Agenda and minutes

THE LORD MAYOR (COUNCILLOR LAURENT) IN THE CHAIR

RESOLVED: upon the motion of the Lord Mayor (Councillor Laurent) and seconded by the Sherriff (Councillor Shields), that the City of Southampton Award be presented to: -

David Hamilton

RESOLVED: upon the motion of Councillor Noon and seconded by Councillor Moulton, that Councillor Shields be elected to the Office of 802nd Mayor of Southampton and the 3^rd Lord Mayor of Southampton and Chair of the Council for the ensuing year.

The Lord Mayor (Councillor Shields) then made and subscribed to the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

THE LORD MAYOR (COUNCILLOR SHIELDS) IN THE CHAIR

The Lord Mayor announced that he would be supporting as his charities, Paintings in Hospitals, SoCo Music Project and Southampton National Park City Project.   

RESOLVED: upon the motion of Councillor P Baillie and seconded by Councillor Winning that Councillor J Baillie be appointed the 587th Sheriff of the City of Southampton and Vice-Chair of the Council for the ensuing year.

The Sheriff (Councillor J Baillie) then made and subscribed to the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

RESOLVED: upon the Motion of Councillor Beaurain and seconded by Councillor Fielker that the Council places on record that Councillor Laurent carried out the role of our historic 802^nd Mayor and 3rd Lord Mayor with distinction and with an unparalleled devotion to duty during the period of her office.

RESOLVED: that the Southampton Business Success Award be presented to The Environment Centre and South Hampshire College Group.

RESOLVED: that former Councillors A Bunday, McEwing, Fitzhenry, Paffey, Quadir, Mintoff and Ugwoeme be thanked for their service to the City during their period in office.

AT THE RECONVENED MEETING OF THE SOUTHAMPTON CITY COUNCIL HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, CIVIC CENTRE ON

15^th MAY 2024

To authorise the signing of the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 20^th March 2024, attached.

RESOLVED: that the minutes of the Council meeting held on 20th March 2024 be approved and signed as a correct record.

Matters especially brought forward by the Lord Mayor and the Leader.

Matters especially brought forward by the Lord Mayor and the Leader.

(i)  Appointments – New Councillors

The Lord Mayor thanked all Members for their support in electing him as the City’s 802nd Mayor and 3rd Lord Mayor and welcomed everyone back to the Council Chamber after the Local Elections.  The Lord Mayor also welcomed to the meeting those Councillors who were attending their first meeting together with those who had successfully defended their seats.

(ii)  New Microphone System

Members, you will be aware that we have new digital microphone system which is operated in the same way as the previous system by pressing the button on the right to speak which will show a red light and then by turning it off when you have finished speaking.  The system was finessed at our last Council meeting and has been working well since. Therefore, we are not expecting any technical difficulties today, however if we do please bear with us.  The new equipment has numerous other features such as allowing electronic voting which we will be looking to roll out of the forthcoming Municipal Year.

(iv)  Filming

The Lord Mayor announced that the meeting is open to being film and reminded those filming that the right to film is limited to the duration of the meeting and recording must cease when I close the meeting. Filming or recording was not permitted if the effect would be to interrupt or disturb the proceedings or if it was intrusive of a specific individual or individuals.  If in the Lord Mayor opinion this was occurring, it would not be permitted, and she would ask you to stop. Similarly, some members of the public attending the meeting may object to being filmed, photographed or recorded.  The Lord Mayor would be making those attending the meeting today aware and would ask those filming, to respect their wishes, and would expect that these were complied with. As was the case when Council met in the Guildhall the meeting is being live streamed.

(v)  Meeting Protocol

The Lord Mayor referred to the need for these meetings to run efficiently and effectively and asked Members to keep in mind through the year the basic courtesies we need to adhere to for this to happen: – timeliness both in arriving at the meeting and listening carefully to the speeches and arguments. The Lord Mayor further requested that Members remembered the courtesies they would like from members when speaking and for the benefit of the public Members remain in the seat allocated or if you wish to move, you give notice of your intention prior to the next meeting so that copies displayed in public areas could be amended.

(vi)  Mobile phones and electronic devices

The Lord Mayor reminded Members, wi-fi is available in the Council Chamber. The use of mobile electronic devices can therefore be used in the Chamber and in Committee Meetings.  The Lord Mayor urged Members to use their good sense and behave with courtesy, particularly  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

To elect a Leader of the Council for the ensuing year. Following the election the Leader will announce membership of the Cabinet.

The nomination of Councillor Fielker was moved and seconded.

RESOLVED: that in the absence of no other nominations Councillor Fielker be duly elected as Leader of the Council for the ensuing year.

Following her election as Leader, Councillor Fielker informed the Council of her Cabinet and their Portfolio responsibilities.

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services - Councillor Letts

Cabinet Member for Children & Learning - Councillor Winning

Cabinet Member for Compliance and Leisure - Councillor Kataria

Cabinet Member for Economic Development - Councillor Bogle

Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport - Councillor Keogh

Cabinet Member for Housing Operations - Councillor A Frampton

Cabinet Member for Adults and Health - Councillor Finn

Cabinet Member for Green City & Net Zero - Councillor Savage

Cabinet Member for Communities and Safer City - Councillor C Lambert

Report of the Director of Legal and Governance outlining the Annual Review of the Constitution.

Councillor Fielker moved the report of the Director Legal and Governance detailing the Annual Review of the Council’s Constitution and Councillor ????? seconded.

