Agenda item

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.  Parking

 

Question from Councillor Bogle to Councillor Moulton.

 

What evidence is there that free parking supports the local economy?

 

Answer

 

  Price affects demand. This is fundamental economic principle. The   Administration wants to do everything possible to support businesses   and the jobs they support as we come out of the COVID pandemic.   The hospitality and retail sectors are particularly vulnerable, and this   policy is principally aimed at supporting them.  

 

2.  Sustainable Travel

 

Question from Councillor Bogle to Councillor Moulton.

 

  What are the Cabinet Member’s plans for encouraging sustainable   travel options? 

 

Answer

 

  At the June 2021 Cabinet the administration committed to supporting   the development of an Enhanced Bus Partnership, a commitment to   supporting a step change in bus travel in the city.  

 

  SCC continues to support and deliver the Future Transport Zone programme working with the three other Solent Transport authorities.   This includes innovative projects delivering sustainable freight solutions   such as the Sustainable Distribution Centre as well as supporting   businesses with last mile delivery solutions including e-Cargo bikes. It   also includes developing improvements in integrated ticketing for public   transport and links to the development of local mobility hubs that will   provide communities with a range of mobility options including e-  vehicles, bike hire, e-scooters and parcel collection points.  

 

  The E-scooter trial is continuing to expand across the city and   work is underway to support further developments with the trial through to March 2022 in line with the Government’s national trial extension. 

 

  SCC continues to support and deliver travel planning for schools and workplaces along with supporting measures under the banner of My   Journey. This is further supported by the continuation of the Council’s   School Streets programme. The ETRO for existing School Streets is   being extended and work is underway with participating schools to   consider permanent options. 

 

  A raft of community led solutions are being developed including   ongoing work to improve the accessibility and safety of residential streets through the established Active Travel Zones, which will be expanded with additional focus on delivery of 20mph zones, where   there is strong community backing.  

 

Alongside a full review of the Transforming Cities Fund Programme, projects are being implemented such as the improvements on The Avenue and a number of TRO consultations now underway where we seek community feedback to inform final proposals.  

 

  Resources have been committed to develop a new plan for a mass   transit solution for the city, working with our partners Solent Transport,   Network Rail and the Train Operating Companies. 

 

3.  Transforming Cities

 

Question from Councillor Bogle to Councillor Moulton.

 

How much of the £57m Transforming Cities Fund allocation is under review?

 

Answer

 

  The complete Integrated Transport and Highways capital programmes,   which includes the SCC proportion of the Transporting Cities   Fund Dft grant (£39m) is under review.  

 

  Note – HCC is a partner in the TCF bid and £18m of the £57m total   award is allocated directly to HCC who have responsibility for decision   making and delivery of the TCF schemes within the Hampshire   highway authority area.  

 

4.  Speed Limits

 

Question from Councillor Bunday to Councillor Moulton.

 

  Can the Cabinet Member clarify the process for decision-making   regarding the introduction of 20mph speed limits?

 

  Answer

 

  The Council will engage with local communities about measures that   can support safer residential streets for all. This is successfully being delivered at present as part of the Active Travel Zones at St Denys, St   Mark’s and with new areas being supported with additional resource as   set out in the July mini-Budget, which will be supplemented where   possible with external grant.  

 

  We will be developing a process in the coming months that will support   new requests and aim to be reactive and agile to proposals where the   community can demonstrate strong support. This new guidance will   use best practice such as the processes set out in the consideration of   Resident Parking Schemes and as with any TRO, we will engage with   our statutory consultees such as the Police.  

 

5.  Green City

 

Question from Councillor Mitchell to Councillor S Galton.

 

Is the new Administration still committed to Southampton's Green City Charter and its aims?

 

Answer

 

The Green City Charter, in my opinion, was a really big missed opportunity when the previous Labour administration reneged on its commitment to fully consult and engage with all interested parties and ploughed on with its own agenda. I have some series concern over elements within it and like other inherited polices will be fully reviewing the best way to get the outcomes our City needs.

 

6.  Pollution

 

Question from Councillor Mitchell to Councillor S Galton.

 

  Is the new Administration still committed to reducing pollution and if so,   what are their plans for this?

 

  Answer

 

  We are fully committed to a greener, healthier City; as our mini budget   demonstrates. One of the biggest and best ways to reduce pollution   immediately has been to review and reverse the previous Labour run   Council’s plans for congestion (pollution) causing bus lanes on our   main arterial routes – something we have already delivered on.

 

 

7.  Waste Services

 

Question from Councillor Kataria to Councillor S Galton.

 

Is the Cabinet Member aware of the chaos in waste services?

 

Answer

As I have already written to the Cllr to state: “I have been shocked at what I’ve discovered since taking over the portfolio – as performance issues existed that I had not previously been made aware of; either as the shadow Cabinet Member or as the chair of OSMC.” Fixing the chaos we have inherited from the previous 9 years of a Labour administration is exactly what we are currently doing. Recycling rates especially have seen an alarming drop in recent years under the previous Labour run Council.

