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 (copy of report circulated with agenda and appended to signed minutes).

 

The Leader and the Cabinet made statements and responded to Questions.

 

The following questions were then submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.1:

 

1. Permit Charges

 

Question from Councillor Moulton to Councillor Rayment

 

What is the Executive's rationale for the introduction of 1st permit charges in residents' parking areas?

 

Answer

 

The justification was stated in the Cabinet report earlier this year.

This stated that we accept the need to have residents parking priority where there are pressures from parking caused by commuters, visitors or shoppers.  The Council is seeking to cover some of its costs in issuing residents parking permits. 

Background:

·  Current income from second permits and visitors’ permits brings in around £50k per year.

·  The cost of administering all types of permits in these areas is £260k every year.

·  The proposal to charge £30 for first residents permits are expected to bring in £130k per year . This would still leave an annual cost to all the residents of the City of £80k.

·  There have been policies for charging for different types of permits since 1973. The proposed charge is designed to ensure that the schemes become more self funding by those that benefit from the scheme.

We will be further consulting with the residents in all the zones to ensure that  parking restrictions that best meet their current needs.

 

2. City Centre Parking charges

 

Question from Councillor Moulton to Councillor Rayment

 

In light of potential night time commuter parking on the outskirts of the City Centre, as a result of the new night time City Centre parking charges, will the Executive consult with other residents’ parking areas close to the City Centre in Freemantle Ward, and not just the Polygon area, about the possible extension of enforcement times to 8pm?

 

Answer

 

The current First permit proposals were advertised with Polygon Area Controlled Parking Zone hours extended until 8pm so that this would limit displacement from the City centre evening charges proposals if approved.

 

We are consulting with all 13,000 residential properties within all the Controlled Parking Zones to understand how well their parking restrictions are working and whether any changes are necessary. Any changes will be dependent upon the level of response that we receive.

 

If the evening charges are approved and there are any displacement effects on other resident parking areas close to the city centre adjustments to permit times will be considered as necessary.

 

3. Athelstan Road highways issue

 

Question from Councillor Lewzey to Councillor Rayment

 

Could the Cabinet Member please confirm that she has been looking at the Athelstan Road highways issue.

 

Answer

 

I can confirm that I have visited Athelstan Road to see for myself the problems caused by large lorries using this north – south highway route.

I have asked officers to develop a revised proposal that builds upon previous ideas and I will bring this forward for consideration when it has been designed and costed.

 

4. Fraudulent Claims

 

Question from Councillor Vinson to Councillor Barnes-Andrews

 

What use has the Council made of its powers under the 2002 Proceeds of Crime Act to recoup fraudulent claims?

 

Answer

 

Regulatory Services have arrangements in place to carry out financial investigations to pursue Proceeds of Crime Act action in relevant cases. There are currently two cases under financial investigation. Further details cannot be provided at this stage due to legal reasons

 

5. Potholes and Uneven Pavements

 

Question from Councillor Vinson to Councillor Rayment

 

How many complaints has the Council received during each of the last three years concerning damage and injuries to (a) motorists (b) cyclists and (c) pedestrians as a result of potholes and uneven pavements? How many litigations have there been as a result of deficient road and pavement surfaces ? What has been the cost to the Council of such complaints and/or litigation and how does this compare as a proportion of the Council's spend on highway maintenance?

 

Answer

 

Highways claims received by Southampton City Council are categorised as ‘carriageway’ or ‘footway’

Southampton City Council

 Claims received by SCC:

Year	No. of ‘Carriageway’ Claims Received	No. of ‘Footway’ Claims Received
2010-11	62	64
2011-12	6	7
2012-13	3	1

 

Payments by SCC during year on Highways claims:

Year	Total Payments During Year
2010-11	£604,755
2011-12	£478,751
2012-13	£604,957

The ‘Total Payments During Year’ figure relates to all ‘highways’ claim settlements or part payments made in the period irrespective of when the claim was received, noting that complex and high value claims can take a significant period to reach conclusion, and that a claimant has up to three years from the date of an incident in which to submit a claim. 

