(a) Councillor Letts to move
Council notes the cost both in financial and social terms of the late night economy in the City Centre.
Council requests the Head of Legal, HR and Democratic Services begin the process of statutory consultation required prior to Council deciding whether to bring in a Late Night Levy. This Levy should it be brought in would be used to contribute towards the costs of keeping those using the night time economy safe.
(b) Councillor Moulton to move
This Council notes that it is contrary to the general duty under s120 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1994 to raise on street parking charges for the sole intended purpose of helping to close the Council’s budget gap. Council further notes that last year the on street parking account generated a surplus of over £1m and that over a quarter of this was not even spent in 2012/13. Furthermore Council notes that the accumulated surplus for the on street parking account was over £1.7m as of 1st April 2013.
In light of this and the overwhelming public hostility to increases in residents’ parking charges and night time parking charges, and the fact they will hit both struggling families and businesses, Council calls on the Executive to abandon both of these tax increases.
NOTE: This motion has been submitted under Council Procedure Rule 16 as this is a motion to rescind a decision made at the Annual General Meeting on 15th May 2013 (ie the past six months) and as required, the notice of motion has been signed by one third of the Members of the Council.
(c) Councillor Hannides to move
Following the recent commencement of works to build the Arts Complex, the Council acknowledges the positive and constructive approach taken by the Executive in facilitating the delivery of the next phase of the city's flag ship cultural quarter development.
The Council notes there are substantial capital pressures that support the development of the Arts Complex and further resolves to urge the Executive to raise much needed funds through the sale of high value items from the city council’s art collection. In so doing it should also be guided by the following principles:
· De-accessioning is compliant with the terms of the relevant Bequests.
· The items do not form part of the Gallery’s core collection as presently defined.
· The Gallery’s national collection status is retained.
(d) Councillor Morrell to move
This Council deplores the dire financial straits into which it has been driven by the government’s cuts in local authority funding. Before even last year’s budget the Leader of the Council, Councillor Simon Letts described the axing of services and jobs as equivalent to "removing limbs", and now the council is confronted with making even more cuts amounting to £60 million over the next three years on top of the £57 million cut over the last three years.
This Council rejects the government’s argument for cutting local authority spending. It is the bankers and the super-rich, who created the world financial crisis, who should be made to pay, not ordinary people and council workers in Southampton.
This Council demands from the government the funding needed to maintain services. As a first step to mobilising support for the Council’s stand, public and private-sector trades unions, community, tenants, youth and pensioners groups from across the City will be invited to a pre-budget conference to discuss the real budget needs of the City.
Hilary Benn, Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government will be invited to Southampton to explain to the conference how a future Labour government will resolve the local authority budget crisis.
This Council will invite other Labour authorities in the region - Oxford, Reading and Slough - and beyond, to join it in a campaign to defend jobs and services.
(e) Councillor Kaur to move
The Council calls on the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the forthcoming Autumn Statement to announce plans to allow Sixth Form Colleges to reclaim VAT on their purchases in the same way that Academy and local authority School Sixth forms can. This would create a level playing field between such institutions in Southampton and provide both Richard Taunton and Itchen sixth form colleges with additional funding of up to potentially £300,000 to pursue their missions in raising and supporting the ambitions of the most disadvantaged students in our city.
Minutes:
(a)
Late Night Levy
Councillor Letts moved and Councillor Kaur seconded:-
“Council notes the cost both in financial and social terms of the late night economy in the City Centre.
Council requests the Head of Legal, HR and Democratic Services begin the process of statutory consultation required prior to Council deciding whether to bring in a Late Night Levy. This Levy should it be brought in would be used to contribute towards the costs of keeping those using the night time economy safe.”
UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE MOTION WAS DECLARED CARRIED
RESOLVED that the motion be approved.
(b)
On Street Parking
Charges
Councillor Moulton moved and Councillor Smith seconded:-
“This Council notes that it is contrary to the general
duty under s120 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1994 to
raise on street parking charges for the
sole intended purpose of helping to close the Council’s
budget gap. Council further notes that
last year the on street parking account generated a surplus of over
£1m and that over a quarter of this was not even spent in
2012/13. Furthermore Council notes that
the accumulated surplus for the on street parking account was over
£1.7m as of 1st April 2013.
