Agenda and minutes

Councillor Letts announced the cessation of industrial action following successful negotiations with the Unions over the pay cuts imposed on staff.   A proposed settlement will be balloted with Union members during the second week of September.  The new Administration looked forward to the return to normal working relations at the Council. 

Record of the decision making held on the 10^th and 17^th July 2012, attached.

The record of the Executive decision making held on the 10^th and 17^th July, 2012 were received and noted as a correct record. 

To deal with any executive appointments, as required.

Cabinet approved the removal of Councillor Whitbread from the Transport for South Hampshire Joint Committee and to replace him with Councillor Thorpe.  

Report of the Leader of the Council outlining the first 100 days of the Executive.

On consideration of the report of the Leader of the Council and having received representations from Members of the Council, Cabinet agreed:

(i)  to note the report

(ii)  that a revised Council Plan will be presented to Cabinet on 16^th October 2012 and to the full council meeting in November 2012 for consideration.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Efficiency and Improvement, seeking approval for the details of the new grant awards process including a timetable for applications and decisions, attached.

DECISION MADE: (Ref: CAB 12/13 8221)

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member forEfficiency and Improvement and having received representations from a voluntary sector organisation and a Member of the Council, Cabinet agreed the following:

(i)  To approve the process for the outcome-based Commissioned Grants Programme, including the key changes as set out in paragraph 6.

(ii)  To approve the list of outcomes grants are to be awarded against as set out in paragraphs 7-15.

(iii)  To approve that where appropriate, the council award longer term (2 or 3 year) grants from the grants to voluntary organisations budget from 2013/14, as set out in paragraphs 16-18.  These grants would take the form of 2 or 3 year funding agreements that would be subject to annual review in line with budget approvals.

(iv)  To approve in principle that a proportion of the grants to voluntary organisations budget is used for one-off, one year grants awarded against the same criteria and outcomes as the longer term grants, as set out in paragraph 19-20.

(v)  To propose a budget of £4,977,756 over three years (2013/14 to 2015/16) for grants to voluntary organisations, as set out in paragraph 21, subject to approval by Full Council at the annual Budget Setting meeting in February of each year.  Of this £1,777,345 would be the proposed budget in 2013/14. 

(vi)  To propose a tapered reduction of 6.8% each year for 2014/15 and 2015/16 as set out in paragraph 22, subject to approval by Full Council at the relevant annual Budget Setting meeting in February of each year.

(vii)  To approve that formal notice is given to existing grant recipients highlighting that any applications for grant funding for 2013/14 and beyond will be considered without reference to previous grants and their current funding relationship with the council will end on 31 March 2013, as set out in paragraphs 24-29.

(viii)  To agree amendments to the standard grant criteria as set out in paragraph 30.

(ix)  To discontinue the previous tapered reduction plan for Shopmobility to bring them in line with the new process, as set out in paragraph 31.

(x)  To note that the Dedicated Schools Grant contribution in the grants to voluntary organisations budget will be re-allocated to schools in April 2013 following the changes brought in by central government and therefore this funding will no longer be available, as set out in paragraph 32.

(xi)  To approve in principle the pooling of the council’s Community Chest budget with the NHS Health and Wellbeing grants budget and to explore alternative options for administration of the scheme, subject to consultation with community groups and the Trade Unions, as set out in paragraphs 33-39.

(xii)  To delegate authority to the Director of Environment and Economy, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Efficiency and Improvement, to implement changes to the Community Chest scheme following the consultation with community groups and the Trade Unions

(xiii)  To delegate authority to the Director of Environment and Economy, following consultation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Leisure Services, seeking approval of proposals an additional licensing scheme for houses in multiple occupation for public consultation, attached

DECISION MADE: (Ref: CAB 12/13 8652)

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Leisure Services and having received representations from a resident of the Polygon area, the Chair of the Southern Landlords Association and a Member of the Council, Cabinet agreed the following:

(i)  To approve the proposals for a Southampton Licensing Scheme for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) for public consultation, for twelve weeks from 3 September 2012 to 26 November 2012.

(ii)  To consider the outcome of the consultation at its meeting on 29 January 2013 and, if appropriate, designates the entire City as being subject to additional licensing, which will come into effect on 1 April 2013 and be phased over five years.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Leisure Services, seeking approval for an increase in charges to tenants for landlord controlled heating from September 2012, attached.

DECISION MADE: (Ref: CAB 12/13 8775)

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member forHousing and Leisure Services and having received representations from a local resident and Member of the Council, Cabinet agreed that charges to tenants for landlord controlled heating are increased by 18% from 1 October 2012.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services detailing the responses to the consultation process and seeking approval to proceed with a 6 week period of statutory consultation, attached.

DECISION MADE: (Ref: CAB 12/13 8713)

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Cabinet agreed the following:

(i)  To note the outcome of pre-statutory consultation as set out in Appendix 1 of this report.

