Agenda item

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 around the world and many people concerned about their finances, will the Cabinet Member commit to freezing council tax next year and help Southampton residents keep more of their money at a time when they need it most.

ANSWER:  We have started our review of the budget and over the coming months decisions will be made in relation to next year’s financial strategy.

5.  Waste Transformation Plan

Question from Councillor Magee to Councillor Kataria

Is the waste transformation plan and working practice updates on track for the council to meet new requirements under the Environment Act from 2024 onwards? In particular, what contingency is there if planning permission is not granted for the new Material Recycling Facility in Eastleigh?

ANSWER: Yes, SCC is on track with its Waste Improvement and Transformation Plan implementation, with a focus on stabilising the service in Year 1 (2022/23). Consultation responses and Regulations that will underpin the Environment Act have not yet been released by Government, and these will influence the actions SCC needs to take over the coming years - developments are being monitored closely.

Finding suitable sites for waste and recycling infrastructure is extremely challenging and it has not been possible to identify multiple sites for contingencies if planning permission is not granted for the new Material Recycling Facility in Eastleigh. Should the application be refused, SCC will review all options to consider how and where infrastructure could be delivered with our partner authorities.

6.  Weston Shore

Question from Councillor Stead to Councillor Bogle

Will the Cabinet Member commit to following through with the previous administration’s plans to revitalise Weston Shore so it can continue to be enjoyed by all communities that use it?

ANSWER: A project and study commissioned under the previous administration to explore long term improvements to Weston Shore remains ongoing and I will be reviewing what emerges in the autumn before considering next steps.  We have not inherited any budget for longer term transformation.

There have been some short-term improvement works that include:

·  New sleeper wall to keep shingle from the cycle path

·  Abbey Hill cycle path improvements

There are a series of further improvements that are budgeted for:

·  Further improvements to the sleeper walls around the main car parks are planned for delivery by City Services in October 2022.

·  There is some procurement in train for new equipment at the Weston shore play area.

·  Works under the Coastal Erosion Scheme are also planned for august 2022 with 140metres of revetment repairs and replacement in scope to combat coastal erosion.