Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies.

It was noted that no apologies had been received.

To authorise the signing of the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 11^th July 2012, attached.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 11^th July 2012 be approved and signed as a correct record.

Matters especially brought forward by the Mayor and the Leader.

The Mayor informed Members that an Extraordinary Council Meeting would be held on Wednesday 16^th January 2013 at 6.00pm to adopt a Local Council Tax Support Scheme to replace the current Council Tax Benefit for April next year.

To receive any requests for Deputations, Presentation of Petitions or Public Questions.

(i) The Council received and noted a deputation from Mr R. Graham, concerning the proposed link road between Townhill Park and Midanbury;

(ii) The Council received and noted a deputation from Mr D. Extance and Mr Chorley, concerning Hollybrook Cemetery;

(iii) The Council received and noted a deputation from Mrs M. Finch concerning, the redevelopment of the Castle Public House site, Midanbury.

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 the 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. Ofsted Inspection

Question from Councillor Lewzey to Councillor Bogle

What caused the disappointing April Ofsted report of the Inspection of Safeguarding Services?

Answer

It is a huge credit to the leadership and management of our Children’s Services managers that the outcome was not more disappointing.  Staff at all levels were under substantial pressure not only due to rising referrals but also morale had been adversely affected by the previous Administration's decision to cut pay.

At a time of rising and increasingly complex demands on the service, the high levels of staff turnover and resulting reliance on either inexperienced or agency staff were a critical factor in the less satisfactory judgments by Ofsted.

2. Quality Improvement Plan

Question from Councillor Lewzey to Councillor Bogle

Following the disappointing Ofsted report what is the current impact of the Quality Improvement Plan?

Answer

I am pleased to report that there is now a single Quality Improvement Plan between ourselves, the NHS and LSCB.  There has been good progress on the implementation of the highest priority actions – for example, 16 newly qualified and permanent social workers have recently been recruited following a successful recruitment fayre. Two new Principal Officers are in post. Important progress has also been made with our colleagues in Housing in order to prevent the use of bed and breakfast accommodation for children or young people in our care, and our NHS partners are doing all they can to ensure weekend access to specialist forensic assessment for children who may have been abused sexually. We have a full training programmed for social workers in place and we are vigorously auditing supervision and practice.

However, there are significant challenges remaining due to continuing high levels of demand for safeguarding services and the need for experienced social workers, and a number of avenues are being explored to rectify this.

3. Working Relationships

Question from Councillor Dr Paffey to Councillor Bogle

What steps are being taken to improve working relationships with staff within Children's Safeguarding services?

Answer

The strains in the relationships between the Council and its workforce over terms and conditions were not restricted to the Children’s Safeguarding service. The key issue that exacerbated the relationship with the Children’s safeguarding workforce was their ability to secure better paid work locally as a result of high demand for their expertise nationally and regionally. I have attended a number of meetings with Safeguarding managers and staff, a positive dialogue is in place which has allowed me to hear directly from staff and I am taking personal steps to ensure frontline staff in particular are as supported as much as possible in their protection of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 54.

(a)  Councillor Pope to move:

 “This Council believes that football clubs are vital community assets, and are more than just ordinary businesses. Communities, and fans, have strong interests in clubs.

This Council urges the football authorities, all elected representatives, Government, members of the House of Lords, all political parties and community activists to campaign to promote fan and community ownership and control of football clubs at all levels.

This Council also encourages the reform of football governance rules to encourage fan and community ownership and control to achieve financially-sustainable clubs, rather than the failed so-called “benefactor model” that has led to administration or liquidation of clubs.

Supporters Direct has helped supporters to secure influence and ownership of sports clubs, but due to funding cuts in 2011, it is suffering potential funding shortfalls. This Council urges the Government, football authorities and funding bodies to urgently find sustainable models of funding for Supporters Direct.

This Council welcomes financial fair play initiatives by UEFA, the Football League and Football Conference that help sustain football clubs in the interests of the community by controlling debt and risk. This Council urges the Premier League to do the same.

This Council believes player pay is at unsustainable levels, meaning investment in clubs and communities suffers. This Council therefore urges the football authorities, at all levels of the game, to place a limit on total spending on player transfers and wages. This limit would be a sustainable percentage (e.g. 60% ) of the total revenue of each club in a financial year.”

