Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies.

It was noted that apologies had been received from Councillor Fuller.

To authorise the signing of the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 15^th July 2020, attached.

RESOLVED: that the minutes of the Meeting held on 17^th July, 2020 be approved and signed as a correct record.

Matters especially brought forward by the Mayor and the Leader.

(i)  The Mayor congratulated Councillor Fuller on his marriage this week.

(ii)  The Mayor renewed her Pledge.  Mayor’s Pledge

Whilst the quorate of Councillors were in the Chamber for the March Council meeting the last time everyone was in the Chamber was for the February Council Tax setting.

In doing things differently as the Mayor, for example a video story for the Library more recently at the beginning of the month I did a video which can be seen on the Sea City Facebook page called ‘Inside the Civic Centre’ where you can remind yourselves of what the Chamber looks like. Others have been interested as it has had 7.8 thousand views.

This was to be a year with activities connected with Mayflower 400. Will Rosie who created the Mayflower mosaic trail commissioned by Councillor Peter Baillie had his work marked last week by the Sheriff.

I was able to attend an open air event at the Mayflower Memorial on August 15th the date of the 1620 sailing of the Mayflower and Speedwell.  I would like to share just part of what I read as a letter to those departing.

‘Never before have we so clearly understood the anguish of the Wampanoag people, who before your arrival, were decimated by a great plague, which they did not know and could not treat. We have learnt from working with representatives of this tribe and are enriched by the experience. We commit to ensuring that all our school children learn their story’.

Before and since your journey, many people have come to Southampton in search of a new life, either following in your trail across the Atlantic or landing and remaining here to set up home. For many this has not been an easy transition. Whilst our gates have been open, that has not always been the case with hearts and minds. In this anniversary year we have sought to better understand the history of all our communities and will continue to do so; we do this to build a safer more inclusive and friendly City.

Like you, people today still suffer poverty, the threat of violence, and persecution for their religious and political beliefs. We have pledged to be a City Of Sanctuary, to be tolerant, safe and welcoming, to support refugees and asylum seekers. As Mayor, I remake this pledge today.’

Statements from the Leader of the Council, the Monitoring Officer and the Chief Executive.

(i)  Councillor Hammond, Leader of the Council. 

Following the cancelation of the two boat shows last week, and the subsequent debate in the city and on social media, I wanted to explain, what happened and why this decision was taken.

Firstly, it’s important to remember that we have low infection rates as a city. Currently half that of the national average. This has been due to the compliance and vigilance of the people of Southampton, but also the phenomenal effort of dedicated public servants, that as Councillors we all recognise.

The boat show is an  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

To receive any requests for Deputations, Presentation of Petitions or Public Questions.

The Council received and noted the following deputations:

(a)  From Amy Farmer, Yasmin Spreadbury and Michael Kibuuka regarding the Help Us Move on Project.

(b)  From  Ahmed Sasso and Sam Waddington on behalf of the Southampton Community hate crime third party reporting network, led by the Disability group ‘SPECTRUM’.

(c)  Alex Williamson regarding the Wave Trust 7030 Campaign.

Report of the Leader of Council outlining the business of the Executive undertaken since the last report July 2020.

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.  Costs relating to Bassett Avenue

Question from Councillor S Galton to Councillor Leggett

Could the Cabinet Member reveal the final cost of the Bassett Avenue measures, from Winchester Road roundabout to the Chilworth roundabout. Could the costs be further broken down in to how much was the initial cone only scheme; and then how much was purely for the painting of the lanes/removal of the cones and finally how much is then the removal of the lane paint and restoration of the road to the pre measures state.

Answer

We are yet to receive the invoicing for removal works completed recently such as the removal of the top section of Bassett Avenue but will have these final costs in October as part of our standard invoicing and note that whilst the remainder of the trial scheme is in place the scheme remains live and with final costs yet to be received but is forecast to come in below the budget allocation.

2.  Parking at the Common

Question from Councillor S Galton to Councillor Leggett

Recent data has shown that the number of cyclists on Hill Lane, South of Wilton Road increased by just 14 when compared to the last data we held (February 2019). Given we were comparing a winter weather day, with a summer day (13th July) and that other data shows 3 or 4 times more cyclists go through the common itself; would you now immediately reinstate some of the Common side parking along Hill Lane that has been lost; but especially on the section between Bellemoor Road and Burgess Road?

