Portsmouth City Borough Council
Councillors:
42
Wards:
14
Committees:
37
Meetings (2025):
120
Meetings (2024):
154
Meeting
Cabinet Member for Central Services - Portsmouth City
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Thursday, 1st May 2025
3:00 PM
Thursday, 1st May 2025
3:00 PM
End:
Thursday, 1st May 2025
7:00 PM
Thursday, 1st May 2025
7:00 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
01 May 2025
01 May 2025
Location:
Council Chamber - The Guildhall, Portsmouth
Council Chamber - The Guildhall, Portsmouth
Meeting Attendees
Opposition spokesperson
Cabinet Member
Cabinet Member for Central Services
Agenda
1
Apologies
Minutes
There were no apologies.
2
Declarations of Interest
Minutes
There were no declarations of interest.
The Chair agreed to a change in the presentation order with Agenda item 6 - Community Inclusion Grants Update being heard first, but for ease of reference the minutes will remain in the order as presented on the agenda.
The Chair agreed to a change in the presentation order with Agenda item 6 - Community Inclusion Grants Update being heard first, but for ease of reference the minutes will remain in the order as presented on the agenda.
3
Provision of Community Funerals
Purpose of Report
To provide an update with respect to Portsmouth City Council's community funeral statutory duty, the demands for this function, general updates and reiterations of previous reports presented to the relevant Portfolio Holder in 2019 and 2023.
To provide an update with respect to Portsmouth City Council's community funeral statutory duty, the demands for this function, general updates and reiterations of previous reports presented to the relevant Portfolio Holder in 2019 and 2023.
Attachments:
- Document Community Funerals Portfolio Report April 2025 (004) 23 Apr 2025
Minutes
Richard Lee, Assistant Director of Culture, Leisure and Regulatory Services presented the information only report, the purpose of which was to provide an update with respect to Portsmouth City Council's community funeral statutory duty, the demands for this function, general updates and reiterations of previous reports presented in 2019 and 2023.
Members observed this was an incredibly important service provided by the Council being delivered with an enormous amount of care and thought, and to a high standard, despite the pressures the service was under. The fact that the service was able to recover a significant amount of the costs showed the strength of the service and the resilience of the officer involved. Members thanked officers for the report and for the work that they do.
The Cabinet Member for Central Services noted the report.
Members observed this was an incredibly important service provided by the Council being delivered with an enormous amount of care and thought, and to a high standard, despite the pressures the service was under. The fact that the service was able to recover a significant amount of the costs showed the strength of the service and the resilience of the officer involved. Members thanked officers for the report and for the work that they do.
The Cabinet Member for Central Services noted the report.
4
Procurement Act 2023 and Contract Procedure Rules
Purpose of Report
To provide the Cabinet Member and Group Spokespersons with an overview of:
· The changes to public procurement enforced by the introduction of the Procurement Act 2023 and National Procurement Policy Statement on 24th February 2025.
· The Council's updated Contract Procedure Rules, adopted at full council on 18th March 2025, which have been revised to meet the requirements of the Procurement Act 2023 and generally develop procurement & contract management best practice within the Council.
· The activities which the Council's Procurement Service will lead on to implement the new Contract Procedure Rules, manage risks and realise benefits.
To provide the Cabinet Member and Group Spokespersons with an overview of:
· The changes to public procurement enforced by the introduction of the Procurement Act 2023 and National Procurement Policy Statement on 24th February 2025.
· The Council's updated Contract Procedure Rules, adopted at full council on 18th March 2025, which have been revised to meet the requirements of the Procurement Act 2023 and generally develop procurement & contract management best practice within the Council.
· The activities which the Council's Procurement Service will lead on to implement the new Contract Procedure Rules, manage risks and realise benefits.
Attachments:
- Document Procurement PA23 CPRs Info Only 23 Apr 2025
- Document Appendix A - Contract Procedures Rules 2025 23 Apr 2025
Minutes
Richard Lock, Assistant Director, Procurement, presented the information only report, the purpose of which was to provide an overview of:
· The changes to public procurement enforced by the introduction of the Procurement Act 2023 and National Procurement Policy Statement on 24th February 2025.