(b)  Councillor Jeffery to move:

“Improving and developing bus transport in the City of Southampton is essential to reduce carbon emissions, give greater access to the City to non-car owners, and tackle inequality by curtailing social alienation. Therefore:

·  Council welcomes the securing of the Better Bus Area Fund bid by the transport team, and endorses all attempts to make bus travel in Southampton as attractive as possible to customers.

·  Council calls on the administration to work for a better dialogue between the Authority and bus operators, for bus operators to do more to consult with their customers, and for the movement towards more integrated bus networks.”

(c)  Councillor Moulton to move:

“This Council calls on the Executive to fully consult with local ward councillors and residents of Lordshill and the surrounding area about the future redevelopment of Lordshill District Centre. Council recognises the considerable public demand for a swimming pool in Lordshill and calls on the Executive to make a new pool a requirement of any redevelopment of the area, as per the policy under the previous Administration. Council also calls upon the Executive to give full and proper consideration to how the existing Oaklands School and Pool site might be used to benefit the community in the short to medium term. Options that the Executive should consider should include, but should not be limited to, a community centre, sports facilities, educational use and small start up business premises.”

(d)  Councillor Hannides to move:

“Council  ...  view the full agenda text for item 55.

(a)  Football Clubs

Councillor Pope moved and Councillor Furnell seconded:-

“This Council believes that football clubs are vital community assets, and are more than just ordinary businesses. Communities, and fans, have strong interests in clubs.

This Council urges the football authorities, all elected representatives, Government, members of the House of Lords, all political parties and community activists to campaign to promote fan and community ownership and control of football clubs at all levels.

This Council also encourages the reform of football governance rules to encourage fan and community ownership and control to achieve financially-sustainable clubs, rather than the failed so-called “benefactor model” that has led to administration or liquidation of clubs.

Supporters Direct has helped supporters to secure influence and ownership of sports clubs, but due to funding cuts in 2011, it is suffering potential funding shortfalls. This Council urges the Government, football authorities and funding bodies to urgently find sustainable models of funding for Supporters Direct.

This Council welcomes financial fair play initiatives by UEFA, the Football League and Football Conference that help sustain football clubs in the interests of the community by controlling debt and risk. This Council urges the Premier League to do the same.

This Council believes player pay is at unsustainable levels, meaning investment in clubs and communities suffers. This Council therefore urges the football authorities, at all levels of the game, to place a limit on total spending on player transfers and wages. This limit would be a sustainable percentage (e.g. 60% ) of the total revenue of each club in a financial year.”

Amendment moved by Councillor Vinson and seconded by Councillor Turner:

In second paragraph, last line, delete ‘….ownership and control of…’; and replace with ‘….influence on…..’

In third paragraph, second line delete: ‘….ownership and control….; and replace with ‘….influence…’

In 4^th paragraph, first line, delete ‘Supporters Direct has helped supporters to secure influence and ownership of sports clubs, but due to funding cuts in 2011, it is suffering potential funding shortfalls.’

In last paragraph:

• In the first line, delete ‘This Council believes player pay is at unsustainable levels, meaning investment in clubs and communities suffers.’
• In the second line, after ‘This Council…’, delete ‘therefore’
• In the 3^rd line, after ‘at all levels of the game,’ delete ‘place a limit on total spending on player transfers and wages. This limit would be a sustainable percentage (e.g. 60%) of the total revenue of each club in a financial year.’ and insert ‘investigate means of ensuring that spending on player transfers and wages is sustainable.’

Amended Motion to read:

This Council believes that football clubs are vital community assets, and are more than just ordinary businesses. Communities, and fans, have strong interests in clubs.

This Council urges the football authorities, all elected representatives, Government, members of the House of Lords, all political parties and community activists to campaign to promote fan and community influence in football clubs at all levels.

This Council also encourages the reform of football  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55.

To consider any question of which notice has been given under Council Procedure Rule 11.2.

1. Cumulative Impact Licensing Policy

Question from Councillor Moulton to Councillor Cunio

Will the Chairman ask City Council licensing officers to work with Hampshire Constabulary to assess the impact of the proliferation of more and more off licences and other licensed premises along Shirley Road and High Street and the immediate surrounding area and consider the benefits of introducing a Cumulative Impact Licensing policy to restrict such premises, following the introduction of this same policy in Bedford Place, the City Centre and Bevois Valley some years ago?

