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. It was noted that changes to the Cabinet appointments had been made by the Leader. Councillor Asa Thorpe had stepped down from his post as Southampton City Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport and Councillor Jacqui Rayment had taken over as Cabinet Member.

Councillor Rayment’s Communities and Change portfolio would be undertaken by Councillor Satvir Kaur and Councillor Daniel Jeffery. 

 

In addition, the responsibility for sustainability functions would now be in one place, with energy, flood risk, Low Carbon City Strategy, climate change adaptation/mitigation, green infrastructure and biodiversity moving from the Environment and Transport Portfolio to the Housing and Sustainability Portfolio.

 

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

 

1. Hollybrook Cemetery Lodge

 

Question from Councillor Moulton to Councillor Payne

 

What are the Cabinet Member's plans for the future of the Hollybrook Cemetery Lodge?

 

Answer

 

We are currently progressing with plans to bring the Lodge up to our current lettable standard, following which the property will be let to a family with a housing need for a large property.  We anticipate the property will be ready to be let in the next 8-12 weeks.

The property will be let with temporary right of access through the current cemetery gates whilst we take the necessary steps to provide a new independent access to the Lodge.  This work will be subject to the necessary planning approvals.

 

2. St Mark’s School

 

Question from Councillor Moulton to Councillor Bogle

 

What further support has the Cabinet Member provided to St Mark’s School with regards to the damage it has sustained from flooding, since the last Full Council?

 

Answer

 

As advised at the last Council meeting:-

“Repair of internal damage resulting from the water ingress into the property, together with the rectification of any remaining leaks (which classify as minor repairs) are the responsibility of the school, as set out in the Council’s Scheme for Financing Schools.”

The school are fully aware of this position and are proceeding with the rectification works accordingly.

 

3. School Performance Reviews

 

Question from Councillor Moulton to Councillor Bogle

 

When the Cabinet Member took up office last year she said she would continue the policy of having annual meetings with the LEA, heads, governors and local ward councillors to review school performance. How many of these meetings have taken place since she took up post and for which schools?

 

Answer

 

I do not recall committing to this particular type of meeting.  What I have done is asked for all Ofsted reports to be shared with all affected ward councillors.  I have reviewed the overall performance of schools on a regular basis and have visited a large number of our schools to understand what the issues are.  We have a committed team of people who are working with schools where they are under-performing and considerable support from using the 8 National Leaders in Education, sharing best practice and using initiatives like the Teaching Schools Alliance.

 

4. Street Drinking

 

Question from Councillor Moulton to Councillor Kaur

 

Following the Safe City Partnership meeting where Councillor Rayment and I spoke about the issue of street drinking in Shirley, what action has the Council taken to combat this ongoing problem?

 

Answer

 

Further to the discussion about this issue at Safe City Partnership a number of actions have been put in place to address it;

·  “Street Drinking” in Shirley has been identified as a community priority at the Community Tasking and Coordinating Group for this area.

·  Improved ‘No Drinking’ signage, in English and Polish, has been erected.

·  Council’s Community Safety team are working closely with Hampshire Police who have agreed to make this a priority patrol area and provide high visibility patrols to identify street drinkers and take enforcement action under the Drinking Control Area legislation.

·  The Community Safety Team has arranged for Community Payback to make regular visits to the area to clear up ‘drink’ litter every six weeks whilst street drinking remains a problem in the area.

·  The Licensing Team has confirmed that the legal advice it has received indicate that off license alcohol sales are not covered by the Cumulative Impact Policy. Police colleagues continue to visit various off licences to offer advice and monitor their activities.

·  The Community Safety Team is supporting a Police “day of action” on 1^st August, to tackle street drinking which will also involve Community Payback.

·  The Community Safety Team is working closely with community groups e.g. EU Welcome to work on other preventative options.

 

5. Funding the Arts Complex

 

Question from Councillor Hannides to Councillor Letts (answered by Councillor Barnes-Andrews).

 

In light of the prevailing financial pressures, would it not be sensible to proceed with selling art to support the funding of the arts complex?

 

Answer

 

The Arts Complex Scheme is fully funded, following the recent decisions taken at Council. Council also established a cross party working group, chaired by Councillor Burke at which such issues could be discussed.

