Agenda and minutes

Apologies for Absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Smith.

To authorise the signing of the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 16^th September, 2015 attached.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Council meeting held on the 16^th September, 2015 be approved and signed as a correct record.

(i)  Minutes Silence

In an act of remembrance, Members observed a one minute silence in memory of the victims of the Paris terror attacks.

(ii)  Combined Authority Update

The Leader informed Council of the negotiations concerning the combined authority proposals. It was noted that a meeting to discuss the proposals had been held on the 17^th November with the Leaders of Council’s in Hampshire and the Secretary of State. The meeting had been positive with the proposals being generally supported. The Secretary of State had requested the Council’s to consider the areas of Housing and Governance within the bid further. A meeting of the Hants and IOW Local Government Association had been arranged for Friday 27^th November when those involved would seek to firm up the proposals. The Leader gave notice of an Extra-Ordinary Meeting of Council arranged for Wednesday 16^th December to discuss the proposals for Devolved Powers and Responsibilities.

The Council received and noted deputations from:

(i)  Mo Simmons concerning fuel poverty in Millbrook Towers together with a petition;

(ii)  Hayley Garner (Unison), Mark Wood (Unite) and Beatrice Papapietro concerning the Trade Union Bill; and

(iii)  Nick Chaffey and Sue Atkins concerning the protection of jobs and services in the City.

Report of the Leader detailing Executive Business for the last two months, 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 then submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.1

1.  Blacklisting

Question from Councillor Pope to Councillor Letts

On 7th October 2015, in the Consulting Association blacklisting cases at the High Court, construction firms* admitted that they had infringed workers’ rights to confidentiality, privacy, reputation and data protection, plus admitting defamation. Plus, they were ordered by the High Court in July 2015 to conduct comprehensive searches for evidence of blacklisting. Several of these firms have operated in Southampton, including on the Sea City Museum, the former Ordnance Survey site, and on Watermark West Quay.

What will this Council do to ensure that blacklisting was not and will not be conducted on the City’s construction sites? Will this include planning conditions and conditions in Employment and Skills Plans and S106 Agreements?

*The firms named were: Carillion, Balfour Beatty, Costain, Kier, Laing O’Rourke, Skanska, Sir Robert McAlpine, Vinci, Amec, BAM, Cleveland Bridge, Lend Lease"

Answer

The Council will use whatever binding contractual terms it can when negotiating contracts with suppliers to play its part in ensuring blacklisting does not happen.  It already forms part of the ethical procurement policy. It is unlikely in law this can extend to planning conditions, but subject to further consideration may be able to be included in employment and skills plans and s.106 agreements.

2.  Fuel poverty in Council blocks

Question from Councillor Pope to Councillor Payne

As of October 2015, tenants of this Council in blocks such as Millbrook Towers and Redbridge Towers are paying almost £1,000 a year for their heating alone, and in the Council's own words, "may still be suffering from fuel poverty". Despite this, there are no firm plans to improve the heating or insulation infrastructure. Would the Cabinet Member agree that this is an outrageous situation, and commit today to taking action to reduce such costs for tenants by half in this financial year and in every financial year? Can you also please explain why such infrastructure spending was in your Woolston ward first?

Answer

Residents at Millbrook Towers, along with all tenants on the citywide communal heating scheme, will receive a 2.5% reduction in their charges in the coming year. The Council aims to close the communal account in the future and provide all residents with modern energy supplies, their own bill and heating controls. To bring this about, the Council intends to continue its greening programme of Council housing beyond the CESP and ECO related projects already completed, proposed or underway.

The Council is awaiting guidance from Central Government on precisely what scheme will replace ECO in March 2017 and what funding opportunities will exist. Under ECO, greater grants could be secured and more benefit delivered to tenants in solid-wall concrete blocks such as those undergoing improvements, rather than  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56.

(a) Councillor Jeffery to move:

Council notes the positive contribution that our trade union colleagues make to the best possible delivery of public services in Southampton. Through partnership rather than conflict, trade unions represent their members, assist in the development of a safe and decent working environment, and add to the overall ethos of Southampton as an attractive place to work.

