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Agenda and minutes

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - The Guildhall, Portsmouth. View directions

Contact: Stewart Agland  Email: stewart.agland@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

21.

Declarations of Interests under Standing Order 13(2)(b)

Minutes:

The City Solicitor advised that with regard to notice of motion (j) - Retaliatory

Evictions - members who were tenants or landlords should declare an interest

but not a disclosable pecuniary interest unless they were in the process of

eviction proceedings.

 

The following councillors declared a personal, but non disclosable pecuniary

interest in agenda item 16 j - retaliatory evictions - Councillors Galloway,

Denny, Hastings, Symes, Winnington, Purvis, Dowling, Sanders, Young,

Vernon-Jackson, Wood, Fuller, Wylie, Stevens and Andrewes.

 

Councillor Will Purvis also declared a pecuniary interest part way through

debate on agenda item 11 in that he is employed by a developer and left the

chamber for that item.

 

Councillor Ken Ferrett declared a prejudicial interest in agenda item 16(d) in

that he is employed by BAE Systems and said he would leave the Chamber

for that item.

 

Councillor Michael Andrewes also declared a prejudicial, pecuniary interest in

the motion referring to his employer (notice of motion (g)). He said he would

leave the chamber for that item.

22.

Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 10 February 2015 pdf icon PDF 866 KB

·         the Meeting of the Council held on 10 February 2015.

Minutes:

It was

 

Proposed by Councillor Donna Jones

Seconded by Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson

 

That the minutes of the meeting held on 10 February 2015 be approved as a

correct record and this was agreed.

 

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on

10 February 2015 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

23.

Communications including Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillor Eleanor Scott.

 

Apologies for lateness were received on behalf of Councillor Les Stevens.

 

Councillors Rob New, Lee Hunt and Michael Andrewes apologised for being

slightly late.

 

Councillor Godier apologised that he would have to leave the meeting early.

 

The Lord Mayor welcomed in the public gallery a group of student journalists

from Highbury College who are attached to The News and said he hoped they

would find proceedings informative and enlightening.

 

The Lord Mayor announced that this was National Tourist Week and that he

had participated in promotional work by HMS Victory and the Spinnaker

Tower.

 

The Lord Mayor advised that this would be his last full Council meeting before

stepping down both as Lord Mayor and as an elected member. He also

advised that several other members were leaving today and wished them all

well.

 

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Donna Jones advised that the following

Liberal Democrat members were not standing for re-election: Councillor

Margaret Adair, Councillor Les Stevens, Councillor Terry Hall and Councillor

Steve Wylie. She thanked them all for their work and in particular thanked

Councillor Steve Wylie for all his hard work as Lord Mayor.

 

She also thanked Councillor Alistair Thompson, Conservative, who had been

elected in 2000. He had served on many committees and panels and had

been a cabinet member during his time as a councillor. She thanked him on

behalf of the City Council.

 

Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson thanked the four Liberal Democrat

members for all their hard work which he said had been greatly appreciated.

 

Councillor Colin Galloway added his thanks to all those councillors who were

leaving and said he was sad to see them go and had enjoyed their speeches.

In particular, he paid tribute to the Lord Mayor who he said had made a very

difficult job look easy. He wished them all good luck for their futures.

 

Councillor John Ferrett thanked all the councillors who were standing down.

 

The Lord Mayor said he had known Councillor Thompson for many years and

wished him the very best for the future. He also wished Councillors Margaret

Adair, Les Stevens and Terry Hall (who had inspired him to stand as Lord

Mayor) all the very best for their futures. He said he would miss all the

councillors.

24.

Deputations from the Public under Standing Order No 24

Minutes:

The City Solicitor reminded those making deputations today that if they did not

wish to be filmed, photographed or recorded when making their deputations

they should indicate, in order that all present who may be intending to film,

photograph or record proceedings could accede to their wishes.

 

The City Solicitor advised that two deputation requests had been received in

respect of agenda item 9, one from Mr A Geddes and one from Mr Zuber

Hatia. One deputation request had been received in respect of agenda

item 16(a) from Mr Kent.

 

One deputation request had been made by Mr Kevin Whittle in respect of

notice of motion (b).

 

Mr A Geddes and Mr Zuber Hatia made their deputations in respect of agenda

item 9. Mr Kent, Southern Water’s Wastewater Strategy Manager, made his

deputation in relation to item 16(a) - Sewage in Langstone Harbour.

 

Mr Kevin Whittle made his deputation in respect of agenda item 16(b) -

Stamshaw Junior School becoming an Academy

25.

Questions from the Public under Standing Order 25

Minutes:

There were no questions from the public.

26.

Appointments

Minutes:

There were no appointments.

 

 

 

 

 

27.

Urgent Business - To receive and consider any urgent and important business from Members of the Cabinet in accordance with Standing Order No 26

Minutes:

There was no urgent business.

28.

Agenda items 8, 9 and 10 - Recommendations from the Cabinet meeting held on 5 March 2015

Minutes:

The Lord Mayor advised that agenda items 8, 9 and 10 would be dealt with together.

 

The following minutes were approved unopposed:

 

Minute 22 -Treasury Management Policy 2015/16

Minute 23 - Budget and Performance Management 2014/15 (3rd Quarter)

 

Minute 17 - Local Transport Plan

 

This was opposed to allow for a short discussion.

 

It was

 

Proposed by Councillor Donna Jones

Seconded by Councillor Ken Ellcome

 

That the recommendations contained in Cabinet minute 17 - Local Transport Plan - be adopted. 

