Agenda and minutes

Councillor Cal Corkery declared a personal, non-prejudicial interest in minute 10 as he was a member and paid official of a union.

 

Councillor Jeanette Smith declared a personal, non-prejudicial interest in minute 10 as a paid official of Unison.

It was Proposed by Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson

Seconded by Councillor Simon Bosher

 

That the minutes of the Extraordinary Full Council meeting held on 7 December 2021 be confirmed as a correct record.

 

These were agreed by assent and signed by the Lord Mayor.

 

 

It was Proposed by Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson

Seconded by Councillor Simon Bosher

 

That the minutes of the ordinary Full Council meeting held on 7 December 2021 be confirmed as a correct record.

 

These were agreed by assent and signed by the Lord Mayor.

Apologies for lateness had been received on behalf of Councillor Matthew Atkins, Councillor Tom Coles and Councillor Jason Fazackarley.

 

On behalf of the Council the Lord Mayor offered his congratulations to Councillors Hannah Brent and Ryan Brent on their recent marriage.

Deputations by members of the public may be made on any item where a decision is going to be taken.  The request should be made in writing to the contact officer (stewart.agland@portsmouthcc.gov.uk) by 12 noon of the working day before the meeting (so Monday 14 February for this meeting), and must include the purpose of the deputation (for example, for or against the recommendations).  Email requests are accepted.

The City Solicitor advised that two verbal deputation requests had been made for this meeting. 

 

The first was from Mr Bonner in respect of Minute 10 and the second was from Mr Burns in respect of Minute 12.

 

At the invitation of the City Solicitor, Mr Bonner and Mr Burns delivered their deputations to Council.

The Lord Mayor advised that there were no appointments to be made at this meeting.

The Lord Mayor advised that he was not aware of any urgent business to be transacted at this meeting.

To receive and consider the recommendations of the Cabinet meeting held on 8 February (to follow), the report for which is contained within the separate attached pack.

The Lord Mayor advised that the recommendations from the Cabinet meeting had previously been circulated to members.

 

Cabinet Minute/recommendation 14 - PCC Budget and Council Tax 2022/23 & Medium Term Budget Forecast 2023/24 to 2025/26 and Capital Programme.

 

This item was opposed by Councillor Simon Bosher.

 

The Lord Mayor reminded councillors that the speaking time limit did not apply to group leaders on budget items.

 

It was

 

Proposed by Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson

Seconded by Councillor Suzy Horton

 

That the recommendations from the Cabinet meeting held on 8 February 2022 be approved.

 

The Lord Mayor invited the Leader of the Council to speak to his budget.

 

The Leader of the Council outlined the Liberal Democrat Group's budget proposals which were based upon four key principles of:

 

being ambitious for the city;

strategic and long term in nature;

follow a financially prudent model; and

meet the stated needs of residents.

 

In forming the budget he had invited input from all members and he was pleased to be able to incorporate some of the PPP Group's suggestions into the recommendation:

 

Funding for a family hub worker to support families coming out of lockdown;

 

Additional funding for the HIVE; and

 

Funding for an additional resource to maintain open spaces on the eastern side of Portsea Island.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson commended the Liberal Democrat budget proposals to Council.

 

As an amendment it was

 

Proposed by Councillor Simon Bosher

Seconded by Councillor Ryan Brent

 

That the recommendations set out in Appendix 1 attached to these minutes (Conservative budget amendment) be adopted.

Councillor Simon Bosher (Conservative Group Leader) then spoke to his group's proposed budget amendment.  He outlined the key aspects of the amendment.

 

Councillor Simon Bosher commended the amendment to Council.

 

As an amendment it was

 

Proposed by Councillor George Fielding

Seconded by Councillor Cal Corkery

 

That the recommendations set out in Appendix 2 attached to these minutes (Labour budget amendment) be adopted.

 

Councillor George Fielding (Labour Group Leader) then spoke to his group's proposed budget amendment.

 

He believed that the amendment built upon the foundations of the administration's proposal and commended the Labour Group's proposed budget amendments to Council.

 

Councillor Claire Udy spoke in support of the Cabinet recommendation and confirmed that the Portsmouth Progressive People Group did not wish to table any amendments.

 

The Lord Mayor then called an adjournment after which the Lord Mayor then opened the budget proposals for debate.