The Council entered into a Highways Service Partnership with Balfour Beatty in October 2010 and they assumed responsibility for dealing with all new claims in respect of loss, damage or injury occurring after this date, from potholes or uneven pavements.  In terms of ‘highway claims’, the Council is therefore dealing with a decreasing number of claims from before this date.

Balfour Beatty

Complaints received by BBLP

Year	Motorists	Cyclists	Pedestrians
2010-11*	132	5	95
2011-12	98	7	187
2012-13	183	8	163

 

Claims Received by BBLP

The figures below represent all claims received since 4^th October 2010 including those that have proceeded to the litigation stage.

Year	Claims From Motorists	Claims From Cyclists	Claims From Pedestrians
2010-11 *	89	3	28
2011-12	41	6	80
2012-13	59	10	95

*The highways partnership commenced on the 4^th October 2010 hence these figures represent a partial year from 4^th October 2010 – 31^st  March 2011.

Cost to the Council of such complaints and/or litigation and how does this compare as a proportion of the Council's spend on highway maintenance?

Under the terms of the highways contract, a lump sum of approximately £2.7m is paid annually for revenue activities including reactive maintenance. It is the responsibility of Balfour Beatty to allocate this budget. Balfour Beatty take the risk regarding insurance claims, so repudiation and settlement of all claims is their responsibility. Hence there is no additional cost to the council for claims on events that have taken place since 4^th October 2010.

The Council is currently investing £4.2m Capital into roads maintenance in 2013/14.

 

6. Equal Pay

 

Question from Councillor Smith to Councillor Barnes-Andrews

 

Would the Cabinet Member please update Council on the progress to deal with the outstanding issue of equal pay?

 

Answer

 

We have held discussions with Trade Unions about ways we can future proof the Council against any risk of equal pay claims. Informed by those discussions we will be formally consulting on a set of concrete proposals with the aim of reaching an agreement.

 

7. Off Street Parking Charges

 

Question from Councillor Smith to Councillor Rayment

 

What surpluses are generated from on street and off street parking charges?

 

Answer

 

The surpluses that were generated from on street and off street parking charges in 2012/13 were as follows:-

 

Net Operating Income (Surplus)
	2012/13 Actual £
On Street	1,077,000
Off Street	2,542,000
Total	3,619,000

 

The on street surplus is ring fenced for transport related initiatives (including financing of Multi Storey Car Parks and highways capital works) and may be carried forward between financial years.

 

8. Limited Waiting Restrictions

 

Question from Councillor Moulton to Councillor Rayment

 

What Council budget changes have been made since May 2012 relating to introducing new parking schemes such as introducing limited waiting restrictions?

 

Answer

 

If the Member is asking if we have removed a budget for minor traffic management schemes the answer is that no changes have been made.

 

9. Off Licences

 

Question from Councillor Moulton to Councillor Kaur

 

At the last council meeting I asked to be sent the legal advice that the Cabinet Member received regarding the use of Cumulative Impact Licensing policies with respect to off licences. Please can I have this as promised as it has not been sent to me (preferably printed in the written response to this question)?

 

Answer

 

The matter is in hand. However it would be inappropriate to include the Council's legal advice in any public response.

The legal position when the matter was first raised in relation to off licences has changed, not least due to revised Home Office guidance which would appear to support the proposition that the Licensing Cumulative Impact Policy may now be applicable to off licences. This requires some site specific analysis as nationally this has not been tested by many authorities. Richard Ivory will ensure that Councillor Moulton is provided with the information and, if required, a briefing as soon as possible.

 

10. Fountains Cafe and Bargate

 

Question from Councillor Hannides to Councillor Tucker

 

What are the Executive's future plans for Fountains Cafe and the Bargate?

 

Answer

 

Following an assessment of the options available to us, we intend to offer the opportunity to operate Fountains cafe to the open market.

Some prolonged negotiations with a prospective tenant for the Bargate have recently come to an unsuccessful conclusion. We intend to liaise with local community and cultural groups to assess the level of interest from them to become occupiers of the Bargate. Securing a use, which would deliver public access is our preference, alongside reducing costs / attracting income for the Council.