(ii)  To authorise the publication of a statutory proposal to enlarge Springwell School from the 5th November 2012 by the addition of 8 places (one class group) in year R and continuing incrementally in subsequent years. This would have the effect of enlarging the school from 64 places currently to 120 places by September 2018.

(iii)  To delegate authority to the Director of Children’s Services and Learning, following consultation with the Head of Legal, HR and Democratic Services, to determine the final format and content of statutory Notices and publish proposals in accordance with the requirements of the Schools Standards and Frameworks Act 1998 and associated Regulations and Statutory Guidance.

(iv)  To add, in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules, a sum of £399,000 to the Children’s Services Capital Programme, for Springwell School expansion, funded from non ring fenced Department for Education Basic Need Grant.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Communities, detailing the Executive’s response to the Overview and Scrutiny Management’s inquiry into the Big Society, attached.

DECISION MADE: (Ref: CAB 12/13 8650)

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member forCommunities, Cabinet agreed the following:

(i)  To approve the highlighted recommendations from the OSMC Inquiry for implementation set out in Appendix 1.

(ii)  To approve engaging in initial discussion with Southampton Connect in relation to taking a lead role in coordinating, overseeing and monitoring outcomes for the city.

(iii)  To approve the statement of principles set out in Appendix 2.

(iv)  To delegate authority to the Director of Environment and Economy, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Communities, to do anything necessary to give effect to the recommendations contained in this report.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, seeking approval to spend the outstanding Section 106 commitments for Rail Time Bus Information on the new Real Time Information (RTI) Refresh contract, attached.

DECISION MADE: (Ref: CAB 12/13 8706)

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member forEnvironment and Transport, Cabinet agreed the following:

(i)  To approve, in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules, a variation of capital expenditure, an increase of £0.484m in the “Real Time Information Upgrade” capital scheme contained within the Environment and Transport Capital Programme, fully funded by Section 106 developer contributions.

(ii)  To approve, in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules, capital expenditure of £0.484m, phased £0.15m in 2012/13, £0.334m in 2013/14 for the “Real Time Information Upgrade” capital scheme contained within the Environment and Transport Capital Programme, fully funded by Section 106 developer contributions.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Leisure Services, seeking the commencement of energy saving measures and refurbishment works across the City, attached.

DECISION MADE: (Ref: CAB 12/13 8697)

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member forHousing and Leisure Services, Cabinet agreed the following:

(i)  To recommend that Council approve, in accordance with Finance Procedure Rules, the addition of £1,250,000 to the HRA Capital Programme for the installation of photo voltaic systems, funded by unused Direct Revenue Financing (DRF).

(ii)  Subject to Council approval of recommendation (i), to approve, in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules, expenditure of £1,250,000 in 2012/13 on the installation of photo voltaic systems.

(iii)  To approve, in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules, capital expenditure of £612,000 in 2012/13 on the external cladding of PRC houses, provision for this already exists in the unapproved section of the HRA Capital Programme.

(iv)  To approve, in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules, the virement of £600,000 from the Electrical Riser Programme to the Itchen View Estate Lift Programme.

(v)  To approve, in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules, additional expenditure of £600,000 in 2012/13 on the Itchen View Estate Lift Refurbishment Programme.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Leisure Services, seeking approval for the designation of Portswood Recreation Ground to become a Queen Elizabeth II field in trust, attached.

DECISION MADE: (Ref: CAB 12/13 8768)

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member forHousing and Leisure Services, Cabinet agreed the following:

(i)  To approve the entering of a non-charitable deed of designation with the National Playing Fields Association in relation to the Portswood Recreation Ground;

(ii)  To delegate authority to the Director of Environment and Economy in consultation with the Head of Legal, HR and Democratic Services to negotiate the terms of and finalise the non-charitable deed of designation, and undertake such actions necessary to give effect to this decision and the proposals contained within this report.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Resources, seeking approval for a draft local council tax support scheme for consultation, attached.

DECISION MADE: (Ref: CAB 12/13 8737)

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member forResources and having received representations from a Member of the Council, Cabinet agreed the following:

(i)  To note the Draft Council Tax Reduction Schemes (Default Scheme) Regulations (the Default Scheme Regulations) as issued by the Department for Communities and Local Government as set out in Appendix 1.

(ii)  To approve the draft Southampton City Council ‘Council Tax Support Scheme’ (the Default Scheme as set out in Appendix 1, with the variations and additions set out in Appendix 2) for the purpose of public consultation.

(iii)  To delegate authority to the Head of Finance and IT, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Resources, to do anything necessary to publish and consult on the draft Scheme as approved.