Amendment moved by Councillor P Baillie and seconded by Councillor ??????.

1. Chairman of OSMC should be from the opposition party holding most seats where possible.
2. Guidance should be sought from the LGA on the composition of OSMC to improve its democratic accountability.
3. Any Audit Committee should have either an Independent Chair or an opposition councillor as chair.
4. There should be two independent members of the Audit Committee.
5. The members of the panel should receive any necessary training in a timely manner.
6. No councillor should be a member of the Audit Committee who has been a member of the Executive within the preceding 24 months.
7. Regarding point iii on page 15 (page 1 of the report) – the words ‘consequential or’ to be removed.

UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE AMENDMENT IN THE NAME OF COUNCILLOR P BAILLIE WAS DECLARED LOST.

UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE REPORT IN THE NAME OF COUNCILLOR FIELKER WAS DECLARED CARRIED:

RESOLVED:

(i)  That the changes to the Constitution and associated arrangements as set out in this report be approved;

(ii)  That the Director of Legal and Governance be authorised to finalise the arrangements and wording to any revisions approved by Council and make any further consequential or minor changes arising from the decision; and

(iii)  That the City Council’s Constitution, as amended, including the Officer Scheme of Delegation, for the Municipal Year 2024-25 be approved.

A  Appointment of Members

The Leader to move that, subject to alterations as may from time to time be made by the Council, the necessary Committees, Sub-Committees and other bodies and external organisations be appointed by the Council with the number and allocation of seats to political groups as set out in a schedule to be tabled at the meeting.

B  Appointment of Chair

RESOLVED: that subject to certain decisions that may from time to time be made by the Council, the following Committees, Sub-Committees and other bodies be appointed with the allocation of seats to political groups shown therein and they be delegated authority to act within their Terms of Reference:

To approve the following dates for meetings of the Council in the 2024/25 Municipal Year.

31 July 2024

18 September 2024

27 November 2024

26 February 2025 (Budget)

26 March 2025

The Council amended and approved the following dates for meetings of the Council in the 2024/25 Municipal Year:

17 July 2024

18 September 2024

27 November 2024

26 February 2025 (Budget)

26 March 2025

?????? AGM

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

The Council received and noted the following deputation:

(i)  Future of Venny Playground – Nadia Ditta and Tony Twine

The Council noted that no petitions or public questions had been received.

Verbal report of the Leader of the Council. 

A verbal report of the Leader of the Council was given 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.  20mph limits on Hill Lane

Councillor Powell-Vaughan to Councillor Keogh

QUESTION: Why did the administration decide to reverse the 20mph limits on Hill Lane and Shirley High Street? And are there plans to increase speed limits on any other roads?  If so, which ones?

ANSWER:  The following verbal response was given at the meeting.

We all agree that the introduction of 20mph limits is one that we have all supported many times in this Chamber as it means are streets and roads are safer and more accessible. I think it is also important as we promised that when concerns are raised on particular roads as there were for Hill Lane and Shirley Road that we respond to those concerns and that is why we said that we would do a review.  We are concluding that review.  We will go ahead with bringing forward a Road Traffic Order to look whether or not we lift the speed limits on those two roads.  In answer to the other question, those are the only two roads at this time that we will be assessing and we have no plans at this time to look at any other roads at this time. 

2.  SEND Expansion Plan

Councillor J Baillie to Councillor Winning

QUESTION:  The SEND Expansion plan is now due to be paused after going back to finance. Can the cabinet member confirm how long this pause will be?

ANSWER: Cabinet have agreed funding for 278 school places as part of the SEND Expansion plan. Work is continuing with full designs being available in November 2024 at which point tenders will be put out.  £43m has been invested in these new places, ensuring that children with special education needs and disabilities have access to high quality learning and developmental places. This is a priority for myself as Cabinet Member and the Service and there is no expectation that there will be any pause on the programme as I think we all agree that the additional capacity is absolutely vital.  This is something I am really keen to see move forwards now and I look forward to it progressing.

3.  Waste Collection Update

Councillor Blackman to Councillor Fielker

QUESTION: When can Southampton residents expect a communication stating that the disruption to waste collections is over?

ANSWER:  The following verbal response was given at the meeting:

I am pleased to report that there have been significant improvements in both recycling and domestic waste collections.  Work continues to ensure this is sustained.  As I have said, collecting bins is a basic service we need to get right and I apologise to residents of those parts of the City which had been affected by the disruption. 

4.  Political leadership

Councillor P  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

It was noted that no motions had been received.

To consider any question of which notice has been given under Council Procedure Rule 11.2.

It was noted that there were no questions from Members to the Chairs of Committees

or the Lord Mayor.

Report of the Returning Officer detailing the results of the 2024 City Council and Police and Crime Commissioner Elections.

The report of the Returning Officer detailing the results of the Southampton City Council and Police and Crime Commissioner Elections on 2^nd May 2024 was noted.

Report of Cabinet Member for Communities and Leisure seeking approval to accept and authorise expenditure in relation to the next phase of Household Support Fund funding for 1 April 2024 to 30 September 2024 inclusive.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Safer City detailing the Household Support Fund:5 April – September 2024.

RESOLVED: That the Household Support Fund for the period 1

April 2024 to 30 September 2024 be accepted and approved.

The report of the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee detailing the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee Annual Report 2023/24 in accordance with the Council’s Constitution was noted.

It was noted that there had been one use of the Call-in Procedure since the previous update to Council.