Agenda and minutes

COUNCILLOR McEWING IN THE CHAIR

RESOLVED upon the motion of the Mayor (Councillor McEwing) and seconded by the Sherriff (Councillor L Harris), that the City of Southampton Award be presented to Mr Paul Upton and Mrs Jennie Upton who have been involved in running the 3^rd Itchen North (Bitterne) scout group for 40 and 50 years respectively.

RESOLVED upon the motion of Councillor Hannides and seconded by Councillor Letts, that Councillor L Harris be elected to the Office of 795^th Mayor of Southampton and Chair of the Council for the ensuing year.

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

THE MAYOR (COUNCILLOR L HARRIS) IN THE CHAIR

The Mayor announced that he would be supporting as his charities Southampton Children’s Hospital and the Southampton Sea Cadets.

RESOLVED upon the motion of Councillor Burke and seconded by Councillor Parnell that Councillor Barnes-Andrews be appointed the 580^th Sheriff of the City of Southampton and Vice-Chair of the Council for the ensuing year.

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

RESOLVED upon the motion of Councillor Rayment and seconded by Cllr Moulton that the Council places on record its appreciation for the distinguished manner in which Councillor McEwing had discharged the duties of the Mayor of the City during the period of her term of office.

RESOLVED that the Southampton Business Success Award 2017 be presented to Hammerson, Westquay, Southampton and Mettricks Limited.

To receive any apologies.

It was noted that apologies had been received from Councillors O’Neill and Wilkinson.

To authorise the signing of the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 15^th March 2017, attached.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Council meeting held on 16th March 2017 be approved and signed as a correct record

Matters especially brought forward by the Mayor.

(i)  Sholing Junior School – Winners of the Big Pedal Active Travel Competition

The Mayor presented Sholing Junior School with an award for their achievements in the Big Pedal Active Travel Competition which was the UK’s largest active travel competition with 1,700 schools taking part.

(ii)  Employee of the Year Awards

    The Leader presented the following awards:

    Employee of the Year Awards:

·  Amanda Luker – Commissioner

·  Christopher Baldwin – Workshop Manager

·  Claire Elton – Senior Solicitor

    Manager of the Year:

·  Liz Whale – Information, Skills and Area Manager for the Library Service

·  Graham Tuck – Planning Policy Group Leader

    Team of the Year:

·  Housing Allocations Team

     Most Thanked Team of 2017:

·  Business Support

  (iii)  Training

     The Mayor reminded Members of a number of training sessions that had    been arranged and encouraged Members to attend.

  (iv)  Social Media

   For the benefit of Members, the Mayor referred to the wi-fi that was available in the Council Chamber and that the use of mobile electronic devices could therefore be used in the Chamber and in Committee Meetings.

The Mayor urged Members to use their good sense and behave with courtesy, particularly in not tweeting messages which would otherwise be in breach of the Council’s rules or the law. For example, tweeting material discussed in confidential session would be a serious breach.

The Mayor also informed Members that as in previous years the fine for mobile phones ringing was £25 which would go to the Mayor’s charities.

  (v)  Courtesy in the Chamber

 The Mayor referred to the need for meetings to run efficiently and effectively, and asked Members to keep in mind throughout the year the basic courtesies that needed to be adhered to both in timeliness in arriving at the meeting and listening carefully to the debate. 

The Mayor further requested that for the benefit of the public, Members remain in the seat allocated, or if they wished to move, they give notice of their intention prior to the next meeting so that the copies displayed in the public gallery could be amended.

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 Letts was moved and seconded.

UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE IT WAS:

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

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

Education and Skills – Councillor Dr Paffey

Health and Sustainable Living – Councillor Shields

Finance - Councillor Chaloner

Communities, Culture and Leisure – Councillor Kaur

Transformation Projects - Councillor Hammond

Deputy Leader (Internal) and Environment and Transport – Councillor Rayment

Deputy Leader (External) and Housing and Adult Care – Councillor Payne

Children’s Social Care – Councillor Lewzey

The Leader then informed Members of the content of each of the Portfolios and announced that these would be incorporated into the scheme of Executive Delegation in the Constitution.

Report of the Service Director: Legal & Governance detailing the annual review of the Council’s Constitution, attached.

With the consent of the meeting, Councillor Barnes-Andrews, Chair of the Governance Committee, moved the report of the Service Director, Legal and Governance detailing the annual review of the Council’s Constitution and Councillor Letts seconded:

A confidential session was requested by Members in order to debate part of the report fully.

RESOLVED: that the Chair moved in accordance with the Council's Constitution, specifically the Access to Information Procedure Rules contained within the Constitution, the press and public be excluded from the meeting in respect of agenda item 7.