 

Following a short debate, upon being put to the vote this was CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED

 

1)            That the attached Implementation Plan be approved

 

2)            To delegate authority to the Head of Transport and Environment in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Traffic and Transportation, the Strategic Director for Regeneration and the Section 151 Officer to agree any minor amendments to the Implementation Plan that may be required to take account of future funding changes and policy announcements.

29.

Recommendations from the Cabinet Member for Housing Meeting held on 16 March 2015 - Delivering Replacement Housing Programme Phase 2 pdf icon PDF 174 KB

Cabinet Member for Housing recommendations - To receive and consider the attached report, together with the recommendations (to follow) of the Cabinet Member for Housing held on 16 March 2015 in respect of the above matter.

Minutes:

Minute 10 - Delivery of Replacement Housing Programme Phase 2

 

This was opposed to allow for a short discussion.

 

It was

 

Proposed by Councillor Steve Wemyss

Seconded by Councillor Donna Jones

 

That the recommendations contained in minute 10 - Delivery of Replacement Housing Programme Phase 2 be adopted.  Upon being put to the vote this was CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED that the City Council approved the following:

 

1)            the following Capital Expenditure amounting to £22.903m:

 

I.              A development of 67 units (a mixture of flats and houses) on a disused allotment site in Havant at a total cost of £8.119m

 

II.            A development of 50 units (a mixture of houses and flats) at Kingsclere Avenue at a total cost of £6.059m.

 

III.           A development of 40 units (a mixture of flats and houses) at Blendworth Crescent as a total cost of £4.847m.

 

IV.          A development of 8 houses at Holybourne Road at a total cost of £969.400.

 

V.           A development of 24 flats to be built on the existing Buckland Family centre site at a total cost of £2.908m.

 

2)            to fund the £22.903m of Capital Expenditure, additional borrowing of up to £15.12m over the next 2 years, alongside the funding already approved within the existing capital programme.

 

3)            that subject to the requirements of recommendation 4, authority be delegated to the Head of Housing and Property Services in consultation with the Head of Finance & S151 Officer to amend the composition and spending profile of the proposed schemes in order to meet planning and design requirements.

 

4)            that a financial appraisal approved by the Head of Finance & S151 Officer must be completed prior to the commencement of any scheme, that confirms that the proposed scheme remains the most viable option and provides an overall benefit to the 30 year HRA Business Plan

30.

Recommendations from Employment Committee held on 6 January 2015 - Pay Policy Statement 2014/15 pdf icon PDF 4 KB

Employment Committee recommendations - To receive and consider the attached report and recommendations of the Employment Committee held on 6 January 2015, in respect of the above matter, as updated in respect of the statement, under the agreed delegated arrangements to take account of changes resulting from senior management review.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

This had been updated under the agreed delegated arrangements to take account of changes resulting from the senior management review.

 

The following minute was approved unopposed:

 

Minute 6 - Pay Policy Statement 2015/16

31.

Recommendations from Governance & Audit & Standards Committee from its meetings held on 27 February and 13 March 2015) pdf icon PDF 6 KB

Governance & Audit & Standards Committee recommendations - To receive and consider the attached recommendations of the Governance & Audit & Standards Committee held on 27 February in respect of the above matter.

Minutes:

The Lord Mayor advised that there were no recommendations before Council today concerning agenda item 15 - Code of Conduct - as the Governance & Audit & Standards Committee had deferred consideration of this matter.

 

The following minute was approved unopposed:

 

Minute 26 - Health and Wellbeing Board - Change to Constitution

 

Minute 17 - Response to Shadow Committee System was opposed.

 

It was

 

Proposed by Councillor Simon Bosher

Seconded by Councillor Steve Hastings

 

That the recommendations contained in Governance & Audit & Standards Committee minute 17 be adopted.

 

Upon being put to the vote this was CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED that Council accepts the Governance and Audit and Standards Committee's response to its request to report back on a shadow system for 2015/16 as follows -  

 

1.         That the outline report from the City Solicitor produces a proposal which is ineffective and fundamentally unworkable and requires substantial further development, research and analysis from him and the S151 Officer.

 

2.         It is also premature and inappropriate to be  considered by this Council until a report dealing with these concerns has first been presented to the new Committee and to the new Council to be elected in May rather than by this Council in its final days. Otherwise it would be an undemocratic step to make any change which would impact upon  the newly elected representatives of the City.

 

3.         Having regard to the S151 Officer's comments presented at the Committee Meeting the Committee considers that it is actually un-implementable and not maintainable on a cost neutral basis, bearing in mind cost neutral is defined as something that is measured in money, time and energy and the report has not taken account of the latter two measurements.  

 

4.         That the matter be considered by the new Members of Governance and Audit and Standards Committee in the new municipal year to allow the City Solicitor together with the S151 Officer the time essential to establish whether it is actually feasible to run a shadow committee system on a true cost neutral basis and enable the Councillors affected by the decision to be able to take that decision.

 

Council adjourned at 4.30 pm. 

 

Council resumed at 4.45 pm.

32.

Notices of Motion

(a)       Sewage in Langstone Harbour

 

Proposed by Councillor Steve Hastings

Seconded by Councillor Stuart Potter

 

This council requests that the Leader writes to Sir Philip Dilley, the Chairman of the Environment Agency Board of Governors and to The Right Honourable Elizabeth Truss, the current Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs to ask why the residents of Portsmouth City have to put up with a continuous flow of sewage into Langstone Harbour which affects the whole of our waterside sports and industries.  This raw sewage disposal has shut down our fishing industry due to a health risk on our sea beds.  Also what fines, if any, fines have been levied on Southern Water for this regular discharging of raw sewage. 

