Agenda item

Report of the Leader of the Council, attached.

The report of the Leader of the Council was submitted, setting out the details of the business undertaken by the Executive (copy of report circulated with agenda and appended to signed minutes).

 

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.  Southampton Schools

 

Question from Councillor Moulton to Councillor Bogle

 

Can the Cabinet Member please outline the new Administration’s policies for Southampton Schools?

 

Answer

 

Education is critical for the city and its citizens’ future prosperity, growth and wellbeing. 

Some of our key policy principles include

-  Increasing aspiration and attainment in all our schools

-  Celebrating progress and achievement

-  Collaboration and sharing of best practice across city schools

-  Looking outside the city for examples of best practice to learn from

-  Focus support on the proven triggers for schools improvement, namely leadership and teaching

Our manifesto states a number of key areas of attention, including how to improve the level of attendance in schools (with reference to the recent Scrutiny inquiry), reverse the loss of children to schools outside Southampton at Year 7 and using schools as ‘community hubs’ for a number of shared public services.

 

2. Cultural Quarter

 

Question from Councillor Hannides to Councillor Dr Williams

 

Following the very successful opening of Guildhall Square last year and the impressive launch of SeaCity Museum last month, will the Leader confirm whether the emerging cultural quarter remains a priority for the new Executive?

 

Answer

 

There is no reason to change Council policy in this area.

 

3. Budget Pressures in Adult Social Care

 

Question from Councillor Moulton to Councillor Stevens

 

Can the Cabinet Member outline any new budget pressures in Adult Social Care he intends to commit to this municipal year, over and above those set out in the 2012/13 revenue budget approved by full council in February?

 

Answer

 

No

 

4. Sure Start

 

Question from Councillor Moulton to Councillor Bogle

 

Will the Cabinet Member commit to keeping open all of Southampton’s Sure Start centres?

 

Answer

 

Yes, I can currently see no circumstances where we would consider closing any of Southampton's Sure Start centres.

 

 

5. Council Priorities

 

Question from Councillor Moulton to Councillor Dr Williams

 

Which areas of council expenditure will be the highest priority for the new Administration?

 

Answer

 

Our priorities are included in the Labour Party’s manifesto and this has been sent to all Members.

 

6. Outsourcing Council Service Provision

 

Question from Councillor Claisse to Councillor Dr Williams

 

Will the Leader continue to consider the relative advantages of outsourcing Council service provision and functions to the private sector, or are they ideologically opposed to such arrangements?

 

Answer

 

Yes, we will consider all options and keep an open mind as opportunities arise.

 

 

7. Redundancies

 

Question from Councillor Fitzhenry to Councillor Dr Williams

 

Can the Leader reconfirm his manifesto commitment that no one will be made redundant under his administration?

 

Answer

 

No such manifesto commitment is stated. What the manifesto includes is that :

We will do all we can to stop council job losses, instead choosing to retain and retrain staff, saving thousands in redundancy payments; and

City Council employees are at the centre of everything we do. We will listen to our front line staff and ensure we take their expertise into account when making decisions.

 

8. Highways Spend

 

Question from Councillor Fitzhenry to Councillor Thorpe

 

Can the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport confirm he will maintain highways spend at the current levels? 

 

Answer

 

I can confirm that I know of no current reason to change. However, I would confirm the manifesto commitment that we will consult residents and businesses on the priorities for road and pavement repairs and renewal.

 

9. Budget Gap

 

Question from Councillor Smith to Councillor Dr Williams

 

What is the budget gap for the years 2013/14 and 2014/15?

 

Answer

 

The budget gap is currently as published in February 2012 and stands at £19.8M in 2013/14 rising to £31.2M in 2014/15.  This takes into account a level of savings to be delivered as shown below:

 

	2013/14	2014/15
	£M	£M
Gap After Pressures	30.3	45.7
Savings Known	(2.4)	(2.7)
Future Savings (Work In Progress)	(8.1)	(11.8)
Current Net Gap	19.8	31.2

 

 

 

10. Public transport

 

Question from Councillor Smith to Councillor Dr Williams

 

Public transport is a priority to your Administration.  How will residents notice an improvement?

 

Answer

 

Public Transport is a priority. Understanding the infrastructure is key to working in partnership. Members of our Policy Team will be investigating and any lack of public involvement is something that we would wish to change.

 

11. Reviews and Investigations

 

Question from Councillor Smith to Councillor Dr Williams

 

How many reviews and investigations has the Leader of the Labour Group instigated or is planning to instigate, and what is the cost of these to the local tax payer?

 

Answer

 

These are included in our manifesto but include amongst others, International Way refurbishment, City View magazine, car parking charges in the city centre, CCTV and the waste collection service.

 

 

12. Post Offices

 

Question from Councillor Vinson to Councillor Dr Williams

 

Will the Leader explore opportunities under the Post Offices Act, and in light of initiatives such as that adopted by Westminster Council, for the participation of Southampton City Council in measures to strengthen and secure the post office network in the City?

 

Answer

 

There is now an opportunity within the scrutiny process to bring forward such reviews.

 

 

13. The Children's Playground on the Common

 

Question from Councillor Vinson to Councillor Bogle

 

Will the Cabinet Member ask officers to investigate and bring forward proposals for renovating the children's playground on the Common?

 

Answer

 

There are no plans currently to invest in this play area, whose equipment is regularly reviewed for maintenance purposes.  I would need further information, in order to build a case for investment.

 

14.  Recycling Rate

 

Question from Councillor Furnell to Councillor Thorpe

 

Can the cabinet member tell us the current recycling rate in the city and how this compares with six years ago?

 

Answer

 

The council’s recycling performance has been reported as national indicator N192, the percentage of waste recycled, composted and sent for reuse.

 

The record for the last six years is set out below:

 

year	2006/07	2007/08	2008/09	2009/10	2010/11	2011/12
N192	25.76%	27.67%	27.81%	26.38%	25.07%	23.60%