Agenda and minutes

THE MAYOR (COUNCILLOR HOUGHTON) IN THE CHAIR

RESOLVED: that His Honour Judge Christopher Parker be officially appointed as Honorary Recorder of Southampton and presented with the scroll in recognition of his appointment.

RESOLVED: that thanks be placed on record to His Honour Judge Derwin Hope, retiring Honorary Recorder for his many years of service to the City of Southampton.

RESOLVED: that Amaanah Hayat be elected as the first Children’s Mayor of Southampton.

RESOLVED: upon the motion of the Mayor (Councillor Houghton) and seconded by the Sherriff (Councillor Rayment), that the City of Southampton Award be presented to: -

Debra Carter

David and Anna Wright

David Rose, John Symms and Lesley Jarvis

RESOLVED: upon the motion of Councillor Denness and seconded by Councillor Vaughan, that Councillor Rayment be elected to the Office of 800th Mayor of Southampton and Chair of the Council for the ensuing year.

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

THE MAYOR (COUNCILLOR RAYMENT IN THE CHAIR)

The Mayor announced that she would be supporting as her charities, Street Pastors, Southampton Hospitals Charity and City Reach.

RESOLVED: upon the motion of Councillor Fitzhenry and seconded by Councillor Fielker that Councillor Laurent be appointed the 585^th Sheriff of the City of Southampton and Vice-Chair of the Council for the ensuing year.

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

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

RESOLVED: that the Southampton Business Success Award be presented to Fawley Waterside and Other Skies.

RESOLVED: that former Councillors Beryl Harris, Mark Chaloner, Tom Bell, Christopher Hammond, Rob Harwood and Steve Galton be thanked for their service to the City during their period in office.

AT THE RECONVENED MEETING OF THE SOUTHAMPTON CITY COUNCIL HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, CIVIC CENTRE ON 18th MAY, 2022

To authorise the signing of the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 23^rd March 2022, attached.

RESOLVED: that the minutes of the Council meeting held on 23^rd March 2022 be approved and signed as a correct record.

Matters especially brought forward by the Mayor and the Leader.

(i)  Welcome to New Members

The Mayor thanked all Members for their support in electing her as the City’s 800th Mayor and welcomed everyone back to the Council Chamber after a long, but necessary, absence due to the Covid pandemic.  The Mayor also welcomed to the meeting all those Councillors who were attending their first meeting together with those who had successfully defended their seats.

(ii)  Christine Tebano

The Mayor announced with sadness that Christine Tebano who was a former member of staff and went on to be Chief Executive and Founder of Parent Support Link had passed away and that our thoughts were with her family.

(iii)  Filming

The Mayor announced that the meeting was open to being filmed and those filming were reminded that the right to film was limited to the duration of the meeting and recording must cease when the meeting was closed.  Filming or recording was not permitted if the effect would be to interrupt or disturb the proceedings or if it was intrusive of a specific individual or individuals.  If in the Mayor’s opinion this was occurring, it would not be permitted, and she would ask you to stop.  Similarly, some members of the public attending the meeting may object to being filmed, photographed or recorded.  The Mayor would make those attending aware and would ask those filming, to respect their wishes, and would expect that these were complied with. As was the case when Council met in the Guildhall the meeting is being live streamed. 

(iv)  Meeting Protocol

    The Mayor referred to the need for meetings to run efficiently and        effectively and asked Members to keep in mind through the year the basic    courtesies that needed to be adhered to both in timeliness in arriving at    the meeting and listening carefully to the speeches and arguments. The    Mayor further requested that Members remembered the courtesies they    would like from members when speaking and for the benefit of the public    Members remain in the seat alloecated, or if  they wished to move, they    give notice of their intention prior to the next meeting so that copies       displayed in the public areas could be amended.

(v)  Mobile phones and electronic devices

    The Mayor reminded Members, wi-fi was available in the Council    Chamber. The use of mobile electronic devices can 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 our rules or the    law. For example, tweeting material discussed in confidential session       would be a very serious breach.  The Mayor also informed Members that    as in previous years, there was a £25 fine for mobile phones ringing and    this will go to the Mayor’s charity.

(vi)  Development and Refresher Sessions for Members

     The Mayor reminded Members of  number of development and refresher  sessions that have been arranged and encourage both new and existing    Members to attend.

