Southampton City Council re-affirms its constitutional arrangements that Full Council may remove a sitting Leader by a simple majority vote of the Full Council.
B. Councillor Drake to move:
Council deplores the Executive's inept handling of the new voluntary sector grants process, whereby organisations were given inadequate notice of proposals to reduce or cease grants, and Cabinet decisions regarding the award of grants were made without reasonable time to adequately consider representations. Council therefore requests the Cabinet Member for Housing and Local Services to consult with voluntary sector organisations on a revised schedule for future years.
C. Councillor Payne to move:
This council recognises the good work of the estate regeneration scheme and reaffirms its efforts to provide affordable housing to meet the overwhelming need in the city. As a result, the Council Executive will write to the Government to ask for sufficient funding to keep the estate regeneration programme going in the long term and provide cash to meet our housing needs.
D. Councillor Vinson to move:
This Council is concerned at possible erosion of the new planning powers to manage the spread of Houses in Multiple Occupation introduced by the last Government, and agrees that a robust response to the recently announced further consultation be submitted, supporting an opt-out strategy as proposed by the National HMO Lobby.
Council also expresses its concern that the recent extension of Permitted Development Rights under the previous Government is having an adverse effect on areas within the city and urges the new Government to review this legislation at the earliest opportunity.
E. Councillor Slade to move:
This council should write to the Government and ask that minimum numbers be reinstated on planning in respect of car parking standards rather than maximum numbers as introduced by the previous government.
Minutes:
(a) Constitutional Arrangements
Councillor Dr R Williams moved and Councillor Letts seconded:-
Southampton City Council re-affirms its constitutional arrangements that Full Council may remove a sitting Leader by a simple majority vote of the Full Council.
UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE MOTION WAS DECLARED CARRIED
RESOLVED that the motion be approved.
COUNCILLOR MATTHEWS IN THE CHAIR
(b) Voluntary Sector Grants
Councillor Vinson moved and Councillor Slade seconded:-
Council deplores the Executive's inept handling of the new voluntary sector grants process, whereby organisations were given inadequate notice of proposals to reduce or cease grants, and Cabinet decisions regarding the award of grants were made without reasonable time to adequately consider representations. Council therefore requests the Cabinet Member for Housing and Local Services to consult with voluntary sector organisations on a revised schedule for future years.
UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE MOTION WAS DECLARED LOST
RESOLVED that the motion be not approved.
NOTES
(i) Councillors Cunio and Drake declared prejudicial interests in the above matter, in view of their status as trustees of Southampton Advice and Representation Centre and left the meeting during the consideration of the matter.
(ii) Councillor Mrs Damani declared a prejudicial interest in the above matter, in view of her employment within NHS Southampton City and left the meeting during the consideration of the matter.
(iii) Councillor Fitzgerald declared a prejudicial interest in the above matter, in view of his position on the executive of Southampton Voluntary Services and within MENCAP along with his involvement in the scouting movement and left the meeting during the consideration of the matter.
COUNCILLOR CUNIO BACK IN THE CHAIR
(c) Estate Regeneration
Councillor Payne moved and Councillor McEwing seconded:-
This Council recognises the good work of the estate regeneration scheme and reaffirms its efforts to provide affordable housing to meet the overwhelming need in the city. As a result, the Council Executive will write to the Government to ask for sufficient funding to keep the estate regeneration programme going in the long term and provide cash to meet our housing needs.
Amendment moved by Councillor P. Williams and seconded by Councillor Fuller:
AMENDMENT
In second line delete the words “affordable housing” and replace with “more and better homes”
In the third line after the words “overwhelming need in the city” add:
“The Council notes
that the pilot project at Hinkler Parade is proceeding despite
funding challenges under the previous Government.
The Council welcomes
the Coalition Government's commitment to reforming the Housing
Revenue Account. It welcomes initiatives to further devolve housing
responsibilities and funding to local councils. The
Council also notes that the new leader of the Council has
already shown the new Secretary of State for Local Government and
the new Housing Minister around the Hinkler Parade site to discuss
the project with officers and residents."
In the third line delete the words “As a result,”
In the third line delete the words “write to” and replace with “continue dialogue with”
In the fourth line delete the words “sufficient funding to keep the” and replace with “help to deliver our”
In the fourth line delete the words “going in the long term and provide cash to meet our housing needs”.
