Agenda and minutes

The councillors newly elected to Portsmouth City Council were introduced in turn by their respective group leaders and in the case of the Portsmouth Independents Party, the deputy group leader.

The Lord Mayor, Councillor Tom Coles, reported on his year in office.

The Lady Mayoress, Mrs Nikki Coles, reported on her year in office.

It was

 

Proposed by Councillor Suzy Horton

 Seconded by Councillor Yinka Adeniran

 

That a vote of thanks be given to the retiring Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress.

 

It was RESOLVED unanimously that the council places on record its sincere thanks to Councillor Tom Coles and Mrs Nikki Coles for their outstanding service to the city as Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress during their year of office.

 

That the Council expresses its deep appreciation of the fine qualities which Councillor Tom Coles had brought to the conduct of the business of this Council, his devotion to duty and the distinction and goodwill with which he carried out the many and various duties of the office of Lord Mayor.

 

That the Council also places on record its gratitude to Mrs Nikki Coles for the untiring support and help which she has given as Lady Mayoress to the Lord Mayor.

 

That this resolution be engrossed and be presented to Councillor Tom Coles and Mrs Nikki Coles at this ceremony.

 

The retiring Lord Mayor was presented with the Council's gift of an engrossed scroll which signified the Council's appreciation of his time in office.

Councillor Darren Sanders nominated Councillor Jason Fazackarley for election to the office of Lord Mayor for the ensuing municipal year.

 

The nomination was seconded by Councillor Steve Pitt.

 

As there were no other nominations, the Lord Mayor put the proposal to the vote, following which it was declared CARRIED that Councillor Jason Fazackarley be duly elected Lord Mayor.

 

Councillor Jason Fazackarley then left the room with the retiring Lord Mayor to don the Lord Mayor's robes and chain of office.

Helen Mitchell, the new Lady Mayoress, signed a document of office witnessed by the City Solicitor.

Councillor Jason Fazackarley took the chair and thereupon made and subscribed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office witnessed by the City Solicitor.

In accordance with the wishes of His Majesty the King, the Lord Mayor received the Keys of the Fortress of Portsmouth into the safe keeping of the city. 

 

These were presented to him by The Defence Driving School.

The Lord Mayor received the Portsmouth Sword, which symbolised the interdependence of the Royal Navy and the City of Portsmouth.  The sword was presented to him by the Royal Navy.

The Lord Mayor thanked members of the Council for his election and detailed his ambitions for the year. He spoke about his charitable appeal for the coming year which was Abby's Heroes and the Lady Mayoress' charitable appeal which was Pompey in the Community.

Councillor Kimberly Barrett nominated Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson CBE as the Deputy Lord Mayor for the ensuing municipal year.

 

This nomination was seconded by Councillor Chris Attwell.

 

There being no other nominations, the Lord Mayor put the proposal, which was CARRIED, and declared that Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson CBE be duly elected as the Deputy Lord Mayor.  Councillor Vernon-Jackson made and subscribed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office, which was witnessed by the City Solicitor.

 

The Chief Executive announced that Councillor Vernon-Jackson would be supported by his husband, John Jarvis as Deputy Consort.  However, due to John's ongoing health issues, he would be supported in this role by Admiral Sir David Steel KBE as a further Deputy Consort. Helena Cole and Dianna Carruthers would be Deputy Lady Mayoresses. 

 

Mrs Helena Cole then made and subscribed a document undertaking to support the Deputy Lord Mayor in carrying out his official duties which was witnessed by the City Solicitor.

The Reverend Canon James McAuley was appointed as Chaplain to the City Council.

The Lord Mayor announced and presented Civic Awards to the following recipients:

 

·     Headway Portsmouth sand South East Hampshire

·        Portsmouth Fairtrade Forum

·        Paul Banks

·        Layak Muhit

·        Liz Jones

·        Roni Edward (Pamodzi Creatives)

·        Freya Scobie (Youth Award)

Following the granting of the Freedom of the City on Honorary Alderman Frank Jonas BEM at a special meeting of the Council held on 19 March 2024,

Honorary Alderman Frank Jonas BEM was formally presented with the resolution and conferred the Freedom of the City.

