Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies.

It was noted that apologies had been received from Councillors P Baillie, Denness, Harris and J Payne.

To authorise the signing of the minutes of the Annual General Council Meeting and Extraordinary Council Meeting held on 18^th May 2022, attached.

RESOLVED: that the minutes of the Annual General Council Meeting and Extraordinary Council Meeting held on 18^th May 2022, be approved and signed as a correct record.

Matters especially brought forward by the Mayor and the Leader.

Announcements from the Mayor:

(i)  The Mayor reminded Members that it was ‘Plastic free July’, encouraging everyone to use the jugs provided or their own reusable containers for drinks as plastic is something as a Council we are trying to eliminate over the course of time. 

(ii)  The Mayor formally recorded for Members to note that Councillor Spicer had reverted to her maiden name and would from now on be known as Councillor Goodfellow.

(iii)  The Mayor paid tribute to the Fire Officers who are working hard during this period of hot weather.  Whilst Southampton had been luckier than other areas across the country, there had been an increase in calls to the Fire Service in Southampton for which the Mayor offered her thanks for their continued worked.

(iv)  The Mayor formally announced that the City had been granted Lord Mayor Status and on behalf of the Mayor and the Chief Executive was delighted to receive the accolade being one of only four that have been granted in the Queen’s 70 year reign.  We had been advised that the formal Letters Patent would be dated 1^st September and we had been advised that there would be a Royal visit at some point this mayoral year. 

Announcements from the Leader:

(i)  Members, I would like add to the Lord Mayor’s comments regarding the heat wave at the moment.  What we can see is the disastrous effects of rising temperatures on communities up and down the country and on behalf of the City I wanted to record our thoughts are with these communities watching the news is heart breaking and I wish to offer reassurance that in Southampton we are working closely with all partners and services across our City to ensure there is mitigating circumstances against the rising heat at the moment.

(ii)  Members, a decision was taken by officers using urgency delegated powers had been taken in order that the Council could apply for and receive Rough Sleeper Initiative Funding.  I am delighted to confirm that the Council will receive over £3m across the next three years to support our work to reduce rough sleeping within the City. 

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

It was noted that no deputations, petitions or public questions had been received.

Report of the Service Director HR and OD seeking approval for the Appointment of Chief Executive, Head of Paid Service. 

Report of the Service Director HR and OD seeking approval for the Appointment of Chief Executive, Head of Paid Service. 

RESOLVED to appoint Mike Harris to the position of permanent Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service with immediate effect.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Change on the Revenue and Capital Outturn for 2021-22.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Change seeking approval of the Revenue and Capital Outturn 2021/22.

Minor amendments to report set out below:

2. COMMUNITIES, CULTURE & HERITAGE PORTFOLIO Council page 34, COVID outturn variance for Cultural Services to read 0.13F

5. ENVIRONMENT PORTFOLIO  Council page 42

COVID pressures movement from Qtr 3 to read 0.02F

RESOLVED

General Fund – Revenue

(i)  Notes the General Fund revenue outturn for 2021/22 is a balanced position after transfer of £10.93M surplus to reserves, as outlined in paragraph 4 and in paragraph 2 of Appendix 1. 

(ii)  Notes the performance of individual Portfolios in managing their budgets as set out in paragraphs 3 to 6 of Appendix 1 and Annex 1.1.

(iii)  Agrees the budget carry-forward requests totalling £4.12M as outlined in paragraph 8 of Appendix 1 and detailed in Annex 1.3.

(iv)  Delegates responsibility to the Executive Director for Finance, Commercialisation & S151 Officer, after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance & Change, to approve business cases for the release of the carry forwards.

(v)  Notes the performance of the Property Investment Fund (PIF) as detailed in paragraphs 9 to 11 of Appendix 1 and Annex 1.4.

Housing Revenue Account

(vi)  Notes the HRA revenue outturn for 2021/22 as outlined in paragraph 6 and paragraphs 21 to 23 of Appendix 1 and Annex 1.6.