 

(b)       Stamshaw Junior School becoming an Academy

 

Proposed by Councillor Leo Madden

Seconded by Councillor Darren Sanders

 

Council deplores the lack of meaningful consultation over the proposed transfer of Stamshaw Junior School to sponsored academy status.

 

Council asks that the Cabinet Member for Children's Services writes to the Education Secretary, saying that any decision to give Stamshaw Junior School sponsored academy status under the auspices of Portswood Primary School is not implemented until there has been full, proper and meaningful consultation with staff, governors and parents on the way forward for the school in the light of the OFSTED inspection.

 

(c)       Moving the Isle of Wight vehicle ferry terminal

 

Proposed by Councillor Denny

Seconded by Councillor Hastings

 

Council asks Cabinet to consider encouraging Wightlink to move its vehicle operations from The Camber to the Continental Ferry Port and report back to councillors as soon as possible. Such a move would have benefits in removing a large number of vehicle movements from the city centre and release valuable land at The Camber for commercial re-development such as a five-star hotel. Wightlink would have better facilities for docking, customers would have better road links via the M275 and under-used facilities at the Continental Ferry Port would have increased business.

 

(d)       Proposed by Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson

Seconded by Councillor Hugh Mason

 

The City Council has always taken the view that the decision by Ministers in the Ministry of Defence to allow BAe to move naval shipbuilding away from Portsmouth was wrong. The loss of about 1,000 good quality engineering jobs was very bad for the city, and for the country.

 

Extra jobs coming into Portsmouth from the City Deal, from BAe and from defence investment are all welcome and are to be applauded. The Prime Ministers undertaking to bring shipbuilding back into the dockyard is also very welcome. The basing of the carriers here in Portsmouth should mean that the navalbase is secure for the lifetime of these ships, 40 to 50 years.

 

In February the Prime Minister announced that two firms will be moving into the shipbuilding hall in the dockyard. He said this brought shipbuilding back to the city.

 

Closer examination shows that whilst Magma International may be creating some new jobs in their work on structures for super yachts, the BAe minehunter work moving into the shipbuilding hall is work that is currently being undertaken elsewhere in the dockyard and that there will be no new jobs created, nor new ships built unless orders are placed. No orders have been placed, so the ship building hall will have the potential to build ships, but there are no orders to do so.

 

The City Council therefore does not believe that the Prime Minister has kept his undertaking to the City to bring shipbuilding back to Portsmouth.

 

In 1979 when Mrs Thatcher came to power the Royal Navy had 59 frigates and destroyers. They now have just 19. The City Council is also concerned that neither the Prime Minister or the Chancellor were prepared to say that the Royal Navy would be able to replace the current 13 frigates with 13 new Type 26 frigates. It is also concerned that the Chancellor announced that only some of the new frigates would be based in Portsmouth.

 

The City Council therefore requests that the Leader of the City Council write to the Prime Minister by the end of this current week to ask him when he will make good his undertaking to the city of Portsmouth that shipbuilding will come back to the dockyard in Portsmouth, and to copy that letter and any answer received to all members of the Council.

 

(e)       Proposed by Councillor Hugh Mason

Seconded by Councillor Ben Dowling

 

Council notes that Portsmouth has been amongst the top half dozen cities in the UK for job growth over the last decade and appreciates the work which has been done by Council officers as well as by PUSH and the LEP in achieving this growth. The growth in high technology engineering and scientific jobs is especially to be welcomed.

 

Council recognises that there is still great potential for high technology manufacturing development both within the City and on sites owned by the City in the proximity but that the City faces intense competition for investment in this sector from other areas in the south of the country.

 

Council therefore requests the Cabinet Member for Planning, Regeneration and Economic Development to establish a cross party working group comprising officers and members to work with stakeholders in the City to develop strategies for promoting investment in the advanced engineering and scientific manufacturing sectors in order to keep this City at the forefront of the national economy.

 

(f)        Allotments

 

Proposed by Councillor Lee Hunt

Seconded by Cllr Vernon-Jackson

 

This Council urges the Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport to reconsider her 6th February 2015 allotment charges rise.

 

(g)       Proposed by Councillor Alistair Thompson

Seconded by Councillor Steve Wemyss

 

The City Council is deeply concerned changes in member training do not reflect the findings of the Pascoe report. This report identified serious failings in a former member’s behaviour.

 

As the report’s author said "I consider that the prima facie evidence of his unwelcome sexual approaches remains unquestionably a very serious matter in the light of the position which he holds and his knowledge from the beginning of the vulnerability of [the complainant].

 

"No one in public life should allow themselves to act in such an irresponsible and damaging way."

 

This behaviour had been reported to the Council on numerous occasions and yet some members and officers failed to take action to support the complainant, a vulnerable adult, indeed at least one member even said that the vulnerable adult was “just trying to get some money”. In her victim impact statement the lady criticised these comments along with others from serving members of the Liberal Democrat Group, saying she believed some member had sort to “publically discredit both myself and my motives for bringing an action…”. 

 

The City Council is committed to making sure that this problem or similar incidents can never occur again.

 

The City Council therefore instructs the Monitoring Officer to take a report to a future G&A&S Committee. This report should update all members on the changes put in place following this incident, identify suitable external safeguarding vulnerable adult and children training courses, cost and how to funding new member attendance on these.  

 

Furthermore the City Council requests the G&A&S Committee to examine whether members of the Councilcan be barred any committee, or position that might bring them into contact with vulnerable people until they have undertaken this training.

 

Finally the Council believes that if this is possible, this should be applied to those current members of the Liberal Democrat Group who commented on this particular case and contributed to the distress and upset of this vulnerable adult.