Answer

Data has been collected monthly on cycle traffic on the Common.  August figures were higher than July and the baseline which was established pre-COVID. 

Comparing figures now as to where we were is very different. We are, however, committed to review in line with the experimental TRO once the September figures are available. 

3.  Children’s Services

Question from Councillor J Baillie to Councillor Hammond

How aware were you of the issues in Children’s Services?

Answer

As you would expect I didn’t see the entirety of the whistleblowing concerns until the report was finalised. Which we’ve transparently shared with Councillors and the public.

Obviously, I was aware of the improvements needed from our Ofsted inspections and the themes of the Appreciative inquiry - which the Whistleblowing concerns reiterated.

Within a week of the concerns being raised, we had appointed Malcolm Newsam (Independent Consultant) who subsequently published his Learning Report.

4.  Question from Councillor J Baillie to Councillor Hammond

Children and Families Scrutiny Panel

Will you commit to making all information available to the Children and Families Scrutiny Panel in order for proper scrutiny to take place?

Answer

The Children and Families Scrutiny  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

(a)  Proposed by Councillor Guthrie

This Council recognises that since the nationwide restrictions have become more relaxed, car usage in Southampton as been on the increase.  As the City’s residents return to work, their children go back to school and the roads bear the weight of a larger number of vehicles, this Council understands that many motorists have found their journey time extended following the decision to install bus and cycle lanes on some of the main routes leading into the city centre as part of the Green Transport Recovery Plan.

This Council acknowledges that cleaner air cannot be achieved if traffic in the city is made to idle longer on the city’s main arterial routes than it was prior to the manifestation of the GTRP’s programme.

As a result, this Council pledges to halt the roll out of the GTRP, reconsider the implementation of its programme, and remove the schemes currently in place on the city’s roads whilst sufficient data is gathered on traffic levels within Southampton.  This will be used to assess the viability of the GTRP in its current form and determine it’s future role in improving the city’s air quality.

(b)  Proposed by Councillor Fitzhenry

This Council has lost confidence in the Cabinet Member for Green City and Place to make objective decisions on behalf of this city’s transport requirements.

Decisions are being made to the detriment of many of our residents and businesses within our city because of the ever increasing influence of a small minority over the cabinet member.

More now than ever, this city requires clear and strong political leadership to help us emerge from this crisis, not the pursuit of an ideological approach of “forcing people from their cars” by the cabinet member.

Therefore Council calls on the Leader of the Council to remove Cllr Leggett from his position immediately

(a)  Councillor Guthrie moved and Councillor Streets seconded

This Council recognises that since the nationwide restrictions have become more relaxed, car usage in Southampton has been on the increase.  As the City’s residents return to work, their children go back to school and the roads bear the weight of a larger number of vehicles, this Council understands that many motorists have found their journey time extended following the decision to install bus and cycle lanes on some of the main routes leading into the city centre as part of the Green Transport Recovery Plan.

This Council acknowledges that cleaner air cannot be achieved if traffic in the city is made to idle longer on the city’s main arterial routes than it was prior to the manifestation of the GTRP’s programme.

As a result, this Council pledges to halt the roll out of the GTRP, reconsider the implementation of its programme, and remove the schemes currently in place on the city’s roads whilst sufficient data is gathered on traffic levels within Southampton.  This will be used to assess the viability of the GTRP in its current form and determine it’s future role in improving the city’s air quality.

  UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE MOTION WAS DECLARED LOST

  RESOLVED: that the motion be rejected.

(b)  Councillor Fitzhenry moved and Councillor Hannides seconded

This Council has lost confidence in the Cabinet Member for Green City and Place to make objective decisions on behalf of this city’s transport requirements.

Decisions are being made to the detriment of many of our residents and businesses within our city because of the ever increasing influence of a small minority over the cabinet member.

More now than ever, this city requires clear and strong political leadership to help us emerge from this crisis, not the pursuit of an ideological approach of “forcing people from their cars” by the cabinet member.

Therefore, Council calls on the Leader of the Council to remove Councillor Leggett from his position immediately.

UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE MOTION WAS DECLARED LOST

  RESOLVED: that the motion be rejected.

To consider any question of which notice has been given under Council Procedure Rule 11.2.