AMENDED MOTION TO READ:
“This Council
recognises the good work of the estate regeneration scheme and
reaffirms its efforts to provide more and better homes to meet the
overwhelming need in the city. The Council notes that the pilot
project at Hinkler Parade is proceeding despite funding
challenges under the previous Government.
The Council welcomes
the Coalition Government's commitment to reforming the Housing
Revenue Account. It welcomes initiatives to further devolve housing
responsibilities and funding to local councils. The
Council also notes that the new leader of the Council has
already shown the new Secretary of State for Local Government and
the new Housing Minister around the Hinkler Parade site to discuss
the project with officers and residents. The Council Executive will
continue dialogue with the Government to ask for help to deliver
our estate regeneration programme.”
UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE AMENDMENT WAS DECLARED CARRIED
UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE MOTION AS AMENDED WAS DECLARED CARRIED
RESOLVED that the motion as amended be approved.
(d) Houses in Multiple Occupation
Councillor Vinson moved and Councillor Sollitt seconded:-
This Council is concerned at possible erosion of the new planning powers to manage the spread of Houses in Multiple Occupation introduced by the last Government, and agrees that a robust response to the recently announced further consultation be submitted, supporting an opt-out strategy as proposed by the National HMO Lobby.
Council also expresses its concern that the recent extension of Permitted Development Rights under the previous Government is having an adverse effect on areas within the city and urges the new Government to review this legislation at the earliest opportunity.
Amendment moved by Councillor Dean and seconded by Councillor Fitzhenry:-
AMENDMENT
In the first paragraph in the third line delete the words “agrees that a” and replace with “Council welcomes the”
In the first paragraph in the fourth line delete the words “be submitted”
In the second paragraph in the first line delete the words “also expresses its concern that the recent extension of” and replace with “requests Government that”
In the second paragraph in the second line, delete all after “Development Rights” and replace with:
“are rescinded for small houses in multiple occupation and that such planning applications that are subsequently forthcoming are determined locally”.
AMENDED MOTION TO READ:
“This Council is concerned at possible erosion of the new planning powers to manage the spread of Houses in Multiple Occupation introduced by the last Government. Council welcomes the robust response to the recently announced further consultation, supporting an opt-out strategy as proposed by the National HMO Lobby.
Council requests Government that Permitted Development Rights are rescinded for small houses in multiple occupation and that such planning applications that are subsequently forthcoming are determined locally.”
UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE AMENDMENT WAS DECLARED CARRIED
UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE MOTION AS AMENDED WAS DECLARED CARRIED
RESOLVED that the motion as amended be approved.
NOTE: Councillor Dr R Williams declared a prejudicial interest in the above matter, in view of his ownership of HMOs and left the meeting during the consideration of the matter.
(e) Car Parking Standards
Councillor Slade moved and Councillor Drake seconded:-
This Council should write to the Government and ask that minimum numbers be reinstated on planning in respect of car parking standards rather than maximum numbers as introduced by the previous government.
Amendment moved by Councillor Dean and seconded by Councillor Letts:-
AMENDMENT
In the first line delete the words “should write to the Government and ask that minimum numbers be reinstated on planning in respect of car parking standards rather than” and replace with:
“notes the all-party review of car parking standards as initiated by the Chairman of the Planning and Rights of Way Panel and supported by the Administration. Council deplores…..”
At the end of the paragraph add “as these matters should be determined by the Planning Authority locally.”
AMENDED MOTION TO READ:
“This Council notes the all-party review of car parking standards as initiated by the Chairman of the Planning and Rights of Way Panel and supported by the Administration.
Council deplores maximum numbers as introduced by the previous government as these matters should be determined by the Planning Authority locally.”
UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE AMENDMENT WAS DECLARED CARRIED
UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE MOTION AS AMENDED WAS DECLARED CARRIED
RESOLVED that the motion as amended be approved.
EMERGENCY MOTIONS
(f) Building Schools for the Future Programme
With the consent of the Mayor, Councillor Dr R Williams requested that an emergency motion with regard to the Building Schools for the Future Programme be submitted.
UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE REQUEST FOR AN EMERGENCY MOTION WAS DENIED
RESOLVED that the emergency motion be not debated.
(g) Building Schools for the Future Programme
With the consent of the Mayor, Councillor Vinson requested that an emergency motion with regard to the Building Schools for the Future Programme be submitted.
UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE REQUEST FOR AN EMERGENCY MOTION WAS DENIED
RESOLVED that the emergency motion be not debated.