Agenda and minutes

Councillor Alistair Thompson declared a personal and prejudicial interest in item 16(d) in that his company has close links with the largest provider of local apprenticeships in the country and will leave the Chamber for that item.

It was

 

Proposed by Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson

Seconded by Councillor Donna Jones

 

That the minutes of the meeting held on 11 February 2014 be confirmed and signed as a correct record subject

 

(a)       in respect of page 26 Appendix 3 relating to the substantive proposal to the inclusion of the number 9 in paragraph (l) so that it reads "Section 9";

 

and;

 

(b)       Minute 21, Cabinet Recommendations, on the Council Tax item, the correction to show that Councillors John Ferrett, Ken Ferrett, Aiden Gray and David Horne abstained from the vote rather than voted against the substantive proposal.

 

Upon being put to the vote this was CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 11 February 2014 be confirmed and signed as a correct record subject to the amendments above.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mike Hancock and Councillor Rob New.

 

The Lord Mayor welcomed two groups of students who were observing part of the council meeting - one group was from Highbury College and one group was from the Portsmouth Grammar School.

 

The Lord Mayor said she wished to share some comments made by Vice-Admiral David Steel CBE, the Second Sea Lord in a recent letter to her.  He said that there is something very special about the city of Portsmouth and perhaps in particular in its relationship with the Royal Navy.  Each can be equally proud of the other and while there is little fanfare marking the relationship it is there in full measure and everyone knows it.  Such a deep friendship and alliance does not exist in any other naval port, it is unique.

 

The Vice-Admiral wanted the Leader to know of his gratitude for the support and hospitality received.

One deputation was made by Mrs Paula Riches on agenda item 16(a) - in support of Off The Record.

There was one question from the public from Mr Alan Burgess asking

 

"In the light of BAE systems departure, will the Council look at dockyard developments presented by B9 shipping and B9 energy, B9 shipping have flow tested a prototype ship with sails, this involves Rolls Royce technology, has the research backing of Manchester and Southampton Universities and was designed by Humphrey's Yachts of Lymington, in addition B9 energy are looking at plans to recycle ships and oil rigs using green energy?"

 

This and supplementary questions were answered by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson.

There were no appointments.

There was no urgent business.

To receive and consider the attached recommendations of the Cabinet held on 3 March, the report for which is also attached.

The following minutes were approved unopposed:-

 

Minute 32 - Local Transport Plan 3 - Implementation Plan 2014/15

Minute 33 - Treasury Management Policy for 2014/15

 

 

 

Minute 34 - Budget & Performance Monitoring 2013/14 (3rd Quarter)

 

It was

 

Proposed by Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson

Seconded by Councillor Hugh Mason

 

That the recommendations set out in Cabinet minute 34 be approved.

 

Following discussion upon being put to the vote the recommendations set out in Cabinet minute 34 was CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED that

 

(i)         The contents of this report be noted, in particular (after further forecast transfers to Portfolio Specific Reserves of £449,600) the overall forecast overspend of £316,600 representing a variance of 0.16% against the City Council Revised Budget of £192,781,200.  Before further forecast transfers to Portfolio Specific Reserves, there is a forecast underspend of £133,000 representing a variance of 0.07%.

 

(ii)        Members note that any actual overspend at year end will in the first instance be deducted from any Portfolio Reserve balance and once depleted then be deducted from the 2014/15 Cash Limit.

 

(iii)       A report in respect of the Children and Education Portfolio be prepared for the Cabinet in April 2014 setting out the options for significantly reducing or eliminating in future financial years the adverse budget position presently being forecast by the Portfolio, including the associated impact of doing so.

 

(iv)      Heads of Service, in consultation with the appropriate Cabinet Member, consider options that seek to minimise any forecast overspend presently being reported and prepare strategies outlining how any consequent reduction to the 2014/15 Portfolio cash limit will be managed to avoid further overspending during 2014/15.

To receive and consider the attached recommendation of the Cabinet held on 3 March, the report for which is also attached.

The following minute from the meeting held on 30 January 2014 was approved unopposed:-

 

Minute 12 - Probate Applications

 

The following minute from the meeting held on 13 March 2014 was approved unopposed:-

 

Minute 22 - School Transport Appeal Committee

To receive and consider the attached recommendations of the Cabinet held on 3 March, the report for which is also attached.

