Issue - meetings

To receive and consider the attached report from Cabinet held on 8 March (recommendation to follow)

Council Agenda Item 12 (Cabinet minute 38)

Solent Freeport Full Business Case

Cllr Simon Bosher objected to Cabinet minute 38 to allow for debate.

It was therefore proposed by Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson

Seconded by Councillor Hugh Mason

That the recommendation in Cabinet minute 38 be approved.

Council debated the matter.

Following a vote it was RESOLVED that Full Council:

(i)             APPROVED the report; and

(ii)           Delegated to the Chief Executive and the S.151 Officer in consultation with the Deputy Leader of the City Council to approve the Solent Freeport Full Business Case (FBC) on behalf of Portsmouth City Council, and to see it submitted to Central Government following consultation with the S.151 and Monitoring Officers of each of the tax sites.

Purpose.

1.1          The Council as a partner and director of Solent Freeport Consortium LTD (SFCL) is required to have approval to the Solent Freeport Full Business Case (FBC) by Cabinet and Full Council before the submission of the FBC to Central Government can be made. The deadline for submission of the FBC to Central Government is 15 April 2022.

1.2          By gaining approval to the FBC by Central Government the Solent Freeport officially exists with all customs and tax powers for a period of 25 years. The main body of this report has been produced by the SFCL to ensure a consistent approach to approval by all Councils.

1.3          The Council is a major beneficiary of the Solent Freeport in that it is the owner of the Portsmouth International Port, a proposed custom site, and owner and developer of Dunsbury Park, a proposed tax site, both within the Solent Freeport.

1.4          It is also noteworthy that Portsmouth City Council is the Accountable Body for the SFCL.

RECOMMENDATION:

      Cabinet approves that this report to go on to Full Council on the 15 March 2022  

      for approval.

Full Council approves:

To delegate to the Chief Executive and the S.151 Officer in consultation with the  

Deputy Leader of the City Council to approve the Solent Freeport Full Business Case

(FBC) on behalf of Portsmouth City Council, and to see it submitted to Central

Government following consultation with the S.151 and Monitoring Officers of

each of the tax sites.

Recommends that this report be referred to Full Council on the 15 March 2022 for approval.

The Cabinet recommends that Full Council agrees to delegate to the Chief Executive and the S.151 Officer in consultation with the Deputy Leader of the City Council to approve the Solent Freeport Full Business Case (FBC) on behalf of Portsmouth City Council, and to see it submitted to Central Government following consultation with the S.151 and Monitoring Officers of each of the tax sites.