 

The Mayor Making concluded and the Council meeting adjourned at 11:32am

 

The Council meeting reconvened in the Council Chamber at 12:37pm.

 

Councillor George Madgwick and Councillor Emily Strudwick joined the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

It was

 

Proposed by Councillor Steve Pitt

 Seconded by Councillor George Madgwick

 

That the minutes of the extraordinary Council meeting held on 19 March 2024 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

 

These were agreed by assent.

 

It was

 

Proposed by Councillor Steve Pitt

Seconded by Councillor George Madgwick

 

That the minutes of the ordinary Council meeting held on 19 March 2024 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

 

These were agreed by assent.

The Lord Mayor advised that he was not aware of any apologies for absence.

The Lord Mayor welcomed newly elected Councillors Richard Adair, Matthew Cordy, Nicholas Dorrington, Spencer Gardner, Rajah Ghosh, Derek North and Lee Tindal to the council and this, their first council meeting.

 

The Lord Mayor also welcomed Councillors Kimberly Barrett, Stuart Brown, Charlotte Gerada, Ian Holder, George Madgwick, Hugh Mason and Darren Sanders who had all been elected for another term.

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 (james.harris@portsmouthcc.gov.uk) by 12 noon of the working day before the meeting (Monday 13 May 2024 for this meeting), and must include the purpose of the deputation (for example, for or against the recommendations). Email requests are accepted.

No deputation requests had been received under the provisions of this standing order.

To note that under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, the current Leader of the City Council will remain in office until May 2026 unless:

 

a) they resign from the office;

b) they are no longer a Councillor; or

c) they are removed from office by resolution of the Council

 

Consequently, should any of the above apply, there will be a need to elect a Leader of the City Council until the Leader's current term of office expires.

Under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, Council NOTED that the current Leader of the City Council, Councillor Steve Pitt, would remain in office until May 2026, subject to the conditions set out in the agenda.

The Council will also receive details of the appointments from the Leader (as it is within their gift) for the Health and Wellbeing Board, applying the following criteria;

 

· Leader of the Council (or nominated representative)

· Portfolio Holder responsible for Health & Social Care

· Portfolio Holder responsible for Children’s Services

· Leader of the largest opposition group (or their nominated representative)

 

A named standing deputy may also be appointed for each position.

The Lord Mayor explained that the Leader of the Council was empowered to determine the number of councillors on the Cabinet, their associated portfolios and to select one of the appointed cabinet members to the position of Deputy Leader.

 

The Leader announced his Cabinet; the details of the Cabinet (with opposition spokespersons provided by the respective Group Leaders) (attached to these minutes as Appendix 1).

 

The Leader also announced the membership of the Health & Wellbeing Board, which was himself, Cllr Matthew Winnington, Cllr Suzy Horton and Cllr George Madgwick or his nomination from the Portsmouth Independent Party Group.

 

RESOLVED that Council noted:

 

(i)             the ten portfolios (including the Leader) for the ensuing municipal year as set out in Appendix 1 attached to these minutes; and

 

(ii)           the membership of the Health & Wellbeing Board for the ensuing municipal year.

Under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, the City Council is required at each Annual Meeting to review the representation of different political groups, to determine the allocation of seats to different political groups for the forthcoming municipal year based on the group strengths on the council and to appoint members in accordance with the decisions of the council as to allocation and according to the wishes of the groups as to the identities of the members to be appointed.

 

The appointment of members is dealt with separately under agenda item 11 below.

 

The representation of groups must be in accordance with the rules set out in the relevant legislation.

 

The proposed allocation of seats for 2024/25 and details of the proposed allocation of places on panels and committees will be circulated under separate cover.

 

Principle 2 within Section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 requires the majority of seats on committees and panels to be allocated to the group having the majority of seats on the City Council. A group is defined in the regulations as comprising two or more persons.

 

The proposed appointments for the 2024/25 municipal year will be presented at the meeting.