It was noted that no requests for Questions from Members to the Chairs of Committees or the Mayor had been received.

To deal with any appointments to Committees, Sub-Committees or other bodies as required.

Councillor Fitzhenry had been appointed to Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee, replacing Councillor P Baillie and Councillor Bunday had been appointed to Licensing (General) Sub-Committee.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Income Generation detailing the revenue and capital financial monitoring for the period to the end of July 2020 and COVID-19 Budget matters. 

Report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Income Generation detailing the financial monitoring for the period to the end of July 2020 and COVID-19 Budget matters.

RESOLVED:

General Revenue Fund:

i)  Noted the forecast outturn position as outlined in this report, including for business as usual and COVID-19 costs.

ii)  Approved addressing the budget shortfall as outlined in paragraphs 8 to 16 and table 1 of Appendix 3. This means using £9.6M of corporate budgets, a £2.7M underspend at period 4, after applying £4.16M from the Social Care demand reserve to eliminate the Children & Learning overspend and £1.5M of in-year savings.

Capital Programme

iii)  Noted the revised General Fund and HRA capital programme as outlined in this report.

iv)  Approved the delays to capital scheme works and the application of new funds other than borrowing to support the capital programme as outlined in paragraphs 19 to 20 of Appendix 3 and annexe 3.2.

v)  Approved the proposed revised General Fund capital programme to 2024/25 and its financing as shown in annex 2.5 of Appendix 2.

vi)  Approved the proposed revised HRA capital programme to 2024/25 and its financing as shown in annex 2.5 of Appendix 2.

NOTE – FOR THE SUBSTANTIVE RESOLUTION: Councillors Barnes-Andrews, Mrs Blatchford, Bogle, Bunday, Chaloner, Coombs, Cooper, Fielker, Hammond, Kataria, Kaur, Keogh, Leggett, Margetts, McEwing, Mintoff, Mitchell, Noon, Paffey, Payne, Renyard, Rayment, Savage, Shields, Spicer, Taggart, Whitbread and Windle.

NOTE – ABSTAINED THE SUBSTANTIVE RESOLUTION: Councillors J Baillie, P Baillie, Bell, G Galton, S Galton, Guthrie, Fitzhenry, Hannides, B. Harris, L. Harris, Harwood, Houghton, Laurent, Prior, Streets, Vaughan and White.

Report of the Leader of the Council detailing the review of the Council’s Constitution in respect of Members formally tabled questions before Council. 

Report of the Leader of the Council seeking approval to revisions to the Council’s Constitution regarding Members’ Questions at Council.

RESOLVED to amend the Constitution’s Council Procedure Rules in relation to Members Questions as detailed in the amended report.

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 exempt appendix to the following Item.

The appendix is considered to be exempt from general publication based on category 3, of paragraph 10.4 of the Council’s Access to Information Procedure Rules.  It is not in the public interest to disclose this because doing so would prejudice commercially sensitive information related to the proposed lease document for the Studio 144 North facility. 

RESOLVED 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 exempt appendix to the following Item.

The appendix is considered to be exempt from general publication based on category 3, of paragraph 10.4 of the Council’s Access to Information Procedure Rules.  It is not in the public interest to disclose this because doing so would prejudice commercially sensitive information related to the proposed lease document for the Studio 144 North facility.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Culture and Homes seeking approval for the award of a lease and grant to Mayflower Academy Limited as the proposed new tenant and operator for Studio 144 (North).

Report of the Cabinet Member for Culture and Homes seeking approval to enter into a lease and grant to Mayflower Academy Limited as the proposed new tenant and operator for Studio 144 (North). 

RESOLVED

(i)  To grant delegated authority to the Head of Property Services, following consultation with the Service Director: Legal and Business Operations, to finalise the detailed terms and enter into a new 35 year lease with Mayflower Academy Limited for the Studio 144 North facility, subject to all standard processes and due diligence. This lease will be based on the heads of terms agreed between MAL and the Council in appendix 1.

(ii)  To grant authority to the Head of Culture and Tourism to award a grant of £511,250 over two financial years (£221,250 for 20/21 and £290,000 for 21/22) to MAL to deliver community based cultural activity emanating from the Studio 144 north facility.

NOTE:  Councillor Hannides declared a pecuniary interest and withdrew from the meeting for this item.