 

6. 20mph Speed Limits

 

Question from Councillor Moulton to Councillor Rayment

 

How long will Freemantle residents have to wait for new 20mph speed limits to be introduced in residential roads in the ward?

 

Answer

 

The Council is evaluating the benefits of 20mph limits, with signs and markings only, in residential areas by implementing a pilot project in an area in the north-west of the City.

This project includes monitoring of the outcomes in terms of vehicle speeds, accidents, travel trends, residents’ perceptions and value for money.

It is expected that the monitoring of the pilot project will be completed in the summer next year and any decision to implement these limits in other areas, will be based on this data.

It is therefore likely that any further projects would be implemented from late 2014 onwards.

 

7. Street Cleaning

 

Question from Councillor Moulton to Councillor Rayment

 

Will the Cabinet Member agree to introduce more frequent and regular street cleaning around St Mark’s School, in particular at the bottom of Malmesbury Rd, Malmesbury Place, the bottom of Suffolk Avenue and at the junction of Stafford Rd and Howard Rd?

 

Answer

 

In this context of extremely limited resources, heightened cleaning frequencies in one location will necessarily result in reduced standards in other areas.

However, over the coming weeks the street cleansing team will review the allocation of street litter bins in the streets around St Mark’s to ensure pupils have every opportunity to deposit food wrappings in conveniently-situated receptacles. The City Services team will work with the School after the summer break to highlight the importance of everyone playing their part in keeping their neighbourhood clean. The team will also consider a ‘Street Sparkle’ in the most densely-parked areas to access hard-to-reach litter and detritus.

 

8. Insolvency Issues

 

Question from Councillor Claisse to Councillor Barnes-Andrews

 

Both the Co-op and Nationwide Building Society have recently been identified as having solvency issues. Does the Council have any financial exposure to either of these organisations?

 

Answer

 

Our minimum credit rating criteria, as per the 2013/14 Treasury Strategy approved by Council in February 2013, is A- or equivalent.  Our counterparty list is kept under review and was last updated on 8th July to reflect changes to the Royal Bank of Scotland plc's and National Westminster Bank plc’s long-term and standalone bank financial strength ratings.  Nationwide remains a listed counterparty for periods of up to 12 months and we currently have £4M invested with them to be repaid between 14th February and 2nd April 2014.  The Co-op do not meet our minimum criteria and so we have no investments with them.  They are however the Authority’s banker and in response to the recent downgrade of the Co-op we have taken action to mitigate any risk to the Council and this action is outlined in the Treasury Management Outturn 2012/13 report, (paragraphs 33 to 36), which is on the Council Agenda.

 

9. Bitterne Park School

 

Question from Councillor Moulton to Councillor Bogle

 

Can the Cabinet Member confirm that the rebuild of Bitterne Park School will go ahead?

 

Answer

 

The rebuild of Bitterne Park School is going ahead and was never under threat, contrary to reports in the local press. The outcome of the Government’s Spending Review in June was that this scheme will now be funded via direct capital grant, as opposed to PFI.

 

10. Bus Funding

 

Question from Councillor Moulton to Councillor Rayment

 

Following the changes to bus services in the City which have arisen following the cuts to bus funding from the City Council, is the Cabinet Member satisfied that all residents are served by a local bus route?

 

Answer

 

The service changes that occurred in late June 2013 were mainly due to major changes within the commercial network of one of the major bus operators in the City who chose to make the changes for their own operation reasons.  Unfortunately those changes did not work and patronage levels fell.  The operator has now amended its network in light of their experience. 

At the same time the Council cut funding for some services operated under contract to SCC after 2000.  In all cases there were low levels of usage.  Many of these services have been taken on commercially by the operator.

The Council’s approach to buses is to create a thriving commercial network where the need to provide ongoing subsidy is not required.  The Bus Quality Partnership oversees this through initiatives like the recent real time information system rolled out across the City, improved bus priority due to go live later this year, smart ticketing and the my journey initiative.  All these “Better Bus” and related initiatives help make the bus market larger and bus operations more efficient.  In doing so more of the network can be operated commercially.

