Portsmouth City Borough Council Full Council Meeting

Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson nominated Councillor Tom Coles for election to the office of Lord Mayor for the ensuing municipal year.

The nomination was seconded by Councillor Charlotte Gerada.

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

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

Councillor Leo Madden nominated Councillor Jason Fazackarley as the Deputy Lord Mayor for the ensuing municipal year.

This nomination was seconded by Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson.

There being no other nominations, the Lord Mayor put the proposal, which was CARRIED unanimously and declared Councillor Jason Fazackarley duly elected as the Deputy Lord Mayor.  Councillor Fazackarley made and subscribed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office., which was witnessed by the City Solicitor.

The Chief Executive announced that Councillor Fazackarley would be supported by his Deputy Lady Mayoress, Ms Helen Mitchell. The Deputy Lady Mayoress 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.

There were no declarations of interest.

It was

Proposed by Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson

Seconded by Councillor Simon Bosher

That the minutes of the Council meeting held on 14 March 2023 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

These were agreed by assent.

The Lord Mayor advised that apologies for absence had been received from Councillor George Fielding.

The Lord Mayor welcomed newly elected Councillors Peter Candlish, Raymond Dent, Chris Dike, Leonie Oliver, Emily Strudwick and Mary Vallely to the council and this, their first council meeting.

The Lord Mayor also welcomed Councillor Hannah Brent back to the council along with Councillors Dave Ashmore, Chris Attwell, Cal Corkery, Graham Heaney, Suzy Horton, Lee Hunt and Gerald Vernon-Jackson who had been returned for another term.

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

Under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, the Council is required to elect a Leader of the City Council who will remain in office for four years unless their current term of office as a councillor expires earlier and also subject to the conditions set out on the agenda paper.

The Lord Mayor invited nominations for Leader of the Council.

It was

Proposed by Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson

Seconded by Councillor Suzy Horton

That Councillor Steve Pitt be appointed Leader of the City Council.

There were no other nominations for Leader of the Council.

Following a vote, council voted unanimously that Councillor Steve Pitt be appointed Leader of Portsmouth City Council.

RESOLVED that Councillor Steve Pitt be appointed as Leader of the City Council.

Councillor Pitt gave an acceptance speech, thanking members and undertaking to work with communities to take forward the vision of a safer, greener, fairer and cleaner city.  He undertook to listen to the views of members of all parties and closed by paying tribute to the service of the former Leader of the council, Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson.

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

The Leader also announced the membership of the Health & Wellbeing Board, which was himself, Cllr Suzy Horton, Cllr Matthew Winnington and Cllr Lewis Gosling.

RESOLVED that Council noted:

(i)             the 10 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.

The Lord Mayor proposed and the Council agreed to take agenda items 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 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 Simon Bosher

1.    To adopt the overall political balance of the Council; and

2.    Agree the membership of the committees and panels, standing deputies, chairs and vice chairs of Committees and Panels, including appointments and other appointments.

Table 1 - Proportionality Chart (May 2023)

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; and

(3) the allocation of seats schedule and the membership of the committees and panels be AGREED.

The Lord Mayor moved to appoint chairs and vice-chairs of committees and the Scrutiny Management Panel and scrutiny panels for the 2023/24 municipal year.

Cllr Graham Heaney moved an amendment.

It was

Proposed by Cllr Graham Heaney

Seconded by Cllr Charlotte Gerada

That all committee chair and vice-chair positions be subject to the political proportionality rules and allocated accordingly.

Following debate and a vote it was

RESOLVED that the amendment was declared LOST.

The Lord Mayor invited Council to firstly agree the uncontested chair and vice-chair positions, along with the uncontested appointments and other appointments.

Council agreed to the uncontested chair and vice-chair positions, appointments and other appointments.

