(a) Moved by Councillor Moulton
Council recognises that the planned closure of the restaurants in the Potters Court and Erskine Court Extra Care homes has not been handled well, leading to considerable distress to residents and families. The announcement of the closure with the original planned date of end of October did not allow for proper consultation or planning. Council recognises the importance of the restaurants for the wellbeing of residents and urges the Executive to work with potential alternative operators to find an enduring solution to keep them open permanently.
Furthermore, Council asks that for any such changes in the future that ward councillors are fully and proactively engaged, in a timely manner, that the welfare of vulnerable residents is properly considered, and that changes are effectively managed with co-ordination across all council departments involved.
(b) Moved by Councillor P Baillie
Southampton City Council, through the Housing Revenue Account, is the most important landlord in Southampton. Its actions as the landlord impact the lives of tens of thousands of people directly, but also many other tens of thousands indirectly, who look up to the HRA for guidance and leadership.
Council notes that since 2012 there has been a sustained lack of investment in HRA. Council also notes that the HRA has ring-fenced finances and is unaffected by outside financial turmoil.
Council thus finds the present situation of void homes taking over 90 days to get ready, the repair service in disarray, and worst of all the percentage of homes meeting the Decent Homes Standard down from 99% to around 50%, unacceptable and Council asks the Executive to prioritise getting homes fit for living in, well repaired, and that the time taken to sort out standard voids is brought below 3 weeks quickly. Council notes that the cost alone of the time taken to sort out voids is around £3.5M per year, and in addition over 550 families could have been in HRA housing for a year.
Council also notes that there has been a complete stop on Estate Regeneration for political reasons, despite an urgent need for new housing.
Finally Council notes that previous Cabinet Members for Housing have appeared to not be equal to the tasks and asks the current Cabinet Member whether she is really up to the difficult challenges ahead.
Council asks that a full apology is given to council tenants, from the Cabinet Member, for the quite terrible performance of the HRA.
(c) Moved by Councillor Powell-Vaughan
Radicalisation poses a significant threat to the safety, unity, and wellbeing of our community, leading to potential acts of violence and social division. It is the responsibility of Southampton City Council [and partners] to proactively address this issue and implement measures to prevent radicalisation among our residents.
Effective strategies to prevent radicalisation require a multi-agency approach, involving local authorities, educational institutions, law enforcement, healthcare providers, and community organisations.
Council therefore agrees to propose the following actions:
Council reaffirms its dedication to preventing radicalisation and promoting a harmonious living environment for all our residents and communities and its commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive, and resilient City.
(d) Moved by Councillor Powell-Vaughan
Southampton City Council stands with our Southampton Jewish communities in the face of terrorism.
The Council is saddened and disturbed by the terrorist atrocities being committed by Hamas against Israel, which have caused horrific devastation and created an escalating humanitarian crisis.
In light of this, Southampton City Council resolves to, as our way of expressing support for the people of Israel and all members of our communities, who have been deeply impacted by these illegal and unprovoked attacks against the Jewish people and Israel:
Minutes:
(a) Moved by Councillor Moulton and seconded by Councillor Galton
Council recognises that the planned closure of the restaurants in the Potters Court and Erskine Court Extra Care homes has not been handled well, leading to considerable distress to residents and families. The announcement of the closure with the original planned date of end of October did not allow for proper consultation or planning. Council recognises the importance of the restaurants for the wellbeing of residents and urges the Executive to work with potential alternative operators to find an enduring solution to keep them open permanently.
Furthermore, Council asks that for any such changes in the future that ward councillors are fully and proactively engaged, in a timely manner, that the welfare of vulnerable residents is properly considered, and that changes are effectively managed with co-ordination across all council departments involved.
Amendment moved by Councillor Fielker and seconded by Councillor Finn
Paragraph one, second line, delete “has not been handled well” replace with “was not implemented as well as it could have been”
Paragraph one, fifth line, delete “restaurants” and replace with “restaurant space”
Paragraph one, fifth line, after “residents and”, delete “urges the Executive to work with” replace with “will explore”
Paragraph one, last line, delete “to find an enduring solution to keep them open permanently.” replace with “and solutions.”