 

11. SeaCity Museum

 

Question from Councillor Hannides to Councillor Tucker

 

Following a successful first year for SeaCity Museum, what are the Executive's plans for exploring alternative management arrangements for the museum?

 

Answer

 

There are no current plans for alternative management for SeaCity museum.

 

12. Outsourcing

 

Question from Councillor Hannides to Councillor Barnes-Andrews

 

Are there any Council Services that are being considered for outsourcing?

 

Answer

 

As part of the challenging Budget Process all options to produce a balanced Budget will be considered by the Labour Group. 

 

13. Highways Work

 

Question from Councillor Vinson to Councillor Rayment

 

Is the Cabinet Member aware of the power granted by the Transport Secretary to Surrey and East Sussex County Councils to require commencing work on the highways and to decide when companies can dig up the roads?

 

Answer

 

Yes I am aware of the Traffic Management Common Permit Scheme being implemented by these authorities.

Southampton has reserved its position to become a member of this scheme at a later date, depending upon the results of the business case currently being worked on by our officers.

 

14. Personal Information

 

Question from Councillor Vinson to Councillor Barnes-Andrews

 

To whom has the Council sold the personal information of individuals, e.g. from the electoral register?

 

Answer

 

The only instance relates to the sale of the edited electoral register.  The law requires the sale of the full register of electors to specified organisations for specified uses, the charges for which are also laid down in the regulations.  In addition, the law also lays out the rules for the sale of the edited electoral register.

Since publication of the last register in December 2012 the following companies have requested and been supplied with copies of the full electoral register:

·  Equifax PLC

·  Callcredit PLC

·  Experian Ltd

·  Aristotle International Europe

·  Crediva Ltd

The edited register has been requested and supplied to University of Southampton.

The prescribed forms of registration advise potential electors of the requirements for the full and edited registers. The Electoral Registration Officer makes and keeps two versions of the electoral register - the full register and the edited register. The full register lists everyone who is entitled to vote. It can be checked by calling at the council offices or at some local libraries. Only certain people and organisations can have copies of the full register, and they can only use it for specified purposes. These include electoral purposes, the prevention and detection of crime and checking identity on applications for credit. The law says who can have a copy of the full register and what they can use it for. The full list of such persons and purposes is given in the Representation of the People (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2002. It is a criminal offence for them to pass it on to anyone else or to use it for any other purpose.

The edited register leaves out the names and addresses of people who have asked for their names to be excluded from that version of the register. The edited register can be bought by anyone who asks for a copy and they may use it for any purpose.

It is this that has raised issues recently, given that on payment of a fee, the law requires that it must be supplied to anyone who pays for it, and the use is unlimited.

 

15. Drop Kerb Costs

Question from Councillor Moulton to Councillor Rayment

 

What increases have there been in the cost of drop kerb installations over the past couple of years?

 

Answer

 

Prior to the commencement of the Highways Services Partnership with Balfour Beatty in October 2010, the average council charge for providing a vehicular dropped crossing into a residential property was approximately £1,300.

The current charge is approximately £1,700.

The reason for this difference is that Balfour Beatty includes the full cost of providing the service including New Roads and Street works Act compliance, multiple inspections.

One of the benefits of the Balfour Beatty contract is that it has revealed the full cost of the services l provided. Previously not all costs would have been allocated to individual priced works.

Officers are aware of the impact of this real cost increase, and are exploring ways to make it easier for smaller contractors to carry out the works direct for residents.

 

16. CCTV

 

Question from Councillor Moulton to Councillor Kaur

 

What plans does the Administration have for expanding CCTV coverage in the city, in particular in crime hot spots in residential areas?

 

Answer

 

Southampton has an extensive network of CCTV cameras available to the Council and the police for the detection of crime and keeping local residents and businesses safe. The majority of these cameras are in fixed locations.  In addition to these the Council maintains three mobile CCTV cameras that can be deployed in a range of locations to address the needs and concerns of residents and businesses across the City about crime and anti-social behaviour.