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 Kaur was moved and seconded.

UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE IT WAS:

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

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

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children and Learning - Cllr Paffey  

Cabinet Member for Finance and Change - Cllr Leggett

Cabinet Member for Health, Adults and Leisure - Cllr Fielker

Cabinet Member for Housing and the Green Environment - Cllr Mitchell

Cabinet Member for Transport and District Regeneration - Cllr Keogh

Cabinet Member for Economic Development - Cllr Bogle

Cabinet Member for Safer City - Cllr Renyard

Cabinet Member for Communities and Customer Engagement - Cllr Kataria  

The Leader informed Members that the content of each of the Portfolios would be shared following the meeting. 

Report of Executive Director: Legal & Business Services setting out the

Annual Review of the Council's Constitution.

Councillor Kaur moved the report of the Director Legal and Business Services detailing the annual review of the Council’s Constitution and Councillor Shields seconded.

Council noted an amendment to Paragraph 16 of the report regarding the proposed new membership for the Health and Wellbeing Board. There was a technical problem regarding the wording chosen for the additional local paediatrician, which was “A local community paediatrician”.  Health colleagues have advised that that this terminology may exclude any paediatricians who are not employed by Solent NHS Trust, as “community paediatrician” was a particular type of role/contract, and locally Solent were their sole employer.  Therefore, it was agreed to broaden the wording to “local paediatrician with knowledge of the community” to enable more paediatricians to be eligible.

RESOLVED:

(i)  To agree the minor changes to the Constitution and associated

    arrangements as set out in this report;

(ii)   To authorise the Service Director: Legal & Business Operations to

    finalise the arrangements as approved by Full Council and make    any further consequential or minor changes arising from the       decision; and

(iii)   To approve the City Council’s Constitution, as amended, including

    the Officer Scheme of Delegation, for the Municipal Year 2022-23.

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 2022/23 Municipal Year.

20^th July 2022

14^th September 2022

16^th November 2022

22^nd February 2023 (Budget)

15^th March 2023

17^th May 2012 (AGM)

The Council approved the following dates for meetings of the Council in the 2022/23 Municipal Year:

20th July 2022

14th September 2022

16th November 2022

22nd February 2023 (Budget)

15th March 2023

17th May 2023 (AGM)

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.

Council noted the Executive Business Report of the outgoing Conservative Administration.

The following questions were submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.1:-

1.  Roads and Pavement Programme

Question from Councillor Moulton to Councillor Kaur

Will the Cabinet Member commit in full to delivering the published 22/23 and 23/24 roads and pavements programme?

Answer

Verbal Response provided at the meeting

“When we were in control just a year ago we recognised the importance of improving our roads and pavements. In our budget we set aside money for Roads and Pavements. Having been Leader of SCC for just a short time I can a sure you this was in our Manifesto; this was in our budget we will be delivering a full programme, but we will be reviewing what’s is being proposed fair distribution based on evidence and the Roads Survey”.

2.  Bitterne Bus Lane

Question from Councillor Moulton to Councillor Kaur

  Will the new Administration be reinstating the Bitterne Bus Lane?

  Answer

  Verbal Response provided at the meeting

  “No”

3.  1000 Spaces

Question from Councillor Moulton to Councillor Kaur

Will the Cabinet Member commit to delivering the published 1,000 spaces Estate Parking Programme and to maintain in full the budget allocation committed to this programme?

Answer

Verbal Response provided at the meeting

“Whilst in principle we agree there is some merit in the 1000 parking space programme  we would want to review, to ensure a fair distribution across the city in areas of need, not just political gain… Ensuring proper consultation with residents not just taking away green space”.

It was noted that no motions had been received.

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.

Report of the Returning Officer detailing the results of the 2022 City Council Elections.

The report of the Returning Officer detailing the results of the Southampton City Council Elections on 5 May 2022 was noted.

Report of the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee detailing the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2021/22 in accordance with the Council’s

Constitution.

The report of the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee detailing the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee Annual Report 2021/22 in accordance with the Council’s Constitution was noted.

The report of the Director of Legal and Business Services providing an update to Council on the use of Call-In by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee over the previous 6 months was noted.