Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED upon the motion of Councillor Vassiliou, seconded by Councillor Dr R. Willliams and supported by Councillor Vinson, that Councillor Matthews be elected to the Office of 789^th Mayor of Southampton and Chair of the Council for the ensuing year.

The Mayor (Councillor Matthews) then made and subscribed to the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

THE MAYOR (COUNCILLOR MATTHEWS) IN THE CHAIR

The Mayor announced that he would be supporting the Gift of Sight Charity and the Alzheimer’s Society.

RESOLVED upon the motion of Councillor Rayment, seconded by Councillor Holmes and supported by Councillor Vinson, that Councillor Burke be appointed the 574th Sheriff of the City of Southampton and Vice-Chair of the Council for the ensuing year.

The Sheriff (Councillor Burke) then made and subscribed to the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

RESOLVED upon the motion of Councillor Dr. R. Williams, seconded by Councillor Smith and supported by Councillor Drake, that the Council places on record its appreciation for the distinguished manner in which Councillor Cunio had discharged the duties of the Mayor of the City during the period of her term of office.

RESOLVED upon the motion of the Mayor (Councillor Matthews) and seconded by the Sheriff (Councillor Burke), that the City of Southampton Award be presented to the City of Southampton Albion Band, Philip Arnold and a joint award to Patrick Sanford and Kate Anderson from the Nuffield Theatre.

RESOLVED upon the motion of the Mayor (Councillor Matthews) and seconded by the Sheriff (Councillor Burke), that medals be presented to former Councillors Mrs Damani, Dean, Dick, Marsh-Jenks, Norris, Odgers, Samuels, Slade and Sollitt in recognition of their service to the City Council.

AT THE RECONVENED MEETING OF THE SOUTHAMPTON CITY COUNCIL HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, CIVIC CENTRE ON 18TH MAY, 2011

To receive any apologies.

No apologies for absence were received.

To authorise the signing of the minutes of the Council Meetings held on 16^th March and 6^th April 2011, attached.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Council Meetings held on 16^th March, and 6^th April 2011 be approved and signed as correct records.

Matters especially brought forward by the Mayor.

(i) The Mayor thanked all Members for their support in electing him as Mayor. In order for the meetings to run efficiently and effectively he asked Members to keep in mind through the year the basic courtesies that needed to be adhered to for this to happen, timeliness both in arriving at the meeting and when speaking: speaking to the point, and listening carefully to the arguments. He asked Members to remember the courtesies they would like from members when they are speaking and extending those to others.

(ii) The Mayor reminded Members to switch off their mobile phones and that any that ring would incur an instant fine.

(iii) The Mayor announced that Lorraine Brown, Executive Director of Environment and Nick Murphy, Executive Director of Neighbourhoods would be leaving the Council’s employ in the coming weeks and thanked them on behalf of the councillors for their contribution to the City.

(iv) The Mayor reminded Members of the change of venue for the next meeting of the Council scheduled for the 13^th July and that the meeting would be held in the Sir James Matthews building.

To elect a Leader of the Council for the ensuing year.  Following the election the Leader will announce membership of the Cabinet.

The nomination of Councillor Smith was moved and seconded.

UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE IT WAS:

RESOLVED that Councillor Smith be elected as Leader of the Council for the ensuing year.

Following his election as Leader, Councillor Smith informed the Council of his Cabinet and their Portfolio responsibilities.

Adult Social Care and Health – Councillor White

Children’s Services and Learning – Councillor Moulton

Environment and Transport – Councillor Fitzhenry

Housing – Councillor Baillie

Resources, Leisure and Culture– Councillor Hannides

The Leader then confirmed that the contents of each of the Portfolios would be circulated in due course and incorporated into the scheme of Executive Delegation in the Constitution.

(a) APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS

(b) APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRS AND VICE-CHAIRS

RESOLVED that the following Chairs be elected for the 2011/2012 municipal  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

To approve the following dates for meetings of the Council in the 2011/12 Municipal Year:

13th July 2011

14th September 2011

16th November 2011

15th February 2012 (Budget)

14th March 2012

16th May 2012

The Council approved the following dates for meetings of the Council in the 2011/12 municipal year:

13th July 2011

14th September 2011

16th November 2011

15th February 2012 (Budget)

14th March 2012

16th May 2012

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

1. It was noted that no requests to present deputations, petitions or public questions had been received.
2. It was noted that a petition had been received regarding anti-social behaviour. The petition was now closed and in accordance with the Council’s petition scheme had been posted on the City Council’s web site and was reported for information.

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 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 Weston Shore Pitch and Putt

Question from Councillor Payne to Councillor Baillie

What is the future of the Weston Shore pitch and putt site?

Answer

The Weston Shore Pitch and Putt facility has historically been opened for public play between May and September each year. The facility has never generated sufficient income to cover the costs of its management and upkeep, and at the Council’s budget setting meeting in February 2011, the decision was taken to close the course unless a local business, charity or community group could be found to take on the future management of the facility on an economic basis, i.e. requiring no subsidy from the City Council.

The search for new management partners for this facility has to date been unsuccessful. However, scrutiny of past income records highlighted that 70% of the course’s use took place at weekends and on Bank Holidays. It has been decided to open the course to the paying public on weekends and bank holidays, and allow free use of the course during weekdays, while potential new options for the management of the course are further explored. The free use will be on a trial basis to ensure there is no misuse of the course.

2. Window Replacement Programme

Question from Councillor Vinson to Councillor Baillie

Would the Cabinet Member confirm that the Window Replacement Programme has been brought forward so that all single-glazed windows will be replaced during the current financial year?

Answer

The intention is to replace all single glazed windows by the end of 2012.

