Issue - meetings

The Leader of the Council and the Head of Strategic Growth and Place submitted a joint report to request authorisation for the use of capacity funding allocated by Government to Swindon Borough Council (a total of £173,029) for the purpose of setting up a Town Deal Board and developing a Town Investment Plan.  The report also seek authorisation for the Council to accept the role of Accountable Body for the Towns Fund, as Lead Authority for Swindon, and to put in place the required governance arrangements.

Councillor Dale Heenan, Cabinet Member for the Town Centre, Culture, and Heritage, welcomed the report and the opportunity for the Board to bid for £25m of funding. Councillors Jim Grant and Bob Wright asked questions relating to:

·        Whether the Council’s representation on the board should be cross party,

·        How the Community Engagement was working to keep parishes and ward councillors informed, especially as the parish council representative did not come from a parish in the urban core,

·        How a change in council administration might affect the Board’s proposals.

The Leader of the Council responded at the meeting.

Resolved: (1) That the setting up of a Town Deal Board as detailed in this report be authorised subject to the following:-

(a) Swindon Borough Council will act as the Accountable body,

(b) The Board Members will agree to abide by the Council’s code of Conduct (attached at Appendix One),

(c) The Board Members will agree to be bound by the Council’s

whistleblowing policies.

(d) The Council will act as the administrator for the Board, with meetings being held in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act 1972 and included on the Council’s website,

(2) That the Head of Strategic Growth and Place, in consultation with the Corporate Director of Finance and Assets and the Leader of the Council, be authorised to authorise expenditure of capacity funding of £173,029 by the Swindon Town Deal Board as agreed by the Board.

(3) That the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader be authorised to agree Heads of Terms with the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government (MHCLG) in order to receive project funding for specific projects as identified and by the Town Deal Board and agreed by MHCLG.

(4) That the Corporate Director of Finance and Assets (S.151 Officer) be authorised to provide a return to government on the progress of the Town Deal Board as required by guidance.

The reasons for the decision and alternative options are as set out in the report to the meeting.