 

 

8.  Capita Service in-house

 

Question from Councillor Leggett to Councillor Harwood.

 

Does the Cabinet Member believe the Labour Administration were right to bring Capita back in-house?

 

Answer

 

I don’t hold a view on the decision the previous administration made.

 

 

9.  Southampton First

 

Question from Councillor Leggett to Councillor Harwood.

 

Will the new administration continue the Southampton First policy?

 

Answer

 

It hasn’t been a priority of the administration to review this.

 

 

10.Kentish Road

 

Question from Councillor Fielker to Councillor White.

 

Can the Cabinet Member assure Southampton's residents that they intend to keep Kentish Road and Holcroft House open? Will both facilities continue to be managed by staff directly employed by Southampton City Council?

 

Answer

 

The situation regarding these two services remains unchanged.

 

 

11.1000 Homes

 

Question from Councillor Kaur to Councillor Vassiliou.

Will the new administration still deliver 1000 quality, affordable, council homes by 2025?

 

Answer

 

This administration is more ambitious, and we are not limiting ourselves to 1000 homes. We would like to see thousands of new homes built for social housing by working with housing associations and partners.

 

 

12. Car Parking

 

Question from Councillor Kaur to Councillor Fitzhenry

 

By when will the new administration deliver on its commitment of 1000 car park spaces in our estates?

 

Answer

 

The finance for the delivery of 1,000 parking space in our estates is in place and has been agreed at this Cabinet Meeting. Officers are now working on the plan for delivery and we are aiming to deliver the majority of the spaces by April 2023

 

 

13.Feed the Future

 

Question from Councillor Paffey to Councillor J Baillie.

 

What is the new administration’s commitment to sustaining the Feed the Future scheme, which plays a key role in supporting healthy eating for some of the city’s most vulnerable children?

 

Answer

 

  The pilot scheme to provide free fruit, vegetables, and yoghurt to KS2 children began in September 2019 in 11 primary schools, but was paused due to COVID.  It restarted in September 2020 and was due to expand to a further 12 schools from January 2021 though due to COVID, only 17 schools took part.  We are now reviewing the scheme in advance of the next phase.

 

  As an administration we are committed to tackling child hunger in our city and as such have added an additional £150,000 in our budget to   fund this.

 

 

 

 

14.Childhood Obesity

 

Question from Councillor Margetts to Councillor J Baillie.  Councillor P Baillie to respond with verbal answer.

 

What support and commitment will the administration make to reducing inequalities in childhood obesity, following support at full council for the scrutiny report on childhood obesity in the city?

 

Answer

 

The implementation of the scrutiny inquiry recommendations (which are shown to be effective) are a starting point. The Administration will be looking at any other measures which may help to reduce obesity in children.

 

15.Universal Credit

 

Question from Councillor Shields to Councillor Vassiliou.

 

Does the new administration support the Conservative government’s removal of the £20 Universal Credit uplift that many Southampton families are relying on to survive?

 

Answer

 

The Conservative government has been fantastic in providing a variety of support measures to help people during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The £20 Universal Credit uplift was part of a package of temporary measures which also included the Furlough Scheme and support to businesses all of which saved many jobs, livelihoods and supported people in Southampton.

 

 

16.SureStart Centre

 

Question from Councillor Paffey to Councillor J Baillie

 

Given the essential role of our Sure Start centres for over 20 years, will the new administration commit to keeping all centres open?

 

Answer

 

  The administration has no plans to close any Sure Start centres.

 

17.Community Fund

 

Question from Councillor Paffey to Councillor J Baillie.  Councillor Vassiliou to respond.

 

How does the administration intend to spend the £500,000 community fund for children’s activities that it promised?

 

Answer

We have created a Community Fund of £500,000 which is going to be split in half to cover a two-year period as ‘seed funding projects’ for community groups and organisations wishing to provide activities and services to give young people something positive to do around the City.

It is envisaged that the majority of the fund will be made available for community groups and organisations to bid for money to the Council to assist with projects. We are currently working through the full detail on this and how it will work.

 

 

18.Outdoor Sports Centre

 

Question from Councillor Kaur to Councillor Hannides.

 

Can the Cabinet Member explain why they are pausing plans to redevelop Southampton Outdoor Sports Centre?

 

Answer

 

There are no plans to delay the scheme. Indeed, I am fully committed to improving the outdoor Sports Centre. The consultation period is expected to commence in the Summer, as originally intended. Before committing to a £17m project, it was appropriate to allow the newly appointed Cabinet to review the proposals before giving final approval. I would suggest the delay sits firmly with the Labour Group. It took the former Labour Administration 9 years to bring forward a scheme for the much-needed improvements.

 

NOTE:  In accordance with the Council’s Constitution and the allocated time for Council Questions (90 minutes) questions 19 and 20 that had been received on notice were not discussed as the allocated time period had elapsed.