Agenda and minutes

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Contact: Sandra Coltman 023 8083 2430 

Items
No. Item

43.

Apologies

To receive any apologies.

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Coombs, McEwing and Thorpe.

44.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 68 KB

To authorise the signing of the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 16th July 2014, attached.

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Council meeting held on the 16th July 2014 be approved and signed as a correct record.

45.

Announcements from the Mayor and Leader

Matters especially brought forward by the Mayor and the Leader.

Minutes:

(i)  Minute’s Silence

 

The Mayor referred to the tragic death in August of a social worker in the child protection team. Roopesh Nawarkhele was involved in an accident whilst on holiday in India and did not survive. He and his wife were killed. Members stood for a minute’s silence in remembrance.

 

(ii)  National Construction Skills Award

 

The Mayor announced that for the second year running, the Skills and Regeneration Team had been awarded the National Construction Industry Skills award for the best Local Authority. The award had been made in recognition of their innovation and the outcomes from their work with developers in the City to enable people to obtain jobs and training opportunities.

 

(iii)  Music in the City

 

Members noted that Music in the City, Southampton’s live music event, would be held on the 4th and 5th October, 2014. The Sheriff thanked all those Councillors and Officers, who through their help and support, had contributed to the event.

 

46.

Deputations, Petitions and Public Questions

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

Minutes:

(i)  The Council received the following Public Questions from Mr Smith. Mr Geering and Ms Ridehalgh were in attendance for this item. Councillor Barnes-Andrews, Cabinet Member for Resources and Leisure, gave the following response:

 

Question 1.

 

Following the 25% cut in funding for the Council Tax Reduction Scheme what is the current status of the Scheme?

 

Answer

The 25% reduction in the Council Tax Reduction Scheme was implemented with effect from the 1st April 2014. In March 2014 the Council Tax bills were sent to all households in Southampton, and where a tax payer was entitled to receive CTRS, their bill was reduced to reflect their entitlement.

 

Question 2

 

What details does the Council possess on non-payment of Council Tax in Southampton?

 

Answer

 

The Council is aware of all tax payers who are in arrears of Council Tax, and maintains a full record of the action taken or underway to collect their outstanding payments

 

Question 3

 

 What is the current state of the Council’s Discretionary Council Tax Reduction Fund?

 

Answer

A sum set aside for the 2014/15 financial year for the discretionary fund is £200,000. As at the end of August, the number of successful applicants is 935, and there remains a sum of £37,000 in the fund.

 

 

(ii)  The Council received the following Public Questions from Mr Geering. Ms Watts, Mr Tudor, Ms Field and Mr Jukes were in attendance for this item. Councillor Rayment, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, gave the following response:

 

Question 1

 

How did the Council ensure that you adequately gathered and considered information about the disabled people affected by the cuts to local bus passes to enable a proper, informed view about the impact on equality and the risks of discrimination?  What evidence did the Council use to properly assess the full impact on disabled people?  For example, did you seek information from Spectrum or other local representative disability groups?

 

Answer

 

To assess and understand the direct impact of reverting to the national concessionary bus pass scheme for Disabled People, information gathered as part of the application process to assess eligibility based on disability was used.  Additional information requested included age, gender, ethnicity and postcode.  This information was used to inform the Equality and Safety Impact Assessment and the Cumulative Impact Assessment completed at the time.

 

Question 2

 

Regarding the impact on disabled people, how has the Council given proper consideration to the extent, nature and duration of that impact?

 

Answer

 

As per the previous response, the information gathered as part of the application process provided a profile of those currently in receipt of a pass and therefore directly affected by the proposal.  This customer profile information, alongside local statistics on health and disability, was used to understand and consider the direct and wider impacts of the proposal on existing customers and to enable the identification of actions to help mitigate any negative impacts.  From this we were able to identify the number and profile of disabled people affected by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.

47.

Executive Business pdf icon PDF 72 KB

Report of the Leader of the Council, attached.

Minutes:

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.

 

Arising from the Executive Business report, the Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care clarified that the wording contained in paragraph 13 of the report could have been made clearer in respect of Woodside Lodge Residential Home. Whilst the Council was consulting on the re-provision of services with a view to recommendations in due course coming forward, one of the options might include closure, however this might not be the only option that would be recommended to Council once the consultation period had been concluded.

 

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

 

1.  Library Review

 

Question from Councillor Moulton to Councillor Barnes-Andrews

 

What is the latest regarding the Administration's Library Review?

 

Answer

 

Substantial progress has been made in undertaking the Needs Assessment and reviewing possible options for the future of the service. The intention is to seek agreement from Cabinet in October to consult on the future of the service and to commence the consultation during November 2014.

 

2.  Fly Tipping

 

Question from Councillor Moulton to Councillor Rayment

 

Given the amount of fly tipping in Freemantle at the moment what measures are being taken to tackle the problem?

