Agenda item
Motions
(a) Moved by Councillor Windle
Southampton City Council notes the important role local assets play in thriving communities and understands that these venues can take various forms, ranging from community centres and pubs to cinemas and music venues.
Further notes that over recent years the decline of high streets together with the UK’s poor economic growth has meant our communities are losing the assets that we all find important, with many vital assets left empty and vacant – ultimately becoming an eyesore.
The Council welcomes the news of the UK Government’s plans to strengthen a Community Right to Buy and its commitment to strengthen the powers available to communities, including a first refusal on a wider range of assets of community value, as well as doubling the time period for communities to raise finance to buy Assets of Community Value from six months to twelve.
This Council celebrates the role that local people have played in saving and breathing new life into once forgotten venues through schemes such as Assets of Community Value and commits to supporting further work to ensure these processes are as accessible as possible.
Southampton City Council commits to supporting community groups interested in acquiring an asset with connections to local and national funders as well as infrastructure support. This includes working with organisations such as Plunkett UK and Power to Change.
Therefore Southampton City Council resolves to work with Council officers to see how best it can:
1. Promote Assets of Community Value (ACVs)
2. Make it easier for people to apply for an ACV.
3. Celebrate the success stories of ACVs in our community.
(b) Moved by Councillor Gravatt
Protecting and Improving Southampton’s Children’s Play Parks
This Council notes: Children’s play parks provide an essential space for young people to engage in physical activity, develop social skills, and foster a sense of community. These parks are not just recreational areas; they are vital for the health, wellbeing, and development of our city’s children.
The condition of some of our parks, such as Octavia Rd Play Park and Portswood Rec, is poor due to equipment being removed and not replaced for a prolonged period of time, in some cases over 2 years. These examples show the pressing need for more consistent maintenance and investment.
This Council believes: The safety and upkeep of play parks should be a priority for Southampton City Council. Given their importance, damaged equipment should be replaced within 6 months at maximum to ensure the safety and enjoyment of local children.
As part of the Council’s commitment to environmental responsibility, any future investment in play parks should focus on using sustainable and eco-friendly materials. This approach will help ensure that our play parks remain safe, accessible, and environmentally sustainable for future generations.
With the city’s current financial challenges, it is more important than ever to carefully prioritise spending to ensure that critical services like children’s play parks are protected from potential cuts.
This Council resolves to:
- Assess play parks across Southampton to identify equipment in poor condition that either needs replacing, or will need replacing in the next year, and keep a clear record of this.
- Plan for the replacement of equipment in advance so that when it needs to be removed at the end of its life it can be replaced quickly. Commit to replacing equipment within at most 6 months after its removal and faster where possible.
- Prioritise the protection of children’s play parks in future budget discussions, recognising their long-term value for community health and wellbeing.
- Ensure that all future repairs and equipment replacements across the city’s play parks incorporate sustainable, eco-friendly materials wherever possible, reducing environmental impact.
- Develop a long-term plan to future-proof Southampton’s play parks, ensuring these essential spaces continue to thrive for the benefit of future generations.
(c) Moved by Councillor Beaurain
Age UK has estimated that 2 million pensioners may go without heating this winter because of the Labour government’s decision to restrict the Winter Fuel Payment. The Winter Fuel Payment has a significant role in ensuring that older residents across Southampton can afford to heat their homes in the coldest months. By removing this benefit from more than 28,000 residents in Southampton, Labour is risking pensioners’ health and fuel security this winter at a time when global energy prices are already high due to the continuing impact of the pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Consequently, this council resolves to:
- Note the above, and recognise the damaging impact that Labour’s policy will have on the fuel security of our older residents this winter, including AgeUK’s prediction, which says that 2 million pensioners who need the money to stay warm this winter will not receive it;
- Note that the Winter Fuel Payment has been a lifeline for many older people across Southampton, and that in restricting its availability solely to those on pension credits risks leaving many in financial hardship;
- Request the Leader of the Council write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to request a review of the decisions to mean-test Winter Fuel Payments and ask government to ensure that vulnerable pensioners, particularly those who do not claim Pension Credit, are protected from fuel poverty;
- Bring forward a Council-led local awareness campaign to alert those who are eligible, but not yet claiming Pension Credit, of how to receive it, which in some respects will help access to the Winter Fuel Payment for those most in need; and
- Encourage local efforts to promote Pension Credit uptake through council services and partnerships with local charities and community organisations to ensure that pensioners in Southampton are supported in claiming their entitlement.