Council is alarmed at the way in which the Trade Union Bill seeks to tear up the collaboration between employers and trade union members, and the potential impact this will have on Southampton City Council, and many other workplaces across Southampton. The attacks on the right to strike, on the freedom of speech, and by making it more difficult for trade union members to pay their subscriptions are not just an attack on the trade union movement, but an attack on our fundamental rights in a democratic society.

Council therefore resolves the following:

• To continue to offer a “cheque-off” service - the ability of trade union members to have their subscriptions deducted at point of payment - to all members of staff at Southampton City Council, in spite of Government attempts to stop it. If this is not possible, to come up with a local plan to enable alternative methods of payment. 
• To support the continuation of Trade Union Facility Time, in recognition of its contribution to reduced litigation and a healthier and safer working environment, and in promoting a positive working environment. 
• To clearly reaffirm Southampton City Council’s commitment to being a friendly environment for trade unions, to welcome their development, and to work in partnership with trade unions, not in conflict. 

·  To issue a press release upholding Southampton City Council’s support for the trade union movement, and reflecting the aforementioned resolution.

(b) Councillor Mintoff to move:

This Council notes the current ongoing consultation by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service ‘Planning for a Safer Hampshire’ and the proposal within the document to reduce night time cover at Hightown Fire Station.

This Council believes that this will increase the risk to lives and property for the whole of the East of the City, containing some of the most deprived areas in the country, at a time of the day when people are most vulnerable to fire.

Council notes that similar reductions in night time cover are not proposed for the Cosham station in Portsmouth which deals with less critical incidents, covers a smaller population, and has fewer large risks such as BP Hamble, NATS and multiple high rise buildings on their station ground.

Council calls on the Leader of the Council to write to the Chief Fire Officer to raise these concerns and on our Fire Authority members to not support any proposal that leads to the reduction in night time cover at Hightown.

(c) Councillor Letts to move:

Council notes that in the last five years we have seen unprecedented cuts to our government grant and that the cuts to local government have been concentrated on urban  ...  view the full agenda text for item 57.

(a) Trade Union Bill

Councillor Jeffery moved and Councillor Hammond seconded:

“Council notes the positive contribution that our trade union colleagues make to the best possible delivery of public services in Southampton. Through partnership rather than conflict, trade unions represent their members, assist in the development of a safe and decent working environment, and add to the overall ethos of Southampton as an attractive place to work.

Council is alarmed at the way in which the Trade Union Bill seeks to tear up the collaboration between employers and trade union members, and the potential impact this will have on Southampton City Council, and many other workplaces across Southampton. The attacks on the right to strike, on the freedom of speech, and by making it more difficult for trade union members to pay their subscriptions are not just an attack on the trade union movement, but an attack on our fundamental rights in a democratic society.

Council therefore resolves the following:

• To continue to offer a “cheque-off” service - the ability of trade union members to have their subscriptions deducted at point of payment - to all members of staff at Southampton City Council, in spite of Government attempts to stop it. If this is not possible, to come up with a local plan to enable alternative methods of payment. 
• To support the continuation of Trade Union Facility Time, in recognition of its contribution to reduced litigation and a healthier and safer working environment, and in promoting a positive working environment. 
• To clearly reaffirm Southampton City Council’s commitment to being a friendly environment for trade unions, to welcome their development, and to work in partnership with trade unions, not in conflict. 

·  To issue a press release upholding Southampton City Council’s support for the trade union movement, and reflecting the aforementioned resolution”.

UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE MOTION WAS DECLARED CARRIED

RESOLVED that the motion be approved.

(b) Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service

Councillor Mintoff moved and Councillor Spicer seconded:

“This Council notes the current ongoing consultation by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service ‘Planning for a Safer Hampshire’ and the proposal within the document to reduce night time cover at Hightown Fire Station.

This Council believes that this will increase the risk to lives and property for the whole of the East of the City, containing some of the most deprived areas in the country, at a time of the day when people are most vulnerable to fire.

Council notes that similar reductions in night time cover are not proposed for the Cosham station in Portsmouth which deals with less critical incidents, covers a smaller population, and has fewer large risks such as BP Hamble, NATS and multiple high rise buildings on their station ground.