 

Answer

 

Fly tipping takes many forms across the whole city from a misplaced bag of refuse to organised criminal activities involving the disposal of trade and domestic waste.

 

Every effort is made to deal with the many cases of fly tipping reported through Action Line each year. In 2013/14 Southampton’s street cleansing teams attended and cleared almost 2,500 reports of fly tipping, 78% of which were cleared within one working day of notification. Almost 4,000 further cases of fly tipping were spotted and removed by street cleansing teams in the course of their regular rounds.

 

Enforcement plays a part where there is evidence of serious and organised fly tipping activity.  Not all cases of fly tipping occur on land owned or maintained by the City Council. In such instances the Regulatory and City Services teams take appropriate action to ensure that landowners play their part in keeping the city clean. Work is also done with private landlords and agents to ensure that they recognise that the proper disposal of waste is part of their management responsibilities.

 

The Recycling Centre at the City Depot is also well used by city residents providing facilities for the proper disposal of domestic waste therefore cutting down fly tipping. Changes to be made to the charges for the Bulky Household Collection Service are also designed to encourage residents to arrange for the proper collection and disposal of items such as furniture, mattresses etc. that may otherwise be fly tipped.

 

Residents are encouraged to dispose of their waste responsibly and to report fly tipping incidents to Action line so that prompt action can be taken help keep the city  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47.

48.

Motions

Councillor Moulton to move:

 

Full Council expresses its disappointment at the draft plans that are now being consulted upon for the regeneration for the Millbrook Estate and calls for a far more comprehensive and ambitious scheme.

Furthermore Full Council expresses its deep concern about the future loss of green space and a football pitch at Green Park, that would result from the building of flats there.

Minutes:

Councillor Moulton moved and Councillor Galton seconded:

 

“Full Council expresses its disappointment at the draft plans that are now being consulted upon for the regeneration for the Millbrook Estate and calls for a far more comprehensive and ambitious scheme.

Furthermore Full Council expresses its deep concern about the future loss of green space and a football pitch at Green Park that would result from the building of flats there”.

 

UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE MOTION WAS DECLARED NOT CARRIED

 

RESOLVED that the motion be not approved.

 

NOTE: Councillor Parnell declared a personal interest in the above matter, in view of his involvement as a founder member of the Millbrook Christian Centre and remained in the meeting during the consideration of the matter.

49.

Questions from Members to the Chairs of Committees or the Mayor

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

Minutes:

The following questions were submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.2

 

1.  Membership and Responsibilities

 

Question from Councillor L Harris to Councillor Lewzey, Chair of the Planning and Rights of Way Panel

 

Can you please explain the reasons why Councillor Shields who is not a member of the Planning Panel and has not been so for over a year, and who also has never acted as Chair of that Panel in the past, was parachuted onto the Panel and then acted as Chair, when the properly elected and appointed Deputy Chair of the Panel, Councillor Lloyd, was present and it was known that she was going to be present and was in attendance. Why was no apology given for the absence of the appointed and regular Chair of the Panel, Councillor Lewzey?

 

Answer

 

The vice chairs of Planning Panels had not yet received training in chairing meetings and so it was decided to arrange a chair with planning knowledge and experience of chairing complex meetings. Training has been arranged for vice chairs and it is intended that each vice-chair will take the chairing role of the Planning Panel in the future if the chair must give apologies.

 

I did give my apologies and I'm sorry that the reasons had not reached all panel members. I was at the graduation ceremony for my youngest child at Leeds University, which I hope would be seen as a satisfactory reason to give apologies.

 

2.  Officer Attendance

 

Question from Councillor L Harris to Councillor Lewzey, Chair of the Planning and Rights of Way Panel

 

Why is the case officer of each planning application now never present and the cases are all presented by one planning officer on everyone’s behalf. This presenting officer will not have all the background information we might ask about, nor be able to find or have access to information as the office will be closed.

 

Answer

 

With the implementation of evening meetings, it is not considered an efficient use of time, for case officers to be on call for these items in case detailed questions should arise. Team Leaders are briefed in advance of the meetings and members are welcome to request information or ask questions of the case officer prior to the Panel meeting.

 

3.  Temporary Resignations from Panels

 

Question from Councillor L.Harris to Councillor Lewzey, Chair of the Planning and Rights of Way Panel.

 

On the Agenda for the Planning Panel on Tuesday 16th September 2014 it states as follows:

 

"Item 10 apologies

It was noted that following receipt of the temporary resignation of Councillor Lewzey from the Panel, the Head of Legal and Democratic Services, acting under delegated powers, had appointed Councillor Shields to replace him for the purposes of this meeting.

 

As Councillor Lewzey had temporarily resigned for the purposes of this meeting, the Panel was required to appoint a Chair.