The following minute was approved unopposed:-

 

Minute 4 - Pay Policy Statement

To receive and consider the attached recommendations of the Committee held on 30 January 2014 in respect of the above matter, the report for which is attached.

The following minute was approved unopposed:-

 

Minute 5 - Filming and Recording of Meetings by the Media and Public

 

The Lord Mayor said that her understanding was that the proposed working group of four councillors would be broadly politically proportionate and would comprise of two Liberal Democrats, one Conservative and one Labour group member and that the respective group leaders would notify the Local Democracy Manager of their representatives after this meeting.

To receive and consider the recommendations of the Committee held on 13 March 2014 (to follow) in respect of the above matter.

The Lord Mayor explained that council was required to consider the report and recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel together with the overview report of the City Solicitor as already circulated.  The Lord Mayor said that she would like the council to note that the Governance & Audit & Standards Committee had received this report at its meeting on 13 March 2014 and had confirmed that it was content with the process that had been followed by the panel.

 

As an alternative to the recommendations in the Independent Remuneration Panel's report it was

 

Proposed by Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson

Seconded by Councillor Hugh Mason

 

(1)       That the city council accepts the recommendation of the Independent Remuneration Panel as set out in the panel's report in respect of the dependent carers' allowance, but does not accept the recommendation in respect of an interest-free bus loan.

 

(2)       That the city council's constitution be amended as applicable and appropriate.

 

(3)       That members thank the Independent Remuneration Panel for their work in reviewing elements of the members' allowance scheme.

 

Upon being put to the vote this was CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED that council adopts the recommendations set out above.

 

The Leader of the Council added a comment that councillors were disappointed that central government had decided no longer to allow councillors to contribute to the Local Government Pension Scheme and suggested that a letter be sent to central government with cross-party support to this effect.  This would be progressed with the other group leaders outside this meeting.

To receive and consider the recommendation (to follow) and cover report with Statement (attached) of the Committee meeting held on 10 March 2014 in respect of the Pay Policy Statement.

The Lord Mayor advised that there were four notices of motion before council today and that she proposed a variation in the order of the agenda so that notice of motion (c ) is dealt with at the end of the meeting immediately after councillors' questions.  This was agreed.

 

Notice of Motion (a) - Off the Record

 

It was

 

Proposed by Councillor Steve Wemyss

Seconded by Councillor Neill Young

 

That the notice of motion set out at agenda item 16(a) be debated today.

 

Upon being put to the vote this was CARRIED.

 

It was

 

Proposed by Councillor Steve Wemyss

Seconded by Councillor Neill Young

 

That notice of motion (a) as set out on the agenda be agreed.  As an amendment it was

 

Proposed by Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson

Seconded by Councillor Hugh Mason

 

To replace the third sentence in the second paragraph with "Council notes that the provision of confidential counselling for young people meets an important need and prevents problems escalating with consequent high demands on other Council services."

 

Replace the third paragraph with

 

"Council welcomes the recent decision of the Clinical Commissioning Group to make a grant of £10,000 to Off The Record to support their work until September 2014.  During this period Council hopes that Off The Record will work with Community Action Portsmouth to devise a strategy to develop new income streams and to bid for various sources of funding.  The Council will also continue to identify funding streams for which Off The Record can bid."

 

Upon being put to the vote, the amendment was CARRIED.

 

Upon the substantive notice of motion as set out below being put to the vote this was CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED that this City Council place on record its thanks to the staff and volunteers of Off The Record who, over the years, have helped so many young people from all walks of life come to terms with their troubles and anxieties. Those problems can take many forms, be it mental health issues, criminal tendencies, family problems, or being bullied - especially in school. OTR provides a self-referral drop in centre where a trained volunteer will help that young person address their problems.

 

This financial year, ending 31 March, Portsmouth City Council will have given OTR a grant of £7000 towards the running of the service in the City, as have the local Care Commissioning Group. That works out to just under £2.50 per young person from each organisation for the almost 3000 young people who visited the centre. Council notes that the provision of confidential counselling for young people meets an important need and prevents problems escalating with consequent high demands on other Council services.

 

Council welcomes the recent decision of the Clinical Commissioning Group to make a grant of £10,000 to Off The Record to support their work until September 2014. During this period Council hopes that Off The Record will work with Community Action Portsmouth to devise a strategy to develop new income streams and to bid for various sources of funding. The Council will also continue to identify funding streams for which Off The Record can bid.