CCTV cameras in Southampton are managed by Balfour Beatty. The Council works closely with its partners to review how best to respond to crime hot spots through a range of interventions and strategies, including the targeted use of CCTV.

We will continue to work together to maximise the impact through partnership of our own council resources, new resources such as Section 106 funding arising from City development as well as through joint working with our partners in Hampshire Police and Balfour Beatty as part of a wider approach to cutting crime and keeping our residents safe.

 

17. The Former Boating Lake

 

Question from Councillor Parnell to Councillor Tucker

 

What is the Administration's present position and policy for the future of the former boating lake on the Sports Centre?

 

Answer

 

Following the Planning and Rights of Way Panel hearing in June and the consultation on the former boating lake, Active Nation had been engaged and were developing plans for the Sports Centre. A timetable had been prepared and funding was being identified. All the information was presently being collated and once assimilated would be circulated to all Members.

 

18. HMOs

 

Question from Councillor Turner to Councillor Payne

 

Will the Cabinet Member for Housing tell us if he has plans for HMOs to be licensed in accordance with the Additional licensing measures?

 

Answer

 

The licensing of all houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) in the Bargate, Bevois, Portswood and Swaythling wards commenced on 1^st July 2013. A team is now in place to process applications and inspect licensable properties. Over 200 applications have been received to date.

The Council’s new additional licensing scheme means that properties within these wards such as shared houses, bedsits, and some flats where facilities are shared, will be checked to ensure that they are safe and well-managed. Landlords must also have suitable arrangements in place to deal with anti-social behaviour and the disposal of waste.

The success of the scheme will be reviewed in 2016 to determine whether other wards within the City would benefit from the licensing of all HMOs.

 

19. Primary School Places

 

Question from Councillor Turner to Councillor Bogle

 

Could the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services tell us if enough has been done to provide places in primary schools for this year and the following year?

 

Answer

 

The City remains committed to working with Primary schools to explore ways of meeting current and future demands for places and I feel we are doing well to meet a significant rise in demand.

For the 2012/13 academic year there were a total of 3,060 places available in Year R (the first year of primary school). This number of places will be replicated in each primary age year group so children can stay in the same school throughout their Primary education.

In May 2013 there were 2,964 Year R children attending schools in the city, leaving a surplus of just under 100. In 2013/14, we anticipate a Year R cohort of just under 2,900, leaving an anticipated surplus of 160.

In 2014/15 several additional school expansions will provide the city with 3,135 Year R places compared to a predicted Year R cohort of 3,058 for that year.

For the academic year that has just started, more parents got their first preference school at both Reception (86.2% compared to 82.1%) and Infant to Junior Transfer (97.6% compared to 97.2%) than in 2012. Similarly, fewer parents could not be offered any of their preferences than last year in both Transfers (3.6% compared to 4.9% Year R, and 0.9% compared to 1.1% in the Infant to Junior transfer).

By way of comparison in the 2006/2007 academic year the Year R cohort was just over 2,100.

 

20. Traffic Safety Outside of Schools

 

Question from Councillor Moulton to Councillor Rayment

With numerous primary schools expanding and in some cases tripling in size, what plans does the Administration have to improve road and traffic safety outside of schools?

 

Answer

 

The Council actively works with schools through their School Travel Plans in order to reduce the amount of cars associated with the school journey. There is generally no safety issue associated with children in the vicinity of schools, although where the need for improvements are identified, we work closely with colleagues in Children’s Services to find an appropriate solution.

We maintain close links with Children’s Services colleagues throughout the entire Primary School Expansion Programme.

 

21. Community Payback

 

Question from Councillor Moulton to Councillor Kaur

 

What Council budget changes have been made relating to supporting Community Payback work since May 2012?

 

Answer

 

The Council budgets and resources deployed in supporting Community Payback work have remained constant since May 2012 and consistent with levels of support before that time. The outcomes targeted and delivered have also remained unchanged, i.e. at least 10,000 hours of Community Payback work each year delivering environmental improvement projects to directly benefit Southampton’s neighbourhoods and communities.