Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - Civic Centre

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

Items
No. Item

49.

Apologies

To receive any apologies.

Minutes:

It was noted that apologies had been received from Councillors Denness and Parnell.

 

50.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 79 KB

To authorise the signing of the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 20th September, 2017, attached.

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 20th September 2017 be approved and signed as a correct record.

 

51.

Announcements from the Mayor and Leader

Matters especially brought forward by the Mayor and the Leader.

Minutes:

It was noted that there were no announcements from the Mayor and the Leader. 

52.

Deputations, Petitions and Public Questions

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

Minutes:

It was noted that there were no Deputations, Petitions or Public Questions. 

53.

Executive Business Report pdf icon PDF 135 KB

Report of the Leader of the Council detailing the business undertaken across the Council since 20th September 2017.

Additional documents:

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.  Appearance of the High Street Above Bar

 

Question from Councillor Laurent to Councillor Rayment

 

What plans are there to improve the sorry state of the High Street Above Bar?

 

Answer

 

A deep clean was carried out in early September of this year. The Business Improvement District provided some support and we are liaising with them over continued support.

 

 

2.  Maintenance of the Cenotaph

 

Question from Councillor Laurent to Councillor Rayment

 

The Cenotaph is the focus of Remembrance Day in the City. Why is it not maintained to a high standard?

 

Answer

 

The Cenotaph is maintained on a routine basis within the resources we have the teams involved include Parks, Street Cleansing and the Ancient Monuments Teams. The routine tasks include:

 

  On a daily basis we litter pick, empty bins, and inspect the paving and monument for any obvious defects.

  During the spring and summer the grass is cut in line with our city wide program (approximately every 4 weeks)

  Hedges are cut two to three times per year dependant on growth

  Grafitti is removed from the monument as required

  Chewing gum, detritus etc. is jet washed from the paving as required

  Leaf debris is swept and cleared away during autumn.

 

In the weeks leading up to remembrance Sunday the teams work together to ensure that the Cenotaph and surrounding area is to a good standard. During this time they will usually:

 

  Ensure that the hedges are all clipped

  Ensure that the grass is cut

  Ensure that there is no residual litter

  Undertake a deep clean of the paving areas

  Ensure the glass panels are all thoroughly cleaned

  Ensure the monument itself is cleaned

 

The standard therefore is in line with the resources available to the Council. We usually get good feedback after the remembrance event.

 

3.  Fly Tipping Fines

 

Question from Councillor Laurent to Councillor Rayment

 

It has been reported that Southampton has not fined anyone for fly tipping. What is the reason for this?

 

Answer

 

The investigation of serious fly tipping offences is carried out by the Environmental Health service, sometimes working in partnership with the Environment Agency. These investigations focus on organised commercial activity or fly-tips that have an impact on public health (e.g. the deposit of asbestos containing material). The covert nature of fly tipping, together with restrictions on the use of covert CCTV evidence presents challenges to these investigations.

 

In 2016, legislation allowed local authorities to issue a £200 fixed penalty notice as an alternative to prosecution. Southampton City Council has not issued any fixed penalties for fly tipping using these powers due to the need to witness the fly-tip or to have evidence beyond all reasonable doubt to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53.

54.

Motions

(a)  Cllr Painton to move:-

This Council expresses its concern that the former Southampton University Student Tower Block on Wessex Lane still remains empty after 7 years and believes that it is an eyesore that impacts adversely on the local area and is a waste of valuable land at a time when there is great need for both housing for local people and indeed university accommodation.

Council notes the strong desire from local ward councillors, residents and the Woodmill Neighbourhood Watch to see something done with  the site.

Council urges the Executive and the Chief Executive to have urgent dialogue with the University of Southampton and to push for a plan for the site.

 

(b)  Councillor Kaur to move:-

Council notes that the Welfare Reforms have created hardship in Southampton for individuals and families both in work and out, since 2013. Universal Credit, the so-called ‘flagship’ of these reforms, has proven not to be without its issues, especially for the most vulnerable. Since its full rollout in Southampton earlier this year, we have seen individuals wait as long as three months for their first payment, a 22% increase in the use of foodbanks and a rise in rent arrears with private landlords refusing to take families on benefits. 

Having already written to the Minister of Work and Pensions expressing our concerns prior to rollout of Universal Credit, Council will continue to work with and support local charities and organisations raising these important issues locally and nationally.

Council supports the national campaign to pause the roll out of Universal Credit, but also calls on Government to commit to fixing the problems raised in places like Southampton, and asks all three Southampton MPs to do the same.

(c)  Councillor Hecks to move:-

Council recognises the considerable contribution that tourism makes to the local economy.  Southampton is an historic city with many surviving elements of its mediaeval past, many of which, regrettably, are inaccessible to residents and visitors alike, are deteriorating and are in urgent need of repair and restoration. Of particular concern are the many mediaeval vaults off High Street, French Street, Simnel Street and Western Esplanade.

Council therefore calls upon the executive, as a matter of urgency, to undertake a comprehensive review of the condition of our entire mediaeval heritage and bring forward a programme of repair and refurbishment with a view to greatly increasing public access to these historic but sadly underused elements our the City’s heritage to the benefit of visitors and residents alike.

