Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies.

It was noted that apologies had been received from Councillors Houghton, Kolker, Powell-Vaughan and Renyard.

Matters especially brought forward by the Lord Mayor and the Leader.

(i)  Filming

  Members, today’s meeting is being live streamed and will also be available for members of the public to view online after the meeting.  For any member of the public filming I remind you that the right to film is limited to the duration of the meeting and recording must cease when I close the meeting.

Filming or recording is not permitted if the effect would be to interrupt or disturb the proceedings or if it is intrusive of a specific individual or individuals.  If in my opinion this is occurring, it will not be permitted, and I will ask you to stop.  Similarly, some members of the public attending the meeting may object to being filmed, photographed or recorded and I  expect that these wishes are complied with. 

(ii)  Announcement of the death of former Mayor, Hon. Alderman Mrs Edwina Cooke

Members, it is with sadness I inform you today of the passing of former Mayor and Honorary Alderman Mrs Edwina Cooke.  Edwina served the Shirley ward from 2002 to 2010 and was Mayor for the year 2005/06.  She had a particular interest in Health in the City and Chaired the Scrutiny Inquiry into Obesity in 2009. 

Lead by the Lord Mayor, Council stood for a minute’s silence as a mark of respect.

ANNOUCEMENT BY THE LEADER:

Councillor Fielker made the following announcement re Devolution

I just wanted to take the opportunity to this afternoon to update Members on the plans for local government reorganisation.  Government has specified that an interim plan needs to be submitted by 21^st March, with finalised plans by September.  The purpose of this is for Government officials to provide feedback to us on the plan to help support development of final proposals.  This is a really challenging timetable for us and it does not provide time for detailed discussions, not just with Members, but with the wider population prior to meeting that March deadline.  Government would also like us to submit jointly agreed plan with the upper tier local authorities and district borough councils and as I am sure you will appreciate there is a lot of work taking place both at a political and officer level in an effort to reach consensus.  To provide some level of democratic oversight here in Southampton we are going to bring the interim plan that we will be submitting to Government to a Special Cabinet meeting on 18^th March and so papers will be published on 10^th March.  I think its really important for Members to understand that the interim proposals are just that, for the start of the discussion on what the future of Southampton looks like as an expanded authority not the end.  We need to ensure that whatever is finally proposed is a sustainable council based on data and has regard to the communities based within it.  I met with group leaders yesterday to discuss the work and will continue to engage in discussions as information comes forward.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64.

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

The Council received and noted the following deputation:

(i)  Future funding of St. Mary’s Leisure Centre – Mr Nick Chaffey

Report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services detailing the 2025/26 Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services detailing the 2025/26 Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy.

This report proposes a balanced budget, without utilising risk reserves or exceptional financial support and demonstrates the council living within its financial means for day to day expenditure. This is achieved through significant transformation savings built into budgets, additional central government funding and the continued culture of each directorate maintaining spending within their cash limited budgets.

The Council has requested an extension of EFS into 2025/26 to use unused components from the 2024/25 EFS. Although the 2025/26 budget is balanced without EFS, it will be needed for costs such as equal pay, transformation, and restructuring.

The proposed Council Tax for 2025/26 includes a 2.99% increase in core council tax and a 2.00% rise in the Adult Social Care precept, both within allowable limits without requiring a referendum. 

The recommendations therein, were moved by Councillor Letts and seconded by Councillor Fielker.

The Council agreed to suspend Council Procedure Rules 14.2, 14.5, 14.6, 14.7, 14.8, 14.9 and 16.2 for items 66, 67 and 68:-

(i)  to enable any amendments to be proposed, seconded and considered at the same time;

(ii)  to enable any amendment to be re-introduced later into the meeting; and

(iii)  to revise the time allowed for speakers as follows:-

Movers of motions - 30 minutes

Seconders - 10 minutes

Conservative and Liberal Democrat Groups – 30 minutes

Councillor Barbour – 15 minutes

Honorary Aldermen – 5 minutes

Right of Reply (Executive only) – 10 minutes

Councillor Blackman on behalf of the Liberal Democrats proposed an alternative / variation to the Administration’s Budget (appended to these minutes):

With the consent of the Lord Mayor, Honorary Alderman Barnes-Andrews  addressed the meeting.

UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE EXECUTIVE’S BUDGET PROPOSALS WERE DECLARED CARRIED

RESOLVED that the 2025/26 Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy be approved, as detailed in the report recommendations.

NOTE: All Members of the Council declared a pecuniary interest in the above matter, as payers and setters of Council Tax, noted the dispensation granted by the Monitoring Officer and remained in the meeting during the consideration of the matter.

NOTE - BEING PUT THE VOTE THE AMENDMENT PUT FORWARD BY THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS WAS DECLARED LOST.

NOTE - FOR THE AMENDMENT: Councillors Blackman, Chapman, Gravatt, Percival and Wood. 

NOTE – AGAINST THE AMENDMENT:  Councillors Allen, J Baillie, P Baillie, Barbour, Barnes-Andrews, Blatchford, Beaurain, Bogle, Bunday, Cooper, Cox, Denness, Evemy, Fielker, Finn, A Frampton, Y Frampton, Galton, Goodfellow, Greenhalgh, Harwood, Kataria, Kenny, Keogh, C Lambert, G Lambert, Laurent, Leggett, Letts, McCreanor, McManus, Moulton, Noon, Payne, Rayment, Savage, Shields, Stead, Webb, Whitbread, Windle and Winning.

NOTE – FOR THE SUBSTANTIVE MOTION: Councillors Allen, Barnes-Andrews, Blatchford, Bogle, Bunday, Cooper, Cox, Denness, Evemy, Fielker, Finn, A Frampton, Y Frampton, Goodfellow, Greenhalgh, Kataria, Kenny, Keogh, C Lambert, G Lambert, Leggett, Letts, McCreanor, McManus, Noon, Payne, Rayment, Savage, Shields, Webb, Whitbread, Windle and Winning.

NOTE – AGAINST THE SUBSTANTIVE MOTION: Councillors  ...  view the full minutes text for item 66.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services detailing the General Fund Capital Programme 2024/25 to 2029/30.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services detailing the General Fund Capital Programme 2024/25 to 2029/30.

This report sets out the capital strategy for the coming 5 years, building on the following financial strategy, also set out in the Medium Term Financial Strategy.

We will invest with purpose in services and assets to improve residents' lives whilst growing the city and ensuring financial sustainability for the council.

Our focus will be on:

•  reducing demand by boosting early intervention and strengths-based practice across all services;

•  increasing productivity & growth of the city;

•  creating market opportunities;

•  using minimal modern and fit for purpose council assets;

•  provide high-performing, mid cost services; and

•  foster a diverse economy; and

•  actively engage residents in the delivery process.

The MTFS provides the strategic financial framework within which financial stability can be achieved and sustained in the medium term to deliver the council’s key strategic priorities and services. The focus this year has been to address the budget deficit through the transformation programme and put the council back on a sounder financial footing.

The capital strategy forms a significant part of this plan, and changes in the overall General Fund (GF) Capital Programme for the period of 2024/25 to 2029/30 have been made to help deliver this strategy. The net result of the changes since the previous report is an increase to the General Fund programme of £105.91M over the next five years.  Significant additions include

•  schools (£14.0M),

•  transport (£9.4M),

•  highways (£10.4M)

•  heritage assets (£6.9M).

•  uplifts to the outdoor leisure centre (£6.3M)

•  and the introduction of the investment fund - Revolving Regeneration Fund (£32.0M) to drive increases in council tax and business rates bases.

Further details were provided in the body of the report.  Significant parts of the programme were funded from government capital grants alongside the use of council capital resources and borrowing.

The recommendations therein, were moved by Councillor Letts and seconded by Councillor Fielker.

UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE EXECUTIVE’S BUDGET PROPOSALS WERE DECLARED CARRIED

RESOLVED that the General Fund and Capital Programme 2024/25 to 2029/30, be approved as detailed in the report recommendations.

NOTE – FOR THE SUBSTANTIVE MOTION: Councillors Allen, Barnes-Andrews, Blatchford, Bogle, Bunday, Cooper, Cox, Denness, Evemy, Fielker, Finn, A Frampton, Y Frampton, Goodfellow, Greenhalgh, Kataria, Kenny, Keogh, C Lambert, G Lambert, Leggett, Letts, McCreanor, McManus, Noon, Payne, Rayment, Savage, Shields, Webb, Whitbread, Windle and Winning.

NOTE – AGAINST THE SUBSTANTIVE MOTION: Councillors J Baillie, P Baillie, Barbour, Beaurain, Blackman, Chapman, Galton, Gravatt, Harwood, Laurent, Moulton, Percival, Stead and Wood.

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 Appendix 6 to the following Item.

Appendix 6 (Capital Programme detail) is exempt from publication by virtue of category 3 of rule 10.4 of the Council’s Access to Information Procedure Rules i.e. information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person. It is not in the public interest to disclose this information due to an ongoing commercial dispute which is subject to a protected alternative dispute resolution procedure. If the information was disclosed then the Council’s financial position would be available to other parties to the dispute and prejudice the Council’s ability to achieve best value.

The Lord Mayor moved, 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 Appendix 6 to the following Item.

Appendix 6 (Capital Programme detail) is exempt from publication by virtue of category 3 of rule 10.4 of the Council’s Access to Information Procedure Rules i.e. information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person. It is not in the public interest to disclose this information due to an ongoing commercial dispute which is subject to a protected alternative dispute resolution procedure. If the information was disclosed then the Council’s financial position would be available to other parties to the dispute and prejudice the Council’s ability to achieve best value.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services detailing the HRA Budget 2025/26 and Capital Programme 2024/25 to 2029/30.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Housing Operations detailing the HRA Budget 2025/26 and Capital Programme 2024/25 to 2029/30.

This report details the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget for 2025/26, Capital Programme 2024/25 to 2029/30 and a 40-year business plan.

It provides detail to inform Council in setting rents, service charges and Landlord Controlled Heating charges for 2025/26. The report also sets out the Capital Programme for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) for the period 2024/25 to 2029/30. The report identifies how the 2025/26 HRA budget has been balanced, and the current iteration of the 40-year financial plan.

The report recommends a rent and service charge increase of 2.7% and a 10% reduction in landlord-controlled heating due to reductions in energy costs.

The recommendations therein, were moved by Councillor A Frampton and seconded by Councillor Fielker.

UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE EXECUTIVE’S BUDGET AND CAPITAL PROGRAMME PROPOSALS WERE DECLARED CARRIED

RESOLVED that the HRA Budget 2025/26 and Capital Programme 2024/25 to 2029/30, be approved as detailed in the report recommendations.

NOTE – FOR THE SUBSTANTIVE MOTION: Councillors Allen, Barnes-Andrews, Blatchford, Bogle, Bunday, Cooper, Cox, Denness, Evemy, Fielker, Finn, A Frampton, Y Frampton, Goodfellow, Greenhalgh, Kataria, Kenny, Keogh, C Lambert, G Lambert, Leggett, Letts, McCreanor, McManus, Noon, Payne, Rayment, Savage, Shields, Webb, Whitbread, Windle and Winning.

NOTE – AGAINST THE SUBSTANTIVE MOTION: Councillors J Baillie, P Baillie, Barbour, Beaurain, Blackman, Chapman, Galton, Gravatt, Harwood, Laurent, Percival, Stead and Wood.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Economic Development seeking approval to accept conditional financial allocations of up to £4.8M in Southampton between Financial Years 2025/26 – 2028/29 to deliver Connect to Work.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Economic Development seeking approval to accept conditional financial allocations of up to £4.8M in Southampton between Financial Years 2025/26 – 2028/29 to deliver Connect to Work  

RESOLVED:

(i)  To delegate authority to the Executive Director, Growth and Prosperity to take all actions necessary to accept the grant and deliver the programme until March 2029.