Paragraph two, first line, delete “asks” replace with “reconfirms”
Paragraph two, first line, after “future”, delete “that ward councillors are fully and proactively engaged, in a timely manner, that the welfare of vulnerable residents is properly considered, and that”
Paragraph two, third line, after “managed”, delete “with co-ordination across all council departments involved” replace with “and communicated with those impacted and ward councillors.”
AMENDED MOTION TO READ:
Council recognises that the planned closure of the restaurants in the Potters Court and Erskine Court Extra Care homes was not implemented as well as it could have been, leading to considerable distress to residents and families. The announcement of the closure with the original planned date of end of October did not allow for proper consultation or planning. Council recognises the importance of the restaurant space for the wellbeing of residents and will explore potential alternative operators and solutions.
Furthermore, Council reconfirms that for any such changes in the future that changes are effectively managed and communicated with those impacted and ward councillors.
UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE AMENDMENT IN THE NAME OF COUNCILLOR FIELKER WAS DECLARED CARRIED.
RESOLVED that the amended motion be approved.
(b) Moved by Councillor P Baillie and seconded by Councillor Fitzhenry
Southampton City Council, through the Housing Revenue Account, is the most important landlord in Southampton. Its actions as the landlord impact the lives of tens of thousands of people directly, but also many other tens of thousands indirectly, who look up to the HRA for guidance and leadership.
Council notes that since 2012 there has been a sustained lack of investment in HRA. Council also notes that the HRA has ring-fenced finances and is unaffected by outside financial turmoil.
Council thus finds the present situation of void homes taking over 90 days to get ready, the repair service in disarray, and worst of all the percentage of homes meeting the Decent Homes Standard down from 99% to around 50%, unacceptable and Council asks the Executive to prioritise getting homes fit for living in, well repaired, and that the time taken to sort out standard voids is brought below 3 weeks quickly. Council notes that the cost alone of the time taken to sort out voids is around £3.5M per year, and in addition over 550 families could have been in HRA housing for a year.
Council also notes that there has been a complete stop on Estate Regeneration for political reasons, despite an urgent need for new housing.
Finally Council notes that previous Cabinet Members for Housing have appeared to not be equal to the tasks and asks the current Cabinet Member whether she is really up to the difficult challenges ahead.
Council asks that a full apology is given to council tenants, from the Cabinet Member, for the quite terrible performance of the HRA.
Amendment moved by Councillor Fielker and seconded by Councillor A Frampton
Paragraph one, finish the last sentence “indirectly.” Delete “who look up to the HRA for guidance and leadership.”
Paragraph two, first line, delete “2012 there has been a sustained lack of investment in HRA.” Replace with “2010 there has been little government investment in Council housing.”
Paragraph two, second line, delete “and is unaffected by outside financial turmoil.” Replace with “but these are impacted by the levels of rents charged.”
Paragraph three, first line, delete “thus”
Paragraph three, second line, delete “repair service in disarray” and replace with “backlog of repairs”
Paragraph three, second line, delete “worst of all”
Paragraph three, third line, insert after “99%”, “in 2010 (achieved at the end of the last period of Labour government)
Paragraph three, third line, insert after “50%”, “in 2023 (after 13 years of Conservative government),”
Paragraph three, third line, delete “unacceptable and” and replace with “in need of action.”
Paragraph three, third line, before “Council”, insert “The” and delete “asks the Executive to” replace with “will”
Paragraph three, fifth line, after “is brought”, delete “below 3 weeks” after “quickly” replace with “back to our agreed standard.”
Paragraph four, first line, after “stop on”, insert “delivery of any significant” and after “Estate Regeneration” insert “has been challenging under the current government”
Paragraph four, second line, delete “for political reasons” and replace with “for a variety of reasons”
Add new sentence at the end of Paragraph four “Despite this challenge Council has recently delivered 103 new affordable homes on Starboard Way and has ambitions for more.”
Paragraph five, first line, delete “Finally” and “notes that previous Cabinet Members for Housing have appeared to not be equal to the tasks and asks the current Cabinet Member whether she is really up to the difficult challenges ahead.” Replace with “confirms that it has confidence in the Cabinet Member to deliver on the Council’s housing priorities to improve voids and repairs performance.”