(d) Moved by Councillor P Baillie
This council is dismayed that Labour are likely to remove the single person council tax discount. This may affect over 40,000 Southampton residents, many of whom are in financial difficulty. Council asks that the Leader of the Council writes to the three local M.P.s asking them to oppose this measure which will only worsen the financial situation of many thousands of Southampton residents, many of whom will also be hit with the loss of the winter fuel allowance.
Minutes:
1. Moved by Councillor Windle and seconded by Councillor Evemy
Southampton City Council notes the important role local assets play in thriving communities and understands that these venues can take various forms, ranging from community centres and pubs to cinemas and music venues.
Further notes that over recent years the decline of high streets together with the UK’s poor economic growth has meant our communities are losing the assets that we all find important, with many vital assets left empty and vacant – ultimately becoming an eyesore.
The Council welcomes the news of the UK Government’s plans to strengthen a Community Right to Buy and its commitment to strengthen the powers available to communities, including a first refusal on a wider range of assets of community value, as well as doubling the time period for communities to raise finance to buy Assets of Community Value from six months to twelve.
This Council celebrates the role that local people have played in saving and breathing new life into once forgotten venues through schemes such as Assets of Community Value and commits to supporting further work to ensure these processes are as accessible as possible.
Southampton City Council commits to supporting community groups interested in acquiring an asset with connections to local and national funders as well as infrastructure support. This includes working with organisations such as Plunkett UK and Power to Change.
Therefore Southampton City Council resolves to work with Council officers to see how best it can:
1. Promote Assets of Community Value (ACVs)
2. Make it easier for people to apply for an ACV.
3. Celebrate the success stories of ACVs in our community
UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE MOTION IN THE NAME OF COUNCILLOR WINDLE WAS DECLARED CARRIED.
RESOLVED: that the motion be approved.
NOTE: Councillors Denness and Payne declared personal interests and left the meeting.
2. Moved by Councillor Gravatt and seconded by Councillor Blackman
This Council notes: Children’s play parks provide an essential space for young people to engage in physical activity, develop social skills, and foster a sense of community. These parks are not just recreational areas; they are vital for the health, wellbeing, and development of our city’s children.
The condition of some of our parks, such as Octavia Rd Play Park and Portswood
Rec, is poor due to equipment being removed and not replaced for a prolonged period of time, in some cases over 2 years. These examples show the pressing need for more consistent maintenance and investment.
This Council believes: The safety and upkeep of play parks should be a priority for
Southampton City Council. Given their importance, damaged equipment should be
replaced within 6 months at maximum to ensure the safety and enjoyment of local
children.
As part of the Council’s commitment to environmental responsibility, any future
investment in play parks should focus on using sustainable and eco-friendly materials. This approach will help ensure that our play parks remain safe, accessible, and environmentally sustainable for future generations.
With the city’s current financial challenges, it is more important than ever to carefully
prioritise spending to ensure that critical services like children’s play parks are
protected from potential cuts.
This Council resolves to:
1. Assess play parks across Southampton to identify equipment in poor condition that either needs replacing, or will need replacing in the next year, and keep a clear record of this.
2. Plan for the replacement of equipment in advance so that when it needs to be removed at the end of its life it can be replaced quickly. Commit to replacing equipment within at most 6 months after its removal and faster where possible.
3. Prioritise the protection of children’s play parks in future budget discussions,
recognising their long-term value for community health and wellbeing.
4. Ensure that all future repairs and equipment replacements across the city’s play parks incorporate sustainable, eco-friendly materials wherever possible,
reducing environmental impact.
5. Develop a long-term plan to future-proof Southampton’s play parks, ensuring
these essential spaces continue to thrive for the benefit of future generations.
Amendment moved by Councillor Savage and seconded by Councillor Webb.
Delete Paragraph 2 and replace with This Council notes that the cuts to local authority budgets between 2010 and 2024 have reduced the amount of investment the council has been able to invest in play areas. However, Council have continued to maintain and upgrade play areas as far as possible within reduced budgets.
