Agenda and minutes

To authorise the signing of the minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 20th May 2020 and Extraordinary Council Meeting held on 24th June 2020, attached.

RESOLVED: that the minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 21^st May and the Extra-ordinary Meeting held on 24^th June 2020 be approved and signed as a correct record.

Matters especially brought forward by the Mayor and the Leader.

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

The following petition has been received which under the Council’s Procedure Rules for qualifying petitions must be debated at Council:

On behalf of the hundreds of people that have contributed to this document, I urge Arts Council England and Southampton City Council to continue funding the critical elements of the theatre’s work: its producing of plays for and with the people of Southampton; its thoughtful support of emerging artists; and its wide-reaching and inclusive community and youth programmes. Whether that be through the ongoing support of the existing Trust or through the negotiations on new ‘ownership’.

The testimonies illustrate NST’s value locally in the community as well as its leading position in the national cultural landscape. Without NST, Southampton’s City of Culture bid will be worse off.  Please ensure all its work for the last 60 years isn’t lost.

The Council received and noted a deputation from Giles Sember, Executive Director of “Go Southampton” and Board Member Caroline Osman, of WJ French regarding the impact of Business Crime in Southampton. 

The Council received and debated the following Petition which under the Council’s Procedure Rules where qualifying petitions must be debated at Council was achieved:

(i)  Nuffield Southampton Theatres containing 1500 signatures.

Note:  Councillors P Baillie and Hannides declared a pecuniary interest and left the meeting for this item. 

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.  Unkempt Cemeteries

Question from Councillor S Galton to Councillor Hammond

Would the Leader commit to making this the last year anyone has to be met with unacceptably unkempt cemeteries; but especially on sensitive days such as Mother's Day or Father's Day when a far higher than normal number of visits will be made to pay respect.

Answer

The Bereavement Services team are acutely aware of the need to support our bereaved communities and families, particularly on significant days, by ensuring that our cemeteries are welcoming and well looked after.

This year, given the unprecedented situation created by the COVID 19 pandemic, the Council took the difficult decision to suspend non-essential work, which included in this case, grass cutting and routine work within our cemeteries, to redirect our resources to excavating additional graves during the pandemic.  This was not a decision taken lightly and we understand that for some the reduced level of upkeep will have caused distress, for which we are very sorry.

We have now undertaken a review and are taking actions to address, and bring our cemeteries back into the order that we all wish to maintain going forward. Grass cutting is therefore underway at Hollybrook, South Stoneham, St Mary Extra and Millbrook. As Councillors will understand, land maintenance within our cemeteries is a skilled and labour-intensive task, but one that is now back in train.

2.  Emergency Travel Schemes

Question from Councillor S Galton to Councillor Leggett

Could the Cabinet Member explain his thought process for the vast majority of emergency travel schemes being placed on our main arterial routes; rather than focusing on facilitating and encouraging active travel in our residential areas and implementing other schemes as the priority such as:

  •  "School streets"

  •  20mph speed limits in conjunction with other measures to   create "quiet" low traffic residential zones

  •  Using the emergency modal filter powers made available   to tackle long standing "rat run" issues

Answer

The Green transport Recovery Plan presents a range of measures to support the increase in active travel and help stop the spread of C-19 through measures that support social distancing. These have been programmed from the spring through to autumn 2020.

Early schemes implemented have been focused on corridors that provide vital links between main residential areas and major areas of employment such as the hospital, schools and leisure. This ensures the interventions are along routes where the propensity for active travel is greatest as identified in the Cycling Strategy (2017) but also crucially along corridors that are high frequency bus corridors where viable and sustainable alternatives to the bus are required for key workers and for the 30% of Southampton residents that don’t have access to a car. It is also important to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

(a)  Councillor Fitzhenry to move:

We would like to thank all our council staff, NHS staff, wider public sector colleagues and all those who have helped us as a city across the public, private and charity/third sector keep our city safe and protect lives during this pandemic.

Your efforts have saved lives and kept so many of us safe and we are eternally grateful for your efforts and your commitment.

Whilst we as politicians frequently disagree with one another, we are united in our wish to thank you and protect our residents and businesses.

Our city is a great city, its spirit is strong and whilst the impacts of this disease will affect us in difficult ways, we will move forward and create a better Southampton for the future.