 

Notice of Motion (b) - Pyramids Centre

 

It was

 

Proposed by Councillor John Ferrett

Seconded by Councillor Aiden Gray

 

That the notice of motion set out at agenda item 16(b) - Pyramids Centre - be debated today and this was agreed.

 

It was

 

Proposed by Councillor John Ferrett

Seconded by Councillor Aiden Gray

 

That the notice of motion set out at agenda item 16(b) be adopted. 

 

As an amendment it was

 

Proposed by Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson

Seconded by Councillor Hugh Mason

 

That the notice of motion be amended as follows:-

 

Paragraph 1

 

Delete second sentence from "It is understood" to "within the building".

 

Paragraph 2

 

Delete first sentence from "Moreover, the Council" to "in certain circumstances" and replace with "The city council provides a subsidy to the Pyramids along with the Mountbatten pool, The Guildhall, Eastney pool and other facilities where the city council remains responsible for the fabric of the building.  All these buildings are insured.  The City Council notes that usage of the Pyramids continues to grow and it is a very popular facility for local families and visitors." 

 

The last sentence to remain unchanged.

 

The Leader of the Council read out a briefing paper that was also circulated in the chamber and is attached to these minutes.

 

Upon the amendment standing in the name of Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson being put to the vote this was CARRIED.

 

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

 

RESOLVED that this Council notes the damage caused to the Pyramids Centre by the severe overnight storm on 4/5^th February.

 

The city council provides a subsidy to the Pyramids along with the Mountbatten pool, The Guildhall, Eastney pool and other facilities where the city council remains responsible for the fabric of the building.  All these buildings are insured.  The City Council notes that usage of the Pyramids continues to grow and it is a very popular facility for local families and visitors. Therefore, the council requests that the Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure prepare an urgent report for members, outlining both the full extent of the damage and the council’s resultant financial liabilities.

 

Notice of Motion (d) - apprenticeships

 

It was

 

Proposed by Councillor Ken Ferrett

Seconded by Councillor John Ferrett

 

That the notice of motion set out at agenda item 16(d) be debated today and this was agreed.

 

It was

 

Proposed by Councillor Ken Ferrett

Seconded by Councillor John Ferrett

 

That the notice of motion set out at agenda item 16(d) be adopted. 

 

As an amendment it was

 

Proposed by Councillor Darren Sanders

Seconded by Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson

 

That the notice of motion be amended as follows:-

 

Replace Paragraph 2 with

 

Since then, there has been a massive rise in Apprenticeships in our city, thanks to the Coalition Government. In 2009/10, there were 680 apprenticeships in Portsmouth. In 2012/13, there were 1,970, a 290% increase on Labour's time in office. Nationally, there have been 1.6m new apprenticeships since the Coalition came in, the biggest expansion since the 1950s.

 

Amend Paragraph 3 to read:

 

Nationally, youth unemployment remains too high, although it is now 18,000 less than when Labour's left office.

 

Replace renumbered paragraphs 5 and 6 with:

 

More work must be done on generating more apprenticeships in the city.

 

Labour's suggestion that Intermediate Level Apprenticeships are “of no value to either employers or learners” and desire to 'rebrand' them is an insult to the 1,130 people in our city currently benefiting from them. Council opposes that plan.

 

Before Council resolves, insert:

 

Council welcomes the work it and partners are already doing to encourage apprenticeships, including:

 

·         Graduate Building Surveyors since 2012

·         Trainee Building Surveyors since 2013

·         Apprentices in the Clean and Green team

·         Ensuring new apprenticeships as part of the contract for the redevelopment of Wilmcote House

·         Apprentice gas engineers, plasterers, electricians, carpenters and plumbers, some of whom are at the Intermediate level Labour opposes

·         Forcing officers at the Council to justify on each vacancy form why apprenticeships should not be given

·         Providing money to support apprenticeships for care leavers

 

Council also welcomes the work of the Economic Development, Culture and Leisure Scrutiny Panel, which has been reviewing youth unemployment, and urges adoption of its findings when it reports.