It was therefore

RESOLVED that the following positions be AGREED:

1.    Cllr Mark Jeffery, Chair of the Health Overview & Scrutiny Panel;

2.    Cllr Leonie Oliver, Vice-Chair of the Health Overview & Scrutiny Panel;

3.    Cllr Kirsty Mellor, Chair of the Housing & Social Care Scrutiny Panel;

4.    Cllr Raymond Dent, Vice-Chair of the Housing & Social Care Scrutiny Panel,

5.    Cllr Brian Madgwick, Chair of the Education, Children & Young People Scrutiny Panel,

6.    Cllr Russell Simpson, Chair of the Economic Development, Culture & Leisure Scrutiny Panel;

7.    Cllr Emily Strudwick, Vice-Chair of the Licensing Committee;

8.    Cllr Lee Hunt, Vice-Chair of the Planning Committee;

9.    Cllr Cal Corkery, Chair of the Scrutiny Management Panel;

10. Cllr Leo Madden, Chair of the Governance & Audit & Standards Committee;

11. Cllr Darren Sanders, Vice-Chair of the Employment Committee;

12. Cllr Judith Smyth, Chair of the Traffic, Environment and Community Safety Scrutiny Panel;

13. Cllr Charlotte Gerada, Vice-Chair of the Traffic, Environment and Community Safety Scrutiny Panel;

14. The appointment of Cllr George Madgwick to the Hampshire Fire & Rescue Authority;

15. The appointment of Cllr Jason Fazackarley to the Police & Crime Panel, with Cllr Ian Holder as deputy;

16. The nominations and standing deputies detailed for the Langstone Harbour Board, namely:

·       Cllr Peter Candlish

·       Cllr Lewis Gosling

·       Cllr Graham Heaney

·       Cllr Abdul Kadir

·       Cllr Mary Vallely

·       Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson

·       Cllr Kimberly Barrett (standing deputy)

·       Cllr Ryan Brent (standing deputy)

·       Cllr Charlotte Gerada (standing deputy)

·       Cllr Steve Pitt (standing deputy)

·       Cllr Darren Sanders (standing deputy)

17. The nominations detailed for the Local Government Association General Assembly, namely:

·       Cllr George Fielding

·       Cllr Lewis Gosling

·       Cllr Steve Pitt

·       Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson

18. The nominations detailed for the Twinning Advisory Group, namely:

·     Cllr Lee Hunt (Chair),

·     Cllr Tom Coles (Vice-Chair, ex-officio Lord Mayor)

·     Cllr Jason Fazackarley

·     Cllr George Fielding

·     Cllr Leo Madden

·     Cllr Hugh Mason

Council voted on the contested chair and vice-chair positions in turn.

Licensing Committee Chair

Two nominations for the role of chair had been put forward. One nomination was for Councillor Jason Fazackarley and the other was for Councillor George Fielding.

Following a vote, the nomination for Councillor Jason Fazackarley was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED that Councillor Jason Fazackarley be appointed as Chair of the Licensing Committee.

Planning Committee Chair

Two nominations for the role of chair had been put forward. One nomination was for Councillor Chris Attwell and the other was for Councillor Judith Smyth.

Following a vote, the nomination for Councillor Chris Attwell was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED that Councillor Chris Attwell be appointed as Chair of the Planning Committee.

Scrutiny Management Panel Vice-Chair

Two nominations for the role of vice- chair had been put forward. One nomination was for Councillor Leo Madden and the other was for Councillor Graham Heaney.

Following a vote, the nomination for Councillor Leo Madden was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED that Councillor Leo Madden be appointed as Vice-Chair of the Scrutiny Management Panel.

Governance & Audit & Standards Committee Vice-Chair

Two nominations for the role of vice-chair had been put forward. One nomination was for Councillor Stuart Brown and the other was for Councillor George Madgwick.

Following a vote, the nomination for Councillor Stuart Brown was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED that Councillor Stuart Brown be appointed as Vice- Chair of the Governance & Audit & Standards Committee.

Employment Committee Chair

Two nominations for the role of chair had been put forward. One nomination was for Councillor Stuart Brown and the other was for Councillor Cal Corkery.

