Meeting

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.

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 17 March 2025 for this meeting), and must include the purpose of the deputation (for example, for or against the recommendations). Email requests are accepted.

To receive and consider the attached report and recommendations from the Governance & Audit & Standards Committee held on 20 February 2025.

Report contained within the supplementary agenda pack.

Council is invited to consider, debate and note the report and associated recommendations, prior to a decision being made by Cabinet at its extraordinary meeting to be held at 4pm on Wednesday 19 March 2025.

To receive and consider the attached report and recommendation from Cabinet held on 4 March 2025. The report has also been considered by the Governance & Audit & Standards Committee.

To receive and consider the attached report and recommendation from the Governance & Audit & Standards Committee held on 5 March 2025.

To receive and consider the attached report and recommendation from the Employment Committee held on 4 March 2025.

Proposed by Councillor Benedict Swann

Seconded by Councillor Simon Bosher

The Labour government’s changes to inheritance tax threaten the survival of family farms, which are important to Portsmouth's economy, and food security. This tax is an attack on rural life and the aspiration of independent traders in our city who will be most highly affected by dwindling supply options and increased prices, and Portsmouth City Council must stand united with our farmers in opposing it.

We call on the Leader of the Council to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer outlining the authorities dismay and concern at the recent Budget decision to restrict Agricultural Property Relief that will ultimately have a significant impact on independent shops such as butchers and greengrocers, and the cities vital hospitality industry driving up costs and severally restricting the aspiration and viability of independent shopkeepers, independent pub landlords and restaurateurs to do business in the city.

Proposed by Councillor Kimberly Barrett

Seconded by Councillor Matthew Winnington

Council notes that

(i)    In the 1995 Pensions Act, the Government increased State Pension age for women from 60 to 65, with a further increase to 66 in the 2011 Pensions Act and that the change was not properly communicated to 3.8 million women born in the 1950s until 2012, giving some only one year’s notice of a six year increase in their anticipated retirement age.

(ii)   The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman has found that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) was guilty of maladministration in its handling of the State Pension Age increase for women born in the 1950s and the All Party Parliamentary Group on State Pension Inequality for Women has concluded that “the impact of DWP maladministration on 1950s-born women has been as devastating as it is widespread.  The APPG believes that the case for category 6 injustice is overwhelming and clear.  Women have had their emotional, physical, and mental circumstances totally obliterated by a lack of reasonable notice”;

(iii)Research commissioned by campaign group Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) has found that by the end of 2022, more than 220,000 1950s born women will have died waiting for justice since the WASPI campaign began in 2015;

(iv)WASPI’s figures show that over the course of the two year COVID pandemic, one in 10 women who died were affected by these uncommunicated changes and lost both their state pension income and the opportunity to make alternative retirement plans.

(v)  The Parliamentary ombudsman had previously recommended compensation of between £1,000 and £2,950 to each of those affected. However, on 17th December 2024, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall apologised for a 28-month delay in sending letters to women affected by pension changes but rejected any kind of financial payouts. This was a huge shock to many WASPI women and their families who had been promised by the Portsmouth MP's their support for compensation. Many feel betrayed and misled. This heartless decision cannot be allowed to stand and we will be pressing our MP's and ministers to give those affected the fair treatment they deserve. The new government has turned its back on millions of pension-age women who were wronged through no fault of their own, ignoring the independent Ombudsman’s recommendations.

Council supports

(i)             The conclusion of the All Party Parliamentary Group on State Pension Inequality that women born in the 1950s have suffered a gross injustice, affecting their emotional, physical and mental circumstances in addition to causing financial hardship.

(ii)            Asks Ministers for a U-turn and a swift resolution to this ongoing injustice before more and more women die waiting for compensation alongside proper compensation in line with the Parliamentary Ombudsman's recommendations.

Council resolves

(i)             To ask the Leader of the Council to write to local Members of Parliament and to the Secretary of State for Work & Pensions to reiterate the effects of the injustice to 1950s women in Portsmouth and to seek their support for compensation for WASPI women in line with the Parliamentary and Health Services Ombudsman report.

(ii)            In addition, in the correspondence to the Secretary of State, request that they secure an urgent debate and vote, in Government time in the House of Commons, on delivering compensation to affected women.

Proposed by Councillor Hugh Mason

Seconded by Councillor Peter Candlish

This Council notes

(i)              High street banks are closing across the country as banks increasingly push their customers to go digital to boost their profits and to support new services.

(ii)             Many customers are comfortable with this change.  However, others, especially older and less technically savvy customers, still want or need face to face contact to transact their banking needs and/or will struggle to travel to alternative branches.

(iii)            Local shops and businesses also need a place to deposit cash and cheques.

(iv)           Several years ago, Southsea supported several banks and building societies on its main shopping streets.  These have all progressively closed in recent years.

(v)             Now Lloyds, the last bank with a physical presence on the Southsea high street, has announced its intention to close its Palmerston Rd North branch on June 2nd.

(vi)           The closure will create a banking desert with residents who want to use an in-person banking service needing to nearly two miles to Commercial Road.