 

Resolved that Councillor Shields was elected Chair for the purposes of this meeting, the Panel was required to appoint a Chair."

 

Can you explain  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.

50.

Appointments to Committees, Sub-Committees and Other Bodies

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

Minutes:

It was noted that Councillor Noon had replaced Councillor Spicer on the Health and Overview Scrutiny Panel and that Councillor Whitbread had replaced Councillor Jeffery as the Council’s representative on South East Employers.

51.

Overview and Scrutiny: Summary of Call In Activity

To note that there has been no use of the call-in procedure since last reported to Council.

Minutes:

It was noted that there had been no use of the call-in procedure since last reported to Council.

52.

Late Night Levy - Consideration of Consultation Responses pdf icon PDF 95 KB

Report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services detailing the responses to the consultation on the proposal to introduce a Late Night Levy to Southampton, attached.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services was submitted detailing the responses to the consultation on the proposal to introduce a Late Night Levy in Southampton (copy of report circulated with the agenda and appended to signed minutes).

 

RESOLVED

 

(i)  That the introduction of a Late Night Levy as detailed in the report be approved;

 

(ii)  That pursuant to section 132(1) of the 2011 Act:

a.  the date on which the late night levy requirement is first to apply is 1st April 2015

b.  for the first levy year and, subject to section 133 of the 2011 Act, each subsequent levy year:-

  i.  the late night supply period shall begin at one minute past  midnight and end at 6 am;

  ii.  that the following permitted exemption categories as defined in regulation 4 of the Late Night Levy (Expenses, Exemptions and Reductions) Regulations 2012 are to apply:-

1.  regulation 4(a) – hotels etc. supplying alcohol for on-consumption by resident patrons;

2.  regulation 4(b) – theatres supplying alcohol for on-consumption to ticket holders, performers, guests at private events;

3.  regulation 4(c) – cinemas supplying alcohol for on-consumption to ticket holders, guests at private events;

4.  regulation 4(d) – bingo halls where the playing of non-remote bingo is the primary activity;

5.  regulation 4(e) – registered community amateur sports clubs;

6.  regulation 4(f) – community premises like church halls and village halls, etc. that are subject to the alternative licence condition; and

7.  regulation 4 (i) – premises authorised to supply alcohol for on-consumption only between midnight and 6 am on 1 January.

 

  iii.  that the following permitted exemption category as defined in regulation 4 of the Late Night Levy (Expenses, Exemptions and Reductions) Regulations 2012 is not to apply:-

1.  regulation 4(g) – single country village pubs in designated rural settlements which receive rate relief;

2.  regulation 4(h) – premises liable for the Business Improvement District levy.

  iv.  that the following permitted reduction category as defined in regulation 5 of the Late Night Levy (Expenses, Exemptions and Reductions) Regulations 2012 is not to apply:-

1.  regulation 5(1)(a) – members of business-led best practice schemes

Save that if such a scheme is subsequently approved and adopted by the Council in accordance with resolution (iii) below that the Head of Legal and Democratic Services be authorised to administer the scheme and take all decisions in relation to it, including reductions in the levy payable by approved premises

2.  regulation 5(1)(b) – certain premises authorised to supply alcohol for on-consumption which receive small business rate relief.

  v.  the proportion of the net amount of levy payments that is to be paid to the relevant local policing body under section 131 of the 2011 Act is 70 per cent.

 

(iii)  That the Head of Legal and Democratic Services be granted delegated powers to do all things necessary to implement these decisions, including:-

a.  Power to publish notice of the decisions in accordance with regulation 9(1)(b) of the Late Night  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52.

53.

Electoral Cycle pdf icon PDF 58 KB

Report of the Director, Corporate Services detailing the consultation arrangements that should be undertaken prior to the Council deciding which options should be approved in regard to the electoral cycle, attached.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report of the Director, Corporate Services was submitted detailing the consultation arrangements that should be undertaken prior to the Council deciding which options should be approved in regard to the electoral cycle (copy of report circulated with agenda and appended to signed minutes).

 

Amendment moved by Councillor Moulton and seconded by Councillor Smith:

 

Recommendation (ii)

 

That the consultation process set out in this report be approved

 

ADD after “report”

 

“be approved, subject to the inclusion of the following questions:

 

·  Whether the Cabinet and Leader model should be replaced with an Elected Mayor;

·  Whether the number of councillors should be reduced by one third, and

·  Whether the current electoral cycle should be replaced with biennial elections.”

 

The amended recommendation to read:

 

(ii) That the consultation process set out in this report be approved, subject to the inclusion of the following questions:

·  Whether the Cabinet and Leader model should be replaced with an Elected Mayor;

·  Whether the number of councillors should be reduced by one third, and

·  Whether the current electoral cycle should be replaced with biennial elections.