 

Insert the word to after Council resolves

 

Insert following bullet points under Council resolves to:

 

·         Take steps to increase the number of apprenticeships it adopts as part of a wider package of measures to create job opportunities for young people

·         Encourage all local employers to take on, in particular, those with lower skills and qualifications and the longer-term unemployed

·         Encourage even more young people to see apprenticeships as something to aspire to

·         Expand apprenticeships across the Council and its contractors at all stages, including procurement

·         Produce a paper for the April Cabinet outlining in more detail the steps it would take to increase apprenticeships

In the section referring to writing letters, replace bullet point 1 with.

 

v  Ensure apprenticeships will continue to be delivered at all levels, including Intermediate

v  That any successful bidders for the BAE Shipyard have, as part of their plan, a detailed, deliverable programme to guarantee young people from our city apprenticeships

Replace bullet point 3 with

 

v  Support the one-year minimum for apprenticeships proposed by the Government

Delete last paragraph

 

Upon the amendment standing in the name of Councillor Darren Sanders being put to the vote this was CARRIED. 

 

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

 

RESOLVED that National Apprenticeship Week, which this year took place on March 6-10, was set up by the previous government in 2008 as part of its commitment to apprenticeships. Between 1996/97 and 2009/10 the number of apprenticeship starts rose dramatically from 65,000 to just under 280,000.

 

Since then, there has been a massive rise in Apprenticeships in our city, thanks to the Coalition Government. In 2009/10, there were 680 apprenticeships in Portsmouth. In 2012/13, there were 1,970, a 290% increase on Labour's time in office. Nationally, there have been 1.6m new apprenticeships since the Coalition came in, the biggest expansion since the 1950s.

 

Nationally, youth unemployment remains too high, although it is now 18,000 less than when Labour's left office.

 

This council believes:

 

More work must be done on generating more apprenticeships in the city.

 

Labour's suggestion that Intermediate Level Apprenticeships are “of no value to either employers or learners” and desire to 'rebrand' them is an insult to the 1,130 people in our city currently benefiting from them. Council opposes that plan.

 

Quality apprenticeships will be essential in providing the high-skilled and well-paid jobs that Portsmouth's economy will need for the years and decades ahead.

 

National and local government can introduce measures to boost the quantity and quality of apprenticeships on offer to young people.

 

Council welcomes the work it and partners are already doing to encourage apprenticeships, including:

 

·         Graduate Building Surveyors since 2012

·         Trainee Building Surveyors since 2013

·         Apprentices in the Clean and Green team

·         Ensuring new apprenticeships as part of the contract for the redevelopment of Wilmcote House

·         Apprentice gas engineers, plasterers, electricians, carpenters and plumbers, some of whom are at the Intermediate level Labour opposes

·         Forcing officers at the Council to justify on each vacancy form why apprenticeships should not be given

·         Providing money to support apprenticeships for care leavers

 

Council also welcomes the work of the Economic Development, Culture and Leisure Scrutiny Panel, which has been reviewing youth unemployment, and urges adoption of its findings when it reports.

 

Council Resolves to:

 

·         Take steps to increase the number of apprenticeships it adopts as part of a wider package of measures to create job opportunities for young people

·         Encourage all local employers to take on, in particular, those with lower skills and qualifications and the longer-term unemployed

·         Encourage even more young people to see apprenticeships as something to aspire to

·         Expand apprenticeships across the Council and its contractors at all stages, including procurement

·         Produce a paper for the April Cabinet outlining in more detail the steps it would take to increase apprenticeships

 

To write to Business Secretary Vince Cable and Minister for Portsmouth Michael Fallon outlining the following recommendations to strengthen, and encourage the spread of, quality apprenticeships:

 

v  Ensure apprenticeships will continue to be delivered at all levels, including Intermediate

v  That any successful bidders for the BAE Shipyard have, as part of their plan, a detailed, deliverable programme to guarantee young people from our city apprenticeships

v  Adopt the approach endorsed by the cross-party Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee which requires all firms winning major Government contracts to provide apprenticeships as part of the deal. At least one new apprenticeship should be provided for every million pounds spent on these contracts.

v  Support the one-year minimum for apprenticeships proposed by the Government

To receive and consider the attached recommendation of the Panel meeting held on 7 February 2014 in respect of the above matter, the background report for which is also attached.

There were five questions before council. 

 

Question number 1 was from Councillor Simon Bosher to the Cabinet Member for Environment & Community Safety, Councillor Sandra Stockdale.

 

"Following the recent successful prosecution of a Chinese Takeaway, what further steps is the Cabinet Member taking to promote public confidence in takeaway establishment hygiene standards?"

