 2015 based on a full cost recovery approach:

·  Digital TV £0.42 (unchanged from 2014/15)

·  Concierge £1.20 (unchanged from 2014/15)

·  Tower Block Warden £4.97 (unchanged from 2014/15);

(vi)  that it be noted the new cleaning charge for walk up blocks of £0.63 per week, which was introduced from July 2014, would also be unchanged from 1 April 2015;

(vii)  that it be noted the service charges for supported accommodation would continue at the rates approved in February 2013;

(viii)  that it be noted the charges for garages and parking spaces for 2015/16 will be increased by 1.2% in line with the increase in CPI;

(ix)  that the Housing Revenue Account Revenue Estimates as set out in  Appendix 1 to the report be approved;

(x)  that the addition of £12,272,000 to the Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme for a Provision of Social Housing Scheme, funded from retained ‘right to buy’ capital receipts (30%) and borrowing (70%), as set out in paragraphs 34 to 36 of the report, be approved;

(xi)  that the revised Housing Revenue Account 5 Year Capital Programme set out in Appendix 2 to the report be approved and the key variances and issues as set out in Appendix 3 to the report be noted;

(xii)  that the 30 year Business Plans for revenue and capital expenditure as set out in Appendices 4 and 5 to the report respectively be approved;

(xiii)  ...  view the full minutes text for item 79.

Report of the Chief Financial Officer regarding the Council’s proposed treasury management strategy for the coming year in relation to the Council’s cash flow, investment and borrowing, and the management of the numerous risks related to this activity, attached.

The report of the Chief Financial Officer was submitted regarding the Council’s proposed treasury management strategy for the coming year in relation to the Council’s cash flow, investment and borrowing, and the management of the numerous risks related to this activity (copy of report circulated with agenda and appended to signed minutes).

RESOLVED:

(i)  that the Council’s Treasury Management (TM) Strategy and Prudential Indicators for 2015/16, 2016/17 and 2017/18, as detailed within the report, be approved;

(ii)  that the 2015 Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Statement, as detailed in paragraphs 68 to 77 of the report, be approved;

(iii)  that the Annual Investment Strategy, as detailed in paragraphs 37 to 48 of the report, be approved;

(iv)  that it be noted that at the time of writing the report the recommendations in the Capital Programme Update report, had not been approved. The indicators in the report were based on the assumption that such recommendations would be approved, but should this not be the case, the Prudential Indicators may have to be recalculated; and

(v)  that delegated authority continue to be delegated to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Resources and Leisure, to approve any changes to the Prudential Indicators or borrowing limits that will aid good treasury management. Any amendments would be reported as part of quarterly financial and performance monitoring and in revisions to the TM Strategy.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Education and Change and the Cabinet Member for Resources and Leisure detailing the progress made in implementing the transformation programme, attached.   

The joint report of the Cabinet Member for Education and Change and the Cabinet Member for Resources and Leisure was submitted detailing the progress made in implementing the transformation programme (copy of report circulated with agenda and appended to signed minutes).

RESOLVED:

(i)  that the Outline Business Case set out in Section A of the report be approved;

(ii)  that the new operating model for the Council as set out in Section D of the report be endorsed;

(iii)  that the high level implementation plan set out in Appendix 1 to the report be approved;

(iv)  that it be noted that regular updates on the position and progress of the Transformation Programme would be provided to Cabinet and (by agreement with the Chair), Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee; and

(v)  that delegated authority be granted to the Chief Executive to take any further action necessary to give effect to the decisions of the Executive in relation to this matter.

Report on the urgent decision made by the Chief Executive on 30th November 2014 to approve the Safe City and Youth Justice Strategies, attached. 

The report on the urgent decision made by the Chief Executive on 30th November 2014 to approve the Safe City and Youth Justice Strategies was noted (copy of report circulated with the agenda and appended to signed minutes).