Answer

Whilst the Licensing team is unaware of any specific complaints regarding this issue I will ensure this matter is taken up with the police to see whether there is sufficient evidence to justify the inclusion on any further specific areas within the current Cumulative Impact Policy.

To deal with any appointments to Committees, Sub-Committees or other bodies as required.

It was noted that the following changes to the appointments to Committees and other bodies had been made:

1. That Councillor McEwing had replaced Councillor Morrell on Scrutiny Panel A; and

2. That Councillor Morrell had replaced Councillor McEwing on the Health Overview Scrutiny Panel

Report of the Leader of the Council seeking approval for a local advisory referendum to be undertaken in Freemantle and Millbrook wards in relation to the proposals by Helius Energy for a 100 megawatt biomass power plant on the Western Docks, attached.

The report of the Leader of the Council seeking approval for a local advisory referendum to be undertaken in Freemantle and Millbrook wards in relation to the proposals by Helius Energy for a 100 megawatt biomass power plant on the Western Docks was withdrawn (copy of report circulated with the agenda and appended to signed minutes).

Report of the Head of Legal, HR and Democratic Services seeking the adoption of a revised draft Gambling Act Policy for consultation purposes, attached.

The report of the Head of Legal, HR and Democratic Services was submitted seeking the adoption of a revised draft Gambling Act Policy for consultation purposes (copy of report circulated with the agenda and appended to signed minutes).

RESOLVED:

(i)  That the draft revised Gambling Act policy for consultation purposes be endorsed; and

(ii)  That a further report be submitted to Council for consideration in November 2012 following consultation.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Communities seeking approval for the Safe City Partnership 2012-13 Plan and to approve the Council’s contribution, attached.

The report of the Cabinet Member for Communities was submitted seeking approval for the Safe City Partnership 2012-13 Plan and the Council’s contribution (copy of report circulated with agenda and appended to signed minutes).

RESOLVED that the Safe City Partnership Plan 2012-13 be approved.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Leisure Services, seeking approval on the Townhill Park Regeneration Framework Financial Model, Delivery Framework; and funding for the implementation of Phase 1, attached.

The report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Leisure Services was submitted seeking approval of the Townhill Park Regeneration Framework Financial Model, Delivery Framework; and funding for the implementation of Phase 1 (copy of report circulated with agenda and appended to signed minutes).

Amendment moved by Councillor Baillie and seconded by Councillor Moulton:

Page 1, Paragraph 1, 3^rd line. 

After “tackling economic deprivation” insert “poor health, poor education,”. 

Page 4, Add new recommendations (iv) and (v):

(iv)  To note that the HRA will be required to incur further expenditure provision for which has been included in the 30 year HRA Business Plan projections for these proposals, but with the timing dependent on the final details of the development agreement and subject to future Cabinet/Council approvals. 

(v)  To agree this new social housing provision will be provided for letting at 50% affordable rent and 50% at social rent, subject to approval from the Department for Communities and Local Government/Homes and Communities Agency. 

AMENDMENT TO READ:

Brief Summary, paragraph 1:

Southampton City Council has embarked on a major estate regeneration programme which plays an essential part in the wider commitment of delivering growth and tackling economic deprivation, poor health, poor education and social disadvantage on Southampton’s Council estates. 

Amended recommendations to read:

(i)  To agree that the HRA capital programme will fund the site preparation costs set out in this report, currently estimated at £11.8M, and to approve a virement of £10.5M from the uncommitted provision for Estate Regeneration, which exists in the HRA capital programme and business plan, and £1.3M from the uncommitted funding for affordable housing in the Housing GF capital programmeto establish a specific budget of £11.8M for Townhill Park, the phasing for which is set out in Appendix 1.

(ii)  To approve the use of £23.9M of the 30 year HRA revenue surplus to meet the long term revenue costs of the regeneration of Townhill Park, which includes the requirement to repay the debt on the dwellings that have been disposed of from the general HRA revenue balance as there is no net capital receipt to fund this repayment.

(iii)  To agree that the General Fund capital programme will fund the highways infrastructure, open space improvements and replacement community facilities where appropriate, at an estimated cost of £2.8M with the method of funding this being agreed once the use of the Community Infrastructure Levy and the value of the GF capital receipts are known.

