Agenda and minutes

To authorise the signing of the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 17^th July, 2019, attached.

RESOVLED: that the minutes of the meeting held on 17^th July 2019 be approved as a correct record.

Matters especially brought forward by the Mayor and the Leader.

(i)  The Mayor announced the death of former City Councillor and Leader of the Council, John Truscott.  He had served as a Ward Councillor from 1982 – 1996 and became Leader of the Council for six months during 1994 – 1995.  In addition the Mayor announced the death of Mr David Parrott who had served as an Independent School Admissions Panel Member for the Southampton Schools Appeal Service in a voluntary capacity since 1997.  Finally the Mayor announced the death of Leon Crouch, Former Chairman of Southampton Football Club.  As a mark of respect Council stood for a minute’s silence.

(ii)  The Mayor announce that he had recently attended an event in honour of the Round About Café who had received the Queens Award for volunteering.  It was noted that volunteers would be attending the November Council meeting to be presented with the Queens Award.

(iii)  The Mayor announced that Music in the City 2019 would be launched in the Mayors Parlour on Monday 23^rd September 2019.

(iv)  The Leader announced that the Council had been nominated in 3 categories at the Association for Public Service Excellence Annual Service Awards 2019.  In the Best Public/Private Partnership Working Initiative the Council came 1st alongside our colleagues Balfour Beatty for the work that had been achieved in “Shaping Southampton through Digital Excellence”.  In the Best Housing, Regeneration or New Build Initiative the Council came 2nd for the work achieved in Delivering a Safer Environment for Southampton City Council Residents and the final category of nomination was the Best Service Team: Highways, Winter Maintenance and Street Lighting Service were the Council came 2nd for Delivering Service Excellence throughout the most challenging of years.     

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

The Council received and noted a deputation from Honorary Alderman Dr Parvin Damani on Human Rights violations in Kashmir (how this has affected Southampton residents).

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.

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.  Pavement Parking

Question from Councillor S Galton to Councillor Rayment

The Pavement parking, especially in our district centres and around some of our schools, can be a hazard to pedestrians and make walking and cycling impossible in places. Why aren't you using the powers available to you to introduce TRO's, to allow the Council to then control and solve this problem?

Answer

While it is theoretically possible to implement footway parking bans, there is a cost to processing the Traffic Regulation Order and implementing the required signing. The Council would have to justify why it was doing this at some locations and not others and the overall cost of implementing a footway ban across the entire city would be prohibitive.

The Government’s Transport Committee is currently carrying out a further investigation into footway parking to identify a national solution. The latest information on this is available via the link below;

https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/transport-committee/inquiries/parliament-2017/pavement-parking-17-19/

Update – The Transport Committee published its report on Monday 9th September 2019.

https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/transport-committee/news-parliament-2017/pavement-parking-report-published-17-19/

2.  Annual Weed Control

Question from Councillor S Galton to Councillor Hammond

Answer

Due to some issues with the procurement of the contract, the contract for the weed spraying was not released on time and the first spray of the year was subsequently delayed.

The contract is in place for 3 years from May 2019 

Using underspends, we’ve employed temporary staff to prioritise and manually dig out weeds from the highways and footpaths to clear the backlog.

3.  District Heat Schemes

Councillor S Galton to Councillor Leggett

What importance do you place on installing district heat schemes in new Council housing developments?

Answer

All new Council housing developments are looked at individually and solutions are based on a case by case basis. For Townhill Park and Potters Court developments it was decided there was an environmental and business case to install communal or district heating to parts of the new development. As district heating normally feeds a number of properties using a single or a few heat generators it will reduce losses that would be experienced by each property having an individual heat generator.

4.  Impact on Local Air Quality

Councillor S Galton to Councillor Leggett

What initiatives have you introduced since becoming the Cabinet Member for Green City and what quantitative impact have they had on local air quality?

Answer

Verbal Response provided at the meeting.

It was not possible to deliver initiatives without support from other Cabinet Members and Officers.  The following initiatives have been achieved:-

·  October 2018, launched CitizEn Energy a not for profit energy company which has reduced the City’s carbon footprint by over 1500 tonnes in the last year:

·  Clean Air Strategy had been reviewed and refreshed and is now target driven and had received  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41.

(a)  Councillor Hammond to move:

Council notes that in 2017, our city became one of the first local authorities in the UK to pass a motion recognising that the world faced an environmental crisis and pledged to become carbon neutral by 2040.