 

11. Footpath between Silverdale Road and Hill Lane

 

Question from Councillor Moulton to Councillor Rayment

 

The state of the footpath between Silverdale Road and Hill Lane has long been a problem, often overgrown, attracting litter and its uneven surface a hazard for pedestrians. Will the Cabinet Member prioritise funds to clear up the alley and provide a proper gravel or tarmac surface?

 

Answer

 

The footpath between Silverdale Road and Hill Lane is not in the ownership of the Council, nor is it adopted, maintainable highway.

Therefore the Council is under no obligation to undertake repairs, maintenance or surface improvements.

The footpath is recorded as Footpath 94 on the Definitive Map and Statement and was last inspected 6^th March 2013. It was found to be fully accessible, with good signing and a surface that was fit for purpose.

In the past the Council has carried out minor “first-aid” repairs to the surface for the purpose of user safety, and vegetation overgrowth is periodically cleared as and when identified.

A check on Monday (15/7) found the footpath passable, albeit there were some encroaching brambles. The Parks and Street Cleansing Team will therefore visit and trim back where required over the next two weeks.

 

12. Grass Cutting

 

Question from Councillor Moulton to Councillor Rayment

 

Why is it that other local councils seem able to keep the grass cut on council land but Southampton doesn't?

 

Answer

 

There is no universal norm for frequency and standard of grass-cutting operations across UK Local Authorities.

Despite further significant cuts to the grounds maintenance budget for 2013-14, service standards have this year remained broadly consistent with previous years.

However, the grounds maintenance team recognise that during this season’s early summer ‘flush’ in grass growth, grass-cutting in certain areas, including cemeteries and some estates in the west of the City, did fall short of standards delivered across the greater part of Southampton.

This situation is now largely recovered, and the grounds maintenance team is considering, machinery types, and grass-cutting routes in areas where standards did fall temporarily in order to minimise any future occurrences.

 

13. Port Consultative Panel

 

Question from Councillor Parnell to Councillor Rayment

 

When was the last meeting of the Port Consultative Committee?  What was on the agenda and where can I find the minutes?

 

Answer

 

I understand that the last meeting of ABP’s Port Consultative Committee (PCC) was on 10th May 2012. This is a Committee for the docks established and managed by Associated British Ports (ABP). The PCC also involves both Hampshire County Council and New Forest District Council as well as Southampton City Council representatives and docks related business representatives.

ABP has agreed to release the minutes of the last meeting and these will be provided to Councillor Parnell by officers.

 

14. Biomass Power Station

 

Question from Councillor Smith to Councillor Letts (answered by Councillor Barnes-Andrews)

 

Can you update the Council about the negotiations with Portsmouth City Council regarding the location of a large biomass power station?

 

Answer

 

Since becoming Leader of the Council I have had no discussions with Portsmouth City Council about the location of a power station.

 

15. Associated British Ports

 

Question from Councillor Smith to Councillor Letts (answered by Councillor Barnes-Andrews)

 

How would you sum up the Executive’s relationship with ABP?

 

Answer

 

Cordial and businesslike.  We have met twice and another meeting is scheduled for next week. 

 

16. Fluoride

 

Question from Councillor Turner to Councillor Letts (answered by Councillor Barnes-Andrews)

 

How does the Leader of the Council propose to ensure that the Southampton residents affected have the final say in whether fluoride should be added to our water supply?

 

Answer

 

We are seeking clarification on whether a scheme for fluoride exists. 

 

17. Home Care Visits

 

Question from Councillor Turner to Councillor Shields

 

What is the minimum unit of time for home care visits?

 

Answer

 

We currently purchase in hours or part hours with the usual minimum being 15 minutes. Exact delivery can sometimes be longer, sometimes shorter to meet the specific needs of individuals. If this is a change in needs then a reassessment may be triggered.

We anticipate more social service clients opting to manage their own budgets through a direct payment and this will afford them greater discretion about the time slots for home care visits.

We are about to tender domiciliary care services and will expect flexible and responsive use of time to meet customer need, and will give a greater degree of control to individual service users.

In re-tendering these services paramount importance will be attached to individual client safety and dignity. It is unlikely that 15 minute time slots can always guarantee this and we also need to be mindful of the risks posed by potential suppliers that misuse zero hour contracts as a device for avoiding minimum wage requirements.