Capital Programme

(vii)  Notes the actual capital spending in 2021/22 for the General Fund was £69.31M and for the HRA was £33.07M, as outlined in paragraphs 10 and 11 below and detailed in paragraphs 2 to 5 of Appendix 2.

(viii)  Notes the capital financing in 2021/22 as shown in table 3 of Appendix 2.

(ix)  Approves the revised capital programme for 2021/22 to 2026/27 and its financing as summarised in paragraph 10 of Appendix 2 and detailed in Annex 2.2.

(x)  Approves the latest prudential indicators for the revised capital programme as detailed in Annex 2.3.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Health, Adults and Leisure to note the use of urgency delegated decision to accept supplemental substance misuse treatment and recovery funding 2022/2025. 

RESOLVED:

(i)  To note the Officer Delegated Decisions taken under urgency powers. 

(ii)  To delegate authority to the Director of Public Health to take relevant actions including entering into and finalising the terms of relevant contracts or other legal agreements to implement the decision.

(iii)  To delegate authority to the Director of Public Health, after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health and the Executive Director of Finance and Commercialisation, to accept and deploy further funding from OHID towards substance use disorder services associated with the 10-year national drug strategy.

(a)  Moved by Councillor Guthrie

Over the last decade, many residents have been concerned about the speed of vehicles on their roads and have been calling for the council to act so that the risk to their communities is reduced. Last year, the council allocated £1m to allow residents to have their say on introducing 20mph limits to these roads, with many taking the chance to make their neighbourhoods a safer place.

This council acknowledges that the public response to 20mph limits has been positive and recognises that these limits are something that residents across Southampton have been demanding for a long time. This council will continue the work of the previous administration and dedicate funding and resources for further rounds of consultation and assessment beyond what is already planned, so that the opportunity for residents to make their road safer for themselves and their families remains an option long into the future.

(b)  Moved by Councillor Vaughan

It has been estimated that as much as 40% of public service spending in Children’s Services is on interventions that could have been avoided by prioritising a preventive approach to early years development.

This Council:

• notes and commends the progress made in recent years to train council-employed staff in awareness of a Trauma Informed Approach and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).
• notes that this makes a huge difference in the process and outcome of a person's interaction with the council.
• acknowledges the contribution of The Wave Trust among others to piloting and promoting a preventative and integrated approach in Southampton.
• notes the support for Wave Trust’s approach from Councillors from across this chamber as well as MPs here and in other cities.

This Council commits to:

• prioritise children in their Early Years and ask the Executive to look into exploring a feasibility study of this preventative and integrated approach to early years.
• extend this approach from Children’s Services to train staff in Trauma Informed approaches in all front-facing departments such as housing, revenue and benefits, as well as linked services such as Job Centre Plus and others.
• make changes so that this approach is entwined within the frameworks and strategies of these same departments and services.
• work in partnership and draw on the experience and good practices of CAMHS, the Violence Reduction Unit, and Wave Trust in achieving these goals.

(a)  Councillor Guthrie moved and Councillor Moulton seconded

Over the last decade, many residents have been concerned about the speed of vehicles on their roads and have been calling for the council to act so that the risk to their communities is reduced. Last year, the council allocated £1m to allow residents to have their say on introducing 20mph limits to these roads, with many taking the chance to make their neighbourhoods a safer place. 

This council acknowledges that the public response to 20mph limits has been positive and recognises that these limits are something that residents across Southampton have been demanding for a long time. This council will continue the work of the previous administration and dedicate funding and resources for further rounds of consultation and assessment beyond what is already planned, so that the opportunity for residents to make their road safer for themselves and their families remains an option long into the future.

Amendment moved by Councillor Keogh and Councillor T Bunday seconded.

First paragraph. Third line. Insert at the start of the last sentence “Council is pleased 20mph limits were introduced under a Labour Council and that”

Delete first sentence of the second paragraph “This Council acknowledges that the public response to 20mph limits has been positive and recognises that these limits are something that residents across Southampton have been demanding for a long time.”

