Agenda and minutes

The Chair reminded Members of the need to declare any known interests in any matters to be considered at the meeting.  Councillors Kevin Parry and Vera Tomlinson made a non prejudicial declarations of interest in respect of Agenda Item No. 5 in their capacity as Chairs of Parish Councils within the Borough.

Councillor Roger Smith made a non prejudical declartion of interest in respect of Agenda Item 5 in his capacity as a Parish Councillor.

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 9^th January 2019.

Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 9^th January 2019, be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

          The Committee considered a report of the Head of Property Assets updating the Committee in respect of the transfer of Community Assets to Parish Councils.

          The Head of Property Assets and Head of Operational Property responded to Members questions and comments in respect of the following issues raised following their presentation of the report.

·       The Council had commenced the transfer of assets to Parish Councils in 2017.

·       That the time period for the transfer of assets had varied depending on discussions between the Council and Parishes and the complexity of the agreements involved and Parish Council and Borough Council staff resourcing.

·       There was currently on-going discussions with six Parish Council regarding the possible transfer of a range of assets.

·       The details of transfers of assets had been included within a number of Cabinet Member Briefing Notes.

·       Work was on-going in respect of the collection of data on assets yet to be transferred to Parish Councils and to create officer capacity to facilitate the timely transfer of assets.

·       Work to advise Parish Council of the conditions of assets that were available for transfer in order that the Parish Councils were fully aware of the condition of such assets. This was one of the reasons for the delay in transferring assets as Parish Councils needed to understand the financial commitment involved.

·       The budget implications of upgrading assets, including play parks, prior to their transfer to Parish Councils.

·       That any Section 106 monies available to upgrade transferred assets had been passported to the appropriate Parish Councils and that further capital monies had not been set aside for such work other than matched and transitional funding previously agreed with Parish Councils.

·       The need for officers to further investigate those assets transferred to Parish Councils requiring work to ensure that they are fit for purpose. Should funding be required to assist Parishes undertake this work the Head of Property be requested to bring this to the attention of the appropriate Cabinet Member.

·       The position of land management should it be transferred back from a Parish Council to the Borough Council.

·       The rationale for the difference in the lease lengths of assets transferred to Parishes which had largely been based upon requests from individual Parish Councils.

·       Clause in leases and vesting order to control the change of use of land and other assets transferred to Parish Councils.

·       The status of land identified under SHLLA (Strategic Housing (and Employment) Land Availability).

·       The process for change of use of land transferred and for any potential development of transferred land.

·       Should transferred land be developed or there be a change of use of an asset it would require a change of use agreement with Swindon Borough Council.  As part of any approval to develop or change a use of an asset that led to an increased value arising from such approval then as part of the agreement Swindon Borough Council would give consideration to how such added value should be allocated between the Borough and Parish Council.

·       Whether asset  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

          The Committee received a report of the Corporate Director for Communities and Housing providing an update on the Council’s plans to deploy and invest in solar PV and battery storage projects in order to deliver on agreed low carbon energy targets.

          Resolved – That the report be noted.

Members are asked to consider items for the Committee’s Work Programme for the Municipal Year, 2019/20.

The Committee considered a report by the Interim Director of Law setting out the Committee’s Work Programme for the current Municipal Year.     

          Resolved – (1) That the report be noted.