Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - Civic Centre

Contact: Judy Cordell and Claire Heather  023 8083 2766/2412

Items
No. Item

57.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 6 MB

To authorise the signing of the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 21st September, 2016 and the Extra Ordinary Council Meeting held on 19th October, 2016, attached.

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Council meeting held on 21st September 2016 and the Extra Ordinary Council Meeting held on 19th October 2016 be approved and signed as a correct record. 

58.

Announcements from the Mayor and Leader

Matters especially brought forward by the Mayor and the Leader.

Minutes:

(i)  The Mayor announced that Southampton City Council had won an award for Creative Use of Citizen Engagement at the GovDelivery’s 2016 Digital Strategy and Impact Awards for the work undertaken on the Department of Communities Local Government’s Statutory Notice Pilot Project;

(ii)  The Mayor announced that this was the last Council meeting before the departure of Mark Heath, Interim Chief Operations Officer and Sharon Gilbert from the Mayor’s Office, both of whom had given the Council their unstinting commitment, loyalty and hard work over many years.  Tributes were made to both employees from Members across political parties;

(iii)  Members stood in a minutes silence in memory of the death of Ex-Councillor Jean Roost who served as Bitterne Ward Councillor from 1979-1992;

(iv)  The Mayor reminded Members that SVS would no longer be running the Annual Toy Appeal.  SCRATCH would be accepting donated new toys which the Mayor’s Office would be acting as a drop off point for and would arrange for the delivery of presents to SCRATCH. 

(v)  The Mayor announced that the Mayor’s Ball would be taking place on 28th April 2017;

(vi)  The Mayor announced there would be a Burns Supper on 25th January 2017;

(vii)  The Mayor announced that she had attended Bikers Night on 27th October 2016

(viii)  The Mayor congratulated Councillors Hammond and Paffey for taking part in the Sleep Out Charities night which took place on 11th November 2016;

(ix)  The Mayor announced that the ABP Marathon would take place on 23rd April 2017; and

(x)  The Mayor announced that she had taken part in the Christmas Lights Switch On which had taken place on 12th November 2016. 

59.

Deputations, Petitions and Public Questions

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

Minutes:

The Council received and noted a deputation from Maggie Longley and Sal Robinson representing the Solent Women against State Pension Inequality.

60.

Executive Business pdf icon PDF 108 KB

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

 

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.

61.

Motions

(a)  Councillor T Thomas to move:

 

Southampton City Council welcomes the opportunity, in response to a request to their ward councillors from Southampton members of Solent WASPI, the local branch of Women Against State Pension Inequality, to support their call upon the Government to make fair transitional state pension arrangements for all women born on or after 6th April 1951, who have unfairly borne the burden of the increase to the State Pension Age with lack of appropriate notification.

 

Hundreds and possibly thousands of Southampton women, and hundreds of thousands nationally, had significant pension changes imposed on them by the Pensions Acts of 1995 and 2011 with little or no personal notification of the changes. Some women had only two years notice of a six-year increase to their state pension age.

 

Many women born in the 1950's are now living in hardship. Retirement plans have been shattered with devastating consequences. Many of these women are already out of the labour market, caring for elderly relatives, providing childcare for grandchildren, or suffer discrimination in the workplace so struggle to find employment.

 

Council therefore instructs the Leader to write to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions accordingly.

 

(b)   Councillor Noon to move:

 

This Council greatly values and appreciates the important contribution of primary care to the City’s health and wellbeing. An essential part of the primary care system is provided by community pharmacies. This Council is alarmed, therefore, at plans by central government to drastically reduce funding for community pharmacy in 2016/17 (a 12% cut) and subsequent years.

 

Council, therefore, urges the Health & Wellbeing Board to seek assurances from Government Ministers that no community pharmacies in Southampton will be placed at risk of closure as a result of the national strategy and to work in partnership with the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Local Pharmaceutical Committee and the City’s GPs to vigorously protect and promote the City’s valuable primary care services.

