Agenda and minutes

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

To approve and sign as a correct record the Minutes of the meetings held on 12 February 2015 and to deal with any matters arising, attached.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Committee meeting held on 12 February 2015 be approved and signed as a correct record.

Report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services detailing the following item requested for discussion from the current Forward Plan, attached.

·  Authority to set up a wholly owned Development Company to deliver city wide development

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services detailing the item requested for discussion from the current Forward Plan.

RESOLVED that:

  (i)  on consideration of the briefing paper relating to “Authority to set up a wholly owned Development Company to deliver city wide development” the Committee recommended that:-

(a)  in setting up the board for the Development Company (DevCo) consideration be given to include non-executive experts as advisers;

(b)  Cabinet ensures that during the development of the business case and in the establishment of the DevCo that its financing, planning processes and future development be transparent to both the public and Council; and

(c)  further information be provided on the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and General Fund borrowing ability.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Sustainability outlining the current position with regards to homelessness in Southampton, attached.

The Committee considered the report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Sustainability outlining the current position with regards to homelessness in Southampton.

RESOLVED that:

(i)  details be provided with regard to the provision of alternative funding for the next financial year for local welfare provision and the provision of a timeframe regarding when a decision would be made;

(ii)  social letting opportunities be pursued by the homelessness team with landlords and letting agencies, which had been discussed at the Southern Landlord’s Forum and resulted in a recommendation within the Health Overview and Scrutiny Panel Inquiry into Homelessness;

(iii)  the wording of the Council tax summons be investigated with regarding to whether it could be amended to reflect the fact that Council tax debt might not necessarily lead to a Court order; and

(iv)  details be provided to the Safe City Partnership regarding the management of street begging.

Report of the Chair of the Scrutiny Panel seeking approval of the Air Quality Inquiry final, attached.

The Committee considered the report of the Chair of the Scrutiny Panel seeking approval of the Air Quality Inquiry report.

RESOLVED that:

(i)  the final report of the Scrutiny Panel, attached as Appendix 1 be approved and forwarded to the Executive for consideration and further action; and

(ii)  the Executive be requested to give further consideration to the development of a Low Emission Zone in Southampton as part of the Low Emission Strategy.

Report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services detailing the actions of the Executive and monitoring progress of the recommendations of the Committee, attached.

The Committee received and noted the report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services detailing the actions of the Executive and monitoring progress of the recommendations of the Committee.