(ii)  To accept, in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules, revenue grant funding of up to £4.8M between 2025/26 – 2028/29 to deliver the Connect to Work programme.

(iii)  To approve, in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules, revenue expenditure up to £4.8M during the Financial Years 2025/26 – 2028/29

Report of the Cabinet Member for Housing Operations seeking approval to invest accumulated Right to Buy monies.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Housing Operations seeking approval to invest accumulated Right to Buy monies.

RESOLVED:

(i)  To approve the expenditure of up to £13.085m of the Right to Buy receipts collected between 2019/20 and 2023/24 on an extension to the pilot programme of property investment under the temporary flexibilities granted by Government during the 2024/25 and 2025/26 financial years.

(ii)  To grant delegated powers to the Director of Housing after consultation with and the Executive Director of Enabling Services, Executive Director of Growth and Prosperity, the Director of Legal and Governance and the Cabinet Member for Housing, to agree and approve the detail of the additional property investment in line with the details set out in this paper.

Report outlining how the local authority and other stakeholders have discharged their corporate parenting responsibilities in 2023 / 24.

Amendment moved by Councillor P Baillie and seconded by Councillor Barnes-Andrews:

Insert two new recommendations as set out below:

(v)  That the Executive Director and Cabinet Member for Children and Learning consider how educational standards for Looked After Children can be improved and recommend any improvements to Corporate Parenting Committee.

(vi)   That the Executive Director and Cabinet Member for Children and Learning consider how the rates of health and dental checks can be improved and recommend any improvements to Corporate Parenting Committee. 

UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE AMENDMENT WAS CARRIED

RESOLVED: the following amended recommendations:

(i)  That the September 2024 (for year September 2023 – August 2024) annual corporate parenting  report be adopted.

(ii)  That all councillors recommit to our collective responsibility as Corporate Parents, to ensure we champion children and young people in our care, demonstrate aspiration for them, and provide safer and better opportunities for them.

(iii)  That all councillors consider opportunities for care leavers to be able to train and work in the city.

(iv)  That all councillors promote fostering within the city in support of our fostering recruitment challenges.

(v)  That the Executive Director and Cabinet Member for Children and Learning consider how educational standards for Looked After Children can be improved and recommend any improvements to Corporate Parenting Committee.

(vi)  That the Executive Director and Cabinet Member for Children and Learning consider how the rates of health and dental checks can be improved and recommend any improvements to Corporate Parenting Committee. 

Report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services seeking approval to enter into a new temporary staff supplier contract.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services seeking approval to enter into a new temporary staff supplier contract.

RESOLVED:

(i)  To approve the direct award of the contract for the supply of temporary staff to Comensura through the MSTAR4 framework for a period of one year from April 2025 with the option to extend for up to a maximum of one further year.  This will allow further market testing to be undertaken whilst the HR & OD target operating model is reviewed.

(ii)  To delegate authority to the Executive Director for Enabling Services and Section 151 Officer following consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services to take all necessary actions to implement the recommendations of this report.

Report of the Interim Chief Executive and Head of Paid Services seeking approval for the Pay Policy 2025-2026.

RESOLVED: to approve the Pay Policy statement for 2025 - 2026.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Health and Care seeking approval of Updated Terms of Reference for the Southampton Health and Care Partnership Board.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Health and Care seeking approval of Updated Terms of Reference for the Southampton Health and Care Partnership Board.

