Agenda and minutes

These had been received from Councillors Ken Ellcome and Neill Young, as well as Michael Lawther, Deputy Chief Executive.

Councillor Wemyss made a non- prejudicial interest in agenda item 4 (Carers' strategy) in that he is a carer for his mother and also an employee of the NHS but not for the Portsmouth health bodies.

A copy of the record of the previous decisions taken at Cabinet on 5 March 2015 are attached.

RECOMMENDED that the record of decisions of the Cabinet meeting held on 5 March are approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

DECISION: the record of the previous meeting of the Cabinet held on 5 March 2015 was agreed as a correct record to be signed by the Chair.

The report by the Director of Integrated Commissioning Unit and the Director of Adult Social Care presents the Portsmouth Carers Strategy 2015-2020 to Cabinet.

RECOMMENDED that Cabinet note, support and endorses the Portsmouth Carers Strategy 2015-2020 (as set out in appendix 1 to this report).

Rob Watt, Director of Adult Social Care presented the report and paid credit to the hard work of Lisa Mundy and Mandy Lindley in producing this extensive joint strategy, with the co-operation of the CCG, Solent NHS Trust and Portsmouth Hospitals Trust.   The strategy covers all ages of carer and seeks to encourage those who are reluctant to seek support or do not know how to access it.

The Care Act 2014 gives legal recognition to carers and sets out the responsibility of the local authority and the NHS to help them.  The partner agencies had undertaken consultation events and surveys.  The quality of life for Portsmouth carers was judged to be above the England average but areas to improve included involvement of carers and the accessibility of information for carers.

Councillor Jones, Leader, thanked those involved for the report and strategy document and acknowledged that the implications of the Care Act would be significant for local authorities, which would need recognition by the government.  The strategy was a comprehensive document and members were impressed by the graphic design which made it stand out and user friendly. 

Cabinet Members were concerned at the rise of young carers and Rob Watt responded that there is a level of support to help ensure their education is not disadvantaged.

The Leader wished to place on record her gratitude to the Portsmouth company V3 Recruitment who took young carers on a Christmas trip to London.  The report was a good example of collaborative working and she also wished to thank Lisa Mundy and Mandy Lindley for their contributions.

DECISION:  The Cabinet noted, supported and endorsed the Portsmouth Carers Strategy 2015-2020 (as set out in appendix 1 to the report).

The report of the Economic Development, Culture & Leisure (EDCL) Scrutiny Panel 'Revitalising Local High Streets and Secondary Shopping Areas in the City' is attached to the response report by the Director of Culture and City Development and the Director of Transport, Environment and Business Support.  Councillor Julie Swan as Chair of EDCL for this review is invited to the meeting to present the panel's findings.

RECOMMENDED

(1)  That the Panel is thanked for its work in undertaking the review;

(2)  That the Economic Development Culture and Leisure Scrutiny Panel's recommendations be approved in line with the responses noted in item 4 of the Directors' response report.

Councillor Julie Swan, as the chair of Economic Development, Culture & Leisure (EDCL) for this review, presented the scrutiny panel's report.  The panel had looked at ways of encouraging footfall and she was pleased that Boots were committed to community involvement in local retail areas such as North End, and the Ministry for High Streets had send officials to visit Portsmouth retail centres.  She was pleased that as part of the review the events notice had been simplified and was grateful for the involvement of the local traders associations such as Albert Road, Castle Road and Fratton Road, independent traders, Penny Mordaunt MP and all the officers who had given their time and the support of all the panel members and clerk.

Councillor Matthew Winnington who had been Vice-Chair of EDCL scrutiny panel for this review also spoke, with particular reference to the panel's third recommendation to encourage cycling and walking to the secondary shopping areas, which reflected points raised by Strong Island Co.

Alan Cufley, Director of Transport, Environment and Business Support, reported that officers from his directorate and that of Stephen Baily, Culture & City Development, would be developing the suggestions and would look at additional safe cycle storage and attracting sponsorship.

Councillor Jones, Leader, welcomed the report on an important issue which Councillor Stubbs was actively involved in, and agreed that the way forward would be business lead.  The council's financial contributions would be limited but CIL monies were available for Fratton and North End and she hoped some of these could be used to help promote safe cycle storage in the secondary retail areas.  It was further reported that the DCLG visits had been useful for the City Centre Manager.

Councillor Stubbs, as Cabinet Member for Planning, Regeneration & Economic Development had also attended the DCLG visits and he was encouraged that the Portsmouth shop voids levels were relatively low at 5% (in Teesside the level was up to 50%). He reiterated that it was important for the traders to work together to improve the local shopping areas and he mentioned the possibility of exploring the 'business improvement district'.

Councillor Symes was pleased that the Park & Ride had been expanded to include Southsea to link with the shops there and the route was being revised to go via Clarendon Road and Gunwharf.  As part of this initiative a promotional Southsea retail brochure had been produced.  The summer service would be half-hourly from 8am.

