Portsmouth City Borough Council Cabinet Member for Communities and Central Services Meeting

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor George Madgwick and apologies for latensss were received from Councillor Asghar Shah.

There were no declarations of interest.

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed by the Cabinet Member, subject to the following amendment:

Minute 11 to be amended to read:

'In response to a request in respect of para 4.10 of the report, the Director of Corporate Services had agreed to forward the costings for holding meetings in the Main Auditorium of the Portsmouth Guildhall to Cllr Lee Mason, Opposition Spokesperson, but these had yet to be received.'

Following an introduction, the opposition spokespersons were both supportive of the proposals to extend the opening hours of the service and bring the part time employee under Portsmouth City Council's employee terms and conditions.

Following the discussion, it was:

RESOLVED that the Cabinet Member for Communities & Central Services agreed to:

(i)         extend the Shopmobility opening days in Portsmouth by one day, therefore operating Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday; and

(ii)       bring the one part time employee under Portsmouth City Council's employee terms and conditions.

The Partnership & Commissioning Manager introduced the report.

The cabinet member and opposition spokesperson congratulated the team on the events.  The opposition spokesman commended the use of Southsea Common for large events as people often wanted one place to congregate for large national events.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet Member agreed to:

(i)            Note the success of the delivery of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee programme and the range of projects which took place across the city with communities to mark this significant occasion; and

(ii)           apply the learning from the delivery of this programme into future work and preparation for forthcoming significant national celebrations such as the anticipated Coronation events in 2023.

The Partnership & Commissioning Manager introduced the report.

The cabinet member and opposition spokesperson supported the proposal, with the opposition spokesperson suggesting that the Lady Mayoress be added as a signatory to the letter.

The cabinet member agreed to make this amendment.

Following the discussion, it was:

RESOLVED that the Cabinet Member recommended that the Leader of the Council, the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress write a joint letter to the Mayor of Cape Town, South Africa with a request that Portsmouth be able to enter into a Sister City relationship with Cape Town, South Africa.

The Finance Manager introduced the report.

RESOLVED that the Cabinet Member NOTED the report.

Councillor Asghar Shah joined the meeting at 11:25am.

At the invitation of the cabinet member, Ms Marie Costa delivered her deputation in support of minute 20, Proposed Sister City Link with Cape Town.