 

As an amendment put under Standing Order 45b it was

 

Proposed by Councillor Graham Heaney

Seconded by Councillor Hugh Mason

 

That the recommendations set out in Appendix 3 attached to these minutes be adopted.

 

Following debate, the Lord Mayor called upon the Leader of the Council, Councillor Vernon-Jackson to sum up, which he duly did. 

 

In closing, the Leader of the Council confirmed that he was happy to subsume the amendment standing in the name of Councillor Graham Heaney into the Cabinet recommendations proposed by him and seconded by Councillor Suzy Horton at the beginning of the item.  He did not wish to subsume the proposed amendments in the names of Councillor Simon Bosher or Councillor George Fielding.

 

The Lord Mayor reminded Members that all votes on the budget would be by recorded to comply the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014.

 

Council voted on the Conservative Group and Labour Group amendments in turn before voting on the substantive motion.

 

Upon the Conservative Group amendment standing in the name of Councillor Simon Bosher on the Portsmouth City Council Budget and Council Tax 2022/23 & Medium Term Budget Forecast 2023/24 to 2025/26 and Capital Programme being put to the vote

 

The following members voted in favour

 

Councillor Matthew Atkins	Councillor Simon Bosher
Councillor Hannah Brent	Councillor Ryan Brent
Councillor Lewis Gosling Councillor Frank Jonas	Councillor Jo Hooper Councillor George Madgwick
Councillor Lee Mason	Councillor Gemma New
Councillor Robert New	Councillor Terry Norton
Councillor Scott Payter-Harris	Councillor John Smith
Councillor Luke Stubbs	Councillor Benedict Swann
Councillor Linda Symes	Councillor Daniel Wemyss

 

The following members voted against

 

Councillor Dave Ashmore	Councillor Chris Attwell
Councillor Kimberly Barrett	Councillor Stuart Brown
Councillor Tom Coles	Councillor Cal Corkery
Councillor Ben Dowling	Councillor Jason Fazackarley
Councillor George Fielding	Councillor Charlotte Gerada
Councillor Graham Heaney	Councillor Ian Holder
Councillor Suzy Horton	Councillor Lee Hunt
Councillor Leo Madden	Councillor Hugh Mason
Councillor Kirsty Mellor Councillor Lynne Stagg	Councillor Darren Sanders Councillor Jeanette Smith
Councillor Judith Smyth	Councillor Claire Udy
Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson	Councillor Rob Wood

No members abstained from voting

 

The Conservative Group amendment was therefore declared LOST. 

 

Upon the Labour Group amendment standing in the name of Councillor George Fielding on the Portsmouth City Council Budget and Council Tax 2022/23 & Medium Term Budget Forecast 2023/24 to 2025/26 and Capital Programmebeing put to the vote.

 

The following members voted in favour

 

Councillor Matthew Atkins	Councillor Tom Coles
Councillor Cal Corkery	Councillor George Fielding
Councillor Charlotte Gerada Councillor Kirsty Mellor	Councillor Graham Heaney Councillor Terry Norton
Councillor Judith Smyth

 

The following members voted against

 

Councillor Dave Ashmore	Councillor Chris Attwell
Councillor Kimberly Barrett	Councillor Simon Bosher
Councillor Stuart Brown Councillor Jason Fazackarley	Councillor Ben Dowling Councillor Lewis Gosling
Councillor Ian Holder	Councillor Suzy Horton
Councillor Lee Hunt	Councillor Leo Madden
Councillor George Madgwick	Councillor Hugh Mason
Councillor Scott Payter-Harris	Councillor Darren Sanders
Councillor Jeanette Smith	Councillor Lynne Stagg
Councillor Luke Stubbs	Councillor Benedict Swann
Councillor Linda Symes	Councillor Claire Udy
Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson	Councillor Rob Wood

 

The following members abstained

 

Councillor Hannah Brent	Councillor Ryan Brent
Councillor Jo Hooper	Councillor Frank Jonas
Councillor Lee Mason	Councillor Gemma New
Councillor Robert New Councillor Daniel Wemyss	Councillor John Smith

 

The Labour Group amendment was therefore declared LOST.

