Issue - meetings

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 then submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.1

1.  Sailing of the Mayflower

Question from Councillor Claisse to Councillor Kaur

As we all know, August 5^th 2020 will be the 400^th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower from Southampton, one of the most influential journeys in maritime history.

What plans are being made to celebrate this historic occasion?

Answer

There are several other locations that have a connection with the ship involved in Mayflower 400, including Southampton. Collectively, these locations have been given the name ‘The Mayflower Trail’. Plymouth have taken the lead in co-ordinating the Mayflower 400 celebrations. Meetings are held quarterly to discuss progress and share ideas.

As well as linking in with the Mayflower Trail, activities at a local level have been discussed with Southampton Connect partners who agreed that the Southampton Cultural Development Trust would lead a working group to co-ordinate activities in the city.

Provisional themes and events to mark the occasion in Southampton include:

·  Development of cycle and walking trails across Southampton to link the city to its waterfront

·  Southampton Football Club to host international pre-season football tournament

·  A new arts and education programme in all secondary schools exploring major themes of migration, religion and the cities relationship with the USA

·  New Mayflower play commissioned and led by Mayflower Theatre

·  Re-animation of Southampton Heritage sites including God House Tower, the Pilgrim’s Gate the 1920 Mayflower Memorial

·  Walks, tours and talks exploring the Southampton of 1620 and changes to the city

·  A Hampshire-wide celebration of arts and cultural projects including transatlantic co-commissions

·  Key exhibition in Southampton’s Sea City Museum

·  A celebration of the Southampton docks.

The Council will continue to work with the Mayflower Trail and Southampton Cultural Development Trust to develop these ideas and explore new opportunities to celebrate this historic occasion.  

2.  Grass Cutting

Question from Councillor Painton to Councillor Rayment

The grasses in cemeteries are very high once again, what is the cutting procedure, once a year, twice a year? I have received reports of elderly tripping on unseen grave stones when attending loved ones graves. This applies to South Stoneham Extra and Hollybrook cemetery. Also the war graves in South Stoneham Extra (54) have deteriorated to a poor state. Can the war graves commission be notified of their poor state?

Answer

Maintaining the cemeteries across the city and in particular cutting the grass at this time of year is no easy task, particularly when council resources are reducing but a programme is in place to cut the grass in our five cemeteries - Hollybrook, St Mary’s Extra, South Stoneham, Millbrook and Southampton (Old) Cemetery.  This is particularly challenging as the Council is responsible for over 100 acres of cemetery grounds (equivalent to over 50 football pitches) and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26