Delete paragraph six “Council asks that a full apology is given to council tenants, from the Cabinet Member, for the quite terrible performance of the HRA.” Replace with “Council requests that the cabinet member engages further with tenant representatives on the HRA Improvement Plan.”
AMENDED MOTION TO READ:
Southampton City Council, through the Housing Revenue Account, is the most important landlord in Southampton. Its actions as the landlord impact the lives of tens of thousands of people directly, but also many other tens of thousands indirectly.
Council notes that since 2010 there has been little government investment in council housing. Council also notes that the HRA has ring-fenced finances, but these are impacted by the levels of rents charged.
Council finds the present situation of void homes taking over 90 days to get ready, the backlog of repairs and the percentage of homes meeting the Decent Homes Standard down from 99% in 2010 (achieved at the end of the last period of Labour government) to around 50% in 2023 (after 13 years of Conservative government), in need of action.
The Council will prioritise getting homes fit for living in, well repaired, and that the time taken to sort out standard voids is brought quickly back to our agreed standard. Council notes that the cost alone of the time taken to sort out voids is around £3.5M per year, and in addition over 550 families could have been in HRA housing for a year.
Council also notes that delivery of any significant Estate Regeneration has been challenging under the current government for a variety of reasons despite an urgent need for new housing. Despite this challenge Council has recently delivered 103 new affordable homes on Starboard Way and has ambitions for more.
Council confirms that it has confidence in the Cabinet Member to deliver on the Council’s housing priorities to improve voids and repairs performance.
Council requests that the Cabinet Member engages further with tenant representatives on the HRA Improvement Plan.
UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE AMENDMENT IN THE NAME OF COUNCILLOR FIELKER WAS DECLARED CARRIED.
RESOLVED that the amended motion be approved.
(c) Moved by Councillor Fitzhenry in the absence of Councillor Powell-Vaughan seconded by Councillor Renyard
Radicalisation poses a significant threat to the safety, unity, and wellbeing of our community, leading to potential acts of violence and social division. It is the responsibility of Southampton City Council [and partners] to proactively address this issue and implement measures to prevent radicalisation among our residents.
Effective strategies to prevent radicalisation require a multi-agency approach, involving local authorities, educational institutions, law enforcement, healthcare providers, and community organisations.
Council therefore agrees to propose the following actions:
• Southampton City Council to create, support educational programs, multi-faith learning and community initiatives which promote social cohesion, tolerance, and understanding among diverse communities.
• Regular meetings between Prevent Teams at Southampton City Council who can collaborate with relevant agencies and organisations to identify individuals at risk of radicalisation and provide them with appropriate support and intervention.
• Southampton City Council to encourage local schools, colleges and universities to develop curricula and awareness campaigns that teach critical thinking, media literacy, and the values of pluralism.
• Southampton City Council to enhance the training and capacity of local councillors, case workers and front-line staff to recognise signs of radicalisation, ensuring it is handled with sensitivity, respect for human rights, free speech and in accordance with established legal procedures.
• Southampton City Council to allocate resources for a public awareness campaign which informs residents about the signs of radicalisation and the available support services.
• Southampton City Council will regularly assess and report on the effectiveness of our efforts in preventing radicalisation and adapt strategies as required.
Council reaffirms its dedication to preventing radicalisation and promoting a harmonious living environment for all our residents and communities and its commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive, and resilient City.
Amendment as submitted by the mover Councillor Powell-Vaughan, moved by Councillor Fitzhenry in her absence and seconded by Councillor Renyard
Paragraph one, first line, delete “Radicalisation poses a significant threat to”
Paragraph one, first line, after “of our”, delete “community, leading to potential acts of violence and social division. It is”, replace with “communities are the”
Paragraph one, third line, delete “(and partners) to proactively address this issue and implement measures to prevent radicalisation among our residents.” replace with “working with our partners in”
And delete paragraph two “Effective strategies to prevent radicalisation require a multi-agency approach, involving local authorities, educational institutions,” replace with “law enforcement, the Home Office, Education, healthcare providers and community organisations. While Radicalisation poses a significant threat to the safety of our communities leading to potential acts of violence and social division, Southampton City Council commits and restates our commitment in this area.”