In light of this and the overwhelming public hostility to increases in residents’ parking charges and night time parking charges, and the fact they will hit both struggling families and businesses, Council calls on the Executive to abandon both of these tax increases.”
Amendment moved by
Councillor Turner and seconded by Councillor Vinson:-
Second paragraph, third line delete
“both of these tax increases”
Second paragraph, third line after “Council calls on the Executive to abandon “ insert “'charging for the first permit in Residents' Parking Zones and modify the proposed evening parking charges to £1 for any period between 6.00p.m. and 8.00a.m.”
AMENDED MOTION TO READ
“This Council notes that it is contrary to the general duty under s120 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1994 to raise on street parking charges for the sole intended purpose of helping to close the Council’s budget gap. Council further notes that last year the on street parking account generated a surplus of over £1m and that over a quarter of this was not even spent in 2012/13. Furthermore Council notes that the accumulated surplus for the on street parking account was over £1.7m as of 1st April 2013
In light of this and the overwhelming public hostility to increases in residents’ parking charges and night time parking charges, and the fact they will hit both struggling families and businesses, Council calls on the Executive to abandon 'charging for the first permit in Residents' Parking Zones and modify the proposed evening parking charges to £1 for any period between 6.00p.m. and 8.00a.m.”
UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE AMENDMENT WAS DECLARED LOST
UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE MOTION AS SUBMITTED WAS DECLARED LOST
RESOLVED that the motion be not approved.
(c)
The Arts Complex
Councillor Hannides moved and
Councillor Moulton seconded:-
“Following the recent commencement of works to build the Arts Complex, the Council acknowledges the positive and constructive approach taken by the Executive in facilitating the delivery of the next phase of the city's flag ship cultural quarter development.
The Council notes there are substantial capital pressures that support the development of the Arts Complex and further resolves to urge the Executive to raise much needed funds through the sale of high value items from the city council’s art collection. In so doing it should also be guided by the following principles:
· De-accessioning is compliant with the terms of the relevant Bequests.
· The items do not form part of the Gallery’s core collection as presently defined.
·
The Gallery’s national collection status is
retained.”
Amendment moved by Councillor Vinson and seconded by Councillor Turner:
“First paragraph, third line delete “Executive” replace with “all political groups”
Delete second paragraph and bullet points and replace with new paragraphs
“Council notes that the New Arts Complex is fully funded within the Capital programme.
Council reaffirms its opposition to the sale of works of art from the City's collections”
AMENDED MOTION TO READ
“Following the recent commencement of works to build the Arts Complex, the Council acknowledges the positive and constructive approach taken by all political groups in facilitating the delivery of the next phase of the city's flag ship cultural quarter development.
Council notes that the New Arts Complex is fully funded within the Capital programme.
Council reaffirms its opposition to the sale of works of art from the City's collections.”
Further
Amendment moved by Councillor Tucker
and seconded by Councillor
Lloyd:
“Second paragraph, first line after “Council notes” delete remaining text
Second paragraph first line after “Council notes” insert
“that the Arts Complex is fully funded within the currently agreed capital programme. However, Council is aware that a new roof will be required on the Art Gallery at the start of 2015 at a cost close to £1,400,000.”
Add additional paragraph 3
“Council calls on the Executive to engage and work with the Chipperfield Advisory Committee and other associated parties to raise funds to pay for the new roof during the course of 2014. As a last resort, the roof may have to be funded through the sale of art."
AMENDED MOTION TO READ
“Following the recent commencement of works to build the Arts Complex, the Council acknowledges the positive and constructive approach taken by the Executive in facilitating the delivery of the next phase of the city's flag ship cultural quarter development.
The Council notes that the Arts Complex is fully funded within the currently agreed capital programme. However, Council is aware that a new roof will be required on the Art Gallery at the start of 2015 at a cost close to £1,400,000.
Council calls on the Executive to engage and work with the Chipperfield Advisory Committee and other associated parties to raise funds to pay for the new roof during the course of 2014. As a last resort, the roof may have to be funded through the sale of art."
UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE
AMENDMENT IN THE NAME OF COUNCILLOR TUCKER WAS DECLARED
CARRIED
UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE AMENDMENT IN THE NAME OF COUNCILLOR
VINSON WAS DECLARED LOST
UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE MOTION AS AMENDED WAS DECLARED
CARRIED
RESOLVED that the motion as amended by Councillor Tucker be approved.
(d)
Government Cuts in Local Authority
Funding
Councillor Morrell moved and Councillor Thomas
seconded:-
“This Council deplores the dire financial straits into which it has been driven by the government’s cuts in local authority funding. Before even last year’s budget the Leader of the Council, Councillor Simon Letts described the axing of services and jobs as equivalent to "removing limbs", and now the council is confronted with making even more cuts amounting to £60 million over the next three years on top of the £57 million cut over the last three years.
This Council rejects the government’s argument for cutting local authority spending. It is the bankers and the super-rich, who created the world financial crisis, who should be made to pay, not ordinary people and council workers in Southampton.
This Council demands from the government the funding needed to maintain services. As a first step to mobilising support for the Council’s stand, public and private-sector trades unions, community, tenants, youth and pensioners groups from across the City will be invited to a pre-budget conference to discuss the real budget needs of the City.
Hilary Benn, Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government will be invited to Southampton to explain to the conference how a future Labour government will resolve the local authority budget crisis.
This Council will
invite other Labour authorities in the region - Oxford, Reading and
Slough - and beyond, to join it in a campaign to defend jobs and
services.”
Amendment moved by Councillor Vinson and
seconded by Councillor Turner:
“First paragraph insert before “this Council”
“'While accepting that Local Government must bear a share of the measures necessary to restore the national economy after the crisis brought about by international financial and economic circumstances, bankers and previous governments”
First paragraphdelete after this Council “deplores the dire financial straits into which it has been driven by the”
First paragraph first line after “this Council” insert “believes that”
First paragraph after “Local” Insert “government has been called upon to bear a disproportionate share of the burden, such that now the council is confronted with making even more cuts amounting to £60 million over the next three years on top of the £57 million cut over the last three years.”
Third paragraph first line replace “demands” with “seeks”
Third paragraph first line after “maintain” insert “key”
Third paragraph second line delete “As a first step to mobilising support for the Council’s stand, public and private-sector trades unions, community, tenants, youth and pensioners groups from across the City will be invited to a pre-budget conference to discuss the real budget needs of the City.”
Forth paragraph delete
Fifth paragraph first line delete “Labour”
Fifth paragraph first line delete “Oxford, Reading and Slough”
Fifth paragraph second line insert “essential” in front of “services”
AMENDED
MOTION TO READ
'While accepting that Local Government must bear a share of the measures necessary to restore the national economy after the crisis brought about by international financial and economic circumstances, bankers and previous governments, this Council believes that Local Government has been called upon to bear a disproportionate share of the burden, such that now the council is confronted with making even more cuts amounting to £60 million over the next three years on top of the £57 million cut over the last three years.
This Council seeks from the Government the funding needed to maintain key services.
This Council will invite other authorities in the region and beyond, to join it in a campaign to defend essential jobs and services”
Further Amendment moved by
Councillor Letts and seconded by Councillor
Barnes-Andrews:
“Third paragraph second line delete all
after “ services”
add
“Council notes the success of the Councils redeployment policy which has kept compulsory redundancies to a minimum. Council further notes the successful bids under this administration in areas such as Transport, Waste and Skills which have brought extra resources to this City.
Council would like to put on record its thanks to our officers across many areas who have worked on this years budget and brought forward proposals which minimise charging increases and service cuts.
Council calls on the Leader to continue to work with other similar Councils through the LGA and the Key Cities grouping to lobby government in an attempt to secure a better funding deal for urban local authorities”
AMENDED MOTION TO READ
“This Council deplores the dire financial straits into which it has been driven by the government’s cuts in local authority funding. Before even last year’s budget the Leader of the Council, Councillor Simon Letts described the axing of services and jobs as equivalent to "removing limbs", and now the council is confronted with making even more cuts amounting to £60 million over the next three years on top of the £57 million cut over the last three years.
This Council rejects the government’s argument for cutting local authority spending. It is the bankers and the super-rich, who created the world financial crisis, who should be made to pay, not ordinary people and council workers in Southampton.