 

(h)       Proposed Councillor Alistair Thompson

Seconded by Councillor Steve Wemyss

 

The City Council is deeply concerned at the growth of legal highs or New Psychoactive Substances, (NPS). According to a recent study up to one in 12 young people, over 670,000 15-24 year olds have already tried a legal high and this number is predicted to increase.

 

New Psychoactive Substances are responsible for a growing number of deaths and hospital admittances as the number of NPS flooding the market rises.

 

It has been reported 6,486 people were treated in 2011/12 for abusing these drugs, an increase of 39 per cent since 2005/06. 43 young people died nationally in 2010 an eight-fold increase on the previous year. By 2012 the number of deaths had risen to 97, with more than 60 young people losing their lives.

 

Given the rapid increase in the number of associated problems caused by the proliferation of NPS, the City Council instructs the City Solicitor to prepare a report on the introduction and enforceability of Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) as in Lincoln.

 

The report would detail any associated costs and how this order would prevent the ingestion of NPS in all public spaces, in particular, all open spaces, on the street or on any Council owned property.  

 

(i        Fares on buses in Portsmouth

 

Proposed by Councillor Michael Andrewes

Seconded by Councillor Matthew Winnington

 

Council welcomes:

 

The money obtained from national government by the previous council administration to improve public transport infrastructure in Portsmouth and the My Travel Portsmouth project

 

Council notes:

 

The current annual rate of inflation is 0.3% and that the cost of diesel has fallen by over 10% since January 2014 and that as a result the Chief Secretary to the Treasury has written to the five major bus companies saying that they should reduce their fares.

 

That bus companies are reporting large profits.

 

However despite this First Bus have increased their individual fares, increasing some by approximately 6%, more than 20 times the rate of inflation and some season ticket prices including the three month season ticket by over 3%, more than 10 times the rate of inflation.

 

Council resolves:

 

To request that the Chief Executive writes to First Bus expressing the council’s disappointment over the increase in its fares and that he also writes to both First Bus and Stagecoach urging them to reduce fares.

 

To ask that Scrutiny Management Panel holds a meeting on bus fares as soon as possible and ideally in March and invites representatives of First Bus, Stagecoach and bus passengers to that meeting.

 

To ask the Cabinet to  work with the bus companies towards promoting and extending innovative ticketing solutions such as Solent Go card, mobile phone ticketing and improving and promoting bus travel generally

 

(j)         Retaliatory Evictions

 

Proposed by Councillor Michael Andrewes

Seconded by Councillor Leo Madden

 

The council notes

 

The large number of Portsmouth residents who rent in the private sector

 

The need to protect residents who rent in the private sector from “retaliatory evictions” where they have asked for a legitimate repair and their landlord then evicts them.

 

That the vast majority of private landlords are responsible and the council has a long and constructive history of working with them for their and their tenants; benefit.

 

The increasingly widespread practice of “retaliatory evictions” or eviction when the tenant has asked for a legitimate repair to be made.

 

The council welcomes

 

The amendments put in to the Deregulation Bill by the Government to prevent retaliatory evictions, following the private members’ bill by Sarah Teather, MP

 

The council resolves

 

To support the amendments on retaliatory evictions

 

Ask the Chief Executive to write to Portsmouth MPs asking them to support the amendments in the last parliamentary stages

 

To ask the Cabinet to a.  highlight and publicise the changes in a future issue of Flagship and b. ask the Council's officers to work with tenants and landlords to practically implement the changes and improvements to tenants’ rights on retaliatory evictions and other changes when they become law. 

 

(k)       Animal Welfare

 

Proposed by Councillor Michael Andrewes

Seconded by Councillor Lynne Stagg

 

The City Council notes:

 

That Portsmouth residents are concerned about high standards of animal welfare and expects the council to do all that it can to promote, safeguard and encourage these high standards

 

The model compassionate charter on animal welfare for councils promoted by Animal Aid

 

The City Council resolves to ask the Licensing Committee and Cabinet where appropriate to

 

uphold the welfare of animals and to introduce policies that safeguard their rights generally in its work and specifically by adopting an updated animal welfare charter.

 

Publish the charter on its website and in a forthcoming issue of Flagship and to review the charter every two years in the light of new legislation and work on animal welfare.

 

Publish a report to council on what steps it has taken to implement the charter with a summary published in Flagship and on its website every two years.

 

Portsmouth City Council resolves to ask the Licensing Committee and Cabinet where appropriate to adopt the following animal welfare charter:

 

1.            To oppose vivisection by ensuring that chemicals used on Portsmouth City Council premises have not been tested on animals through clauses in future tenders for cleaning services and to support moves to ban all experimental procedures concerned with cosmetics and the use of animals for other purposes where non-animal methodologies exist

 

2.            To ban circuses on Portsmouth City Council owned land that feature animals other than horses, ponies, guard dogs or domesticated animals

 

3.            To discourage the use of animals as prizes on land owned by Portsmouth City Council

 

4.            To work with partners in the city, such as the RSPCA and local vets, to encourage responsible pet ownership via measures including:

a.         Promoting the neutering of households pets.

b.         Encouraging practices such as micro?chipping, worming, de?fleeing, regular vaccinations, nail clipping and dental hygiene.

c.         Educating residents about responsible ownership of exotic animals and the challenges they pose.

d.         Supporting community action events held by the RSPCA and other animal welfare organisations

e.         Supporting educational campaigns to promote responsible dog ownership and knowledge of the bylaws and Central Government legislation;

 

5.            To condemn the production, sale and consumption of foie gras.

 

6.            Support the ban on the sale of wild animal skins

 

7.            Ensure the sale of animals or livestock on PCC land is strictly prohibited; permit the show or display of animals on PCC land only with prior written consent (Animals maybe subject to inspection by PCC appointed vets or animal welfare organisations) and ensure compliance with animal gatherings legislation where animals are brought together for a show or exhibition on PCC land.