Paragraph 3, 1st sentence after parks delete “should be” and replace with “is”. 3rd sentence after “within” delete “6 months at maximum” and replace with “a reasonable time frame”
Paragraph 5, 2nd sentence after “spending” delete “to ensure that critical services” and replace with “on services”. 3rd sentence after “cuts” insert “those services that have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of Southampton’s residents”.
Paragraph 6, 1st bullet point before “Assess” insert “Continue to”
2nd bullet point, 1st sentence before “Plan” insert “Continue to” after “equipment” delete “equipment in advance so that when it needs to be removed at the end of its life it can be replaced quickly”. 2nd sentence after “within” delete “within at most 6 months after its removal and faster where possible” and replace with “a reasonable time frame”.
3rd bullet point, 1st sentence after “of” delete “children’s play parks in future budget discussions, recognising their long-term value for community” and replace with “on those services that have a positive impact on the”. 2nd sentence after “wellbeing” insert “of Southampton’s residents”.
Amended Motion to read:
Protecting and Improving Southampton’s Children’s Play Parks
This Council notes: Children’s play parks provide an essential space for young people to engage in physical activity, develop social skills, and foster a sense of community. These parks are not just recreational areas; they are vital for the health, wellbeing, and development of our city’s children.
This Council notes that the cuts to local authority budgets between 2010 and 2024 have reduced the amount of investment the council has been able to invest in play areas. However, Council have continued to maintain and upgrade play areas as far as possible within reduced budgets.
This Council believes: The safety and upkeep of play parks is a priority for Southampton City Council. Given their importance, damaged equipment should be replaced within a reasonable time frame to ensure the safety and enjoyment of local children.
As part of the Council’s commitment to environmental responsibility, any future investment in play parks should focus on using sustainable and eco-friendly materials. This approach will help ensure that our play parks remain safe, accessible, and environmentally sustainable for future generations.
With the city’s current financial challenges, it is more important than ever to carefully prioritise spending on services like children’s play parks are protected from potential cuts those services that have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of Southampton’s residents.
This Council resolves to:
1. Continue to assess play parks across Southampton to identify equipment in poor condition that either needs replacing, or will need replacing in the next year, and keep a clear record of this.
2. Continue to plan for the replacement of equipment and commit to replacing equipment within a reasonable time frame.
3. Prioritise the protection of on those services that have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of Southampton’s residents.
4. Ensure that all future repairs and equipment replacements across the city’s play parks incorporate sustainable, eco-friendly materials wherever possible, reducing environmental impact.
5. Develop a long-term plan to future-proof Southampton’s play parks, ensuring these essential spaces continue to thrive for the benefit of future generations.
UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE AMENDMENT IN THE NAME OF COUNCILLOR SAVAGE WAS DECLARED CARRIED.
UPON BEING TO THE VOTE THE SUBSTANTIVE MOTION IN THE NAME OF COUNCILLOR SAVAGE WAS DECLARED CARRIED.
RESOLVED: that the amended motion be approved.
(c) Moved by Councillor Beaurain and seconded by Councillor Houghton
Age UK has estimated that 2 million pensioners may go without heating this winter because of the Labour government’s decision to restrict the Winter Fuel Payment. The Winter Fuel Payment has a significant role in ensuring that older residents across Southampton can afford to heat their homes in the coldest months. By removing this benefit from more than 28,000 residents in Southampton, Labour is risking pensioners’ health and fuel security this winter at a time when global energy prices are already high due to the continuing impact of the pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Consequently, this council resolves to: - Note the above, and recognise the damaging impact that Labour’s policy will have on the fuel security of our older residents this winter, including AgeUK’s prediction, which says that 2 million pensioners who need the money to stay warm this winter will not receive it; - Note that the Winter Fuel Payment has been a lifeline for many older people across Southampton, and that in restricting its availability solely to those on pension credits risks leaving many in financial hardship; - Request the Leader of the Council write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to request a review of the decisions to mean-test Winter Fuel Payments and ask government to ensure that vulnerable pensioners, particularly those who do not claim Pension Credit, are protected from fuel poverty; - Bring forward a Council-led local awareness campaign to alert those who are eligible, but not yet claiming Pension Credit, of how to receive it, which in some respects will help access to the Winter Fuel Payment for those most in need; and - Encourage local efforts to promote Pension Credit uptake through council services and partnerships with local charities and community organisations to ensure that pensioners in Southampton are supported in claiming their entitlement.