(iv)  To note that the HRA will be required to incur further expenditure provision for which has been included in the 30 year HRA Business Plan projections for these proposals, but with the timing dependent on the final details of the development agreement and subject to future Cabinet/Council approvals. 

(v)  To agree this new social housing provision will be provided for letting at 50% affordable rent and 50% at social rent, subject to approval from the Department for Communities and Local Government/Homes and Communities Agency.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 61.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Leisure Services seeking approval for the revised Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Capital Programme, attached.

The report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Leisure Services was submitted seeking approval for the revised Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Capital Programme (copy of report circulated with agenda and appended to signed minutes).

RESOLVED:

(i)  That the revised Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Capital Programme set out in Appendix 1 to the report be approved; and

(ii)  that the use of resources to fund the HRA Capital Programme as shown in Appendix 3.to the report be approved.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Leisure Services, seeking the commencement of energy saving measures and refurbishment works across the City, attached.

The report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Leisure Services was submitted, seeking the commencement of energy saving measures and refurbishment works across the City (copy of report circulated with agenda and appended to signed minutes).

RESOLVED that in accordance with Finance Procedure Rules, the addition of £1,250,000 to the HRA Capital Programme for the installation of photo voltaic systems, funded by unused Direct Revenue Financing (DRF) be approved.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Resources, seeking approval of changes to existing revenue and capital budgets as first presented on 11 July 2012, following consultation, attached.

The report of the Cabinet Member for Resources was submitted seeking approval of changes to existing revenue and capital budgets as first presented on 11 July 2012, following consultation (copy of report circulated with agenda and appended to signed minutes).

Amendment moved by Councillor Vinson and seconded by Councillor Turner:

Amend recommendation (iii) to replace Appendix 2 which sets out proposals for efficiencies, income and service reductions for approval with Annex 1 to this Amendment.

Add recommendations (viii) to (xi) as set out below.

AMENDED RECOMMENDATIONS TO READ:

(i)  Notes the Consultation process that was followed as outlined in Appendix 1 of the Changes to Existing Revenue and Capital Budgets report on the Council Agenda,

(ii)  Notes the Equality Impact Assessment process that was followed as outlined in paragraphs 6 to 8 of the Changes to Existing Revenue and Capital Budgets report on the Council Agenda,

(iii)  Approves the efficiencies, income and service reductions as set out in Annex 1 to this Amendment,

(iv)  Notes the high level forecast for the General Fund for 2013/14 to 2015/16 as detailed in paragraphs 24 to 28 of the Changes to Existing Revenue and Capital Budgets report on the Council Agenda,

(v)  Delegates authority to the Chief Financial Officer to action all budget changes arising from the approved efficiencies, income and service reductions and incorporate any other approved amendments into the General Fund estimates,

(vi)  Notes that after taking these items into account, there is an estimated General Fund balance of £5.3M at the end of 2015/16 as detailed in paragraph 30 of the Changes to Existing Revenue and Capital Budgets report on the Council Agenda,

(vii)  Delegates authority to the Chief Financial Officer, in consultation with the Director of Corporate Services, to do anything necessary to give effect to the recommendations in the Changes to Existing Revenue and Capital Budgets report on the Council Agenda as amended by this Amendment,

(viii)  Approves the spending initiatives set out in Annex 2 to this Amendment,

(ix)  Approves the changes to the Capital Programme as set out in Annex 3 to this Amendment,

(x)  Notes the overall impact of the proposals as set out in Annex 4 to this Amendment on the budget in 2012/13,

(xi)  Notes that the overall impact of the proposals, as set out in Annex 1, 2 and 3 to this Amendment on the Medium Term Financial forecast is to increase the budget gap in 2014/15 and 2015/16, as shown in Annex 5 to this Amendment.

(copy of the amended Liberal Democrat recommendations as circulated at the meeting attached as appendix A to these minutes)

Amendment moved by Councilor Moulton and seconded by Councillor Hannides:

·  Amend recommendation (iii) to remove the savings proposal HLS 5 (Closure of Oaklands Pool) as outlined in Section B of Annex 1 to this Amendment.

·  Amend recommendation (vi) to reflect the additional draw from balances of £125,000 in 2012/13 to fund the spending initiatives outlined in Section A of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Resources seeking approval for Changes to the Capital Programme, attached

The report of the Cabinet Member for Resources was submitted seeking approval for Changes to the Capital Programme (copy of report circulated with agenda and appended to signed minutes).