 

18. Pupil Premium

 

Question from Councillor Turner to Councillor Bogle

 

Is the Cabinet member satisfied that the Pupil Premium in Southampton is being used to bring extra benefit for the most disadvantaged pupils rather than bolstering general funds, and how is this measured and monitored?

 

Answer

 

The Pupil Premium is used to bring extra benefit to the most disadvantaged pupils.  Schools are required to account for how they use the Pupil Premium, and publish details on their websites.  Local Authority Officers when working with schools will audit the use of the Pupil Premium.  Samples of Governor minutes are also reviewed to ensure Governors are reviewing how the Pupil Premium is used to support pupils.

The Local Authority is hosting three Ofsted workshops focussing on Free School Meals and Raising Attainment in the Autumn. These are for head teachers and governors.

 

19. Night-time Economy

 

Question from Councillor Turner to Councillor Letts (answered by Councillor Barnes-Andrews)

 

Does the Cabinet Member intend to follow the lead of Newcastle Council in imposing a late night levy on clubs, pubs and other alcohol outlets  to help pay for policing the night-time economy?

 

Answer

 

Not at this stage. The introduction of the levy has been considered with the trade and Safe City Partners. The imposing of a LNL has the potential to have a dramatic effect on the night time economy of the City.

It is difficult to predict, but a reasonable estimate is that 50% of licences that currently operate after midnight will apply to change the hours of the licence to bring them out side of the levy. It is also unclear whether the amount of monies then raised after deductions would actually meet the current voluntary financial support already provided by the trade and partners which covers the cost of taxi marshals, street pastors, the ICE bus and other NTE initiatives.

Presently there is good co-operation between the relevant authorities and the trade with Licensing Link playing a pivotal role. Membership of the Licensing Link is likely to suffer a serious loss of membership if a levy were imposed.  The case for a LNL will be kept under review.

 

20. Social Letting Agency

 

Question from Councillor Vinson to Councillor Payne

 

Has the Cabinet Member considered establishing a City Council Social Letting Agency, similar to those operating in Derbyshire and Harrow, to match referenced tenants with trusted landlords?

 

Answer

 

Southampton City Council has a Homeseekers Letting Service that works with private landlords to secure homes for households that are either homeless or threatened with homelessness. A few years ago the Council did look at the idea of a social lettings service but this was shelved due to set up costs (eg staffing and inspection) plus the additional costs of providing landlords with similar incentives common to those already on offer in the private sector (eg rent guarantees covering void periods, holding fees etc.).

In London where these schemes predominate, councils often spend millions housing the homeless in bed and breakfast, so social letting schemes make sense. In Southampton we spend less than £40,000 on bed and breakfast so the savings to Southampton taxpayers would probably not outweigh the running costs. It is also uncertain whether enough landlords would come forward to make the scheme effective. In future, such a scheme may become desirable in Southampton, but doesn't appear to be at this time.

 

21. Council Budgets

 

Question from Councillor Vinson to Councillor Barnes-Andrews

 

Will the Executive consider introducing small budgets for individual councillors to use to support priorities in their wards?

 

Answer

 

At the September Group Leaders’ meeting an item to discuss and agree a broad approach using Community Infrastructure will be considered.  A Members’ seminar will be held to agree the detail. 

 

22. Integrated Health and Social Care

 

Question from Councillor Vinson to Councillor Shields

 

Is Southampton applying to be a Health and Social Care integration pioneer?

 

Answer

 

Southampton City Council and Southampton City Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) (supported by a number of other stakeholders from the local NHS ‘system’ as well as key local voluntary sector organisations) submitted a joint expression of interest in becoming a pioneer site on 28 June 2013.

The Council and its partners in the CCG both firmly believe that approaches based upon a more integrated approach to person centred care will be essential to help us meet together the challenges of the future.  We believe that pioneer status would help us to progress down a road we already plan to travel.

The bid was signed off by me as chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board and Dr. Steve Townsend as vice chair.  The next meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Board will receive a detailed presentation on this high quality bid, which we will be very happy to share with members.

111 councils had submitted bids to be one of the 10 pioneers, of which 99 met the basic criteria. The 10 winners would be announced in September and the LGA was developing ways to support the other 101 authorities.