 

(c)  Cllr Keogh to move:

 

This Council believes that a key principle underpinning the Brexit negotiations and agreement should be the achievement and maintenance of a strong and stable national economy because this supports the growth and development of local economies such as Southampton, ensuring our residents have the best outcomes in terms of employment opportunities, disposable incomes and access to reliable public services. It will intrinsically affect major employers in the City such as the University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust, our two Universities and ABP.

 

This Council asks that the Leader of the Council write to the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union requesting that he sets out the economic tests that will underpin our Brexit negotiations and agreement.

 

(d)  Cllr Fitzhenry to move:

 

Council calls on the Executive to quickly implement an action plan to address the falling standards of our City's appearance and reinvigorate the energy to deliver our City's long term ambitions to be the cultural and economic powerhouse on the south coast.

 

Continually residents, visitors and businesses are complaining about the appalling  ...  view the full agenda text for item 61.

Minutes:

(a)  Women Against State Pension Inequality

 

Councillor T Thomas moved and Councillor Morrell seconded:

 

Southampton City Council welcomes the opportunity, in response to a request to their ward councillors from Southampton members of Solent WASPI, the local branch of Women Against State Pension Inequality, to support their call upon the Government to make fair transitional state pension arrangements for all women born on or after 6th April 1951, who have unfairly borne the burden of the increase to the State Pension Age with lack of appropriate notification.

 

Hundreds and possibly thousands of Southampton women, and hundreds of thousands nationally, had significant pension changes imposed on them by the Pensions Acts of 1995 and 2011 with little or no personal notification of the changes. Some women had only two years notice of a six-year increase to their state pension age.

 

Many women born in the 1950's are now living in hardship. Retirement plans have been shattered with devastating consequences. Many of these women are already out of the labour market, caring for elderly relatives, providing childcare for grandchildren, or suffer discrimination in the workplace so struggle to find employment.

 

Council therefore instructs the Leader to write to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions accordingly.

 

UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE MOTION WAS DECLARED CARRIED

 

RESOLVED that the motion be approved.

 

(b)  Central Government Proposal to Reduce Funding for Community Pharmacies

 

Councillor Noon moved and Councillor Bogle seconded:

 

This Council greatly values and appreciates the important contribution of primary care to the City’s health and wellbeing. An essential part of the primary care system is provided by community pharmacies. This Council is alarmed, therefore, at plans by central government to drastically reduce funding for community pharmacy in 2016/17 (a 12% cut) and subsequent years.

 

Council, therefore, urges the Health & Wellbeing Board to seek assurances from Government Ministers that no community pharmacies in Southampton will be placed at risk of closure as a result of the national strategy and to work in partnership with the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Local Pharmaceutical Committee and the City’s GPs to vigorously protect and promote the City’s valuable primary care services.

 

Amendment moved by Councillor White and Councillor J Baillie seconded:

 

First paragraph, third line, delete “This Council is alarmed, therefore, at plans by central government to drastically reduce funding for community pharmacy in 2016/17 (a 12% cut) and subsequent years.”

 

And replace with:  “This Council is concerned by plans from central government to reduce funding for community pharmacies by 4% in 2016/17, then rising to a total reduction of 7.5% from April 2017.” 

 

Second paragraph, first line, delete “therefore,” and delete “seek assurances from Government Ministers that no” and replace with “write to the Minister with responsibility for Pharmacy matters and call upon him to reconsider the imminent funding changes to”

 

Second paragraph, second line, delete “in Southampton will be placed at risk of closure as a result of the national strategy and to work in partnership with the Hampshire & Isle of Wight  ...  view the full minutes text for item 61.

62.

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:

1.  Online Planning Applications

 

Councillor Moulton to Councillor Denness, Chair of Planning and Rights of Way Panel.

 

  Is it right that in order to comment on a planning application online, residents   must give their address details, potentially exposing them to abuse, harassment or intrusion?

 

Answer

 

It is correct that if making a comment on a planning application then name and address is required. The Development Management Procedure order requires that a local planning authority must, in determining an application for planning permission, take into account any representations made ‘provided they are made by any person who they are satisfied is such an owner, tenant, occupier or infrastructure manager’. This means that to be able to take representations into account we need to be satisfied that it is from an appropriate source and we need the address to be able to do that.

