Agenda and minutes

It was noted that following receipt of the temporary resignation of Councillor Chaloner from the Committee the Service Director – Legal and Business Operations, acting under delegated powers, had appointed Councillor Mitchell to replace him for the purposes of this meeting.  The Committee also noted the apologies from Councillor Vaughan.

The Committee considered a report from the Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Heritage detailing progress on the Townhill Park Estate Regeneration. 

Councillor Vassiliou, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Heritage, Steve Gibbs Governor at Townhill Park School, Kim Ayling Chair of SO18 Big Local and Barbara Hancock a volunteer at SO18 Big Local were in attendance and with the consent of the Chair, addressed the meeting.

RESOLVED that:

i)  the Committee are provided with information relating to:

a.  The number of people on Southampton’s housing waiting list who have indicated that they are interested in Shared Ownership.

b.  Whether the increase in Shared Ownership tenure properties at Townhill Park will decrease the overall number of Affordable Rent properties in Southampton.

c.  How the number and percentage of family homes (3 bedrooms +) for plots 2,9 and 10 has changed from the original proposals.

ii)  the Administration re-invigorates engagement with schools in the locality of Townhill Park and ensures that it gives due consideration to proposals to support the maintenance and growth of the schools moving forward.

iii)  the Cabinet Member looks at Hinkler Parade estate regeneration, and the tenure mix within the development, to help inform the approach at Townhill Park

iv)  for the benefit of the local community, the Administration:

a.  Publishes an indicative timetable for the future development of Townhill Park as soon as possible.

b.  Improves engagement with the local community.

The Committee considered a report from the Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Heritage detailing the proposed additional 1000 parking spaces in Southampton’s housing estates. 

Councillor Vassiliou, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Heritage, was in attendance and with the consent of the Chair addressed the meeting.

RESOLVED:

i)  That the Administration does not release information within the public domain on the siting of additional parking spaces until the list of sites are confirmed and shared with all Members;

ii)  That the Administration engages with local communities on greening and place making measures for the confirmed sites;

iii)  That the Committee are provided with an indicative timetable for the installation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure for the confirmed sites for additional car parking spaces;

iv)  That the Committee are provided with details on the schemes that have been slipped in the HRA Capital Programme to fund the additional parking spaces programme; and

v)  That the financial assumptions upon which the overall budget for the programme is based are circulated to the Committee (para 16).

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 confidential Annex in Appendix 4 to the following Item.

Confidential Annex in Appendix 4 contains information deemed to be exempt from general publication based on Category 3 of paragraph 10.4 of the Council’s Access to Information Procedure Rules.  This includes details of a proposed transaction which, if disclosed prior to contract, could put the Council or other parties at a commercial disadvantage.

The Chair 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 confidential Annex in Appendix 4 to the following Item.

Confidential Annex in Appendix 4 contains information deemed to be exempt from general publication based on Category 3 of paragraph 10.4 of the Council’s Access to Information Procedure Rules.  This includes details of a proposed transaction which, if disclosed prior to contract, could put the Council or other parties at a commercial disadvantage.

(a)  Carer Friendly Southampton

The Committee considered the briefing paper of the Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social care setting out the Administration’s response

to the Carer Friendly Southampton Scrutiny Inquiry’s recommendations.

Councillor White, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care was in attendance and with the consent of the Chair addressed the meeting. 

RESOLVED:

i)  That the Cabinet Member informs the Committee when the plans for unplanned breaks for carers would be finalised; and

ii)  That the issue returns to this Committee agenda in 6 months’ time to enable the Committee to scrutinise progress.

(b)  Joint Municipal Waste Strategy

The Committee considered the briefing paper of the Cabinet Member for Customer Service and Transformation providing information on the proposal for a twin-stream collection service for dry mixed recyclables and the reasons for its recommendation.  The paper also detailed the likely timeframe for SCC to begin collecting food waste for recycling

Councillor Fitzhenry, Leader of the Council was in attendance and with the consent of the Chair addressed the meeting. 

RESOLVED:

i)  That the Administration explores opportunities to pilot a food waste collection service in advance of the expected 2024 statutory duty;

ii)  That, when it was available, the Committee were provided with an overview of the communications plan that would support the proposed waste collection changes and the aspiration to transform recycling rates in the City;

iii)  That the Joint Municipal Waste Strategy returns to this Committee agenda in 6 months’ time to enable the Committee to review progress.

c) Integrated Transport and Highways Programme 2021/22 – approval to spend

The Committee considered the briefing paper of the Cabinet Member for Growth detailing projects and additional funding requirements set out in the integrated Transport and Highways Programme 2021/22. 

Councillor Moulton, Cabinet Member for Growth was present and with the consent of the Chair, addressed the meeting. 

The Committee discussed, in particular, an additional allocation of money to repair and improve Lordswood Close (unadopted road), how the decision to carry out this work was arrived at and how other unadopted roads across the City could be considered for such improvements.  It was agreed that the policy relating to such works should be taken to full Council for approval. 

d) Former Toys R Us Site – Commercial Terms

The Committee considered the briefing paper of the Cabinet Member for Growth detailing principal, commercial and financial terms and

entering into a new head lease over the former Toys R Us site on Western Esplanade.

In confidential session Councillor Moulton, Cabinet Member for Growth was present and with the consent of the Chair, addressed the meeting. 

During the discussion it was agreed that the Cabinet Member presents to the Committee the Administration’s vision for the Mayflower Quarter when it is developed.

The Committee noted the report of the Service Director – Legal and Business Operations enabling the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee to monitor and track progress on recommendations made to the Executive at previous meetings.