(b)  Cllr Fuller to move:

This Council pledges to suspend all parking charges within the City until January 2021 at the earliest, to help protect jobs, to support local businesses and reduce the financial burden on our residents.

(c)  Cllr S Galton to move:

This Council notes the overwhelming public desire for at least some unrestricted access to the former Civil Service Sports Ground.

Council recognises the recent deputation from the Friends of the Field group asking for the same.

Council takes on board the majority of public comments to the pre-consultation and formal planning application process, asking for unrestrictive access.

Council acknowledges the supportive comments made during the planning meeting itself by a number of cross party Councillors and that the Chair made it clear they were only there to decide on the application before them, not create policy.

Council recognises the previous legal advice that has been provided to members.  The main concern being  any additional activities like dog walking or infrastructure such as bins and benches; do not interfere with the primary use of pitches for team games and recreational play.

As such Council resolves to,

Request the administration ensure the Council’s development plans for the site are altered to include a legally accessible pocket park, or other area of public accessible land, within the wider contained school development site, but separate from the main school site.

(d)  Cllr P Baillie to move:

The new cycle lanes in Hill Lane are ill thought out, will have a detrimental effect on pollution, on the local homes, on people wishing to use the common, and on Southampton’s attempt to economically recover from C19. Council thus calls on the Executive to remove these cycle lanes without delay.

(e)  Cllr P Baillie to move:

Repeated incursions of our green spaces are a blight for our local populations. After 8 years of Labour control, this Council urges the Executive to get a grip and ensure that our green open spaces are protected against such incursions.

(f)  Cllr P Baillie to move:

This Council appears to have been pursuing a policy of not replacing the strips in the road at junctions which detects traffic. This then prevents that junction from being ‘smart’, and causes  ...  view the full agenda text for item 18.

(a)  Councillor Fitzhenry moved Councillor Guthrie seconded

  We would like to thank all our council staff, NHS staff, wider public sector   colleagues and all those who have helped us as a city across the public,   private and charity/third sector keep our city safe and protect lives during this   pandemic.

  Your efforts have saved lives and kept so many of us safe and we are   eternally grateful for your efforts and your commitment.

  Whilst we as politicians frequently disagree with one another, we are united in   our wish to thank you and protect our residents and businesses.

  Our city is a great city, its spirit is strong and whilst the impacts of this disease   will affect us in difficult ways, we will move forward and create a better   Southampton for the future.

  UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE MOTION WAS DECLARED   CARRIED

  RESOLVED: that the motion be approved. 

(b)  Councillor Fuller moved and Councillor S Galton seconded

  This Council pledges to suspend all parking charges within the City until   January 2021 at the earliest, to help protect jobs, to support local businesses   and reduce the financial burden on our residents.

  UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE MOTION WAS DECLARED   LOST

  RESOLVED: that the motion be rejected.   

(c)  Councillor S Galton moved and Councillor G Galton seconded

This Council notes the overwhelming public desire for at least some unrestricted access to the former Civil Service Sports Ground.

Council recognises the recent deputation from the Friends of the Field group asking for the same.

Council takes on board the majority of public comments to the pre-consultation and formal planning application process, asking for unrestrictive access.

Council acknowledges the supportive comments made during the planning meeting itself by a number of cross party Councillors and that the Chair made it clear they were only there to decide on the application before them, not create policy.

Council recognises the previous legal advice that has been provided to members.  The main concern being  any additional activities like dog walking or infrastructure such as bins and benches; do not interfere with the primary use of pitches for team games and recreational play.

As such Council resolves to,

Request the administration ensure the Council’s development plans for the site are altered to include a legally accessible pocket park, or other area of public accessible land, within the wider contained school development site, but separate from the main school site.

  Amendment moved by Councillor Shields and seconded by Councillor   Paffey. 

Add new paragraph six:

“Council further recognises the current legal restrictions on the former Civil Service Sports Ground site resulting from:

a.  the conditions of the compulsory planning order (CPO) made by the Council in 2009 which designates the entirety of the site acquired for the purposes of a school playing field

b.  the change in planning use designation of the site in 2010 from private open space to school playing field.”

Final paragraph, second line, delete ‘altered’ and replace with ‘reviewed’

Third line, delete ‘within  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

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.