Replace with “The Council believes highway safety improvements are best achieved through the roll out of active travel zones, which can include but are not limited to 20mph limits, within our neighbourhoods. This allows for a more holistic solution that goes beyond just a speed limit on a road, and this can also be supported by applications to the Department of Transport for significant capital contributions for additional measures where needed, to be introduced.”

Second paragraph. Third line. Delete “the work of the previous administration and” Replace with “to”

Second paragraph.  Fourth line. Delete “for further rounds of consultation and assessment beyond what is already planned,” Replace “by working with partners,”

Amended Motion to read:

Over the last decade, many residents have been concerned about the speed of vehicles on their roads and have been calling for the council to act so that the risk to their communities is reduced. Council is pleased 20mph limits were introduced under a Labour Council and that last year, the council allocated £1m to allow residents to have their say on introducing 20mph limits to these roads, with many taking the chance to make their neighbourhoods a safer place.

The Council believes highway safety improvements are best achieved through the roll out of active travel zones, which can include but are not limited to 20mph limits, within our neighbourhoods. This allows for a more holistic solution that goes beyond just a speed limit on a road, and this can also be supported by applications to the Department of Transport for significant capital contributions for additional measures where needed, to be introduced. This  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.

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. St. Mary’s Leisure Centre

Question from Councillor P Baillie to Councillor Fielker

You have promised to keep open St. Marys Leisure Centre for sporting activities. Will you promise to keep it open for sporting activities for at least ten years? What is the gross annual budget for running SMLC and what income is expected?

ANSWER: The long-term future of St Mary’s will be developed in conjunction with the community to ensure the right mix of sporting, health and community related actives which support their ambitions.

The gross annual running costs total £178k from the general fund, income received from the use of SMLC as a leisure facility would be retained by the Council to offset the costs of operating the facility. The income is expected to be in line with the pre-Covid income levels.

2.  Health and Wellbeing Board (HWBB)

Question from Councillor White to Councillor Fielker

Can the Cabinet Member indicate what importance the administration attributes to the HWBB and what, if any, active role is the Cabinet Member proposing to take? In addition is there any intention to change the political makeup of the Board membership from that agreed at the May 2022 Council?

ANSWER: The Health and Wellbeing Board is an important body responsible for the delivery of Southampton’s Health and Wellbeing strategy and Joint Strategic Needs assessment and reports to the Cabinet. My role is to Chair the current board. Having been fully supportive of the changes in political representation agreed in May there is no intention to change this. The proportional membership of 3 Councillors from the administration and two from the opposition is being formalised at today’s full council meeting.

3.  Bitterne Village Improvement Plan

Question from Councillor Guthrie to Councillor Keogh

Will the Cabinet Member commit to continuing with the previous administration’s Bitterne Village Improvement Plan?

ANSWER: Technically there is no plan as it stands there is a budget allocation of £3m that was approved in February.

What I have done is a walkabout in the Bitterne District Centre with officers where we took some of the ideas you had already identified and followed that through. There are many good ideas there.  I think we know we can develop it there is an intention to work with Bitterne Primary School to get some involvement there and Bitterne History Society so there are some good ideas coming forward.

We are looking to launch the consultation at the end of the summer and then from that we will be able to formulate some detailed costings that will hopefully form the basis to go ahead with the Lordshill District Centre.

4.  Council Tax

Question from Councillor Hannides to Councillor Leggett

With the global economic outlook uncertain, international events driving up inflation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.

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.

It was noted following on from the change to the Constitution made at the Annual General Meeting, Health and Wellbeing Board Membership appointed were Councillor Fielker (Chair), Councillor White (Opposition Lead) and Councillors Peter Baillie, Margetts and Dr Paffey.

Children and Families Scrutiny Panel had increased Membership from 5 to 7 Members. Councillors McEwing and Laurent to be appointed. In addition, there had been a change of Membership, Councillor Diana Galton to replace Councillor James Baillie.

It was also noted that Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee Councillor White to replace Councillor Peter Baillie.