 

RECOMMENDED:

 

(i)             That the total number of seats on committees and panels be divided amongst the political groups and individual members as applicable in accordance with Table 1; and

 

(ii)           that any other bodies subject to the political proportionality rules also be appointed in accordance with proportions shown in Table 1.

The Lord Mayor proposed and the Council agreed to take agenda items 10 10, 12, 13, 14 and 15 together regarding proportional representation on committees and panels and consequent appointment of members and standing deputies, chairs and vice-chairs and other appointments.

 

It was

 

Proposed by Councillor Steve Pitt

Seconded by Councillor George Madgwick

 

To adopt the overall political balance and allocation of seats schedule circulated in the chamber and to agree the membership of committees and panels, standing deputies, chairs and vice-chairs of committees and panels, including appointments and other appointments.

 

Table 1 - Proportionality Chart (May 2024)

 

	1	2	3	4	5	6
Groups	No of Cllrs	Total No of Cttee Seats	Licensing Committee (15 Members)	Planning Committee (10 Members)	7 committees and panels (see note) (6 Members each)	Scrutiny Management Panel (9 Members)
Liberal Democrats	19	34	6	5	19	4
Conservative	4	7	1	1	4	1
Labour	8	15	3	2	8	2
Portsmouth Independents Party	9	16	3	2	9	2
Non-aligned Labour member	1	2	1	0	1	0
Non-aligned independent member	1	2	1	0	1	0
	42	76	15	10	42	9

 

RESOLVED that:

 

(1) the total number of seats on committees and panels be divided among the political groups and individual members as applicable in accordance with Table 1 above;

 

(2) any other bodies subject to the political proportionality rules be appointed in accordance with the proportions shown in Table 1;

 

(3) the allocation of seats schedule and the appointment of members to committees and panels;

 

(4) the appointment of standing deputies to committees and panels

 

(5) the appointment Chairs and Vice-Chairs of committees and the Scrutiny Management Panel and Scrutiny Panels;

 

(6) Appointments; and

 

(7) Other Appointments

 

for the 2024/25 municipal year as detailed below be AGREED.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Licensing Committee
Group	Position 2024-25	Appointments
1. Liberal Democrat		Cllr Richard Adair
2. Liberal Democrat		Cllr Lee Hunt
3. Liberal Democrat		Cllr Abdul Kadir
4. Liberal Democrat		Cllr Hugh Mason
5. Liberal Democrat	Vice Chair	Cllr Ian Holder
6. Liberal Democrat		Cllr Dave Ashmore
7. PIP		Cllr Chris Dike
8. PIP		Cllr George Madgwick
9. PIP	Chair	Cllr Emily Strudwick
10. Labour		Cllr Yinka Adeniran
11. Labour		Cllr Tom Coles
12. Labour		Cllr Rajah Ghosh
13. Conservative		Cllr Benedict Swann
14.  Non-aligned Independent member (gifted to Liberal Democrat)		Cllr Stuart Brown
15. Independent Labour Member (gifted to PIP Group)		Cllr Raymond Dent
Liberal Democrat X 3	Standing Deputy	Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson Cllr Steve Pitt
PIP x 3	Standing Deputy	Cllr Derek North Cllr Russell Simpson Cllr Lee Tindal
Labour X 3	Standing Deputy	Cllr George Fielding Cllr Charlotte Gerada Cllr Mary Vallely
Conservative X 3	Standing Deputy	Cllr Hannah Brent Cllr Simon Bosher Cllr Spencer Gardner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Governance & Audit & Standards Committee
Group	Position for 2024-25	Appointments
1.   Liberal Democrat	Chair	Cllr Ian Holder
2.   Liberal Democrat		Cllr Richard Adair
3.    Liberal Democrat	Vice Chair	Cllr Stuart Brown
4.    PIP		Cllr Russell Simpson
5.    Ind Labour Member		Cllr Judith Smyth
6.    Conservative		Cllr Spencer Gardner
Liberal Democrat	Standing Deputy	Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson
Liberal Democrat	Standing Deputy	Cllr Abdul Kadir
Liberal Democrat	Standing Deputy	Cllr Mark Jeffrey
Conservative	Standing Deputy	Cllr Simon Bosher
Conservative	Standing Deputy	Cllr Hannah Brent
Conservative	Standing Deputy	Cllr Benedict Swann
Labour	Standing Deputy	Cllr Graham Heaney
PIP	Standing Deputy	Cllr George Madgwick