Since then, over 200 councils have followed those trailblazing Councils and passed motions declaring climate emergencies. Council welcomes this movement, reiterates our established view that there is a climate emergency and celebrates action already taken by organisations across Southampton.

Earlier this year, the city council launched its bold and ambitious Green City Charter that goes above and beyond the UK government’s targets and commits this council to be carbon neutral by 2030. To reinforce this council’s commitment, £60M has already been allocated towards projects that support the ambitions of the Green City Charter. These projects are split across the council including; £36M improving our housing stock to become energy efficient, £9M on reducing road congestion, £8M in improving cycle ways, £3M investment in public transport and £4M on including improving our green spaces and investing in electric vehicles.

Council resolves that there is more to do, but is encouraged by the progress made to date including; reducing its carbon footprint by more than 50%, by the end of the year.

(b)  Councillor Guthrie to move:

This Council notes that the 75th anniversary of VE Day on 8th May 2020 is a time when many other local authorities, not just in Britain but around the world, will be holding their own events to mark the end of the Second World War in Europe.

Southampton played a unique role in the effort to defend the United Kingdom's freedom. As such, this Council commits itself to the organisation of a special event for the VE Day commemoration and will work with local armed forces veterans and charities to remember the sacrifices that finally brought peace to Europe in 1945.

This Council recognises that many of Southampton's residents are proud of their city's struggle to defend their future and will ensure that information on the event is widely distributed and that members are kept updated on its planning in a timely manner.

(c)  Councillor Keogh to move:

This Council recognises the extreme difficulties and challenges faced by our three Further Education colleges in this City as a result of the significant cuts to their budgets since 2010 and in particular the impact this has had on our two sixth form colleges.  Per student funding for sixth form students has been frozen at £4 000 since 2013 and the rate for  those over 18 was cut by a third in 2014 from £4 000 to £3 300.

This Council does recognise and welcomes the recent announcement by the chancellor of £400m of additional funding for further education in England, but this does go far enough to restore the cuts since 2010 and the detail has yet to be published.

This Council is aware of the recent Area Reviews that have sought to place  ...  view the full agenda text for item 42.

(a)  Councillor Hammond moved Councillor Leggett seconded.

  Council notes that in 2017, our city became one of the first local authorities in   the UK to pass a motion recognising that the world faced an environmental crisis and pledged to become carbon neutral by 2040.

  Since then, over 200 councils have followed those trailblazing Councils and   passed motions declaring climate emergencies. Council welcomes this   movement, reiterates our established view that there is a climate emergency   and celebrates action already taken by organisations across Southampton.

  Earlier this year, the city council launched its bold and ambitious Green City   Charter that goes above and beyond the UK government’s targets and   commits this council to be carbon neutral by 2030. To reinforce this council’s   commitment, £60M has already been allocated towards projects that support   the ambitions of the Green City Charter. These projects are split across the   council including; £36M improving our housing stock to become energy   efficient, £9M on reducing road congestion, £8M in improving cycle ways,   £3M investment in public transport and £4M on including improving our green   spaces and investing in electric vehicles.

Council resolves that there is more to do, but is encouraged by the progress made to date including; reducing its carbon footprint by more than 50%, by the end of the year.

UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE MOTION WAS DECLARED CARRIED.

RESOLVED: that the motion be approved.

(b)  Councillor Guthrie moved Councillor Kaur seconded.

This Council notes that the 75th anniversary of VE Day on 8th May 2020 is a time when many other local authorities, not just in Britain but around the world, will be holding their own events to mark the end of the Second World War in Europe.

Southampton played a unique role in the effort to defend the United Kingdom's freedom. As such, this Council commits itself to the organisation of a special event for the VE Day commemoration and will work with local armed forces veterans and charities to remember the sacrifices that finally brought peace to Europe in 1945.

This Council recognises that many of Southampton's residents are proud of their city's struggle to defend their future and will ensure that information on the event is widely distributed and that members are kept updated on its planning in a timely manner.

UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE MOTION WAS UNANIMOUSLY DECLARED CARRIED.

RESOLVED: that the motion be approved.

(c)  Amendment moved by Councillor Keogh and Councillor Savage seconded.

First paragraph, line 5 delete “a third” and replace with “17.5%

Second paragraph, line 3, after “does” insert “not”.

Final paragraph, line 6 delete “faculties” and replace “facilities”

Amended Motion to read:

“This Council recognises the extreme difficulties and challenges faced by our three Further Education colleges in this City as a result of the significant cuts to their budgets since 2010 and in particular the impact this has had on our two sixth form colleges.  Per student funding for sixth form students has been frozen at £4 000 since  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42.