Bullet Point one, line one, delete “to” replace with “will continue to”
Bullet Point two, add to the beginning of the sentence “Will continue to”
Bullet Point three, after “Council”, add “will do more”
Bullet Point four, after “Council”, add “will continue to”
Bullet Point five, after “Council”, add “will continue”
Bullet Point six, after “Council”, add “will continue to”
AMENDED MOTION TO READ:
The safety, unity, and wellbeing of our communities are the responsibility of Southampton City Council working with our partners in law enforcement, The Home Office, Education, healthcare providers and community organisations.
While Radicalisation poses a significant threat to the safety of our communities leading to potential acts of violence and social division, Southampton City Council commits and restates our commitment in this area.
Council therefore agrees to propose the following actions:
• Southampton City Council will continue to create, support educational programs, multi-faith learning and community initiatives which promote social cohesion, tolerance, and understanding among diverse communities.
• Will continue with regular meetings between Prevent Teams at Southampton City Council who can collaborate with relevant agencies and organisations to identify individuals at risk of radicalisation and provide them with appropriate support and intervention.
• Southampton City Council will do more to encourage local schools, colleges and universities to develop curricula and awareness campaigns that teach critical thinking, media literacy, and the values of pluralism.
• Southampton City Council will continue to enhance the training and capacity of local councillors, case workers and front-line staff to recognise signs of radicalisation, ensuring it is handled with sensitivity, respect for human rights, free speech and in accordance with established legal procedures.
• Southampton City Council will continue to allocate resources for a public awareness campaign which informs residents about the signs of radicalisation and the available support services.
• Southampton City Council will continue to regularly assess and report on the effectiveness of our efforts in preventing radicalisation and adapt strategies as required.
Council reaffirms its dedication to preventing radicalisation and promoting a harmonious living environment for all our residents and communities and its commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive, and resilient City.
UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE AMENDMENT IN THE NAME OF MOVER COUNCILLOR POWELL-VAUGHAN WAS DECLARED CARRIED.
RESOLVED that the amended motion be approved.
(d) Tabled at the meeting, moved by Councillor Fitzhenry in the absence of Councillor Powell-Vaughan seconded by
Southampton City Council stands with our Southampton Jewish communities in the face of terrorism.
The Council is saddened and disturbed by the terrorist atrocities being committed by Hamas against Israel, which have caused horrific devastation and created an escalating humanitarian crisis.
In light of this, Southampton City Council resolves to, as our way of expressing support for the people of Israel and all members of our communities, who have been deeply impacted by these illegal and unprovoked attacks against the Jewish people and Israel:
1. Condemn the attacks against Israel as horrific acts of terror.
2. Assert the belief, as a democratic state, Israel has the right to defend itself and to deter future terrorist acts against its citizens.
3. As a city of sanctuary, Southampton Council stands ready to provide support to all innocent victims of these atrocious attacks; we will work together with our partners and local communities to offer support and security to those deeply affected.
4. Agrees with the UK Government, European Union and United States of America, Hamas IS a terrorist organisation.
5. Understand, those who support Hamas, have enabled and are responsible for these attacks on Israel.
6. Agree with the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition Sir Keir Starmer, a ceasefire now, will only allow Hamas to regroup, and potentially attack Israel again.
The Lord Mayor permitted an Emergency Motion tabled and moved by Councillor Kaur and seconded by Councillor Fitzhenry on the basis that an Amendment to the above would not adhere to the Council’s Procedure Rules.
Southampton City Council stands against all forms of terror around the world, including the Middle East.
We are saddened by the huge loss of innocent lives within the region.
We encourage the international community, including any effort made by the British Government, to urgently work towards long lasting peace and stability.
In Southampton, we have a rich and proud tradition of strong community cohesion, where our different communities work together with mutual respect. These tragic events must not divide our communities or give rise to hate crime. Antisemitism, Islamophobia and all forms of hate, has no place in our city, and we will continue to work with partners to ensure all our communities are supported.
UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE ORIGINAL MOTION WAS REJECTED AND REPLACED BY THE EMERGENCY MOTION
UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE EMERGENCY MOTION IN THE NAME OF COUNCILLOR KAUR WAS DECLARED CARRIED.
RESOLVED that the Emergency Motion be approved.