(a) Cllr Painton to move:-
This Council expresses its concern that the former Southampton University Student Tower Block on Wessex Lane still remains empty after 7 years and believes that it is an eyesore that impacts adversely on the local area and is a waste of valuable land at a time when there is great need for both housing for local people and indeed university accommodation.
Council notes the strong desire from local ward councillors, residents and the Woodmill Neighbourhood Watch to see something done with the site.
Council urges the Executive and the Chief Executive to have urgent dialogue with the University of Southampton and to push for a plan for the site.
(b) Councillor Kaur to move:-
Council notes that the Welfare Reforms have created hardship in Southampton for individuals and families both in work and out, since 2013. Universal Credit, the so-called ‘flagship’ of these reforms, has proven not to be without its issues, especially for the most vulnerable. Since its full rollout in Southampton earlier this year, we have seen individuals wait as long as three months for their first payment, a 22% increase in the use of foodbanks and a rise in rent arrears with private landlords refusing to take families on benefits.
Having already written to the Minister of Work and Pensions expressing our concerns prior to rollout of Universal Credit, Council will continue to work with and support local charities and organisations raising these important issues locally and nationally.
Council supports the national campaign to pause the roll out of Universal Credit, but also calls on Government to commit to fixing the problems raised in places like Southampton, and asks all three Southampton MPs to do the same.
(c) Councillor Hecks to move:-
Council recognises the considerable contribution that tourism makes to the local economy. Southampton is an historic city with many surviving elements of its mediaeval past, many of which, regrettably, are inaccessible to residents and visitors alike, are deteriorating and are in urgent need of repair and restoration. Of particular concern are the many mediaeval vaults off High Street, French Street, Simnel Street and Western Esplanade.
Council therefore calls upon the executive, as a matter of urgency, to undertake a comprehensive review of the condition of our entire mediaeval heritage and bring forward a programme of repair and refurbishment with a view to greatly increasing public access to these historic but sadly underused elements our the City’s heritage to the benefit of visitors and residents alike.
In addition, Council calls upon the executive to open discussion with partners to re-establish a conveniently located and meaningful Tourist Information Centre to actively promote tourism within the City.
(d) Councillor Fuller to move:-
This Council condemns the shameful incompetence of the Labour administration who have handed back over £2 million from Right to Buy Receipts to Central Government. This is money that could have been used to build affordable housing in Southampton and help some of the thousands of households, including families with children, on the housing waiting list in the city.
(e) Councillor Shields to move:-
This Council notes that:
• NJC basic pay has fallen by 21% since 2010 in real terms
• NJC workers had a three-year pay freeze from 2010-2012
• Local terms and conditions of many NJC employees have also been cut, impacting on their overall earnings
• NJC pay is the lowest in the public sector
• Job evaluated pay structures are being squeezed and distorted by bottom-loaded NJC pay settlements needed to reflect the increased National Living Wage and the Foundation Living Wage
• There are growing equal and fair pay risks resulting from this situation
This Council therefore supports the NJC pay claim for 2018, submitted by UNISON, GMB and Unite on behalf of council and school workers and calls for the immediate end of public sector pay restraint. NJC pay cannot be allowed to fall further behind other parts of the public sector. This council also welcomes the joint review of the NJC pay spine to remedy the turbulence caused by bottom-loaded pay settlements.
This Council also notes the drastic ongoing cuts to local government funding and calls on the Government to provide additional funding to fund a decent pay rise for NJC employees and the pay spine review.
This Council resolves to:
• Call immediately on the LGA to make urgent representations to Government to fund the NJC claim and the pay spine review and notify it of its action in this regard;
• Write to the Prime Minister and Chancellor supporting the NJC pay claim and highlighting that cross-party effort is meeting the need to reduce the council’s budget and that pay increases to the level sought requires additional funding;
• Meet with local NJC union representatives to convey support for the pay claim and the pay spine review.
Minutes:
(a) Southampton University Student Tower Block on Wessex Lane
Councillor Painton moved and Councillor Vassiliou
This Council expresses its concern that the former Southampton University Student Tower Block on Wessex Lane still remains empty after 7 years and believes that it is an eyesore that impacts adversely on the local area and is a waste of valuable land at a time when there is great need for both housing for local people and indeed university accommodation.
Council notes the strong desire from local ward councillors, residents and the Woodmill Neighbourhood Watch to see something done with the site.
Council urges the Executive and the Chief Executive to have urgent dialogue with the University of Southampton and to push for a plan for the site.
Amendment moved by Councillor Mintoff and seconded by Councillor Letts:
First paragraph:
Lines 1 – 2: Delete “the former Southampton University Student Tower Block”
Replace with “South Stoneham Tower”
Line 2: Delete “7”
Replace with “12”
Line 3: After “local area and is” delete the remainder of that paragraph “a waste of valuable land at a time when there is great need for both housing for local people and indeed university accommodation.”
Replace with “costing the University a considerable amount of money to maintain the scaffolding around it. Additionally, it is a waste of valuable land at a time when there is a great need for housing for local people and purpose-built accommodation for our student population.”
Third paragraph:
Line 1: Delete “have”
Replace with “continue”
Amended Motion to read:
This Council expresses its concern that South Stoneham Tower on Wessex Lane still remains empty after 12 years and believes that it is an eyesore that impacts adversely on the local area and is costing the University a considerable amount of money to maintain the scaffolding around it. Additionally, it is a waste of valuable land at a time when there is a great need for housing for local people and purpose-built accommodation for our student population.
Council notes the strong desire from local ward councillors, residents and the Woodmill Neighbourhood Watch to see something done with the site.
