Agenda and decisions

A copy of the record of the previous decisions taken at Cabinet on 9 June 2016 are attached for approval.

RECOMMENDED that the record of decisions of the Cabinet meeting held on 9 June 2016 be agreed as a correct record for signature by the Leader as Chair.

The report by the Director of Community & Communication seeks permission to commence public consultation on proposals to amend the council tax support scheme.

RECOMMENDED that:

(1)       Cabinet notes the provisional timetable for review of the current Council Tax Support policy (see page 5 of the report);

(2)       Cabinet notes that in order to consult with the Council’s precept Authorities and the residents of Portsmouth on the changes to the local scheme and the financial implications for them, it will be necessary to take decisions on the Council Tax Support scheme before the Council’s annual budget for 2017/18 is ratified and to allow sufficient time for implementation for April 2017; 

(3)       Cabinet notes that changes to the council tax support scheme will have the potential to impact on the overall collection of council tax.

1)         Cabinet noted the provisional timetable for review of the current Council Tax Support policy (see page 5 of the report);

(2)       Cabinet noted that in order to consult with the Council’s precept Authorities and the residents of Portsmouth on the changes to the local scheme and the financial implications for them, it will be necessary to take decisions on the Council Tax Support scheme before the Council’s annual budget for 2017/18 is ratified and to allow sufficient time for implementation for April 2017; 

(3)       Cabinet noted that changes to the council tax support scheme will have the potential to impact on the overall collection of council tax.

The report by the Director of Culture & City Development requests that members consider adoption of the proposed protocol which outlines the details for the series of actions which will be required of the local authority in the event of the death of a senior national figure or significant local figure.

RECOMMENDED:

(1)  That the Protocol be adopted to be used in the circumstances of the death of a senior national or significant local figure.

(2)  That Members request an annual review of the protocol by officers to ensure that it is kept up to date, relevant and correct within relevant legislation and heraldic rules.

(1)       That the Protocol be adopted to be used in the circumstances of the death of a senior national or significant local figure.

(2)       That Members request an annual review of the protocol by officers to ensure that it is kept up to date, relevant and correct within relevant legislation and heraldic rules.

The report by the Director of Regulatory Services & Community Safety sets out the statutory framework that supports the production of the annual community safety plan produced by the Safer Portsmouth Partnership.  The plan was approved by the SPP on the 15th February 2016.

The statutory nature of the plan means it should be formally endorsed by the City Council along with the appropriate organisational boards including Hampshire Constabulary and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service.

This report is to outline the priorities for the updated Community Safety Plan 2016/17.

RECOMMENDED to Council that it endorses the strategic priorities contained in the Safer Portsmouth Partnership Plan 2016 update and aligns the relevant budgets to support activity.

RECOMMENDED to Council that it endorses the strategic priorities contained in the Safer Portsmouth Partnership Plan 2016 update and aligns the relevant budgets to support activity.

(NB as this item is referred to Council this is not subject to call-in)

The report by the Chief Executive seeks to provide an update on the work to examine the case for an inter-city, inter-authority Combined Authority with lead responsibility for regeneration, economic development, transport, and devolved central government functions, to seek a delegated authority for the Leader of the Council in conjunction with the Chief Executive to consider the outcome of the ongoing Solent Governance Review and to decide upon a response to that review.

The report also seeks a delegation to the Leader and the Chief Executive to take all actions necessary to promote a combined authority or economic prosperity board scheme, preparatory to an Order of the Secretary of State where the review suggests that the case for such is established.

RECOMMENDED that Cabinet:

(1)  Note that a Governance Review is currently underway that is looking at governance arrangements across Southampton, the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth in the context of the efficiency and effectiveness of inter-city, inter-authority economic development, regeneration, transport, and devolved central government functions.

(2)  Agree that the Leader of the Council be given delegated authority to receive the results of the Governance Review and, in conjunction with the Chief Executive, make a decision on how to respond to this review.

(3)  Agree that if the Leader of the Council decides, in response to the Governance Review, that Portsmouth City Council should seek to promote the creation of either a Combined Authority or an Economic Prosperity Board that in conjunction with the Chief Executive she be given delegated authority to approve a draft scheme, prior to a process of consultation over the coming months.

(4)  Agree that an update report be presented to Cabinet in the Autumn.

DECISIONS: that Cabinet

 (1)      Noted that a Governance Review is currently underway that is looking at governance arrangements across Southampton, the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth in the context of the efficiency and effectiveness of inter-city, inter-authority economic development, regeneration, transport, and devolved central government functions.

(2)       Agreed that the Leader of the Council be given delegated authority to receive the results of the Governance Review and, in conjunction with the Chief Executive, make a decision on how to respond to this review.*

(3)       Agreed that if the Leader of the Council decides, in response to the Governance Review, that Portsmouth City Council should seek to promote the creation of either a Combined Authority or an Economic Prosperity Board that in conjunction with the Chief Executive she be given delegated authority to approve a draft scheme, prior to a process of consultation over the coming months.*

(4)       Agree that an update report be presented to Cabinet in the Autumn.

* The Leader undertook to share the draft scheme (which had not been available at the time of the publication of papers for this meeting) with all members.

A report from the Deputy City Solicitor.  The Cabinet will need to recommend a response by Portsmouth City Council to the consultation (survey) issued by the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority pursuant to proposals around a review of governance and in particular some recommendations as to the future format of the Authority representation.

The Cabinet noted the outcome of the Hampshire Fire & Rescue Authority Governance Review, and would respond that the City Council favours the model of 11 Members (10 plus the Police & Crime Commissioner).