 

Upon the original recommendations in Cabinet minute 14 - Portsmouth City Council Budget and Council Tax 2022/23 & Medium Term Budget Forecast 2023/24 to 2025/26 and Capital Programme with the subsumed amendment in the name of Councillor Graham Heaneybeing put to the vote

 

The following members voted in favour

 

Councillor Dave Ashmore	Councillor Chris Attwell
Councillor Kimberly Barrett	Councillor Stuart Brown
Councillor Tom Coles	Councillor Cal Corkery
Councillor Ben Dowling	Councillor Jason Fazackarley
Councillor George Fielding	Councillor Charlotte Gerada
Councillor Graham Heaney	Councillor Ian Holder
Councillor Suzy Horton	Councillor Lee Hunt
Councillor Leo Madden	Councillor George Madgwick
Councillor Hugh Mason	Councillor Kirsty Mellor
Councillor Darren Sanders Councillor Judith Smyth Councillor Claire Udy Councillor Rob Wood	Councillor Jeanette Smith Councillor Lynne Stagg Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson

 

The following members voted against

 

Councillor Matthew Atkins	Councillor Hannah Brent
Councillor Ryan Brent	Councillor Simon Bosher
Councillor Jo Hooper	Councillor Lee Mason
Councillor Terry Norton	Councillor John Smith
Councillor Luke Stubbs	Councillor Benedict Swann
Councillor Daniel Wemyss

 

The following members abstained

 

Councillor Lewis Gosling	Councillor Frank Jonas
Councillor Gemma New	Councillor Robert New
Councillor Scott Payter-Harris	Councillor Linda Symes

 

This was declared CARRIED. The Cabinet recommendations in Cabinet minute 14, with the subsumed amendment in the name of Councillor Graham Heaney was therefore APPROVED.

 

RESOLVED

 

3.1)        That the following be APPROVED in respect of the Council's Budget:

 

1)         The revised Revenue Estimates for the financial year 2021/22 and the Revenue Estimates 2022/23 as set out in the General Fund Summary (Appendix A Amended as contained in Appendix 3 to these minutes) including the changes described below but noting that:

 

The responsibility of the City Council is to approve the overall Budget and the associated cash limits of its Portfolios and Committees; it is not the responsibility of the City Council to approve any individual savings or additions within those Portfolios/Committees, that responsibility is reserved for Cabinet Members.  The budget savings and additions in the tables below are therefore indicative only.

 

i)       Reductions to Revenue Estimates

 

Indicative Portfolio Savings Proposal	Impact on Level of Service & Service Outcomes	2022/23	2023/24 & Future Years
		£	£
Other Expenditure
Reduction in Revenue Contribution to the Capital Programme	Reduction in funding for New & Existing Capital Investment proposals (Appendix D)	234,000	0
Total		234,000	0

 

 

 

 

ii)      Additions to Revenue Estimates

 

Saving No.	Increases to Portfolio Cash Limits	2022/23	2023/24 & Future Years
		£	£
Children, Families & Education Portfolio
New	Additional support for a Family Hub worker to operate from Family Hubs providing advice, guidance and support for mental health needs (including ASD and other conditions) to parents for themselves and their children	40,000	0
Communities & Central Services Portfolio
New	Equalities and Community Initiatives Grants - Voluntary and Community Sector grants to promote equality and tackle discrimination (e.g. Violence against women and girls, anti-racism and the annual Pride event)	100,000	0
New	Money and Benefits Advice Grants - For the Voluntary and Community sector to deliver money and benefits advice services	64,000	0
New	Grant to the Hive - Supporting Poverty Strategies	30,000	0
Total		234,000	0

 

2)    The Portfolio Cash Limits for the Revised Budget for 2021/22 and Budget for 2022/23 incorporating the savings amounts for each Portfolio and amounting to £1.825m as set out in Sections 7 and 11, respectively as amended by the following:

 

Portfolio / Committee		2022/23 £		Future Years £
Children, Families & Education		40,000		0
Communities & Central Services Portfolio		194,000		0
Other Expenditure		(234,000)		0
Total		0		0

 

 

3)    To maintain the overall financial resilience of the Council, any underspendings arising at the year-end (outside of those made by Portfolios) be transferred either to Capital Resources to fund future Capital Programmes, the COVID-19 Reserve, the MTRS Reserve or General Reserves with the level of each transfer to be determined by the S.151 Officer

