Agenda

To receive any apologies.

To authorise the signing of the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 16 July 2025, attached.

Matters especially brought forward by the Lord Mayor and the Leader.

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

Report of the Cabinet Member for Housing seeking approval to spend an already agreed Capital Budget as part of the Homelessness Prevention Transformation Project.

Report of the Leader of the Council detailing Southampton City Council’s Local Government Reorganisation proposal. 

Report of the Leader of the Council, attached.

Motion (a) – Road Safety

Moved by: Councillor Shields

This Council is deeply concerned at the rising number of deaths on Southampton’s roads with a shocking total of 48 fatalities recorded between 2010 and 2023. Between 2009 and 2013 there were 10 fatal injuries on our roads yet in the 5-year period from 2019 to 2023 this increased to 23.

Council notes that the vast majority of road fatalities in Southampton are preventable. Meaningful local action is required to reverse a growing trend.

Council therefore welcomes Government plans to produce later this autumn a national Road Safety Strategy with a core aim to significantly decrease the number of fatalities and serious injuries on UK roads. The strategy is expected to include:

•  stricter penalties for breaking road safety laws

•  mandatory eye tests for drivers over 70 when they renew their licenses

•  drink-driving limit in England and Wales lowered to align with Scotland's

•  penalty points for passengers not wearing seatbelts

•  establishment of an independent body to investigate road incidents

Council urges the City’s three local MPs to also press for other changes such as additional powers to local authorities to enforce action on pavement parking, cycling on pavements and other moving traffic-related violations.

Council further requests those Cabinet Members responsible for city safety and transport to examine the available evidence and to develop a comprehensive local policy for addressing road safety which is reflected in the next refresh of the Safe City Strategy and the Local Transport Plan. This policy should provide a forensic analysis of current road safety issues affecting the city’s residents and neighbourhoods together with evidence from elsewhere in the UK of interventions that have succeeded in reducing serious and fatal road casualties.

Motion (b) Budget and Taxation

Moved by Councillor Powell-Vaughan

This Council calls on HM Government, ahead of the October Budget, to ensure any future taxation changes support Southampton jobs, economic growth, and household stability.

Council further calls on Government to rule out Capital Gains Tax on the sale of primary residences and to avoid measures such as recent National Insurance increases, which contributed to redundancies, reduced seasonal or first job at 16 work, fewer employment opportunities, reduced pay awards by private employers and in many cases, real term cut to pay.  Less investment locally, and increased levels of child poverty within Southampton under this Government. This has all been seen and felt in Southampton.

Council resolves to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP.

Urging her to prioritise stability, promote growth and protect Southampton; their employment, reduce child poverty, prevent health inequalities from continuing to rise. and safeguard confidence in Southampton’s housing market.

Motion (c) Migrant Hotels

Moved by Councillor Powell-Vaughan

This Council notes:

As a designated City of Sanctuary, Southampton is proud of its tradition of welcoming people fleeing persecution. However, the unprecedented numbers of people arriving in the UK in recent months have resulted in the Home Office using hotels in Southampton for temporary  ...  view the full agenda text for item 8.

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

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

NOTE: There will be prayers by Reverend Tony Palmer in the Mayor’s Reception Room at 1.45 pm for Members of the Council and Officers who wish to attend.