 

8.            To work to ensure any Mayoral and ceremonial robes do not contain real fur.

 

9.            To use only humane methods of pest control for managing populations of birds and small mammals  and ensure all pest control treatments by the City Council are carried out humanely by trained and experienced personnel

 

10.         To work with partners to promote information initiatives designed to educate residents about humane methods of pest control at home.

 

11.         To promote the safe disposal of everyday items that pose a danger to animals, including plastic bags, balloons, tin cans, glass bottles and elastic bands

 

 

 

 

(l)         The cost of democracy - Proposed move to Whole Council Elections once every four years.

 

Proposed by Councillor Rob New

Seconded by Councillor Lee Mason

 

This council recognises the unprecedented budgetary pressures faced by local government. It acknowledges the need to make savings across all areas of expenditure, including from the political administration of the council.

 

Council is also concerned that annual elections are expensive to administer and can encourage political short termism, whereby difficult but necessary decisions are put off for fear of the electoral consequences. It notes however that the electoral cycle can only be changed by a two thirds majority vote following a period of public consultation and that conducting such consultation would involve a cost.

 

Consequently, the Council  requests that Democratic Services write to every member of the council to ask whether or not they would be in favour of a change to all out elections to establish whether the requisite two thirds of members of the council would support this change. The views of Members in the new municipal year will also be sought

 

Having regard to the Member consultation, the Governance and Audit and Standards Committee be asked to consider and report back to Council on the necessary actions and process that needs to be followed, including the proposed public consultation arrangements, with a view to replacing the current system of councillor elections by thirds (elections being held three years in every four) to whole-Council elections  (all council seats to be up for election once every four years), and for such changes to come into operation as soon as practicable.

Minutes:

The Lord Mayor advised that there were 12 notices of motion before Council today.

 

Notice of Motion (a) - Sewage in Langstone Harbour

 

It was

 

Proposed by Councillor Steve Hastings

Seconded by Councillor Stuart Potter

 

That this notice of motion be debated today.

 

Upon being put to the vote this was CARRIED.

 

It was

 

Proposed by Councillor Steve Hastings

Seconded by Councillor Stuart Potter

 

That notice of motion (a) as set out on the agenda be adopted.

 

As an amendment it was

 

Proposed by Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson

Seconded by Councillor Lynne Stagg

 

Add to the end of the motion, "The City Council to write Southern Water to ask them to urgently plan for a new emergency sewer to connect the mainland wards to Budds Farm Sewage Farm so that there is no need for any emergency sewage discharges into Langstone Harbour."

 

As an amendment it was

 

Proposed by Councillor Lee Mason

Seconded by Councillor Rob New

 

Delete after "Portsmouth City" replace with

 

"and Havant Borough councils have had to put up with excessive dumps of sewage into Langstone Harbour which can affect our waterside sports, industries and food stuff harvesting. This raw sewage disposal briefly shut down our fishing industry due to a Hep A health risk on our sea beds. Also we note the £150,000 of fines that have been levied on Southern Water for this discharging of raw sewage since 2011 and trust they will continue to be robust on this situation.

 

We welcome the recent improvements that have been done to Budd's farm water works that should improve the situation but ask the Environment agency to remain vigilant to the needs of the area.

 

We also encourage Southern water to create an advertising and awareness raising programme letting its consumers know what is appropriate to flush and what isn't. Many of the breakdowns of SW equipment and subsequent pollution events are caused and amplified by sanitary products, plastics and fats which are flushed down peoples sinks and toilets. Raising awareness about this can only improve the situation."

 

Councillor Steve Hastings as proposer of the original motion agreed to incorporate both the amendments into his notice of motion.

 

Upon the substantive notice of motion incorporating the amendments being put to the vote this was CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED that

 

This council requests that the Leader writes to Sir Philip Dilley, the Chairman of the Environment Agency Board of Governors and to The Right Honourable Elizabeth Truss, the current Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs to ask why the residents of Portsmouth City and Havant Borough councils have had to put up with excessive dumps of sewage into Langstone Harbour which can affect our waterside sports, industries and food stuff harvesting. This raw sewage disposal briefly shut down our fishing industry due to a Hep A health risk on our sea beds. Also we note the £150,000 of fines that have been levied on Southern Water for this discharging of raw sewage since 2011 and trust they will continue to be robust on this situation.

 

We welcome the recent improvements that have been done to Budd's farm water works that should improve the situation but ask the Environment agency to remain vigilant to the needs of the area.

 

We also encourage Southern water to create an advertising and awareness raising programme letting its consumers know what is appropriate to flush and what isn't. Many of the breakdowns of SW equipment and subsequent pollution events are caused and amplified by sanitary products, plastics and fats which are flushed down peoples sinks and toilets. Raising awareness about this can only improve the situation.

 

The City Council write to Southern Water to ask them to urgently plan for a new emergency sewer to connect the mainland wards to Budds Farm Sewage Farm so that there is no need for any emergency sewage discharges into Langstone Harbour."

 

Notice of Motion (b) - Stamshaw Junior School becoming an Academy

 

It was

 

Proposed by Councillor Leo Madden

Seconded by Councillor Darren Sanders

 

That this notice of motion be debated today.

 

Upon being put to the vote this was CARRIED.

