Issue - meetings

Report of the Leader of the Council detailing the Council’s Executive Business since the last Council meeting, attached. 

The report of the Leader of the Council was submitted setting out the details of the business undertaken by the Executive.

The Leader and the Cabinet made statements and responded to questions.

The following questions were submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.1. 

1.  Household Waste Recycling Centre

Question from Councillor Fitzhenry to Councillor Rayment

In light of Hampshire County Council's recent announcement of its position on the HWRC opening times will she be reversing her proposals to reduce our opening hours?

Answer

  In the light of Hampshire County Council's (HCC’s) recent   announcement of its position on opening times for its Household Waste   and Recycling Centres (HWRC’s), I will be recommending to Cabinet   on 20th December 2016 that we also delay reducing opening hours at   the City Depot HWRC. Changes agreed to come in from 1 January   2017 (subject to Cabinet approval) will therefore be delayed until 1st   October 2017 when the situation will be reviewed.

2.  Multi Storey Car Parks

Question from Councillor Fitzhenry to Councillor Rayment

Can the Cabinet Member advise what is being done to improve the state of our multi storey car parks?

Answer

I am aware of the problems associated with rough sleepers gaining access to our car parks and we are working hard to tackle this.

The car parks are patrolled daily by Civil Enforcement Officers with the first inspections starting at 7am. Rough sleepers are moved on if possible. If they refuse to leave then a notice is served giving them the necessary 48 hours to leave after which their belongings are removed with Police assistance. Any associated cleaning and/or removal of needles is reported to the cleaning team. Communal areas of each of the multi-story car parks are washed down regularly.

More regular security patrols and cleaning of communal areas are being put in place.  Investment in our car parks to repaint and link signage to the “Legible City” branding is being considered to promote them as the gateway to the city.

3.  Dropped Kerb Installation

Question from Councillor Houghton to Councillor Rayment

The cost of dropped kerb installation in Hampshire (HCC) is cheaper than in Southampton under Balfour Beatty. As such would you be prepared to enter into discussions with Balfour Beatty to look at their pricing to ensure it is closer to the costs of our near neighbours and provides the best value for money for the people of Southampton?

Answer

It is generally accepted that dropped crossings are cheaper in Hampshire for reasons outlined below.  Despite this, it can be confirmed that SCC officers will renew their audit of BBLP’s pricing structure to ensure best value is maintained.  It is also emphasised that Southampton residents are entitled to appoint their own accredited contractor to carry out such works.

Hampshire’s website gives dropped crossing prices that ‘do not include any of the works for moving street furniture, utility apparatus or any other costs’.  There are also known to be 'supplementary licence fees' being payable for a Temporary Road Opening  ...  view the full minutes text for item 60