(vii)          Similar face to face banking and administrative deserts have been created elsewhere in the city in recent years, such as the closure of the bank in North End, in addition to the recent closure of crown post offices in the city centre Slindon Street and in Cosham High Street.

(viii)         New developments in the Southsea area, including on the former Debenhams site, will bring increased footfall and cash to Southsea designated shopping centre plus the densely populated surrounding area, which many independent shops, trades and businesses serve.

(ix)           Some places elsewhere in the country have replaced single company bank branch sites with banking hubs shared by many banks, often co-located with post offices.

This Council believes that local shopping centres like Southsea need to have a physical bank and counter service to serve less digitally comfortable residents and businesses that continue to deal with cash.  Not everyone can use online and cashpoint services.

This Council resolves

(i)             To write to the Chief Executive of Lloyds bank to ask them to reconsider closure whilst a banking hub solution for Southsea is developed.

(ii)            To ask the Leader of the Council to write to the main banks urging them to send representatives to a meeting with local councillors, trade representatives and city regeneration officers to discuss ways ensure a counter service remains in Southsea shopping centre.

(iii)          to ask the Member of Parliament for Portsmouth South to raise this matter with ministers and cordially invite him to attend any meetings arranged by the Leader of the Council.

Proposed by: Councillor Charlotte Gerada

Seconded by: Councillor Yinka Adeniran

This council notes:

(i)             Hampshire County Council are proposing to close Stubbington Study Centre at the end of this school year, to build a secure unit for young people.

(ii)            Stubbington Study Centre has existed for almost 90 years, providing residential and day visits for primary age children across the county, including Southampton and Portsmouth.

(iii)          Every year 4,200 children stay at the centre residentially and 1,800 participate in day visits.

(iv)          Hampshire County Council ran a consultation on the re-purposing and closure of Stubbington Study Centre. The consultation was open from Tuesday 14 January 2025 until 11:59pm on Monday 10 February 2025.

(v)           There has been widespread opposition to the plans, including nearly 18,000 petition signatories from residents across Hampshire.

This council believes:

(i)             Closing the centre will be a huge loss for Portsmouth children and 100 other schools in the Solent region.

(ii)            Generations of children have visited the centre and its activities enrich formal schooling education, including a range of exciting outdoor learning opportunities with environmental, cultural and team building themes.

(iii)          The Study Centre offers affordable day trips and residential trips for school children and there is nothing comparable to the Stubbington Study Centre for local children.

(iv)          The needs of all children need to be met and the introduction of a facility for one group of children shouldn't come at the loss of another.

This council resolves:

(i)             To ask Group Leaders to jointly write to the Leader of Hampshire County Council to strongly oppose the proposals for the Stubbington Study Centre site, request that it remain open in its current form and encourage the council to find an alternative site for a secure unit for young people.

(ii)            To ask Group Leaders to contact the Head of the Stubbington Study Centre to offer Portsmouth City Council’s support in saving the centre in its current form.

Proposed by Councillor Lee Tindal

Seconded by Councillor Raymond Dent

Following the decision taken by the Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Leisure and Sport on 5 March 2025 to proceed with the demolition of Eastney Swimming Pool, Full Council wishes to place on record its regret for the decision taken.

Proposed by: Councillor Graham Heaney

Seconded by: Councillor Charlotte Gerada

This council notes:

(i)    Dementia is a growing health challenge, with an increasing number of people in Portsmouth living with the condition.

(ii)   Specialist dementia nurses provide vital care, offering medical expertise, emotional support and guidance to individuals with dementia and their families - often these services are provided out of GP surgeries, hospitals or are community-based roles.

(iii)Dementia nurses work within Multidisciplinary Teams (MDTs), collaborating with mental health professionals, social workers and occupational therapists - this integrated approach provides holistic and comprehensive support to those living with dementia.

(iv)Portsmouth did benefit from the work of dementia nurses, but there is less capacity now and residents have raised concerns about the reduction in the service.

(v)  Investing in dementia nurses improves quality of life, reduces unnecessary hospital admissions and alleviates pressure on local NHS and social care services.

This council believes:

(i)    All residents with dementia should have access to high-quality specialist nursing support, regardless of where they live.

(ii)   Expanding dementia nurse provision aligns with Portsmouth City Council’s commitment to becoming a dementia-friendly city.

(iii)A collaborative approach between the NHS, Portsmouth City Council, charities, and Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) is necessary to ensure sustainable funding for dementia nursing services.

(iv)The loss of dementia nurses in Portsmouth is hugely damaging for those affected by dementia, their carers and families.

This council resolves:

(i)    To ask the Cabinet member for Community Wellbeing, Health & Care to write to the Hampshire & IOW ICS, to request they explore funding dementia nurses for Portsmouth, to improve patient outcomes, support families and caregivers and reduce pressure on the NHS.

(ii)   To ask the Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing, Health & Care to contact health charities, to assess which charities may be in a position to support a dementia nurse service in Portsmouth.

(iii)To ask the Health Overview & Scrutiny Panel to review the situation with dementia nurses in Portsmouth and compare the services provided across Hampshire, to consider how improvements can be made fordementia patients in Portsmouth.