4)    Any variation to the Council's funding arising from the final Local Government Finance Settlement be accommodated by a transfer to or from General Reserves

5)    The S.151 Officer be given delegated authority to make any necessary adjustments to Cash Limits within the overall approved Budget and Budget Forecasts

6)    That the level of Council Tax be increased by 1.99% for general purposes in accordance with the referendum threshold[1] for 2022/23 announced by Government (as calculated in recommendation 3.4 (d))

7)    That the level of Council Tax be increased by a further 1.0% beyond the referendum threshold (as calculated in recommendation 3.4 (d)) to take advantage of the flexibility offered by Government to implement a "Social Care Precept", and that in accordance with the conditions of that flexibility, the full amount of the associated sum generated of £872,400 is passported direct to Adult Social Care

8)    That Revenue Contributions to Capital be made in 2021/22 in the sum of £1.0m and in 2022/23 in the sum of £1.766m in order to provide sufficient funding for the New Capital Investment proposals as set out in Appendix D as amended by tables iii) and iv) below:

 

iii)    Reductions to the Capital Programme (Appendices D & E)

 

Scheme Deletions / Reductions		2022/23 £	2023/24
Communities & Central Services Portfolio
Delete	Bring Your Own Device Phase 2	75,000	75,000
Community Safety & Environment Portfolio
Reduce	Southsea Sea Defences - Public Realm Enhancements (Nelson Statue and Saluting Platform Area)	28,000	0
Culture, Leisure & Economic Development Portfolio
Delete	Seafront Enhancements 'Festoon' Lighting	156,000	0
Total		259,000	75,000

 

iv)    Additions to Capital Programme (Appendices D & E)

 

Scheme Additions / Increases		2022/23 £	2023/24
Community Safety & Environment Portfolio
Add	Greening the City Fund (increase to proposed scheme) - e.g. Benches, lighting, tree planting and other green infrastructure	100,000	0
Total		100,000	0

 

 

9)    Managers be authorised to incur routine expenditure against the Cash Limits for 2022/23 as set out in Section 11

10)That no savings requirement for 2023/24 be set but that this is kept under review, pending the outcome of the forthcoming Fair Funding Review and Business Rate Retention Scheme

11)That the S.151 Officer be given delegated authority to make transfers to and from reserves in order to ensure that they are maintained as necessary and in particular, adjusted when reserves are no longer required or need to be replenished

12)The minimum level of General Reserves as at 31 March 2023 be maintained at £8.0m to reflect the known and expected budget and financial risks to the Council

13) The Revised Capital Programme 2021/22 to 2026/27 attached as Appendix E and which includes all additions, deletions and amendments for slippage and re-phasing be amended by tables iii) and iv) above and approved

 

14)The S.151 Officer be given delegated authority to determine how each source of finance is used to fund the overall Capital Programme and to alter the overall mix of financing, as necessary, to maximise the flexibility of capital resources used and minimise the ongoing costs of borrowing to the Council

15)That the S.151 Officer in consultation with the Leader of the Council be given delegated authority to release capital resources held back for any contingent items that might arise, and also for any match funding requirements that may be required of the City Council in order to secure additional external capital funding (e.g. bids for funding from Government or the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership)

16) Subject to a satisfactory financial appraisal approved by the Director of Finance and Resources & S.151 Officer, the schemes described in Appendix D as amended by tables iii) and iv) above be reflected within the recommended Capital Programme 2021/22 to 2026/27

 

17) That the S.151 Officer be given delegated authority to amend the Prudential Indicators set out in Appendix F to accommodate any changes arising from this amendment.

 

 

18)Members have had regard for the Statement of the S.151 Officer in accordance with the Local Government Act 2003 as set out in Section 16.

 

 

3.2)         That the following be NOTED in respect of the Council's Revenue Budget and Capital 

 Programme: 

 

1)             The Revenue Estimates 2022/23 as set out in Appendix A have been prepared on the basis of a 1.0% tax increase for the "Social Care Precept" (amounting to £872,400) and that this is passported to Adult Social Care in order to provide for otherwise unfunded budget pressures including the current underlying budget deficit, the cost of the National Living Wage and demographic pressures arising from a "living longer" population

2)             The decision on the amount at which to set the Adult Social Care precept will be critical for the Social Care and wider health system in the City; in the event that the additional flexibility of the "Social Care Precept" and associated 1.0% tax increase is not taken, then equivalent savings will need to be made in Adult Social Care in 2022/23

3)             In general, any reduction to the proposed increase in the level of Council Tax for 2022/23 will require equivalent offsetting savings to be made in order for the Budget 2022/23 to be approved.  Each 1% reduction requires additional savings of £872,400 to be made.