DECISION:

(1)  The EDCL Scrutiny Panel was thanked for its work in undertaking the review;

(2)  The Economic Development, Culture & Leisure Scrutiny Panel's recommendations were approved in line with the responses noted in Item 4 of the Directors' response report.

The information report by the Director of Regulatory Services, Community Safety and Troubled Families details the domestic abuse campaigns.  This report is in response to the Notice of Motion proposed by Councillor Julie Swan at Council on 11 November 2014.

RECOMMENDED that the action taken be noted.

Councillor Donna Jones welcomed the report which outlined the 'Is this love?' campaign which would be run again later in the year and the regular adverts in Flagship.  Councillor Rob New, as Cabinet Member for Environment & Community Safety thanked Councillor Julie Swan for being a lead campaigner and he was pleased that resources had been committed to the important messages to raise awareness of domestic abuse.

The action taken in response to the Notice of Motion was noted.

There are 2 responses to be made to previous Notices of Motion referred from 17 March 2015 Council (the reference letters reflect those used on the agenda of that meeting for agenda item 16, and minute number 32):

c) Isle of Wight Ferry Terminal

The information report attached by the Director of Property report is in response to the Notice of Motion 'Moving the Isle of Wight vehicle ferry terminal' proposed by Councillor Denny, which asked:

"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."

RECOMMENDED that Cabinet note the contents of the report and recommend to City Council accordingly.

e) Job Growth

The Notice of Motion proposed by Councillor Hugh Mason was that:

"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"

A response by the Cabinet will be made at the meeting to report back to Council.

c) Isle of Wight Ferry Terminal

Councillor Donna Jones highlighted the independence of Wightlink in making decisions on the location of their terminal and whilst relocation would have some advantages for the city it was not a viable business alternative, and their investment in Portsmouth and their facilities was welcomed.

The Cabinet noted the contents of the Director of Property's report.

e) Job Growth

Councillor Stubbs reported that officers were working on suggestions and he asked that consideration of this notice of motion be deferred to a later meeting, which was agreed.

On 6 March 2015 the Scrutiny Management Panel met and resolved:

"that the Scrutiny Management Panel reports to Cabinet for noting:

(1)          That it has held a meeting on the notice of motion referral to fulfil the resolution from the Council meeting held on 20 January 2015 concerning volunteer snow wardens;

(2)          It has requested more information about best practice in other local authorities to be included in a further report to be brought to a future meeting of Scrutiny Management Panel;

(3)          That recommendations on whether and how to implement a scheme will be made to a future cabinet meeting, if appropriate."

RECOMMENDED that the progress of this item at Scrutiny Management Panel be noted.

The progress of this item at Scrutiny Management Panel was noted.

a)  Annual Appointments to outside bodies

The purpose of this item is to facilitate appointments to outside bodies, mostly

for the 2015/16 municipal year, but in some cases for longer terms.

The scheme of delegation to individual cabinet members include authority to

make appointments to outside bodies falling within that member's portfolio.

This authority has to be exercised in accordance with a political proportional

protocol (the protocol provides, amongst other things, that the appointments

must be made at a formal decision making meeting , that where an

appointment involves the proposed appointment of the cabinet member, the

appointment must be made by the Cabinet collectively.

The schedule prepared by the Local Democracy Manager; nominations

from all groups is attached.

RECOMMENDED that the individual cabinet members make

appointments to the outside bodies falling within their remit as per the

circulated schedule, other than in certain circumstances where the

Cabinet collectively needs to make appointments.

b)  Champions

There is the opportunity to consider appointment of member 'champions', such as for Skills (as recommended by the Chamber of Commerce), Dementia (as previously suggested in a Notice of Motion to Council), the Armed Forces Liaison representative (last year undertaken by Councillor Frank Jonas).

a)    Appointments to outside bodies - these are listed on a separate schedule.

b)    Members Champions were agreed as Councillor Frank Jonas to continue as the Armed Forces Liaison Member and Councillor Jennie Brent as the Third Sector and City of Service Champion.

The proposed dates for Cabinet meetings, generally starting at 1pm, for this municipal year are:

Friday 3 July 2015

Thursday 13 August (provisional, if needed)

Thursday 24 September

Thursday 5 November

Thursday 3 December

Thursday 7 January 2016

Thursday 4 February &

Thursday 3 March

Cabinet meetings will be scheduled for:

Friday 3 July, Thursday 13 August (provisional if needed), Thursday 24 September, Thursday 5 November and Thursday 3 December 2015

Thursday 7 January, Thursday 4 February and Thursday 3 March in 2016

“That, under the provisions of Section 100A of the Local Government Act, 1972 as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act, 1985, the press and public be excluded for the consideration of the following item on the grounds that the report(s) contain information defined as exempt in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act, 1972”.