RESOLVED :

(i)  That the revised General Fund Capital Programme, which totals £197.1M as detailed in paragraph 4 of the report and the associated use of resources be approved;

(ii)  that the changes to the programme as summarised in Appendix 2 and described in detail in Appendix 3 of the report be noted;

(iii)  that the slippage and re-phasing as described in detail in Appendix 3 to the report be noted;

(iv)  that the transfer of £200,000 from the Environment & Transport Capital Programme to the Children’s Services Capital Programme to fund transport measures associated with the delivery of the new Academy school in Nursling in order to facilitate better project management of the overall work be noted;

(v)  that it be noted that the additional temporary borrowing taken out in 2010/11 and 2011/12 due to cashflow issues, totalling £11.9M, is forecast to be repaid by the end of 2013/14 as anticipated capital receipts are finally received;

(vi)  that it be noted that the revised General Fund Capital Programme takes into account the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) and its impact for 2011/12 and future years;

(vii)  that in addition to the forecast capital receipts that are assumed as a key element of funding the capital programme presented for approval, it be noted there will be additional receipts which will flow from the enhanced sale of assets programme as this comes to fruition.  However at this early stage it is not possible to estimate the amount or timing of these additional receipts with any certainty; and

(viii)  that the financial and project issues which are set out in paragraphs 26 to 30 of the report and detailed in Appendix 3 to the report for each Portfolio be noted.

Report of the Head of Legal, HR and Democratic Services seeking approval for changes to the governance of the Chipperfield Trust, attached.

The report of the Head of Legal, HR and Democratic Services was submitted seeking approval for changes to the governance of the Chipperfield Trust (copy of report circulated with the agenda and appended to signed minutes).

Amendment moved by Councillor Vinson and seconded by Councillor Payne:

In recommendation (i)

(i)  Delete all after 'consisting of' and add: '7 independent members with expertise in the visual arts relevant to the Chipperfield Bequest in particular, together with the National Advisor and a representative of the Museums Association ex officio and appropriate officers in attendance, with a quorum of 5, and subject to the terms of reference set out in Appendix 2 together with any other matters that the Committee may deem relevant to the objectives of the Chipperfield Bequest and the wellbeing of the collection and Gallery, and the Conflict of Interest Policy set out at Appendix 3 of this report.’

In recommendation (ii)

(ii)  After  'recruit' delete “5”, insert ‘7’;

In recommendation (iii)

(iii)  After 'Senior Manager of Leisure' insert‘in consultation with the Arts and Heritage Manager and Gallery Curator,'.

Amended recommendations to read:

(i)  That Council establish a Chipperfield Trust Advisory Committee pursuant to s102(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, consisting of 7 independent members with expertise in the visual arts relevant to the Chipperfield Bequest in particular, together with the National Advisor and a representative of the Museums Association ex officio and appropriate officers in attendance, with a quorum of 5, and subject to the terms of reference set out in Appendix 2 together with any other matters that the Committee may deem relevant to the objectives of the Chipperfield Bequest and the wellbeing of the collection and Gallery, and the Conflict of Interest Policy set out at Appendix 3 of this report;

(ii)  That Council delegate authority to the Director of Corporate services to undertake a recruitment process to recruit 7 independent members of the Chipperfield Trust Advisory Committee as set out in this report, with appointment following consultation with the Mayor and Group Leaders; and

(iii)  That Council delegate authority to the Senior Manager of Leisure, in consultation with the Arts and Heritage Manager and the Gallery Curator, to undertake day to day business of the Trust, including applying for and receiving any external grant funding on behalf of the Trust, and dealing with general management and administrative matters insofar as such matters fall outside their remit of the Advisory Committee. 

Subsequent further amendment moved by Councillor Payne and seconded by Councillor Lloyd:

In recommendation (i) in line 3 after “independent Members” insert “with a quorum of 5.”

In line 6 delete “ex-officio”

In line 7 after “attendance” insert “including, as necessary, the Senior Manager (Leisure and Culture) and the gallery curator, and delete “with a quorum of 5”.

In line 12  after “Gallery” insert “including compliance at all times with the Chipperfield Scheme and the protocols of the Museums Association, particularly in the event of consideration of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 66.