4)             The indicative savings proposals set out in Appendix C which are provided for the purpose of demonstrating to the Council that the Portfolio savings as recommended in paragraph 3.1 2) above are robust and deliverable

5)             The likely impact of savings as set out in Appendix C

6)             That the responsibility of the City Council is to approve the overall Budget and the associated cash limits of its Portfolios and Committees; it is not the responsibility of the City Council to approve any individual savings within those Portfolios / Committees

7)             That it is the responsibility of the individual Portfolio Holders (not Full Council) to approve the individual savings proposals and the Portfolio Holder can therefore, in response to any consultation, alter, amend or substitute any of the indicative savings proposal(s) set out in Appendix C with alternative proposal(s) amounting to the same value within their Portfolio

8)             Managers will commence the implementation of the approved savings required and any necessary consultation process or notice process

9)             The Revenue Forecast for 2023/24 to 2025/26 as set out in Section 12 and Appendix B of the report

10)         That at this stage the Council's Future Forecast for the 3 Year Period 2023/24 to 2025/26 is estimated to be in balance; this is the Council's "central base case scenario" but due to the uncertainty associated with Local Government Funding reform and potential further unanticipated budget pressures in essential Care Services, this could vary by +/- £3m

11)         In accordance with the approved financial framework, it is the responsibility of the Portfolio Holder, in consultation with the Director of Finance & Resources (S.151 Officer), to release funds from the Portfolio Reserve in accordance with the provisions set out in Section 8.

12)         The MTRS Reserve held to fund the upfront costs associated with Spend to Save Schemes, Invest to Save Schemes and redundancies will hold an uncommitted balance of £4.8m and will only be replenished in future from an approval to the transfer of any underspends, contributions from the Revenue Budget or transfers from other reserves which may no longer be required

13)         The Council's share of the Council Tax element of the Collection Fund surplus for 2021/22 is estimated to be £1,834,866

14)         The Council's share of the Business Rate element of the Collection Fund deficit for 2021/22 is estimated to be £13,337,014 (noting that this is offset by Government Grants of £13,413,300) 

15)         The Retained Business Rate income[2] for 2022/23 is based on the estimated Business Rate element of the Collection Fund deficit as at March 2022, the Non Domestic Rates poundage for 2022/23 and estimated rateable values for 2022/23 and has been determined at £42,491,554

16)         That Cabinet Members, in consultation with the S.151 Officer, have authority to vary Capital Schemes and their associated funding within or across Portfolios in order to manage any potential overspending or funding shortfall or to respond to emerging priorities

17)         That Cabinet Members, in consultation with the S.151 Officer, have authority to vire funding between Portfolios (both Revenue and Capital Budgets) in order to manage any potential overspending or funding shortfall or to respond to emerging priorities

18)         The City Council note that Prudential Borrowing can only be used as a source of capital finance for Invest to Save Schemes

3.3)  That the S.151 Officer has determined that the Council Tax base for the financial year 2022/23 will be 57,209.7 [item T in the formula in Section 31 B(1) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended (the “Act”)].

 

3.4)  That the following amounts be now calculated by the Council for the financial year 2022/23 in accordance with Section 31 and Sections 34 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992:

(a)	£485,732,005	Being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(2) of the Act.
(b)	£395,886,460	Being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(3) of the Act.
(c)	£89,845,545	Being the amount by which the aggregate at 3.4 (a) above exceeds the aggregate at 3.4 (b) above, calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 31A(4) of the Act as its Council Tax requirement for the year. (Item R in the formula in Section 31B(1) of the Act.
(d)	£1,570.46	Being the amount at 3.4(c) above (Item R), all divided by Item 3.3 above (Item T), calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 31B(1) of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year.