(a)  The Leader proposed and Councillor Rayment seconded the appointment of the Local Outbreak Engagement Board as a sub committee of Cabinet which would be responsible for strategic oversight of health protection regarding Covid-19 in Southampton.  Terms of Reference were shared with Members of Council and detailed below:-

SOUTHAMPTONCOVID-19 LOCAL OUTBREAK ENGAGEMENT BOARD

Terms of Reference

Objectives

The Southampton Covid-19 Local Outbreak Engagement Board will:

• Be the public face of Southampton City Council’s response in the event of an outbreak of COVID-19

·  Provide political oversight of ongoing development and delivery of the Southampton City Local Covid-19 Outbreak Control Plan, including:

·  Approving recommendations from the Health Protection Board for allocation of resources to support the effective delivery of the Plan

·  Lead engagement with local communities, advising on community engagement, including with vulnerable and/or higher risk communities of interest

·  Approve the communications strategy for the Local Outbreak Control Plan

·  Approve  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

Report of the Service Director Legal and Business Operations detailing a Constitutional Review relating to Council Questions, attached.

This item was withdrawn from the meeting.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Income Generation seeking approval of the Revenue and Capital Outturn for 2019-20.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Income Generation seeking approval of the Revenue and Capital Outturn for 2019-20.

RESOLVED:

General Revenue Fund

(i)  That the General Fund outturn for 2019/20 was a balanced position as outlined in paragraph 4 of the report and in paragraph 1 of appendix 1 be noted;

(ii)  That the performance of individual Portfolios in managing their budgets as set out in paragraphs 2 to 4 of appendix 1 and annex 1.1 of the report be noted;

(iii)  That budget carry-forward requests totalling £2.36M as outlined in paragraph 5 of appendix 1 and detailed in annex 1.2 of the report be agreed; and

(iv)  That the performance of the Property Investment Fund (PIF) as detailed in paragraphs 7 to 9 of appendix 1 and annex 1.3 of the report be noted.

Housing Revenue Account

(i)  That the HRA outturn for 2019/20 as outlined in paragraph 6 and paragraphs 18 and 19 of appendix 1 and annex 1.5 of the report be noted.

Capital Programme

(i)  That the actual capital spending in 2019/20 for the General Fund was £56.03M and for the HRA was £41.05M, as outlined in paragraphs 9 and 10 and detailed in paragraphs 2 to 4 of Appendix 2 of the report be noted;

(ii)  That the proposed capital financing in 2019/20 as shown in table 3 of Appendix 2 of the report be approved;

(iii)  That the addition of £0.54M to the Children & Learning programme in 2020/21 as detailed in annex 2.3 of the report be approved; and

(iv)  That the difference to the amended programme, allowing for slippage, re-phasing and amendments as outlined in the report and set out in table 4 of appendix 2 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 exempt appendices to the following Item

Confidential - Appendices: 2, 3 and 4 contains information deemed to be exempt from general publication based on Category 3 and 7(A) of paragraph 10.4 of the Council’s Access to Information Procedure Rules. In applying the public interest test this information has been deemed exempt from publication due to confidential sensitivity and confidentiality. It is not considered to be in the public interest to disclose this information. It would prejudice the Council’s ability to operate in a commercial environment and prejudice commercial relations with third parties.

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 exempt appendices to the following Item

Confidential - Appendices: 2, 3 and 4 contains information deemed to be exempt from general publication based on Category 3 and 7(A) of paragraph 10.4 of the Council’s Access to Information Procedure Rules. In applying the public interest test this information has been deemed exempt from publication due to confidential sensitivity and confidentiality. It is not considered to be in the public interest to disclose this information. It would prejudice the Council’s ability to operate in a commercial environment and prejudice commercial relations with third parties.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Culture and Homes seeking approval to progress the development and delivery of the council’s housing programme

Report of the Cabinet Member for Culture and Homes seeking approval to progress the development and delivery of the Council’s Housing Programme.

RESOLVED:

(i)  That a capital programme with a total scheme cost of £144m and expenditure of the programme within the Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme to deliver a programme of affordable council rented and shared ownership properties. To be funded from £83.9 loan finance paid through rental and sales income, £23,2m retained Right-to-Buy and grants plus £36.9m capital receipt from shared ownership sales be approved; and

(ii)  That the appropriation of land from the General Fund to the Housing Revenue Account as required in order to deliver the programme be approved.