Council urges the Executive and the Chief Executive to continue urgent dialogue with the University of Southampton and to push for a plan for the site.
UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE AMENDMENT IN THE NAME OF COUNCILLOR MINTOFF WAS DECLARED CARRIED
UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE MOTION WAS DECLARED CARRIED
RESOLVED that the motion be approved.
(b) Welfare Reforms
Councillor Kaur moved and Councillor Savage seconded:
Council notes that the Welfare Reforms have created hardship in Southampton for individuals and families both in work and out, since 2013. Universal Credit, the so-called ‘flagship’ of these reforms, has proven not to be without its issues, especially for the most vulnerable. Since its full rollout in Southampton earlier this year, we have seen individuals wait as long as three months for their first payment, a 22% increase in the use of foodbanks and a rise in rent arrears with private landlords refusing to take families on benefits.
Having already written to the Minister of Work and Pensions expressing our concerns prior to rollout of Universal Credit, Council will continue to work with and support local charities and organisations raising these important issues locally and nationally.
Council supports the national campaign to pause the roll out of Universal Credit, but also calls on Government to commit to fixing the problems raised in places like Southampton, and asks all three Southampton MPs to do the same.
UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE MOTION WAS DECLARED CARRIED
RESOLVED that the Motion be approved.
(c) Tourism
Councillor Hecks moved and Councillor J Baillie:
Council recognises the considerable contribution that tourism makes to the local economy. Southampton is an historic city with many surviving elements of its mediaeval past, many of which, regrettably, are inaccessible to residents and visitors alike, are deteriorating and are in urgent need of repair and restoration. Of particular concern are the many mediaeval vaults off High Street, French Street, Simnel Street and Western Esplanade.
Council therefore calls upon the executive, as a matter of urgency, to undertake a comprehensive review of the condition of our entire mediaeval heritage and bring forward a programme of repair and refurbishment with a view to greatly increasing public access to these historic but sadly underused elements our the City’s heritage to the benefit of visitors and residents alike.
In addition, Council calls upon the executive to open discussion with partners to re-establish a conveniently located and meaningful Tourist Information Centre to actively promote tourism within the City.
Amendment moved by Councillor Kaur and seconded by Councillor Bogle:
Typo correction “medieval”
First paragraph, third line:
Delete “many” and replace with “some”
Second paragraph, first line:
Delete “therefore calls upon the executive, as a matter of urgency,”
Replace with “notes the significant investment the executive has put in place for heritage in recent years. It is pleased by the decision already taken by the executive”
Second line:
After “comprehensive review” insert “,which is currently in process,”
After “medieval heritage” insert “in order to” delete “and”
Third paragraph, first line:
Delete “calls upon the executive to open discussion” replace with “is pleased by efforts that have already taken place”
Amended Motion to read:
Council recognises the considerable contribution that tourism makes to the local economy. Southampton is an historic city with many surviving elements of its medieval past, some of which, regrettably, are inaccessible to residents and visitors alike, are deteriorating and are in need of urgent repair and restoration. Of particular concern are the many medieval vaults off High Street, French Street, Simnel Street and Western Esplanade.
Council notes the significant investment the executive has put in place for heritage in recent years. It is pleased by the decision already taken by the executive to undertake a comprehensive review, which is currently in process, of the condition of our entire medieval heritage in order to bring forward a programme of repair and refurbishment with a view to greatly increasing public access to these historic but sadly underused elements our the City’s heritage to the benefit of visitors and residents alike.
In addition, Council is pleased by efforts that have already taken place with partners to re-establish a conveniently located and meaningful Tourist Information Centre to actively promote tourism within the City.
(d) Right to Buy Receipts
Councillor Fuller moved and Councillor P Baillie seconded:
This Council condemns the shameful incompetence of the Labour administration who have handed back over £2 million from Right to Buy Receipts to Central Government. This is money that could have been used to build affordable housing in Southampton and help some of the thousands of households, including families with children, on the housing waiting list in the city.
UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE MOTION WAS DECLARED LOST
RESOLVED that the Motion be rejected.
(e) NJC Pay Claim
Councillor Shields moved and Councillor McEwing seconded:
This Council notes that:
• NJC basic pay has fallen by 21% since 2010 in real terms
• NJC workers had a three-year pay freeze from 2010-2012
• Local terms and conditions of many NJC employees have also been cut, impacting on their overall earnings
• NJC pay is the lowest in the public sector
• Job evaluated pay structures are being squeezed and distorted by bottom-loaded NJC pay settlements needed to reflect the increased National Living Wage and the Foundation Living Wage
• There are growing equal and fair pay risks resulting from this situation
This Council therefore supports the NJC pay claim for 2018, submitted by UNISON, GMB and Unite on behalf of council and school workers and calls for the immediate end of public sector pay restraint. NJC pay cannot be allowed to fall further behind other parts of the public sector. This council also welcomes the joint review of the NJC pay spine to remedy the turbulence caused by bottom-loaded pay settlements.
This Council also notes the drastic ongoing cuts to local government funding and calls on the Government to provide additional funding to fund a decent pay rise for NJC employees and the pay spine review.
This Council resolves to:
• Call immediately on the LGA to make urgent representations to Government to fund the NJC claim and the pay spine review and notify it of its action in this regard;
• Write to the Prime Minister and Chancellor supporting the NJC pay claim and highlighting that cross-party effort is meeting the need to reduce the council’s budget and that pay increases to the level sought requires additional funding;
• Meet with local NJC union representatives to convey support for the pay claim and the pay spine review.
UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE MOTION WAS DECLARED CARRIED
RESOLVED that the Motion be approved.