 

It was

 

Proposed by Councillor Leo Madden

Seconded by Councillor Darren Sanders

 

That notice of motion (b) as set out on the agenda be adopted.

 

Following debate upon being put to the vote this was CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED that

 

Council deplores the lack of meaningful consultation over the proposed transfer of Stamshaw Junior School to sponsored academy status.

 

Council asks that the Cabinet Member for Children's Services writes to the Education Secretary, saying that any decision to give Stamshaw Junior School sponsored academy status under the auspices of Portswood Primary School is not implemented until there has been full, proper and meaningful consultation with staff, governors and parents on the way forward for the school in the light of the OFSTED inspection.

 

Notice of Motion (c) - Moving the Isle of Wight Vehicle Ferry Terminal

 

The proposer, Councillor Alicia Denny suggested this item go straight to Cabinet without debate.  Upon being put to the vote this was CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED that notice of motion (c) as set out in the agenda be referred to Cabinet for consideration.

 

Notice of Motion (d) - Shipbuilding

 

It was

 

Proposed by Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson

Seconded by Councillor Hugh Mason

 

That this notice of motion be debated today.

 

Upon being put to the vote this was CARRIED.

 

It was

 

Proposed by Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson

Seconded by Councillor Hugh Mason

 

That notice of motion (d) as set out on the agenda be adopted.

 

As an amendment it was

 

Proposed by Councillor Julie Swan

Seconded by Councillor Colin Galloway

 

That at the end of paragraph 1 "The additional local jobs lost as a 'knock on' effect of the ceasing of Naval Shipbuilding is almost incalculable."

 

Add to the end of paragraph 3

 

"In 2012 the addition of just one single mounted gun to the four Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) tankers would have prevented these being put out to tender and the subsequent contract being awarded to a South Korean company.

 

Shipbuilding could have been retained within Portsmouth dockyard for at least a few years enabling a future for this historic site to be developed without such drastic job losses."

 

Insert in Paragraph 6, to start the 3rd sentence (after "just 19.) with:

 

"With the current Government seemingly unable to even commit 2% of the GDP to Defence"

 

To delete "It is" from Paragraph 6 the start of the 4th sentence (after 26 frigates.) and insert in with:

 

"Although we recognise that the previous Minister for Portsmouth, Michael Fallon, confirmed in December 2014 that the new T-26's would be built in the Clyde, therefore keeping shipbuilding at least in the UK if not in Portsmouth; the City Council"

 

The proposer of the motion, Councillor Vernon-Jackson accepted the amendment in the name of Councillor Swan as part of the notice of motion.

 

Upon being put to the vote the substantive motion including the amendment was CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED that

 

The City Council has always taken the view that the decision by Ministers in the Ministry of Defence to allow BAe to move naval shipbuilding away from Portsmouth was wrong. The loss of about 1,000 good quality engineering jobs was very bad for the city, and for the country. The additional local jobs lost as a 'knock on' effect of the ceasing of Naval Shipbuilding is almost incalculable.

 

Extra jobs coming into Portsmouth from the City Deal, from BAe and from defence investment are all welcome and are to be applauded. The Prime Ministers undertaking to bring shipbuilding back into the dockyard is also very welcome. The basing of the carriers here in Portsmouth should mean that the navalbase is secure for the lifetime of these ships, 40 to 50 years.

 

In February the Prime Minister announced that two firms will be moving into the shipbuilding hall in the dockyard. He said this brought shipbuilding back to the city. In 2012 the addition of just one single mounted gun to the four Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) tankers would have prevented these being put out to tender and the subsequent contract being awarded to a South Korean company.  Shipbuilding could have been retained within Portsmouth dockyard for at least a few years enabling a future for this historic site to be developed without such drastic job losses.

 

Closer examination shows that whilst Magma International may be creating some new jobs in their work on structures for super yachts, the BAe mine-hunter work moving into the shipbuilding hall is work that is currently being undertaken elsewhere in the dockyard and that there will be no new jobs created, nor new ships built unless orders are placed. No orders have been placed, so the ship building hall will have the potential to build ships, but there are no orders to do so.

 

The City Council therefore does not believe that the Prime Minister has kept his undertaking to the City to bring shipbuilding back to Portsmouth.

 

In 1979 when Mrs Thatcher came to power the Royal Navy had 59 frigates and destroyers. They now have just 19. With the current Government seemingly unable to even commit 2% of the GDP to Defence the City Council is also concerned that neither the Prime Minister or the Chancellor were prepared to say that the Royal Navy would be able to replace the current 13 frigates with 13 newType 26 frigates. Although we recognise that the previous Minister for Portsmouth, Michael Fallon, confirmed in December 2014 that the new T-26's would be built in the Clyde, therefore keeping shipbuilding at least in the UK if not in Portsmouth; the City Council It is also concerned that the Chancellor announced that only some of the new frigates would be based in Portsmouth.

 

The City Council therefore requests that the Leader of the City Council write to the Prime Minister by the end of this current week to ask him when he will make good on his undertaking to the city of Portsmouth that shipbuilding will come back to the dockyard in Portsmouth, and to copy that letter and any answer received to all members of the council.

 

Notice of Motion (e) - Job Growth

 

It was

 

Proposed by Councillor Hugh Mason

Seconded by Councillor Ben Dowling

 

That this notice of motion be debated today.

 

Upon being put to the vote this was LOST.

 

RESOLVED that notice of motion (e) as set out on the agenda be not debated today but referred to Cabinet for consideration.

 

Notice of Motion (f) - Allotments

 

It was

 

Proposed by Councillor Lee Hunt

Seconded by Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson

 

That this notice of motion be debated today.