In addition, Council calls upon the executive to open discussion with partners to re-establish a conveniently located and meaningful Tourist Information Centre to actively promote tourism within the City.

 

(d)  Councillor Fuller to move:-

This Council condemns the shameful incompetence of the Labour administration who have handed back over £2 million from Right to Buy Receipts to Central Government. This is money that could have been used to build affordable housing in Southampton and help some of the thousands of households, including families with children,  ...  view the full agenda text for item 54.

Minutes:

(a)   Southampton University Student Tower Block on Wessex Lane

 

Councillor Painton moved and Councillor Vassiliou

 

This Council expresses its concern that the former Southampton University Student Tower Block on Wessex Lane still remains empty after 7 years and believes that it is an eyesore that impacts adversely on the local area and is a waste of valuable land at a time when there is great need for both housing for local people and indeed university accommodation.

 

Council notes the strong desire from local ward councillors, residents and the Woodmill Neighbourhood Watch to see something done with the site.

 

Council urges the Executive and the Chief Executive to have urgent dialogue with the University of Southampton and to push for a plan for the site.

 

Amendment moved by Councillor Mintoff and seconded by Councillor Letts:

 

First paragraph:

 

Lines 1 – 2: Delete “the former Southampton University Student Tower Block”

Replace with “South Stoneham Tower”

 

Line 2: Delete “7”

Replace with “12”

 

Line 3: After “local area and is” delete the remainder of that paragraph “a waste of valuable land at a time when there is great need for both housing for local people and indeed university accommodation.”

 

Replace with “costing the University a considerable amount of money to maintain the scaffolding around it.  Additionally, it is a waste of valuable land at a time when there is a great need for housing for local people and purpose-built accommodation for our student population.”

 

Third paragraph:

Line 1: Delete “have”

Replace with “continue”

 

Amended Motion to read:

 

This Council expresses its concern that South Stoneham Tower on Wessex Lane still remains empty after 12 years and believes that it is an eyesore that impacts adversely on the local area and is costing the University a considerable amount of money to maintain the scaffolding around it.  Additionally, it is a waste of valuable land at a time when there is a great need for housing for local people and purpose-built accommodation for our student population.

 

Council notes the strong desire from local ward councillors, residents and the Woodmill Neighbourhood Watch to see something done with the site.

Council urges the Executive and the Chief Executive to continue urgent dialogue with the University of Southampton and to push for a plan for the site.

 

UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE AMENDMENT IN THE NAME OF COUNCILLOR MINTOFF WAS DECLARED CARRIED

 

UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE MOTION WAS DECLARED CARRIED

 

RESOLVED that the motion be approved. 

 

(b)   Welfare Reforms

 

Councillor Kaur moved and Councillor Savage seconded:

 

Council notes that the Welfare Reforms have created hardship in Southampton for individuals and families both in work and out, since 2013. Universal Credit, the so-called ‘flagship’ of these reforms, has proven not to be without its issues, especially for the most vulnerable. Since its full rollout in Southampton earlier this year, we have seen individuals wait as long as three months for their first payment, a 22% increase in the use of foodbanks and a rise  ...  view the full minutes text for item 54.

55.

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:

It was noted that there were no Questions from Members to the Chairs of Committees or the Mayor. 

56.

Appointments to Committees, Sub-Committees and Other Bodies

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

Minutes:

Council noted that the Putting People First Group had given notice that they would be taking up their allocated seats on Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee with immediate effect. 

57.

Triennial Review of the Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Licensing Principles pdf icon PDF 122 KB

Report of the Head of Transactions and Universal Services seeking adoption of the Council's Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Licensing Principles 2018 to 2021.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report of the Service Director Transactions and Universal Services seeking approval of the Triennial Review of the Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Licensing Principles was submitted. 

 

RESOLVED that Council considered the draft revised Gambling Act policy attached at Appendix 1 and adopted it as its Statement of Licensing Principles for the Gambling Act 2005.

58.

Treasury Management Strategy and Prudential Limits Mid Year Review 2017/18 pdf icon PDF 227 KB

Report of the Service Director: Finance and Commercialisation providing an update on the Treasury Management Strategy and Prudential Limits that were approved by Council in February 2017.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report of the Service Director Finance and Commercialisation seeking approval of the Treasury Management Strategy and Prudential Limits Mid Year Review 2017/18. 

 

RESOLVED:

 

(i)  To note the current and forecast position with regards to these indicators and approve any changes;

(ii)  To note that the continued proactive approach to Treasury Management has led to reductions in borrowing costs and safeguarded investment income during the year;

(iii)  To note the cost implication of the Capital Programme on the Authority as detailed in Table 5;

(iv)  To note the proposed changes to the Prudential and Treasury Management Codes, in particular the inclusion of non-treasury investments such as commercial investments in properties in the definition of “investments” as well as loans made or shares brought for service purposes, as detailed in paragraphs 13 to 17 below;

(v)  Continue to delegate authority to the Service Director – Finance & Commercialisation, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance to approve any changes to the Prudential Indicators or borrowing limits that will aid good treasury management.  For example increase the percentage for variable rate borrowing to take advantage of the depressed market for short term rates.  Any amendments will be reported as part of quarterly financial and performance monitoring and in revisions to this strategy.

59.

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.