Amendment moved by Councillor Fielker and seconded by Councillor Lambert
1st Paragraph, 1st sentence after “pensioners insert “, 28,000 in Southampton,” 3rd sentence delete The Winter Fuel Payment has a significant role in ensuring that older residents across Southampton can afford to heat their homes in the coldest months. By removing this benefit from more than 28,000 residents in Southampton, Labour is risking pensioners’ health and fuel security this winter at a time when global energy prices are already high due to the continuing impact of the pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.” Replace with Council notes that only 63% of people claim Pension Credit which is a valuable benefit unlocking other financial help such as full Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support. It opens up eligibility for social tariffs, the Warm Home Discount, cheaper broadband, free TV licenses, lower water bills and the Winter Fuel Payment. Council notes that Pension Credit tops up a person's income to a minimum of £218.15 per week for single pensioners and to £332.95 for couples. Council notes that the Chancellor of the Exchequer has extended the Household Support Fund to ensure local authorities can support vulnerable people, including pensioners, over the winter period.
After “Consequently, this council resolves to” Delete points 1-3 - Note the above, and recognise the damaging impact that Labour’s policy will have on the fuel security of our older residents this winter, including AgeUK’s prediction, which says that 2 million pensioners who need the money to stay warm this winter will not receive it;
- Note that the Winter Fuel Payment has been a lifeline for many older people across Southampton, and that in restricting its availability solely to those on pension credits risks leaving many in financial hardship;
- Request the Leader of the Council write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to request a review of the decisions to mean-test Winter Fuel Payments and ask government to ensure that vulnerable pensioners, particularly those who do not claim Pension Credit, are protected from fuel poverty; replace with “-Write to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to ask that the process to apply for pension credit is made easier, to ensure this barrier to apply, which has led to a low take-up, is removed”
Amended Motion to read:
Age UK has estimated that 2 million pensioners, 28,000 in Southampton, may go without heating this winter because of the Labour government’s decision to restrict the Winter Fuel Payment.
Council notes that only 63% of people claim Pension Credit which is a valuable benefit unlocking other financial help such as full Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support. It opens up eligibility for social tariffs, the Warm Home Discount, cheaper broadband, free TV licenses, lower water bills and the Winter Fuel Payment.
Council notes that Pension Credit tops up a person's income to a minimum of £218.15 per week for single pensioners and to £332.95 for couples.
Council notes that the Chancellor of the Exchequer has extended the Household SupportFund to ensure local authorities can support vulnerable people, including pensioners, over the winter period.
Consequently, this council resolves to:
- Bring forward a Council-led local awareness campaign to alert those who are eligible, but not yet claiming Pension Credit, of how to receive it, which in some respects will help access to the Winter Fuel Payment for those most in need; and
- Encourage local efforts to promote Pension Credit uptake through council services and partnerships with local charities and community organisations to ensure that pensioners in Southampton are supported in claiming their entitlement
UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE AMENDMENT IN THE NAME OF COUNCILLOR FIELKER WAS DECLARED CARRIED.
UPON BEING TO THE VOTE THE SUBSTANTIVE MOTION IN THE NAME OF COUNCILLOR FIELKER WAS DECLARED CARRIED.
RESOLVED: that the amended motion be approved.
(d) Moved by Councillor P Baillie and seconded by Councillor Powell Vaughan
This council is dismayed that Labour are likely to remove the single person council tax discount. This may affect over 40,000 Southampton residents, many of whom are in financial difficulty. Council asks that the Leader of the Council writes to the three local M.P.s asking them to oppose this measure which will only worsen the financial situation of many thousands of Southampton residents, many of whom will also be hit with the loss of the winter fuel allowance.
UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE MOTION IN THE NAME OF COUNCILLOR P BAILLIE WAS LOST.
RESOLVED: that the motion be rejected.
NOTE: Council noted that whilst the single person discount was a financial benefit that some Members may hold it was one that was held in common with thousands of residents coupled with the fact it was a discount given under national legislation over which local authorities have no control. That situation is catered for in the Code and the Monitoring Officer advised on that basis that no pecuniary interest needed to be declared. However, if Members felt more comfortable they could declare a personal interest which meant they could remain, speak to the Motion if they wished and vote.
Councillor Noon declared a personal interest and remained in the meeting and took part in the vote.