         

 

 

(e) Valuation Bands (Portsmouth City Council)

A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
£	£	£	£	£	£	£	£
1,046.97	1,221.47	1,395.96	1,570.46	1,919.45	2,268.44	2,617.43	3,140.92

 

Being the amounts given by multiplying the amount at 3.4 (d) above by the number which, in the proportion set out in Section 5(1) of the Act, is applicable to dwellings listed in a particular valuation band divided by the number which in that proportion is applicable to dwellings listed in Valuation Band D, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 36(1) of the Act, as the amounts to be taken into account for the year in respect of categories of dwellings in different valuation bands.

 

3.5)    That it be noted that for the financial year 2022/23 the Hampshire Police & Crime Commissioner is consulting upon the following amounts for the precept to be issued to the Council in accordance with Section 40 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, for each of the categories of the dwellings shown below:

          Valuation Bands (Hampshire Police & Crime Commissioner)

A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
£	£	£	£	£	£	£	£
157.64	183.91	210.19	236.46	289.01	341.55	394.10	472.92

         

3.6)        That it be noted that for the financial year 2022/23 Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority it is estimated that the following amounts for the precept issued to the Council in accordance with Section 40 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, for each of the categories of the dwellings shown below:

Valuation Bands (Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Authority)

A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
£	£	£	£	£	£	£	£
50.29	58.67	67.05	75.43	92.19	108.95	125.72	150.86

 

3.7)        That having calculated the aggregate in each case of the amounts at 3.4(e), 3.5 and3.6 above, the Council, in accordance with Sections 31A, 31B and 34 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 as amended, hereby sets the following amounts as the amounts of Council Tax for the financial year 2022/23 for each of the categories of dwellings shown below:

Valuation Bands (Total Council Tax)

A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
£	£	£	£	£	£	£	£
1,254.90	1,464.05	1,673.20	1,882.35	2,300.65	2,718.94	3,137.25	3,764.70

 

3.8)        The Council determines in accordance with Section 52ZB of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 that the Council’s basic amount of Council Tax for 2022/23, which represents a 2.99% increase, is not excessive in accordance with the principles approved by the Secretary of State under Section 52ZC of the Act; and it be noted that:

 

(i)    The 2.99% increase includes a 1.0% increase to support the delivery of Adult Social Care

(ii)  As the billing authority, the Council has not been notified by a major precepting authority (the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire or the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Authority) that its relevant basic amount of Council Tax for 2022/23 is excessive and that the billing authority is not required to hold a referendum in accordance with Section 52ZK of the Local Government Finance Act 1992.

 

3.9)        The S.151 Officer be given delegated authority to implement any variation to the overall level of Council Tax arising from the final notification of the Hampshire Police & Crime Commissioner and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Authority precepts.

To receive and consider the recommendations of the Cabinet meeting held on 8 February (to follow), the report for which is attached.

Council Agenda Item 8 (Cabinet minute 10)

 

Update on Planning Development Management and increase in capacity.

 

It was proposed by Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson

Seconded by Councillor Suzy Horton

 

That this item be deferred for consideration at the 15 March 2022 Council meeting.

 

Upon being put to a vote the motion to defer the item to the 15 March 2022 meeting was CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED that the Update on Planning Development Management and Increase in Capacity be considered be deferred and placed on the agenda for the 15 March 2022 Council meeting.

 

To receive and consider the recommendation of the Cabinet meeting held on 14 February (to follow), the report for which is attached.

Council Agenda Item 9 (Cabinet minute 19)

 

Portsmouth International Port 20-Year Development Master Plan

 

The Lord Mayor advised that before formally proceeding with this item, Mike Sellers, the Port Director, would give the Council a presentation on this matter, which he duly did. 

 

Cllr Bosher indicated under Standing Order 28 that he wished this item (Cabinet minute 19) to be debated.

 

It was therefore proposed by Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson

Seconded by Councillor Suzy Horton

 

That the recommendation in Cabinet minute 19 be approved.

 

Upon being put to a vote the recommendation to endorse the report was CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED that Council endorsed the report.

 

Proposed by Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson

Seconded by Councillor Hugh Mason

 

Portsmouth City Council recognises the importance of ensuring that elections are fair and accessible for all voters.

 

The City Council notes that the Elections Bill is set to bring in major changes to national elections, including the introduction of compulsory photographic ID to vote.