· The Council's updated Contract Procedure Rules, adopted at full Council on 18th March 2025, which had been revised to meet the requirements of the Procurement Act 2023 and generally develop procurement and contract management best practice within the Council.
· The activities which the Council's Procurement Service will lead on to implement the new Contract Procedure Rules, manage risks and realise benefits.
Members considered this was one of the benefits of Brexit and they appreciated this new era of procurement with more of a focus on the local community and local companies which was to be encouraged. There were great benefits in terms of economic growth for the area. Members thanked officers for the report and for their hard work.
The Cabinet Member for Central Services noted the report.
· The changes to public procurement enforced by the introduction of the Procurement Act 2023 and National Procurement Policy Statement on 24th February 2025.
· The Council's updated Contract Procedure Rules, adopted at full Council on 18th March 2025, which had been revised to meet the requirements of the Procurement Act 2023 and generally develop procurement and contract management best practice within the Council.
· The activities which the Council's Procurement Service will lead on to implement the new Contract Procedure Rules, manage risks and realise benefits.
Members considered this was one of the benefits of Brexit and they appreciated this new era of procurement with more of a focus on the local community and local companies which was to be encouraged. There were great benefits in terms of economic growth for the area. Members thanked officers for the report and for their hard work.
The Cabinet Member for Central Services noted the report.
5
Portsmouth Register Service Update
Purpose of Report
To update members on the Portsmouth Register Service provision.
To update members on the Portsmouth Register Service provision.
Attachments:
- Document Portsmouth Register Service Update Information Only Report signed 23 Apr 2025
Minutes
Lydia Mellor, Superintendent Registrar, presented the information only report, the purpose of which was to update members on the Portsmouth Register Service provision and some of the changes over the last 12 months to improve customer service.
Members thanked Lydia for the beneficial changes made within the Register service including the birth registration service at QA which had been really well received by patients and staff at QA. The Citizenship Ceremonies were noted and the general ability of the team at the Register Office to provide a fantastic service during the important moments in people's lives, encompassing an extraordinary range of emotions. Members noted the improvements to the building both inside and out with a welcome increase in biodiversity in the outside areas. They thanked Lydia and her team for the report and for the work they do within the Register Service.
Members thanked Lydia for the beneficial changes made within the Register service including the birth registration service at QA which had been really well received by patients and staff at QA. The Citizenship Ceremonies were noted and the general ability of the team at the Register Office to provide a fantastic service during the important moments in people's lives, encompassing an extraordinary range of emotions. Members noted the improvements to the building both inside and out with a welcome increase in biodiversity in the outside areas. They thanked Lydia and her team for the report and for the work they do within the Register Service.
6
Community Inclusion Grant Update
A verbal update will be provided on the most recent round of the Community Inclusion Grants.
Minutes
Natasha Edmunds, Director of Corporate Services provided a verbal update on the most recent round of Community Inclusion Grants.
Natasha advised that the final Community Inclusion Grants had now been determined, and the recipients would be advised following the meeting.
Of the 67 applications received, 13 of the successful applicants were ones who had previously had a grant, 3 were ones that had previously applied but been unsuccessful but were now successful, and 14 applications had come through from organisations that had not previously applied meaning there was a range of new community focused activities taking place.
A total of 30 organisations were in line to receive up to £1000 each. The total fund was £30,000 and the total allocated to organisations was £29,850.65.
Members thanked everyone in the Communications team for getting the message out across the city and thanked everyone involved in the collation and scoring of the applications.
The Cabinet Member for Central Services noted the information.
Natasha advised that the final Community Inclusion Grants had now been determined, and the recipients would be advised following the meeting.
Of the 67 applications received, 13 of the successful applicants were ones who had previously had a grant, 3 were ones that had previously applied but been unsuccessful but were now successful, and 14 applications had come through from organisations that had not previously applied meaning there was a range of new community focused activities taking place.
A total of 30 organisations were in line to receive up to £1000 each. The total fund was £30,000 and the total allocated to organisations was £29,850.65.
Members thanked everyone in the Communications team for getting the message out across the city and thanked everyone involved in the collation and scoring of the applications.
The Cabinet Member for Central Services noted the information.
Future Meetings
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