 

This and supplementary questions were answered by the Cabinet Member for Environment & Community Safety, Councillor Sandra Stockdale.

 

The Cabinet Member agreed to arrange for an urgent investigation to be carried into those premises (including a school) that had been given the low hygiene rating for longer than six months and undertook to write to members about the findings of the investigation.

 

Question number 2 was from Councillor John Ferrett to the Leader of the Council, Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson.

 

"Could the Council Leader explain under what circumstances he feels it appropriate to charge parents when their children are taken into care by the Authority?"

 

This and supplementary questions were answered by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson.

 

Question number 3 was from Councillor Luke Stubbs to the Cabinet Member for Traffic & Transportation, Councillor Jason Fazackarley.

 

"Should a concession be offered to lifeboat volunteers granting them greater flexibility over where to park when on call?"

 

This and supplementary questions were answered by the Cabinet Member for Traffic & Transportation, Councillor Jason Fazackarley.

 

The Cabinet Member agreed to meet with those concerned.

 

Question number 4 was from Councillor John Ferrett to the Cabinet Member for Environment & Community Safety, Councillor Sandra Stockdale.

 

"What immediate steps are being taken to address the concerns raised in the HMI Probation investigation report into Youth Offending work in Portsmouth?"

 

This and supplementary questions were answered by the Cabinet Member for Environment & Community Safety, Councillor Sandra Stockdale.

 

The Cabinet Member agreed to provide a written response to members to include the details requested in a supplementary question about the comments in the executive summary of the HMI Probation report highlighting issues at strategic level concerning governance of the Youth Offending Team.

 

Question number 5 was from Councillor Luke Stubbs to the Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure & Sport, Councillor Lee Hunt.

 

"Some people living by Canoe Lake find the noise from a small minority of the model boats that use the lake to be irritating and would like a restriction placed on the engine size and speed permitted. Is this something the Cabinet member will consider?"

 

This and supplementary questions were answered by the Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure & Sport, Councillor Lee Hunt. 

 

The Lord Mayor advised that the time for questions had expired and that council would now move to consider notice of motion (c) that had been deferred from earlier in the meeting.

 

Notice of Motion (c)

 

It was

 

Proposed by Councillor John Ferrett

Seconded by Councillor Aiden Gray

 

That the notice of motion set out at agenda item 16(c) be debated today and this was agreed.

 

It was

 

Proposed by Councillor John Ferrett

Seconded by Councillor Aiden Gray

 

That the notice of motion set out at agenda item 16(c) be adopted.

 

As an amendment it was

 

Proposed by Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson

Seconded by Councillor Donna Jones

 

That the notice of motion be amended as highlighted as follows:-

 

"Members will be aware that this is Councillors Jim Patey, Mike Park, Caroline Scott, April Windebank and Darron Phillip's final full council meeting.  In view of Councillor Patey's 38 years, Councillor Park's 23 years, Councillor Scott's 12 years, Councillor Windebank's 8 years and Councillor Phillip's 8 years of loyal service to the people of Portsmouth the Council would like to place on record their thanks for their contribution to civic life in the City."

 

During debate, members paid tribute to Councillors Jim Patey, Mike Park, Caroline Scott, April Windebank and Darron Phillips for all the time and effort they had put in to their work as councillors for the city of Portsmouth.

 

Councillor Jim Patey and Councillor Mike Park each addressed council and expressed their thanks to all council members and staff for all the help and support they had given over the years.

 

Upon the amendment standing in the name of Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson being put to the vote, this was CARRIED.

 

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

 

RESOLVED that "Members will be aware that this is Councillors Jim Patey, Mike Park, Caroline Scott, April Windebank and Darron Phillips' final full council meeting.  In view of Councillor Patey's 38 years, Councillor Park's 23 years, Councillor Scott's 12 years, Councillor Windebank's 8 years and Councillor Phillips' 8 years of loyal service to the people of Portsmouth the Council would like to place on record their thanks for their contribution to civic life in the City."

 

The Lord Mayor presented certificates to Councillor Jim Patey, Councillor Mike Park and Councillor Caroline Scott in recognition of their loyal, dedicated and sterling public service to the city council and the people of Portsmouth.

 

The Lord Mayor said that as this is the last council meeting before the local elections, she wished to thank colleagues for all their support during the year.