Confidentiality was based on Categories 1 and 7 of paragraph 10.4 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules. The information contained therein was potentially exempt as it related to individual personal details and information relating to any action taken or to be taken in connection with the prevention, investigation or prosecution of crime.  Having applied the public interest test it was not appropriate to disclose this information as the individuals' legal expectation of privacy outweighed the public interest in the exempt information.

Amendment moved by Councillor Barnes-Andrews and seconded by Councillor Letts:

“That recommendations relating to the Employment and Appeals Panel be removed from the report and that discussions take place with Group Leaders and Members of Governance Committee with further recommendations relating to Employment and Appeals Panel to be submitted to July Council for decision”.

UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE AMENDMENT IN THE NAME OF COUNCILLOR BARNES-ANDREWS WAS DECLARED CARRIED.

RESOLVED:

(i)  That the changes to the Constitution and associated arrangements as set out in the report be approved with the exception of Employment and Appeals Panel;

(ii)  That discussions take place with Group Leaders and Members of Governance Committee with further recommendations relating to Employment and Appeals Panel be submitted to July Council for decision;

(iii)  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; and

(iv)  That the City Council’s Constitution as amended, including the Officer Scheme of Delegation for the Municipal Year 2017/18 be approved.

A  Appointment of Members

The Leader to move that, subject to alterations as may from time to time be made by the Council, the necessary Committees, Sub-Committees and other bodies and external organisations be appointed by the Council with the number and allocation of seats to political groups as set out in a schedule to be tabled at the meeting.

B  Appointment of Chair

To appoint the Chair to each of the Committees and Sub-Committees appointed by the Council.

RESOLVED that subject to certain decisions that may from time to time be made by the Council, the following Committees, Sub-Committees and other bodies be appointed with the allocation of seats to political groups shown therein and they be delegated authority to act within their Terms of Reference:

To approve the following dates for meetings of the Council in the 2017/18 Municipal Year:

19^th July 2017

20^th September 2017

15^th November 2017

21^st February 2018 (Budget)

21^st March 2018

16^th May 2018

The Council approved the following dates for meetings of the Council in the 2017/18 Municipal Year:

19th July 2017

20th September 2017

15th November 2017

21st February 2018 (Budget)

21st March 2018

16th May 2018

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

It was noted that no requests for deputations, petitions or public questions had been received.

To receive a presentation from the Leader of the Council.

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.  John Ransom Horse Trough Grade II Listed

Question from Councillor Claisse to Councillor Kaur

The John Ransom trough on The Avenue which I understand is grade II listed has been damaged and left for many months. Is it correct that the Council is refusing to repair it?

Answer

Southampton has a wealth of historic monuments that all need appropriate care and attention. We are working with Historic England to carry out a survey of all the monuments in the City, so we can establish what needs to be done for each item. In the meantime officers are considering a potential relocation of The John Ransom trough.

2.  Public Spaces Protection Orders

Question from Councillor Claisse to Councillor Rayment

Since the PSPOs have been created in Southampton. I understand that 1 prosecution was concluded by the Council in December 2016, with the Court giving a 12 month conditional discharge. Was it worth creating the PSPO`s?

Answer

The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 gave local authorities the power to make Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) to tackle activities carried out in a public place which have a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality. Five orders were made across the city after public consultation based on historical evidence that showed they were necessary.

The Police have issued fixed penalties to individuals begging, predominantly in the city centre. It is true that the fixed penalties have not been paid and that follow-up formal action is difficult when a person has no fixed abode. In December 2016, the first individual was prosecuted for begging and the Magistrates gave a conditional discharge on conviction.

The PSPOs do give a clear indication that certain activities carried out in public places will not be tolerated. The associated signage has a deterrent effect for all but the most persistent offenders.

Enforcement alone was never going to resolve the problem of people begging in the city, but linked to other initiatives PSPOs remain an important and necessary part of the overall approach.

(a)  Councillor Denness to move:

Council recognises the dedication and commitment shown by our emergency services in protecting residents, tourists, businesses and our landmarks both locally and throughout the country as the terrorist threat continues.

However, Council is disappointed that at time of an increased terrorism threat and rising pressures on local domestic policing, police forces are continuing to see their budgets reduced. 

Council notes that despite a number of invitations the last issued shortly after full Council in March the Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner, elected in May 2016, has yet to formally meet council leaders and key stakeholders in Southampton to discuss amongst other things this police funding crisis.

Council calls on the next Home Secretary and Chancellor of the Exchequer to reverse the damaging cuts to local policing and ensure that local police forces get the level of funding required.

Council also calls on the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to respond to the repeated requests to visit the city and listen to the concerns of elected members and others about the diminishing policing service being provided to our citizens and businesses. 

It was noted that the motion in the name of Cllr Denness had been withdrawn.

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

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

The report of the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee detailing the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee Annual Report 2016/17 in accordance with the Council’s Constitution was noted.

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

It was noted that there had been no call-ins since the last report was submitted to Council.