Following a vote, the nomination for Councillor Stuart Brown was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED that Councillor Stuart Brown be appointed as Chair of the Employment Committee.

Education, Children & Young People Scrutiny Panel Vice-Chair

As no nominations had been received for this position in advance of the meeting, the Lord Mayor invited nominations from the floor.

It was

Proposed by Councillor Charlotte Gerada

Seconded by Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson

That Councillor Mary Vallely be appointed as Vice-Chair of the Education, Children & Young People Scrutiny Panel.

Following a vote, the nomination for Councillor Mary Vallely was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED that Councillor Mary Vallely be appointed as Vice-Chair of the Education, Children & Young People Scrutiny Panel.

Economic Development, Culture & Leisure Scrutiny Panel Vice-Chair

As no nominations had been received for this position in advance of the meeting, the Lord Mayor invited nominations from the floor.

It was

Proposed by Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson

Seconded by Councillor Jason Fazackarley

That Councillor John Smith be appointed as Vice-Chair of the Economic Development, Culture & Leisure Scrutiny Panel.

Following a vote, the nomination for Councillor John Smith was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED that Councillor John Smith be appointed as Vice-Chair of the Economic Development, Culture & Leisure Scrutiny Panel.

Council voted on the committee seats as proposed by Councillor Steve Pitt and seconded by Councillor Simon Bosher, incorporating the chair and vice-Chair positions as already voted on.

This was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED that the allocation of seats schedule and the membership of the committees and panels, including chair and vice-chair positions be AGREED.

Licensing Committee

Planning Committee

Scrutiny Management Panel

Governance & Audit & Standards Committee

Employment Committee

 
Health Overview & Scrutiny Panel

Economic Development, Culture & Leisure Scrutiny Panel

Education, Children & Young People Scrutiny Panel

Housing and Social Care Scrutiny Panel

Traffic, Environment & Community Safety Scrutiny Panel

There was no urgent business under the provisions of this standing order.

There were no questions from members under the provisions of this standing order.

It was

Proposed by Councillor Steve Pitt

Seconded by Councillor Simon Bosher

That the dates and times for the Council meetings for the next municipal year (2023/24) as set out in agenda item 17, be approved and that the provisional dates for 2024/25 Council meetings also set out in agenda item 17, 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 2023/24 municipal year to commence at 2.00 pm unless otherwise indicated:

(2)  the following provisional council meeting dates for 2024/25 be agreed in principle subject to later ratification:

The Lord Mayor thanked members of the Council for his election and detailed his ambitions for the year. He spoke about his charitable appeals for the coming year which were the Portsmouth Hospitals Charity, Home-Start Portsmouth and The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity.

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 councillors newly elected to Portsmouth City Council were introduced in turn by their respective group leaders.

The Lord Mayor, Councillor Canon Dr Hugh Mason, reported and reflected on his year in office.

The Lady Mayoress,  Ms Marie Costa, reported on her year in office.

It was

Proposed by Councillor Steve Pitt

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 Canon Dr Hugh Mason and Miss Marie Costa for their outstanding service to the city as Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress during their year of office.

That the Council expresses its great appreciation of the fine qualities which Councillor Canon Dr Hugh Mason 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 Miss Marie Costa for her 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 Canon Dr Hugh Mason and Miss Marie Costa 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.

Mrs Nikki Coles, the new Lady Mayoress, signed a document of office witnessed by the City Solicitor.

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

The Lord Mayor received the Keys of the Fortress of Portsmouth into the safe keeping of the city. 

These were presented to him by C Company, 4^th Battalion Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment.

The Dean of Portsmouth, the Very Reverend Anthony Cane, and Reverend Bob White were appointed as Chaplains to the City Council.

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

· The Portsmouth Society

· Kurdish Home in Portsmouth

· Dr Jennifer Gupta

The meeting adjourned at 11.31 am and reconvened at 12.30 pm in the Council Chamber, Portsmouth Guildhall.