 

 

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Health Overview & Scrutiny Panel
Group	Position for 2024-25	Appointments
1.   Liberal Democrat	Chair	Cllr Mark Jeffrey
2.   Liberal Democrat		Cllr Leonie Oliver
3.    Liberal Democrat		Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson
4.    PIP		Cllr Lee Tindal
5.    Labour	Vice-Chair	Cllr Graham Heaney
6.    Conservative		Cllr Spencer Gardner
Liberal Democrat	Standing Deputy	Cllr Ian Holder
Liberal Democrat	Standing Deputy	Cllr Stuart Brown
Conservative	Standing Deputy	Cllr Simon Bosher
Conservative	Standing Deputy	Cllr Hannah Brent
Conservative	Standing Deputy	Cllr Benedict Swann
Labour	Standing Deputy	Cllr George Fielding
PIP	Standing Deputy	Cllr George Madgwick

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Economic Development, Culture & Leisure Scrutiny Panel
Group	Position for 2024-25	Appointments
1.  Liberal Democrat		Cllr Mark Jeffrey
2.   Liberal Democrat		Cllr Abdul Kadir
3.    Liberal Democrat		Cllr Leonie Oliver
4.    PIP	Vice-Chair	Cllr Matthew Cordy
5.    PIP	Chair	Cllr Russell Simpson
6.    Labour		Cllr Rajah Ghosh
Liberal Democrat	Standing Deputy	Cllr Nick Dorrington
Liberal Democrat	Standing Deputy	Cllr Stuart Brown
Liberal Democrat	Standing Deputy	Gerald Vernon-Jackson
Labour	Standing Deputy	Cllr Tom Coles
Labour	Standing Deputy	Cllr George Fielding
PIP	Standing Deputy	Cllr George Madgwick
PIP	Standing Deputy	Cllr Lee Tindal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Education, Children & Young People Scrutiny Panel
Group	Position for 2024-25	Appointments
1.    Liberal Democrat		Cllr Leonie Oliver
2.    Conservative	Chair	Cllr Hannah Brent
3.    PIP		Cllr Brian Madgwick
4.    PIP		Cllr Lee Tindal
5.    Labour	Vice-Chair	Cllr Yinka Adeniran
6.    Labour		Cllr Mary Vallely
Liberal Democrat	Standing Deputy	Gerald Vernon-Jackson
Liberal Democrat	Standing Deputy	Abdul Kadir
Liberal Democrat	Standing Deputy	Ian Holder
Labour	Standing Deputy	Cllr Rajah Ghosh
Conservative	Standing Deputy	Cllr Simon Bosher
Conservative	Standing Deputy	Cllr Spencer Gardner
Conservative	Standing Deputy	Cllr Benedict Swann
PIP	Standing Deputy	Cllr Derek North

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Housing & Social Care Scrutiny Panel
Group	Position for 2024-25	Appointments
1.    Liberal Democrat		Nick Dorrington
2.    Liberal Democrat		Gerald Vernon-Jackson
3.    Liberal Democrat (gifted to independent member)		Cllr Cal Corkery
4.    PIP	Vice-Chair	Cllr Raymond Dent
5.    PIP		Cllr Chris Dike
6.    Labour	Chair	Cllr Tom Coles
Liberal Democrat	Standing Deputy	Richard Adair
Liberal Democrat	Standing Deputy	Stuart Brown
Liberal Democrat	Standing Deputy	Leonie Oliver
Labour	Standing Deputy	Cllr Graham Heaney
PIP	Standing Deputy	Cllr George Madgwick
PIP	Standing Deputy	Cllr Emily Strudwick