 

Upon being put to the vote this was CARRIED.

 

It was

 

Proposed by Councillor Lee Hunt

Seconded by Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson

 

That the notice of motion as set out on the agenda be adopted.

 

Following debate upon being put to the vote this was CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED that

 

This Council urges the Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport to reconsider her 6th February 2015 allotment charges rise.

 

Notice of Motion (g) - Safeguarding

 

It was

 

Proposed by Councillor Alistair Thompson

Seconded by Councillor Steve Wemyss

 

That this notice of motion be debated today.

 

Upon being put to the vote, this was CARRIED.

 

It was

 

Proposed by Councillor Alistair Thompson

Seconded by Councillor Steve Wemyss

 

That notice of motion (g) as set out on the agenda be adopted.

 

As an amendment it was

 

Proposed by Councillor Julie Swan

Seconded by Councillor Colin Galloway

 

"To amend the wording of paragraph four in the last sentence (identified in bold) to read:-

 

In her victim impact statement the lady criticised these comments along with others from serving members of the Liberal Democrat Group, saying that she believed some member(s) had sort sought to "publically discredit both myself and my motives for bringing an action ... ".

 

To amend the sixth paragraph, the final sentence by deleting all the words after "training courses," and add:-

 

"and investigate how to cost and fund new member attendance on these."

 

To amend the seventh paragraph, add after "barred" the word "from" and to add after the words "any committee" the words "external body,"

 

To amend the eighth and final paragraph to add after the words "Liberal Democrat Group" the words "and any other political party"

 

As an amendment it was

 

Proposed by Councillor Hugh Mason

Seconded by Councillor Leo Madden

 

"After para 5 insert "The advice of the City Solicitor is that the Pascoe Report contains no recommendations on members training. Other reports by external agencies have contained suggestions on members training."

 

In Para 6

 

add after the word incident "and the receipt of any external reports including recommendations on the training of members received over the last three years"

 

In final paragraph

 

in line two delete "Liberal Democrat Group" and replace with "Council", in Line 3 add after the word "case" and add "or any other case" add after the last word "or other adults or children."

 

Councillor Thompson as proposer of the original motion agreed to subsume both the amendments into his notice of motion.

 

Upon the substantive notice of motion including both amendments being put to the vote this was CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED that

 

The City Council is deeply concerned changes in member training do not reflect the findings of the Pascoe report. This report identified serious failings in a former member’s behaviour.

 

As the report’s author said "I consider that the prima facie evidence of his unwelcome sexual approaches remains unquestionably a very serious matter in the light of the position which he holds and his knowledge from the beginning of the vulnerability of [the complainant].

 

"No one in public life should allow themselves to act in such an irresponsible and damaging way."

 

This behaviour had been reported to the Council on numerous occasions and yet some members and officers failed to take action to support the complainant, a vulnerable adult, indeed at least one member even said that the vulnerable adult was “just trying to get some money”. In her victim impact statement the lady criticised these comments along with others from serving members of the Liberal Democrat Group, saying that she believed some member(s) had sought to “publically discredit both myself and my motives for bringing an action…”.

 

The City Council is committed to making sure that this problem or similar incidents can never occur again.

 

The advice of the City Solicitor is that the Pascoe Report contains no recommendations on members'  training.  Other reports by external agencies have contained suggestions on members'  training

 

The City Council therefore instructs the Monitoring Officer to take a report to a future G&A&S Committee. This report should update all members on the changes put in place following this incident and the receipt of any external reports including recommendations on the training of members received over the last three years, identify suitable external safeguarding vulnerable adult and children training courses, and investigate how to cost and fund new member attendance on these.  

 

Furthermore the City Council requests the G&A&S Committee to examine whether members of the Councilcan be barred from any committee, external body or position that might bring them into contact with vulnerable people until they have undertaken this training.

 

Finally the Council believes that if this is possible, this should be applied to those current members of the Council who commented on this particular case or any other case and contributed to the distress and upset of this vulnerable adult or other adults or children.

 

Council adjourned at 8.50 pm. 

Council resumed at 9.05 pm.

 

Notice of Motion (h) - legal highs

 

It was

 

Proposed by Councillor Alistair Thompson

Seconded by Councillor Steve Wemyss

 

That notice of motion (h) be debated today.

 

Upon being put to the vote this was CARRIED.

 

It was

 

Proposed by Councillor Alistair Thompson

Seconded by Councillor Steve Wemyss

 

That notice of motion (h) as set out on the agenda be adopted.

 

As an amendment it was

 

Proposed by Councillor Steve Hastings

Seconded by Councillor Hannah Hockaday

 

"Insert at the end of the motion

 

In addition to the above, the report should also explore the issues surrounding and viability of potentially considering the introduction of a city wide ban on the sale of New Psychoactive Substances.

 

Councillor Thompson as proposer of the motion agreed to subsume the amendment standing in the name of Councillor Hastings into his notice of motion.  Upon the substantive notice of motion including the amendment being put to the vote this was CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED that

 

The City Council is deeply concerned at the growth of legal highs or New Psychoactive Substances, (NPS). According to a recent study up to one in 12 young people, over 670,000 15-24 year olds have already tried a legal high and this number is predicted to increase.

 

New Psychoactive Substances are responsible for a growing number of deaths and hospital admittances as the number of NPS flooding the market rises.

 

It has been reported 6,486 people were treated in 2011/12 for abusing these drugs, an increase of 39 per cent since 2005/06. 43 young people died nationally in 2010 an eight-fold increase on the previous year. By 2012 the number of deaths had risen to 97, with more than 60 young people losing their lives.

