Meeting

A copy of the record of the previous decisions taken at Cabinet on 28 October 2025 is attached.

Purpose

To set out the response of officers to the Traffic, Environment and Community Safety Scrutiny Panel's recommendations regarding a review into Portsmouth City Council's work to address its statutory responsibilities under the Prevent Duty (2015).

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet

1. Thanks the Panel for its work in undertaking the review.

2. Notes and considers the recommendations as set out in Section 4 of the report.

Purpose

To update Cabinet on the council’s preparedness for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 (Martyn’s Law), including the completion of a pilot project within Culture, Leisure and Regulatory Services (CLRS) and the transition to council-wide implementation.

Purpose

To consider a request from the Twinning Advisory Group meeting on 23 June to authorise officers to proceed with a proposed link with Birzeit, Palestine as a result of the request for consideration of a Palestinian link for the City of Portsmouth following the motion passed by Full Council on 12 December 2023.

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet agree that officers be authorised to enable the City of Portsmouth to enter into a relationship with the town of Birzeit, Palestine with a view to this becoming a formal Friendship agreement.

Purpose

To set out the proposed Portsmouth 100 programme to commemorate 100 years of Portsmouth as a city.

Purpose

To set out concerns about operational changes in the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service.

Purpose

1. To provide an update on the delivery and impact of the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme in Portsmouth.

2. To share the HAF Annual Report 2024/25 and provide an update on HAF delivery across the 2025/26 year.

3. To note the contribution of the HAF team, providers and those that support the work in the city and update on the planning following the Department for Education's announcement in August that funding will continue for the next three years 2026/27 - 2028/29.

Purpose

To provide the Cabinet with a progress report regarding the use of pesticides.

Purpose

To inform members and the wider community of the council's treasury management position.

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet note

1. That Council's Treasury Management activities have remained within the Treasury Management Policy 2025/26 in the period up to 30 September 2025.

2. The Treasury Management indicators at 30 September 2025 as set out in Appendix A.

3. That the report goes to Full Council on 9 December 2025.

Purpose

To update members on the current Revenue Budget position of the Council as at the end of the second quarter for 2025/26, in accordance with the proposals set out in the “Portsmouth City Council - Budget & Council Tax 2025/26 & Medium-Term Budget Forecast 2026/27 to 2028/29 & Capital Strategy 2025/26-2034/35” report approved by the City Council on 25th February 2025.

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet

1. Note the General Fund Forecast Outturn for 2025/26 (as at 30th September 2025):

The overspend is analysed as follows:

FORECAST OUTTURN 2025/26

£000

Forecast Net Overspend (before transfers to/from) Reserves

7,419

Less Transfers From Portfolio / Cabinet Reserve:

Overspendings (in accordance with approved Council resolutions)

(2,292)

Add Transfers to Portfolio and Other Reserves:

Underspendings (in accordance with approved Council resolutions)

362

Forecast Net Overspend (before Windfall Costs)

5,489

Less Expenditure funded from Corporate Contingency:

Windfall Costs

(4,454)

Forecast Net Overspend 2025/26

1,035

2. Note that in accordance with approved policy as described in Section 6 any actual overspend at year end will in the first instance be deducted from any Portfolio Reserve balance and once depleted then be deducted from the 2026/27 Cash Limit.

3. Agree that Directors, in consultation with the appropriate Cabinet Member, consider options that seek to minimise any forecast overspending presently being reported and prepare strategies outlining how any consequent reduction to the 2026/27 Portfolio cash limit will be managed to avoid further overspending during 2026/27.