The public interest in maintaining the exemption must outweigh the public interest in disclosing the information.

Under the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) England Regulations 2012, regulation 5, the reasons for exemption of the listed item is shown below.

Members of the public may make representation as to why the item should be held in open session.  A statement of the Council’s response to representations received will be given at the meeting so that this can be taken into account when members decide whether or not to deal with the item under exempt business.

(NB     The exempt/confidential committee papers on the agenda will contain information which is commercially, legally or personally sensitive and should not be divulged to third parties.  Members are reminded of standing order restrictions on the disclosure of exempt information and are invited to return their exempt documentation to the Local Democracy Officer at the conclusion of the meeting for shredding.)

(Paragraph 3 relates to information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person or authority)

DECISION:

That, under the provisions of Section 100A of the Local Government Act, 1972 as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act, 1985, the press and public be excluded for the consideration of the following item on the grounds that the report(s) contain information defined as exempt in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act, 1972.

The public interest in maintaining the exemption was deemed to outweigh the public interest in disclosing the information.

Under the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) England Regulations 2012, regulation 5, the reasons for exemption of the following item (the exempt report and exempt appendix 2 relating to Dunsbury Hill Farm is Paragraph 3 relates to information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person or authority.

The purpose of the report by the Director of Property is to seek approval to the aims of the Dunsbury Hill Farm (DHF) project and to delegate authority to develop Dunsbury Hill Farm in accordance with those aims.  The main report is exempt, however a summary report is attached which is open as is Appendix 1 the plan of the development site.

RECOMMENDED

That the Cabinet agree the following recommendations:-

1)  To approve the aims of the Dunsbury Hill Farm Project as set out in paragraph 3.1.

2)  Subject to City Council project governance arrangements and to financial appraisal(s) approved by the Director of Finance and Section 151 officer, authority is delegated to the Director of Property and Director of Finance and Section 151 Officer to:

                                           i.        Develop Dunsbury Hill Farm in pursuance of the approved aims.

                                          ii.        Determine the most appropriate route to market which could include either or a potential combination of the following:

·      Sale of the undeveloped site

·      Direct development of the site by PCC

·      Entering a joint venture with an external organisation

                                         iii.        Apply for grants or resources to finance the Dunsbury Hill Farm development.

3)  The Deputy Chief Executive (City Solicitor) and the Director of Finance and Section 151 Officer are authorised to enter into all legal and financial documentation required.

And that the Cabinet recommends to City Council that:-

1)  Authority is delegated to the Director of Finance and Section 151 Officer in consultation with the Leader of the Council to:

                                           i.        Borrow as required for the Dunsbury Hill Farm development subject to the financial appraisal demonstrating that any borrowing costs in aggregate can be met from either the additional income or an increase in market value arising.

                                          ii.        Amend the Corporate Capital Programme as required to reflect expenditure and financing for the Dunsbury Hill Farm development.

Having passed the exemption for the main report and appendix 2, the covering open report only was discussed in open session. Tom Southall, Property & Investment Manager, presented the report which sought permission for the development of the Dunsbury Hill Farm site in Havant. 

Councillor Stubbs, as Cabinet Member for Planning, Regeneration & Economic Development, supported this important employment opportunity for the sub region, and Councillor Jones, Leader, reiterated that this was a key priority for the Solent LEP within the Solent Growth round 1 bids.

DECISIONS

The Cabinet AGREED:-

1)  To approve the aims of the Dunsbury Hill Farm Project as set out in paragraph 3.1.

2)  Subject to City Council project governance arrangements and to financial appraisal(s) approved by the Director of Finance and Section 151 officer, authority is delegated to the Director of Property and Director of Finance and Section 151 Officer  in consultation with the Leader and Cabinet Member for Planning, Regeneration & Economic Development to:

                                           i.        Develop Dunsbury Hill Farm in pursuance of the approved aims.

                                          ii.        Determine the most appropriate route to market which could include either or a potential combination of the following:

·      Sale of the undeveloped site

·      Direct development of the site by PCC

·      Entering a joint venture with an external organisation

                                         iii.        Apply for grants or resources to finance the Dunsbury Hill Farm development.

3)  The Deputy Chief Executive (City Solicitor) and the Director of Finance and Section 151 Officer are authorised to enter into all legal and financial documentation required.

And the Cabinet RECOMMENDED to City Council that:-

1)  Authority is delegated to the Director of Finance and Section 151 Officer in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Planning, Regeneration & Economic Development to:

                                           i.        Borrow as required for the Dunsbury Hill Farm development subject to the financial appraisal demonstrating that any borrowing costs in aggregate can be met from either the additional income or an increase in market value arising.

                                          ii.        Amend the Corporate Capital Programme as required to reflect expenditure and financing for the Dunsbury Hill Farm development.