3. Outsourcing Management of the Arts Facilities

Question from Councillor Bogle to Councillor Hannides

What is the business case for outsourcing management of the arts facilities Sea City Museum, Tudor House Museum and the Art Gallery? What other options were considered and what were the cost/benefits of each option?

Answer

During the development of the funding bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for Sea City, consultants developed a business case that considered the potential merits of different management options. This appraisal indicated that museums could be run more efficiently if run on a Trust model or by a commercial operator.

The Cabinet considered a report on Sea City 2^nd August 2010 and agreed recommendations which included the following:

•  The implementation of a procurement exercise to identify a management partner for Sea City Museum, with the option of including other heritage venues, subject to an economic assessment of the costs and benefits being completed in accordance with the council’s approved project appraisal process and, on the basis that the procurement proceeds.

The consultants’ appraisal indicated apparent financial benefits to the alternative management  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

A)  Councillor Turner to move:-

Council is concerned at commercial companies mounting promotions giving out free alcohol samples to young people in the City Centre which is part of the designated alcohol fee zone and asks the Licensing Committee to investigate and if necessary bring forward proposals for regulating such promotions.

B)  Councillor Vinson to move:-

Full Council calls upon the Executive to reconsider and reverse their decision to dispose by way of a 1000 year lease of Westridge Road Car Park in Portswood District Centre to facilitate a further supermarket as this will have an adverse effect on the diversity and vitality of Portswood District Centre and on the surrounding neighbourhoods

(a)  Promotions by commercial companies of free alcohol samples

Councillor Turner moved and Councillor Drake seconded:

“Council is concerned at commercial companies mounting promotions giving out free alcohol samples to young people in the City Centre which is part of the designated alcohol free zone and asks the Licensing Committee to investigate and if necessary bring forward proposals for regulating such promotions”.

UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE MOTION WAS DECLARED LOST.

RESOLVED that the motion be not approved.

(b)  Disposal of Westridge Road Car Park

Councillor Vinson presented a petition and then moved and Councillor Turner seconded:

“Full Council calls upon the Executive to reconsider and reverse their decision to dispose by way of a 1000 year lease of Westridge Road Car Park in Portswood District Centre to facilitate a further supermarket as this will have an adverse effect on the diversity and vitality of Portswood District Centre and on the surrounding neighbourhoods”

Amendment moved by Councillor Moulton and seconded by Councillor Smith:

AMENDMENT

In the 1^st line, after the words “Full Council”, delete the words:

“calls upon the Executive to reconsider and reverse their”

and replace with:

“notes the Executive’s”

In the 3^rd line, after the words “District Centre”, delete the words:

“to facilitate a further supermarket as this will”

and replace with:

“and also notes that the decision on whether or not to grant planning permission for a new supermarket next to the Westridge Road Car Park in Portswood District Centre rests with Planning and Rights of Way Panel.

Full Council calls on Planning and Rights of Way Panel to determine the planning application in accordance with the policies of the development plan and to give proper consideration to the policies of the development plan and any other material planning considerations including possible concerns of residents about parking and traffic and in making its decision, to consider whether the development would…”

In the 4^th line, delete the word “diversity” and replace with “viability”.

Amended Motion to read:

Full Council notes the Executive’s decision to dispose by way of a 1000 year lease of Westridge Road Car Park in Portswood District Centre, and also notes that the decision on whether or not to grant planning permission for a new supermarket next to the Westridge Road Car Park in Portswood District Centre rests with Planning and Rights of Way Panel.

Full Council calls on Planning and Rights of Way Panel to determine the planning application in accordance with the policies of the development plan and to give proper consideration to the policies of the development plan and any other material planning considerations including possible concerns of residents about parking and traffic and in making its decision, to consider whether the development would have an adverse effect on the viability and vitality of Portswood District Centre and on the surrounding neighbourhoods.

UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE AMENDMENT WAS DECLARED CARRIED

UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE MOTION  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

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

It was noted that no questions to the Chairs of Committees or the Mayor had been received.

Report of the Director of Corporate Services, seeking approval for changes to the City Council’s Constitution, attached.

The report of the Director of Corporate Services was submitted seeking approval for changes to the City Council’s Constitution (copy of report circulated with agenda and appended to signed minutes).

RESOLVED

(i)  that the changes to the Constitution as set out in the report be agreed;

(ii)  that the Director of Corporate Services be authorised to finalise the arrangements as approved by Full Council and make any further consequential or minor changes arising from the decision(s) of Full Council; and

(iii)  that the City Council’s Constitution, as amended, including the Officer Scheme of Delegation for the municipal year 2011/12 be approved.

Report of the Chair of the Standards and Governance Committee giving an overview of the work of the Standards and Governance Committee from May 2010 to April 2011, attached.

RESOLVED that the report of the Chair of Standards and Governance Committee giving an overview of the work of the Committee be received and noted (copy of report circulated with agenda and appended to signed minutes).

Report of the Returning Officer detailing the results of the City Council elections on 5^th May 2011 and the referendum on the alternative vote, attached.

RESOLVED that the report of the Returning Officer concerning the results of the City Council Elections 2011 and the referendum on the alternative vote be received and noted (copy of report circulated at the meeting and appended to signed minutes.)

Report of the Director of Economic Developmentsummarising the use of the Call-In procedure over the last six months, attached

RESOLVED that the report of the Head of Corporate Policy and Performance summarising the use of the call-in procedure over the last six months be received and noted (copy of report circulated with agenda and appended to signed minutes).

Report of the Director of Economic Developmentdetailing the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee Annual Report 2010/11 in accordance with the Council’s Constitution, attached.

RESOLVED that the report of the Head of Corporate Policy and Performance detailing the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee Annual Report 2010/11 in accordance with the Council’s Constitution be received and noted (copy of the report circulated with the agenda and appended to signed minutes.)