 

The City Council believes that this change will act as a barrier to people voting and increase inequality in the electoral process.

 

The City Council notes with concern that currently 3.5 million people in the UK do not have any form of expensive photographic ID.

 

The City Council notes that these changes are estimated to cost the taxpayer £180 million and will create unnecessary bureaucracy to Councils.

 

The City Council believes that at a time when voter turnout is declining, we should be doing all we can to make it easier, not harder for people to vote.

 

Portsmouth City Council doesn’t want to see people being turned away at the ballot box because of these changes and resolves to support the #HandsOffOurVote campaign by:

 

1.         Writing to Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

2.         Writing to Portsmouth's local MPs asking them to raise these concerns in Parliament.

This motion was withdrawn by the proposer, Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson, with the intention of it being resubmitted to the March 2022 Council meeting.

Proposed by Councillor Kimberly Barrett

Seconded by Councillor Dave Ashmore

 

This council resolves to:

 

1.         Declare that we are experiencing a nature emergency, recognising that:

 

* a.      Nature is in long term decline and urgent action must be taken to reverse this.

* b.      A thriving natural environment underpins a healthy, prosperous society.

* c.      The nature crisis and the climate emergency are intrinsically linked and that the impacts of the climate crisis drive nature’s decline, while restoring nature can help to tackle the climate crisis.

 

2.         Commit to embedding nature’s recovery at the heart of all strategic plans, policy areas and decision-making processes.

 

3.         Commit to tackling the climate and nature emergencies together and investing in nature-based solutions to climate change.

 

Cabinet be asked to -

 

4.         Develop and agree on an evidence-based strategy and action plan for nature’s recovery and report on the progress made. This could be part of a Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

 

5.         Set clear strategic goals for nature’s recovery by 2030, for example, covering the following areas:

 

* a.      Committing to protect 30% of land for nature by 2030, in line with national and international commitments to biodiversity.

* b.      Increasing space for wildlife and long-term maintenance and expansion of a Nature Recovery Network.

* c.      Reducing pressure on wildlife.

* d.      Improving doorstep access to nature, particularly for those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

* e.      Supporting communities and businesses to make better decisions and take action to support nature’s recovery.

 

6.         Work with local communities and organisations to achieve the strategic goals, particularly engaging with disadvantaged and underrepresented sections of society.

It was Proposed by Councillor Kimberly Barrett

Seconded by Councillor Dave Ashmore

 

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

 

Following a vote, the motion was declared CARRIED

 

RESOLVED that:

 

This council:

 

1.       Declares that we are experiencing a nature emergency, recognising that:

 

* a.     Nature is in long term decline and urgent action must be taken to reverse this.

* b.     A thriving natural environment underpins a healthy, prosperous society.

* c.     The nature crisis and the climate emergency are intrinsically linked and that the impacts of the climate crisis drive nature’s decline, while restoring nature can help to tackle the climate crisis.

 

2.       Commits to embedding nature’s recovery at the heart of all strategic plans, policy areas and decision-making processes.

 

3.       Commits to tackling the climate and nature emergencies together and investing in nature-based solutions to climate change.

 

Cabinet be asked to -

 

4.       Develop and agree on an evidence-based strategy and action plan for nature’s recovery and report on the progress made. This could be part of a Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

 

5.       Set clear strategic goals for nature’s recovery by 2030, for example, covering the following areas:

 

* a.     Committing to protect 30% of land for nature by 2030, in line with national and international commitments to biodiversity.

* b.     Increasing space for wildlife and long-term maintenance and expansion of a Nature Recovery Network.

* c.     Reducing pressure on wildlife.

* d.     Improving doorstep access to nature, particularly for those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

* e.     Supporting communities and businesses to make better decisions and take action to support nature’s recovery.

 

6.       Work with local communities and organisations to achieve the strategic goals, particularly engaging with disadvantaged and underrepresented sections of society.

One question from a member had been received under Standing Order No 17.

 

The question was from Councillor George Madgwick.

 

" Now the Highway Code has been updated to allow Cyclist to ride on the road, two abreast, and extending the passing space between cars, will the council look to abandon all plans for new cycle lanes to be installed and not renew any lanes when roads are resurfaced to save the council money?"

 

This question was answered by the Cabinet Member for Traffic & Transportation, Councillor Lynne Stagg.