Council calls on the Leader of the Council to write to the Chief Fire Officer to raise these concerns and on our Fire Authority members to not support any proposal that leads to the reduction in night time cover at Hightown”.

UPON BEING PUT  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57.

It was noted that there were no questions to the Chairs of Committees or the Mayor.

It was noted that Councillor Jordan had replaced Councillor Mary Lloyd on the main Licensing Committee from 23 September 2015.

Report of Head of Legal and Democratic Services seeking approval of a revised Statement of Licensing Policy, attached.

The report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services was submitted seeking approval of a revised Statement of Licensing Policy.

RESOLVED that the revised Statement of Licensing Policy as set out in Appendix 2 to the report be approved.

The report of the Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Social Care was submitted outlining activity in relation to the range of statutory activities of the Council and its corporate parenting activity and the impact on outcomes for looked after children and care leavers.

RESOLVED That the contents of the report be noted as evidence that the care of Southampton’s looked after children is being robustly and appropriately monitored.

Report of the Chief Financial Officer and Cabinet Member for Finance detailing proposed changes to existing Revenue and Capital Budgets to incorporate changes to this and future years’ budgets, attached.

The report of the Chief Financial Officer and Cabinet Member for Finance was submitted detailing proposed changes to existing Revenue and Capital Budgets to incorporate changes to this and future years’ budgets.

RESOLVED

(i)  To note the current 2015/16 General Fund revenue position as detailed in paragraph 11.

(ii)  To note the Medium Term Financial Forecast will be further updated for the November budget report to Cabinet.

(iii)  Approve the savings proposals, as set out in Appendix 1 to this report and paragraph 16 to 23.

(iv)  Approve the use of reserves in 2015/16 to manage any potential shortfall in capital receipts resulting from timing delays of actual receipt as a result of complex land disposals as detailed in paragraph 22.

(v)  Note the remaining budget shortfall for 2016/17 to 2019/20 as set out in paragraphs 24 to 26.

(vi)  Delegate authority to the Chief Financial Officer to action all budget changes arising from the approved efficiencies, income and service reductions and incorporate any other approved amendments into the General Fund Estimates.

(vii)  Delegate authority to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance to do anything necessary to give effect to the recommendations in this report.

Report of the Chief Financial Officer providing an update on the Treasury Management Strategy and Prudential Limits that were approved by Council in February 2015, attached.

The report of the Chief Financial Officer was submitted providing an update on the Treasury Management Strategy and Prudential Limits that were approved by Council in February 2015.

RESOLVED

(i)  hat the current and forecast position with regards to these indicators be noted and that any changes be approved;

(ii)  that it be noted that the continued proactive approach to TM has led to reductions in borrowing costs and safeguarded investment income during the year;

(iii)  that the revised MRP policy made under delegated authority of the Chief Financial Officer which benefit the authority as set out in paragraphs 52 to 55 of the report be noted.

(iv)  that delegated authority continue to be granted to the Chief Financial Officer, Finance following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Resources 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 this strategy;

(v)  that the increase in the investment limits as detailed in paragraphs 35 of the report be approved;

(vi)  that the position with regard to the Authority’s Bond holding with Volkswagen Financial Services as detailed in paragraph 43 of the report be noted; and

(vii)  that the current position be noted regarding setting up the Local Authority Bonds Agency Ltd now known as the Municipal Bonds Agency (MBA) plc as set out in paragraph 24-29 of the report.

NOTE: Councillor Hammond declared a disclosable pecuniary Interest in the above matter, as an employee of a company with whom the Council had financial transactions and left the meeting during the consideration of the matter.

Report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services seeking amendment to the terms of reference of the Chief Officer Employment Sub-Committee (known as Chief Officer Employment Panel), attached.

The report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services was submitted seeking amendment to the terms of reference of the Chief Officer Employment Sub-Committee (known as Chief Officer Employment Panel).

RESOLVED

(i)  That the changes to the Terms of Reference of the Chief Officer Employment Sub-Committee as detailed in the report be approved; and

(ii)  that the Head of Legal and Democratic Services be authorised to finalise the changes as approved by Council and make any further consequential or minor changes arising from the decision of Council.