Agenda

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 (so, Monday 15 July 2024 for this meeting), and must include the purpose of the deputation (for example, for or against the recommendations). Email requests are accepted.

Twinning Advisory Group

Council is asked to consider the appointment of Councillor Charlotte Gerada and Councillor Russell Simpson to the Twinning Advisory Group.

To receive and consider the attached report and recommendation to note for information only from Cabinet held on 25 June 2024.

To receive and consider the attached report and recommendation (to follow) from the Licensing Committee held on 8 July 2024.

To receive and consider the attached report and recommendation (to follow) from the Governance & Audit & Standards Committee held on 10 July 2024.

To receive and consider the attached report from the City Solicitor.

To receive and consider the attached report from the Chief Executive.

In accordance with Standing Orders, all Notices of Motions on the agenda will, subject to the 6 month rule, automatically be dealt with at this meeting, thereby dispensing with a three-minute presentation from the proposer and subsequent vote to enable its consideration.

Proposed by: Councillor Mary Vallely

Seconded by: Councillor Tom Coles

Portsmouth schools are struggling with an increase in the need for Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision.

More children are being failed due to increasing diagnosis and acceptance of conditions, but schools cannot keep up with this increase and funding is hard to allocate due to years of Local Authority cuts from central government.

This Council notes the hard work of officers with regard to increasing and improving SEN provision in Portsmouth.

This Council notes the inconsistency in SEN provision across the schools in Portsmouth.

This Council notes the reduction in Local Authority oversight in schools due to the introduction of the Academy system and reduction in Local Authority education budgets associated with Multi Academy Trusts taking over schools in the city.

The Council requests the Cabinet ascertain the feasibility of implementing a SEN Advisory Board, bringing together Members, educators, parents, SMEs and MAT representatives.

This Council calls upon the Cabinet Member for Children, Family and Education to write to the Secretary of State for Education to request the government investigate the adequacy of SEN provision nationally.

Proposed by Councillor Tom Coles

Seconded by Councillor Graham Heaney

Due to increasing numbers of children and adults diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), the medication required to improve symptoms has suffered supply issues for several years.

As most of the medication used in the UK for ADHD is manufactured within the European Union, the supply issues have been exacerbated by the UK leaving the EU.

Many of the Portsmouth residents who have ADHD are suffering in silence due to a lack of supply and a lack of urgency in improving supply.

Those with ADHD are having to spend time and energy contacting different pharmacies to ascertain their stock availability. This is having a severe impact on mental health and increasing feelings of the condition not being taken seriously.

This Council notes the negative impact medication supply shortages have on those with ADHD in Portsmouth.

This Council calls upon the Leader of the Council and Group Leaders to write to the Government to ask what they are going to do to improve supply.

This Council calls upon the Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing to write to the local Integrated Care Board (ICB) to request a meeting to discuss this issue and possible improvements that may be made.

This Council requests that the Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing contact local GP surgeries and pharmacies to ascertain the feasibility of sharing best practice in this matter and the sharing of stock availabilities to reduce the negative impact on the mental health of Portsmouth residents with ADHD.