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.

It was noted that the following Members had been appointed to the Reducing Childhood Obesity in Southampton Scrutiny Inquiry:-

Councillors McEwing, Coombs, Professor Margetts, Thomas, Harwood, Houghton and Vaughan.

Following interviews taking place on 16^th September, 2019 to approve the appointment of Executive Director, Finance and Commercialisation.

The Leader of the Council reported to Council that the Chief Officer Employment Panel met on the 16^th September 2019 for the role of Executive Director Finance and Commercialisation/S151 Officer and recommended to Council that the John Harrison be appointed to the permanent role.   

Council confirmed the appointment of John Harrison to the role. 

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.

The appendices 2 to 8 are 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 the public interest to disclose this because those appendices include details of a proposed transaction which, if disclosed prior to contract, could put the Council or other parties at commercial disadvantage. 

RESOLVED: Council moved 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.

Appendices 2 to 8 were 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 those appendices include details of a proposed transaction which, if disclosed prior to contract, could put the Council or other parties at commercial disadvantage. 

Report of the Leader of the Council on proposals for a mixed-use redevelopment of the Toys R Us site in Southampton.

Report of the Leader of the Council detailing proposals for a mixed-use redevelopment of the Toys R Us Site in Southampton.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution Council moved into confidential session to discuss appendices 2-8 of the report.

RESOLVED:

(i)  That the principles of the Commercial Terms set out in Confidential Appendix 4 of the report be endorsed;

(ii)  That following consultation with the Leader of the Council, the Director of Finance and Commercialisation and subject to receipt of a satisfactory S123 report, the Director of Growth be given delegated authority to finalise contractual terms as referred to in (i) above for the proposed transaction, together with any other legal agreements relating thereto so as to enable the development to proceed;

(iii)  That the Director of Legal and Governance be given delegated authority to enter into all legal documentation necessary to facilitate regeneration of the Toys R Us site (including funding arrangements and new head-leases) pursuant to terms of the Agreement referred to at (ii) above being met; and

(iv)  That the addition of £27M to the Leader’s portfolio in the Capital programme and the expenditure of £27M delivering the office element of the proposed scheme, as detailed in appendices to this report be approved which is to be funded by external borrowing.

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 report to the following Item.

The report and appendices are 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 doing so would reveal information that is both commercially sensitive and detrimental to the business affairs of the Council.

RESOLVED: Council moved 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.

The report and appendices were 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 doing so would reveal information that was both commercially sensitive and detrimental to the business affairs of the Council. 

Confidential report of the Chief Executive detailing a decision taken under delegated powers to purchase modular classroom.

Confidential report of the Chief Executive detailing a decision taken under delegated powers to purchase a modular classroom.

RESOLVED:

(i)  That the decision to award the McAvoy Group a contract to sell to the Authority a modular classroom at Great Oaks Academy be noted; and

(ii)  That the Lessons Learned report provided as Appendix 1 of the report and supported the proposed actions 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 report to the following Item.

The report 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 information because it includes information relating to the Authority’s own financial or business affairs.  Disclosing this information could invite a procurement challenge from the unsuccessful bidders which, although not likely to be valid, would delay the project.  It does not include information which is required to be registered under the Companies Act 1985, the Friendly Society Acts 1974 and 1992, the Industrial and Provident Societies Acts 1965-1978, the Building Societies Act 1986 or the Charities Act 1993 as such information will be in the public domain in any event.

RESOLVED: Council moved 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.

The report 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 includes information relating to the Authority’s own financial or business affairs.  Disclosing this information could invite a procurement challenge from the unsuccessful bidders which, although not likely to be valid, would delay the project.  It does not include information which was required to be registered under the Companies Act 1985, the Friendly Society Acts 1974 and 1992, the Industrial and Provident Societies Acts 1965-1978, the Building Societies Act 1986 or the Charities Act 1993 as such information would be in the public domain in any event.

Confidential report of the Cabinet Member for Resources seeking approval for additional funding to deliver the new client case management system and to outline changes to the implementation timeline.

RESOLVED:

(i)  That the revised project implementation date of November 2020 (from March 2020) be noted;

(ii)  That an increase to the project budget of £800,000 to provide additional resources to deliver the project according to the revised timescales be approved; and

(iii)  That authority be delegated to the Service Director Customer, Digital and Policy, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Resources, to make any necessary amendments to the project delivery plan, within the revised project budget.