(iv)  To delegate authority to the Head of Finance and IT, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Resources, to amend the draft Scheme to take into account consultation responses received, Impact Assessments conducted by the Council or changes required to give effect to any new legal requirements or statutory guidance published in relation to Local Council Tax Support Schemes, prior to recommending a Scheme for approval by Council.

(v)  To note that it is proposed that a special meeting of Council will be arranged in January 2013 to agree the final scheme for implementation from 1 April 2013.

(vi)  To note the implementation timeline as set out in Appendix 5.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Resources seeking; approval to commence formal public consultation for the Community Infrastructure Levy Charging Schedule and the Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document; and following consultation to submit the Charging Schedule for Examination, attached.

DECISION MADE: (Ref: CAB 12/13 8774)

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member forResources, Cabinet agreed the following:

(i)  To approve the Draft Community Infrastructure Levy Charging Schedule and Implementation Guide (as set out in Appendix 1) for public consultation, with a charge of £90 per square metre for new residential development and £43 per square metre for retail development, and to delegate authority to the Senior Manager: Planning, Transport and Sustainability to carry out the necessary public consultation;

(ii)  To delegate authority to the Senior Manager of Planning Transport and Sustainability, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Resources, to make minor editing changes to the Charging Schedule and supporting evidence approved by the Cabinet prior to submission to the Secretary of State; provided these do not change the overall direction, shape or emphasis of the document and do not raise any significant new issues; and

(iii)  To delegate authority to the Senior Manager of Planning Transport and Sustainability to submit the Charging Schedule and supporting evidence for the Community Infrastructure Levy to the Planning Inspectorate for Examination.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Resources seeking approval for the disposal of land at 52-54 Segarth Lane, attached.

DECISION MADE: (Ref: CAB 12/13 8343)

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member forResources, Cabinet agreed the following:

(i)  To dispose of the rear garden land at 52-54 Seagarth Lane to the Hollybrook Infants school Trust at less than Best Consideration (nil consideration), as shown in appendix 1 - Plan V3337.

(ii)  To delegate authority to the Senior Manager for Property Procurement & Contract Management to agree any other terms as may be appropriate.

(iii)  To determine that, having had regard to the Children’s & Young People Plan, the rear garden area will contribute to the health and well-being of the children attending the school.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Leisure Services, seeking approval on the Townhill Park Regeneration Framework Financial Model, Delivery Framework; and funding for the implementation of Phase 1, attached.

DECISION MADE: (Ref: CAB 12/13 8615)

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Leisure Services and having received representations from local residents and Members of the Council, Cabinet agreed the following:

(i)  To approve the vision and themes of the Townhill Park Regeneration Framework based on the modified Central Park option and to delegate authority to the Director of Environment and Economy to finalise the Townhill Park Regeneration Framework following consultation with Head of Finance and IT (CFO) and the Cabinet Member for Housing and Leisure and Leader of the Council.

Note: A number of proposals contained in the Framework documents require further study and consultation and these studies and consultation may necessitate some changes to be made to the Framework.

(ii)  To approve in principle the redevelopment of Townhill Park in three phases with the following zones in each phase:

·  Phase 1 comprising zones 1, 33, 34, and 35

·  Phase 2 comprising zones 9, 11 (redevelopment), 12,19 20, 27 and  28

·  Phase 3 comprising zones 13, 14, 17, 24, 29, 30, and 25

including additional associated open space and highways improvements incorporated in the proposals and to delegate authority to the Director of Environment and Economy, following consultation with the Head of Finance and IT (CFO) and the Cabinet Member for Housing and Leisure, to amend Phases, to move or amend zones within phases, todecide the extent of improvements and when to implement the additional open spaces and highways improvements incorporated in the proposals.

Note Zone 33 is now proposed in Phase 1 and Zone 25 in Phase 3

Further public consultation is planned in the next couple of months with residents of Phase 1, prior to a firm decision on proposals for this site.

(iii)  To note that further consultation will be carried out, starting in August 2012, with residents affected in phase 1 , and residents affected by the proposed new road, and reported back to Cabinet

(iv)  To agree to recommend to Council that the HRA capital programme will fund the site preparation costs set out in this report, currently estimated at £11.8M, and to recommend that Council approve a virement of £10.5M from the uncommitted provision for Estate Regeneration, which exists in the HRA capital programme and business plan, and £1.3M from the uncommitted funding for affordable housing in the Housing GF capital programmeto establish a specific budget of £11.8M for Townhill Park, the phasing for which is set out in Appendix 1.

(v)  To note that the HRA will be required to incur further capital expenditure to acquire the 450 units of social housing, provision for which has been included in the 30 year HRA Business Plan projections for these proposals, but with the timing dependent on the final details of the development agreement and subject to future Cabinet/Council approvals.

(vi)  To note that the General Fund capital programme will be required to fund highways infrastructure, open space improvements and replacement community facilities where appropriate,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.