 

Furthermore, under the provisions of the Local Government (Access to Information Act) 1985, any written comments that are submitted (including by post) will be made available online, via public access, for inspection and copying by the public. By submitting such comments people are consenting for their name and address being placed in the public domain.

 

However, we do state, that if someone has an overriding legal reason why their address should remain confidential we ask them to contact the planning office for advice in good time prior to submitting their comments in accordance with the relevant deadline. If there are cases where abuse, harassment or intrusion is likely then this will be taken into account. Also there can be advantages from positive dialogue between objectors and developers, as developers may amend their schemes to take account of specific concerns raised by neighbours.

 

 

63.

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 reminded that Councillor Hecks had been appointed as the outside body representative for the Learning and Disability Partnership at Annual Council in May 2016 and not Cllr Parnell and that distribution lists be amended accordingly.

 

64.

Revision to the Constitution - Partnerships Code pdf icon PDF 70 KB

Report of the Service Director, Legal and Governance reviewing and updating the Partnerships Code in the Council’s Constitution, attached.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report of the Leader was submitted seeking approval to a revision of the Constitution relating to a revised Partnership Code.

 

RESOLVED

 

(i)  that the revised Partnership Code as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report be approved; and

(ii)  that the Service Director: Legal and Governance be authorised to finalise the arrangements as approved by Full Council and make any further consequential or minor changes arising from the decision of Council.

65.

Revision to the Constitution - Questions at Council pdf icon PDF 114 KB

Report of the Leader of the Council reviewing the current process and criteria for submitting Questions by Members at full Council, attached.

Minutes:

The report of the Leader was submitted seeking approval to a revision of the Constitution relating to Questions at Council

 

RESOLVED

 

(i)  That no minor issues be raised unless they have first been addressed to the appropriate officer, followed by the relevant Cabinet Member if the response was unsatisfactory and then only to Full Council if the Cabinet Member’s response remains unsatisfactory, notwithstanding that if a question relates to a major project or significant policy concern then a question to Full Council directly was appropriate; 

(ii)  That the deadline for submission of questions to Full Council be extended by 5 working days earlier than the current submission deadline;

(iii)  That an annual review of the revised process be undertaken with the exploration of other options with Group Leaders for streamlining the process including moving questions to the end of the agenda; and

(iv)  That Council revise the Council procedure Rules (paragraph 11) in the Constitution as appropriate.

 

66.

Local Appointment of External Auditors pdf icon PDF 81 KB

Report of the Service Director Finance and Commercialisation summarising changes to the arrangements for appointing External Auditors at conclusion of the 2017/18 audits, attached.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report of the Cabinet Member for Finance was submitted seeking approval for the Appointment of Local External Auditors.

 

RESOLVED that the Public Sector Audit Appointments (PSAA) invitation to “opt in” to the sector led option for the appointment of external auditors for five financial years commencing 1st April 2018 be accepted.

67.

TREASURY MANAGEMENT STRATEGY AND REVIEW OF PRUDENTIAL LIMITS MID YEAR REPORT 2016/17 pdf icon PDF 174 KB

Report of the Service Director Finance and Commercialisation detailing the Treasury Management activities and performance for 2016/17 against the approved Prudential Indicators for external debt and Treasury Management and to approve any changes as a result of activity to date and updates to the Capital Programme, attached.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report of the Cabinet Member for Finance was submitted seeking approval of the Treasury Management Strategy and Prudential Limits Midyear Review 2016.

 

RESOLVED

 

(i)  that the current and forecast position with regards to these indicators be noted and any changes approved;

(ii)  that the continued proactive approach to treasury management had led to reductions in borrowing costs and safeguarded investment income during the year be noted;

(iii)  that authority continued to be delegated to the Chief Financial Officer, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance to approve any changes to the prudential indicators or borrowing limits that would aid good treasury management and any amendments reported as part of quarterly financial and performance monitoring and revisions to this strategy; and

(iv)  that the increase in the investment limit for both unspecified investments and for counterparties as detailed in paragraph 30 of the report be approved.

 

68.

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 call-ins since the last report was submitted to Council.