 

UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE AMENDMENT WAS DECLARED CARRIED

 

UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE RESOLUTIONS IN THE REPORT AS AMENDED WERE DECLARED CARRIED

 

RESOLVED

 

(i)  That the Director of Corporate Services be authorised to consult on the principle of changing the Council’s electoral cycle from elections by thirds to whole-Council elections every four years;

 

(ii)  That the consultation process set out in the report be approved, subject to the inclusion of the following questions:

·  Whether the Cabinet and Leader model should be replaced with an Elected Mayor;

·  Whether the number of councillors should be reduced by one third, and

·  Whether the current electoral cycle should be replaced with biennial elections.

 

(iii)  That an Extraordinary meeting of the Council be convened before the 19th November 2014 meeting in order for Council to consider the results of the consultation and determine proposals for any change in its electoral governance arrangements; and

 

(iv)  That a cross-party working group be established to consider the results of the consultation and make a recommendation to be considered by Full Council.

54.

Changes to existing Revenue and Capital Budgets pdf icon PDF 48 KB

Report of the Cabinet Member for Resources and Leisure in consultation with the Chief Financial Officer setting out changes to existing Revenue and Capital budgets, attached.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report of the Cabinet Member for Resources and Leisure in consultation with the Chief Financial Officer was submitted setting out changes to existing Revenue and Capital budgets (copy of report circulated with agenda and appended to signed minutes).

 

RESOLVED

 

(i)  That the results of the Consultation process outlined in Appendix 1 to the report be noted;

 

(ii)  That the Equality Impact Assessment process that was followed as outlined in paragraphs 6 to 8 of the report be noted;

 

(iii)  that the efficiencies, income and service reductions as set out in Appendix 2 to the report be approved;

 

(iv)  that the high level forecast for the General Fund for 2013/14 to 2015/16 as detailed in paragraphs 22 to 24 of the report be noted;

 

(v)  that the position in relation to City Catering as set out in paragraph 18 of the report be noted;

 

(vi)  that Delegated authority be granted 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; and

 

(vii)  that Delegated authority be granted to the Chief Financial Officer, in consultation with the Director of Corporate Services, to do anything necessary to give effect to the above resolutions.

55.

HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT CAPITAL PROGRAMME 2014/15 – 2018/19 pdf icon PDF 39 KB

Report of the Cabinet Member for Housing & Sustainability updating the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Capital Programme and detailing changes since the last update in February 2014, attached.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Sustainability was submitted updating the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Capital Programme and detailing changes since the last update in February 2014 (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.

56.

The General Fund Capital Programme 2013/14 to 2016/17 pdf icon PDF 88 KB

Report of the Chief Financial Officer detailing the General Fund Capital Programme from 2013/14 to 2016/17, attached.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report of the Chief Financial Officer was submitted detailing the General Fund Capital Programme from 2013/14 to 2016/17 (copy of report circulated with agenda and appended to signed minutes).

 

RESOLVED

 

(i)  That the revised General Fund Capital Programme, which totals £144.0M (as detailed in paragraph 4 to 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 portfolio programme changes, slippage and re-phasing and financial and project issues as described in detail in Appendix 3 to the report be noted;

 

(iv)  that a sum of £250,000 be added to the Environment and Transport capital programme in 2015/16 for the North of Station Quarter Phase 2 scheme to be funded from the LTP Capital Grant funding 2015/16;

 

(v)  that a sum of £350,000 be added to the Environment and Transport capital programme (subject to the approval from Network Rail) in 2014/15 for the North of Station Quarter Phase 2 scheme to be funded by external contribution from Network Rail’s National Station Improvement Programme;

 

(vi)  that a sum of £4,185,000 be added to the Environment and Transport capital programme (subject to the approval from the Solent LEP) in 2015/16 for the North of Station Quarter Phase 2 scheme to be funded from Solent LEP Local Growth Deal grant;

 

(vii)  that spending of £5,225,000 in total on the North of Station Quarter Phase 2 scheme, phased £790,000 in 2014/15 and £4,435,000 in 2015/16, be approved (other funding of £440,000 is already included in the capital programme);

 

(viii)  that it be noted that the revised General Fund Capital Programme is based on prudent assumptions of future Government Grants to be received, due to the uncertainty surrounding the Comprehensive Spending Review for 2015/16 and future years;

 

(ix)  that it be noted that the balance of additional temporary borrowing taken out in 2010/11 and 2011/12 due to cash flow issues, now totalling £3.65M, is expected to be repaid by the end of 2015/16 when anticipated capital receipts are finally forecast to be received;

 

(x)  that it be noted that the Council is shortly to consider a revised disposal strategy which, whilst enabling the current capital programme to remain fully funded, would significantly reduce the ability to fund additional capital schemes from Council Resources; and

 

(xi)  that the financial and project issues which are set out in paragraphs 29 to 33 of the report and detailed in Appendix 3 to the report for each Portfolio be noted.