This Council demands from the government the funding needed to maintain services.
Council notes the success of the Councils redeployment policy which has kept compulsory redundancies to a minimum. Council further notes the successful bids under this administration in areas such as Transport, Waste and Skills which have brought extra resources to this City.
Council would like to put on record its thanks to our officers across many areas who have worked on this years budget and brought forward proposals which minimise charging increases and service cuts.
Council calls on the Leader to continue to work with other similar Councils through the LGA and the Key Cities grouping to lobby government in an attempt to secure a better funding deal for urban local authorities.”
UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE AMENDMENT IN THE NAME OF
COUNCILLOR LETTS WAS DECLARED CARRIED
UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE AMENDMENT IN THE NAME OF COUNCILLOR
VINSON WAS DECLARED LOST
UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE MOTION AS AMENDED WAS DECLARED
CARRIED
RESOLVED that the
motion as amended by Councillor Letts be
approved.
(e)
Sixth Form Colleges – VAT
Councillor Kaur moved and
Councillor Paffey seconded:-
“The Council calls on the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the forthcoming Autumn Statement to announce plans to allow Sixth Form Colleges to reclaim VAT on their purchases in the same way that Academy and local authority School Sixth forms can. This would create a level playing field between such institutions in Southampton and provide both Richard Taunton and Itchen sixth form colleges with additional funding of up to potentially £300,000 to pursue their missions in raising and supporting the ambitions of the most disadvantaged students in our City.”
UPON BEING PUT TO THE
VOTE THE MOTION WAS DECLARED CARRIED
RESOLVED that the motion be approved.
(f)
Councillor Tax Benefit – Urgent
Motion
Group leaders agreed to hear the
motion.
Councillor Vinson moved and Councillor Turner seconded:-
“Mindful of the implications for many of Southampton’s poorest citizens, this Council agrees that Southampton’s Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2014 should be amended, subject to the consultation and publication requirements of the Local Government Finance Act 1992(as amended) and final decision to be made by a special meeting of Full Council in January 2014 following consideration of the consultation exercises, such that, in order to give these households time to adjust and to minimise the accumulation of Council tax arrears, the baseline reduction applied in the calculation will be reduced as follows:
2014/15 – 12.5%
2015/16 – 18%
2016/17 – 25%
and also that the current Discretionary Fund to deal with cases of exceptional hardship be continued.
This Council also agrees that should this motion be adopted, provision for the additional cost of the revised scheme must be made in the 2014/15 budget (and subsequent budgets) agreed by Full Council at its meeting on 12th February 2014.”
UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE MOTION WAS DECLARED LOST
RESOLVED that the motion be
not approved.
(g) Portsmouth Dockyard – Urgent Motion
Group leaders agreed to hear the
motion.
Councillor Letts moved and Councillor Smith seconded:-
“This Council calls on Government to immediately suspend the decision to end shipbuilding in Portsmouth ahead of a Cabinet Office review into all of the options available, and to:
1. Endorse a ‘three Yard solution’ as being most appropriate for strategic, political and economic reasons;
2. Ensure remaining work to be done in Portsmouth on the Royal Navy’s new aircraft carriers stays with the city’s shipbuilders (Blocks UB07, UB014, LB05);
3.
Build at least one of the navy’s new Offshore
Patrol Vessels in Portsmouth, and guarantee future work in the form
of sections of the upcoming Type 26 frigates;
4. Give a public assurance that the MoD-owned land currently in use for shipbuilding at Portsmouth Naval Base will remain available to support that work;
5. Appoint a named minister to act as a single point of contact for discussions between city leaders, unions, BAE Systems, other interested parties, and your government;
6. Adopt a ‘workshare’ approach and retain the existing proportion of Type 23 work in Portsmouth;
7. Undertake maintenance and preparation work, such as the fabrication of necessary caissons in Portsmouth rather than in Holland as previously;
8. Visit Portsmouth as soon as possible, with defence secretary Philip Hammond and the appointed minister, to discuss options going forward.
These views to be communicated by the Leader of the Council to the Prime Minister.”
UPON BEING PUT TO THE
VOTE THE MOTION WAS UNANIMOUSLY DECLARED CARRIED
RESOLVED that the motion be approved.