 

Given the rapid increase in the number of associated problems caused by the proliferation of NPS, the City Council instructs the City Solicitor to prepare a report on the introduction and enforceability of Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) as in Lincoln.

 

The report would detail any associated costs and how this order would prevent the ingestion of NPS in all public spaces, in particular, all open spaces, on the street or on any Council owned property.

 

In addition to the above, the report should also explore the issues surrounding and viability of potentially considering the introduction of a city wide ban on the sale of New Psychoactive Substances.

 

Notice of Motion (i) - Fares on Buses

 

It was

 

Proposed by Councillor Michael Andrewes

Seconded by Councillor Matthew Winnington

 

That notice of motion (i) be debated today.

 

Upon being put to the vote this was LOST.

 

RESOLVED that Notice of Motion (i) as set out on the agenda be not debated today but referred to the Cabinet Member for Traffic and Transportation for consideration.

 

 

 

 

Notice of Motion (j) - Retaliatory Evictions

 

The City Solicitor advised that the Bill dealing with this matter is currently awaiting Royal Assent.

 

It was

 

Proposed by Councillor Michael Andrewes

Seconded by Councillor Leo Madden

 

That this notice of motion be debated today.

 

Upon being put to the vote this was LOST.

 

RESOLVED that Notice of Motion (j) as set out on the agenda be not debated today but referred to the Cabinet Member for Housing for consideration.

 

Notice of Motion (k) - Animal Welfare

 

It was

 

Proposed by Councillor Michael Andrewes

Seconded by Councillor Lynne Stagg

 

That notice of motion (k) be debated today.

 

Upon being put to the vote this was LOST.

 

RESOLVED that Notice of Motion (k) as set out on the agenda be not debated today but referred to full Cabinet for consideration with an input from the Licensing Committee as applicable.

 

Notice of Motion (l) - The cost of democracy - proposed move to whole council elections once every four years

 

It was

 

Proposed by Councillor Rob New

Seconded by Councillor Lee Mason

 

That this notice of motion be debated today.

 

Upon being put to the vote this was CARRIED.

 

It was

 

Proposed by Councillor Rob New

Seconded by Councillor Lee Mason

 

That notice of motion (l) as set out on the agenda be adopted.

 

Upon being put to the vote this was CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED that

 

This council recognises the unprecedented budgetary pressures faced by local government. It acknowledges the need to make savings across all areas of expenditure, including from the political administration of the council.

 

Council is also concerned that annual elections are expensive to administer and can encourage political short termism, whereby difficult but necessary decisions are put off for fear of the electoral consequences. It notes however that the electoral cycle can only be changed by a two thirds majority vote following a period of public consultation and that conducting such consultation would involve a cost.

 

Consequently, the Council  requests that Democratic Services write to every member of the council to ask whether or not they would be in favour of a change to all out elections to establish whether the requisite two thirds of members of the council would support this change. The views of Members in the new municipal year will also be sought

 

Having regard to the Member consultation, the Governance and Audit and Standards Committee be asked to consider and report back to Council on the necessary actions and process that needs to be followed, including the proposed public consultation arrangements, with a view to replacing the current system of councillor elections by thirds (elections being held three years in every four) to whole-Council elections  (all council seats to be up for election once every four years), and for such changes to come into operation as soon as practicable.

33.

Questions from Members under Standing Order No 17 pdf icon PDF 89 KB

Minutes:

There were 13 questions before Council.

 

Question No 1 was from Councillor Julie Swan

 

"Further to the Full Council Meeting dated 15 July 2014 notice of motion b point 3 could the leader of the council please update us as to the progress of the 'Social Supermarket'?

 

This and supplementary questions were answered by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Donna Jones.

 

Question No 2 was from Councillor Hastings

 

"Can the Cabinet Member for Housing confirm how much has been spent on IT infrastructure and IT provision within the housing department over the last 5 years?

 

This and supplementary questions were answered by the Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Steve Wemyss.

 

Question No 3 was from Councillor Vernon-Jackson

 

"Could the Leader of the council update the council on progress on the East Lodge Dementia Care Home?"

 

This and supplementary questions were answered by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Donna Jones.

 

Question No 4 was from Councillor Stagg

 

"Has the new litter and dog poo team started yet and if not, when is it due to start?"

 

This and supplementary questions were answered by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Donna Jones.

 

The Lord Mayor advised that the 45 minutes allowed for questions expired before questions 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 ,11, 12 and 13 could be put and so in accordance with Standing Order 17 h) written replies to these questions would be circulated to members. 

 

It was

 

Proposed by Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson

Seconded by Councillor Hugh Mason

 

That standing orders be suspended in order to allow the remaining questions to be put at the meeting.

 

Upon being put to the vote this was LOST.

34.

Start time of the Annual Council meeting

Following discussion with the Lord Mayor, Deputy Lord Mayor, Leader of the Council and other Group Leaders, approval is sought to the start time of the Annual Council meeting on 19 May 2015, being brought forward to 10am with Standing Order 7 - Time of meetings being waived to enable this.

Minutes:

The Lord Mayor explained that approval is being sought to change the start time of the annual council meeting on 19 May 2015.

It was

 

Proposed by Councillor Donna Jones

Seconded by Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson

 

That the start time of the annual council meeting on 19 May 2015 be brought forward to 10.00 am with standing order 7 - Time of Meetings - being waived to enable this.

 

Upon being put to the vote this was CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED that the start time of the annual council meeting on 19 May 2015 be brought forward to 10.00 am with standing order 7 - Time of Meetings - being waived to enable this.

 

The Lord Mayor bade farewell to all members who would not be returning to council following the May election and advised he was among them.