Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies.

It was noted that apologies had been received from Councillors Chaloner, Fuller, Spicer and Whitbread. 

Matters especially brought forward by the Mayor and the Leader.

(i)  The Mayor announced the death of former City Councillor and Mayor, John Martin who passed away in December, 2019.  He served as a Harefield Ward Councillor in the late 1980s and Mayor of the City in 1993.  As a mark of respect Council stood for a minute’s silence.

(ii)  The Mayor announced that he and Councillor Savage had completed a Charity Dive for Communicare in Southampton. 

(iii)  The Mayor congratulated the Chinese community on a successful New Year celebration which brought pride to the City. 

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

The Council received and noted the following Deputations:

(i)  Mr Jeremy Moulton and Ms Kerry Sullivan regarding the General Fund Capital Programme (St. Marks School); and

(ii)  Mr Nick Chaffey regarding alternative budget proposals. 

Report details the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for the period 2020/21 to 2022/23, and provides the detailed budget position for 2020/21 and information for later years for the General Fund and the Housing Revenue Account (HRA). The detailed Capital Programme for 2020/21 to 2024/25 is provided (including the HRA) and the Capital Strategy and Investment Strategy.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Resources detailing the revenue budget for 2020/21 and the Medium Term Financial Strategy for the period 2020/21 to 2022/23.  Providing detail to inform Council in Setting Council Tax and rents for 2020/21. 

The report of the Cabinet Member for Resources was submitted seeking approval to the Medium Term Financial Strategy 2020/21 to 2022/23, the Capital Programme for 2020/21 to 2022/23 and outlining the main issues that needed to be addressed in considering the Cabinet’s budget and Council Tax proposals. The recommendations therein as amended by Executive Budget Resolution 2020/21 to comprise the Executive’s budget proposals were moved by Councillor Barnes-Andrews and seconded by Councillor Hammond (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, 14.5, 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 - 20 minutes

Seconders - 10 minutes

Other Speakers - 4 minutes

Right of Reply (Executive only) – 10 minutes

With the consent of the Mayor, Honorary Alderman Vinson addressed the meeting.

Amendment moved by Councillor Hannides and seconded by Councillor Fitzhenry, attached as Appendix 2 to these minutes. 

UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE AMENDMENT WAS DECLARED LOST

NOTE – FOR THE AMENDMENT: Councillors J Baillie, P Baillie, Bell, G Galton, S Galton, Fitzhenry, Guthrie, Hannides, B. Harris, L. Harris, Harwood, Houghton, Laurent, Prior, Streets and White.

NOTE – AGAINST THE AMENDMENT: Councillors Barnes-Andrews, Mrs Blatchford, Bogle, Bunday, Coombs, Cooper, Fielker, Hammond, Kataria, Kaur, Keogh, Leggett, Margetts, McEwing, Mitchell, Noon, Paffey, Payne, Renyard, Rayment, Savage, Shields, Taggart, Thomas and Windle.

UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE SUBSTANTIVE MOTION AS AMENDED WAS DECLARED CARRIED

RESOLVED that the Medium Term Financial Strategy, Budget and Capital Programme 2020/21 to 2022/23, as amended by the Executive Budget Resolution 2020/21 (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.

Councillor Windle declared a personal interest and remained at the meeting to vote.    

NOTE – FOR THE SUBSTANTIVE MOTION: Councillors Barnes-Andrews, Mrs Blatchford, Bogle, Bunday, Coombs, Cooper, Fielker, Hammond, Kataria, Kaur, Keogh, Leggett, Margetts, McEwing, Mitchell, Noon, Paffey, Payne, Renyard, Rayment, Savage, Shields, Taggart, Thomas and Windle.

NOTE – ABSTAINED THE SUBSTANTIVE MOTION: Councillors J Baillie, P Baillie, Bell, G Galton, S Galton, Fitzhenry, Guthrie, Hannides, B. Harris, L. Harris, Harwood, Houghton, Laurent, Prior, Streets and White.

The report of the Leader of the Council detailing the Corporate Business Plan  setting out the key priorities of the Council over the next 5 years and specific actions which will deliver on these.

RESOLVED to approve the Corporate Business Plan 2020 – 2025, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report. 

Report of The (Acting) Returning Officer detailing the results of the UK Parliamentary Election held on 12^th December, 2019. 

The report of the (Acting) Returning Officer detailing the results of the UK Parliamentary Election held on Thursday 12^th December, 2019. 

RESOLVED to note the results of the UK Parliamentary Election held on 12^th December, 2019. 

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 exempt appendix to the following Item.

The appendix is considered to be exempt from general publication 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 it relates to the financial or business affairs of the Authority. 

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 referred to in minute number 70 below.

The appendix was considered to be exempt from general publication based on Category 3 of paragraph 10.4 of the Council’s Access to Information Procedure Rules.  It was not in the public interest to disclose this because it related to the financial or business affairs of the Authority. 

Report of the Cabinet Member for Resources seeking approval of a new corporate insurance programme from 1^st April, 2020. 

RESOLVED to approve the proposed new corporate insurance programme from 1st April as set out in Appendix 1 of the report.