Agenda and minutes

To consider the report of the Director of Legal and Governance detailing the Presentments accepted at Court Leet, actions taken to date and Cabinet Members or Officers identified to lead on the responses and any further action.

Decision made: (CAB 24/25 46138)

On consideration of the report of the Director of Legal and Governance Cabinet approved the following:

(i)  that the initial officer responses to the Presentments approved by the Court Leet Jury, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report, be noted; and

(ii)  that individual Cabinet Members ensure responses are made to Presenters regarding presentments within their portfolios as appropriate and as soon as practically possible.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Housing Operations outlining the Councils response to the Private Sector Housing Scrutiny Report - How to get a better deal for private renters.

Decision made: (CAB 24/25 46248)

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member for Housing Operations, Cabinet approved the responses detailed in Appendix 1 of the report for submission to the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Housing Operations and seek approval for public consultation on the proposal for designation of an additional HMO licensing scheme covering Banister and Polygon, Bevois, Bargate, Portswood, Swaythling, Bassett, Freemantle, Shirley and Millbrook wards.

Decision made: (CAB 24/25 46250)

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member for Housing Operations, having received and agreed to the recommendation received from Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee (meeting held on 21 November 2024),  Cabinet agreed the following:

(i)  To approve the proposals for a public consultation for an additional HMO licensing scheme in Banister and Polygon, Bevois, Bargate, Portswood, Swaythling, Bassett, Freemantle, Shirley and Millbrook wards. The proposed start of the consultation is from 3rd December 2024 for twelve weeks.

(ii)  To consider the outcome of the consultation at its meeting on 25th March 2025 and, if appropriate, designates the proposed area as being subject to additional HMO licensing, which will come into effect in May 2025, following required publication and advertising of scheme.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Housing Operations seeking approval for a Private Sector Leasing Scheme to help reduce the use of emergency accommodation.

Decision made: (CAB 24/25 46235)

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member for Housing Operations and having received representations from Councillor P Baillie, Cabinet agreed the following:

(i)  To approve the Private Sector Leasing Scheme proposal.  The scheme will aim to meet some of our current demand for additional temporary accommodation which will assist in reducing our use of costly emergency accommodation.  This scheme is one of the interventions that will form part of our homelessness transformation programme.

(ii)  To grant delegated powers to the Director of Housing following consultation with and the Executive Director of Enabling Services, Executive Director of Growth and Prosperity, the Director of Legal and Governance and the Cabinet Member for Housing, to do anything required to support the implementation of the proposal and to make minor amendments as required.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Children and Learning seeking approval to close Startpoint Sholing Day Nursery.

Decision made:  (CAB 24/25 46237)

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member for Children and Learning and having received representations from Sue Atkins, President of Southampton and South West Hampshire Trades Union Council, Ali Haydor, GMB Union, Carole Charrett, Nursery Assistant Startpoint Sholing and Councillor P Baillie, also having considered and agreed to recommendations made by Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee (meeting held on 21 November 2024),  Cabinet agreed the following:

(i)  To approve the closure of Startpoint Sholing Childcare Nursery with immediate effect.

(ii)  To delegate authority to the Executive Director of Community Wellbeing, Children and Learning, following consultation with the Executive Director of Enabling Services, to take any action necessary to give effect to recommendation (i) including but not limited to undertaking any relevant HR and contractual processes.

To consider the report of the Leader of the Council detailing Corporate Performance Report providing a high level overview of the performance of the organisation.

Decision made: (CAB 24/25 47275)

On consideration of the report of the Leader of the Council and having received representations from Councillor P Baillie, Cabinet agreed the following:

(i)  To note the Quarter 2 performance report.

(ii)  To Note performance issues raised, actions being taken and consider any areas for focus or further investigation.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services providing an update on the Council's financial position for 2024/25.

Decision made: (CAB 24/25 46231)

On consideration of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services, Cabinet agreed the £1.85M adjustments to be made to directorate budgets to reflect sustained favourable variances reported at month 7 of 2024/25 due to transformation measures, to be transferred to centrally held contingency to reduce the reliance on Exceptional Financial Support (EFS), as set out in paragraph 6 of the report.