Agenda item

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.