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Traffic, Environment & Community Safety Scrutiny Panel
Group	Position for 2024-25	Appointments
1.    Liberal Democrat	Vice Chair	Cllr Leonie Oliver
2.    Liberal Democrat		Cllr Nick Dorrington
3.    Liberal Democrat		Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson
4.    PIP	Chair	Cllr Brian Madgwick
5.    Labour		Cllr Charlotte Gerada
6.    Labour		Cllr Asghar Shah
Liberal Democrat	Standing Deputy	Mark Jeffrey
Liberal Democrat	Standing Deputy	Richard Adair
Labour	Standing Deputy	Cllr Yinka Adeniran
Labour	Standing Deputy	Cllr George Fielding
PIP	Standing Deputy	Cllr George Madgwick

 

Appointments and Other Appointments

 

Hampshire Fire & Rescue Authority 

 

Appointment

Cllr George Madgwick

 

Police and Crime Panel

 

Appointment

Cllr Richard Adair (Deputy: Cllr Ian Holder)

 

Local Government Association General Assembly

 

Appointments

Cllr Tom Coles Cllr Suzy Horton Cllr George Madgwick Cllr Steve Pitt   Cllr Darren Sanders (reserve member)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Langstone Harbour Board
Group	Appointments
1.    Liberal Democrat	Cllr Kimberly Barrett
2.    Liberal Democrat	Cllr Peter Candlish
3.    Liberal Democrat	Cllr Darren Sanders
4.    PIP	Cllr Lee Tindal
5.    PIP	Cllr Raymond Dent
6.    Labour	Cllr Graham Heaney
Liberal Democrat (Deputy)	Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson
PIP (Deputy)	Cllr Matthew Cordy
Labour (Deputy)	Cllr Charlotte Gerada

 

Twinning Advisory Group

 

To be chaired by the Portfolio Holder, with the Lord Mayor performing the deputy Chair role.

 

Current Membership: 6 Members (not required to be politically proportional)

 

1.             (Chair, Cllr Chis Attwell, Central Services Portfolio Holder)

2.             Councillor Jason Fazackarley (Vice-Chair, ex-officio Lord Mayor)

3.             Councillor Yinka Adeniran

4.             Councillor Tom Coles

5.             Councillor Ian Holder

6.             Councillor Emily Strudwick

The Lord Mayor advised that there was no urgent business for consideration under the provisions of this standing order.

The Lord Mayor advised that there were no questions from members under the provisions of this standing order.

 

28 May 2024 16 July 2024	14 January 2025 (provisional) 25 February 2025*
15 October 2024 12 November 2024 10 December 2024	18 March 2025 13 May 2025 (Annual) (10am)

 *This date has been changed from the previously agreed provisional date of 18 February at the request of councillors and in agreement with group leaders.

 

To provisionally agree the following Council meeting dates for 2025/26

 

15 July 2025 14 October 2025 11 November 2025 9 December 2025

13 January 2026 (provisional) 24 February 2026 17 March 2026 12 May 2026 (Annual) (10am)

 

It was

 

Proposed by Councillor Steve Pitt

Seconded by Councillor George Madgwick

 

That the dates and times for the Council meetings for the next municipal year (2024/25) as set out in agenda item 18, be approved and that the provisional dates for 2025/26 Council meetings also set out in agenda item 18, be agreed in principle, subject to later ratification.

 

Upon being put to the vote this was declared CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED that:

 

(1)  the meetings of the Council be held on the following dates in the 2024/25 municipal year to commence at 2.00 pm unless otherwise indicated:

 

28 May 2024 (5pm)	14 January 2025 (provisional)
16 July 2024	25 February 2025
15 October 2024	18 March 2025
12 November 2024	13 May 2025 (Annual) (10am)
10 December 2024

 

(2)  the following provisional council meeting dates for 2025/26 be agreed in principle subject to later ratification:

 

15 July 2025	13 January 2026 (provisional)
14 October 2025	24 February 2026
11 November 2025	17 March 2026
9 December 2025	12 May 2026 (Annual) (10am)