RESOLVED to agree the proposed responses to the LGA findings and recommendations for improvements to the HWB as shown in section 6 of this paper and in the LGA presentation shown in Appendix 3 of the 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

Appendix 1 of this report contains information deemed to be exempt from general publication based on Category 3 (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding the information)) of paragraph 10.4 of the Council’s Access to Information Procedure Rules. In applying the public interest test this information has been deemed exempt from the publication due to commercial sensitivity. It is not considered to be in the public interest to disclose this information as it would reveal information which would put the Council at a commercial disadvantage.

The Lord Mayor moved 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.

Appendix 1 of this report contains information deemed to be exempt from general publication based on Category 3 (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding the information)) of paragraph 10.4 of the Council’s Access to Information Procedure Rules. In applying the public interest test this information has been deemed exempt from the publication due to commercial sensitivity. It is not considered to be in the public interest to disclose this information as it would reveal information which would put the Council at a commercial disadvantage.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Economic Development seeking approval for the phase 2 of the Asset Development and Disposal Programme.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Economic Development seeking approval for the phase 2 of the Asset Development and Disposal Programme.

Amendment proposed by Councillor P Baillie and seconded by Councillor Galton:

Delete recommendation (i)

(i)  To approve Phase 2 of the Asset Development and Disposal programme (as detailed in the confidential Appendix 1) which includes assets with a combined value at over £5m.

Replace with:

(i)  That the Executive Director and Cabinet Member for Economic Development to bring the Asset Development and Disposal Programme back to full Council when final business cases have been produced.

(ii)  The Executive Director and Cabinet Member for Economic Development to ensure that consultation will be taken before any sale of asset as set out in Appendix 1.

(iii)  That Appendix 1 is made available to the public.

AMENDED RECOMMENDATIONS TO READ:

(i)  That the Executive Director and Cabinet Member for Economic Development to bring the Asset Development and Disposal Programme back to full Council when final business cases have been produced.

(ii)  The Executive Director and Cabinet Member for Economic Development to ensure that consultation will be taken before any sale of asset as set out in Appendix 1.

(iii)  That Appendix 1 is made available to the public.

UPON BEING PUT THE VOTE THE AMENDMENT WAS DECLARED LOST

RESOLVED to approve Phase 2 of the Asset Development and Disposal programme (as detailed in the confidential Appendix 1 of the report) which includes assets with a combined value at over £5m.

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 appendices to the following item.

Appendices 1- 6 contains information deemed to be exempt from general publication based on Category 3 (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information)) of paragraph 10.4 of the Council’s Access to Information Procedure Rules. This includes details of a proposed transaction which if disclosed prior to contract, could put the Council or other parties at a commercial disadvantage.

To Lord Mayor moved 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 appendices to the following item.

Appendices 1- 6 contains information deemed to be exempt from general publication based on Category 3 (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information)) of paragraph 10.4 of the Council’s Access to Information Procedure Rules. This includes details of a proposed transaction which if disclosed prior to contract, could put the Council or other parties at a commercial disadvantage.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Economic Development seeking approval for the splitting of the Council owned unit at 271 Winchester Road to create two units, after which to grant two new leases.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Economic Development seeking approval for the splitting of the Council owned unit at 271 Winchester Road to create two units, after which to grant two new leases.

RESOLVED:

(i)  To retain the site without making a direct capital contribution, but via a discounted rental arrangement and in lieu of this payment, Aldi will receive a discounted rent over a 10-year period.

(ii)  Aldi will take a new 20-year Full Repairing and Insuring lease, subject to five yearly upward only rent reviews and Wickes will surrender the surplus accommodation and take a new Full Repairing and Insuring lease of the remainder for a term of 15 years.

(iii)  That, in the event of a disposal valued in excess of Cabinets financial authority to approve a disposal,  Council delegate approval to dispose of this property in the future to the Executive Director of Growth and Prosperity following consultation with the Executive Director for Enabling Services and the Director of Legal and Governance (if best consideration can be demonstrated for a disposal compared to retention of the property).

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

It was noted that there were no changes to the Appointments to Committees, Sub-Committees and Other Bodies.