Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Ray Ballman and Vera Tomlinson.

The Chief Executive reported that no communications had been received.

            Resolved – Thatthe minutes of the meeting held on 19^th November 2020, be confirmed and signed.

The Worshipful The Mayor reminded Members of the need to declare any known interests in any matters to be considered at the meeting.  No declarations were made.

There were no public questions.

Councillor Paul Dixon will move:

This Council welcomes Councillor David Renard's statement in his role as LGA Environment spokesperson that

“With council housing waiting lists set to potentially nearly double next year, we need to let councils embark on an ambitious post-pandemic building boom of 100,000 social homes for rent a year, which as well as reducing homelessness would also deliver a £14.5 billion boost to the economy."

Also the LGA's document "Building a post-pandemic prosperity" recognised that

"Councils have an important role in rebuilding the national economy after the covid lockdown through building new homes for social rent. A programme of building 100,000 new homes for social rent each year will help the Covid economic recovery and deliver long-term fiscal benefits."

This Council requests that

·         The Leader of the Council agrees to write to the Secretary of State calling for direct funding of a social rent council house building programme of 100,000 council homes a year.

·         The Leader of the Council also agrees to write to our MPs to seek their assistance in pressing the government for the necessary funding for Swindon."

Councillor Paul Dixon moved and Councillor Emma Bushell seconded:

This council welcomes Councillor David Renard's statement in his role as LGA Environment spokesperson that

“With council housing waiting lists set to potentially nearly double next year, we need to let councils embark on an ambitious post-pandemic building boom of 100,000 social homes for rent a year, which as well as reducing homelessness would also deliver a £14.5 billion boost to the economy."

Also the LGA's document "Building a post-pandemic prosperity" recognised that

"Councils have an important role in rebuilding the national economy after the covid lockdown through building new homes for social rent. A programme of building 100,000 new homes for social rent each year will help the Covid economic recovery and deliver long-term fiscal benefits."

This Council requests that:

·         The Leader of the Council agrees to write to the Secretary of State calling for direct funding of a social rent council house building programme of 100,000 council homes a year.

·         The leader of the council also agrees to write to our MPs to seek their assistance in pressing the government for the necessary funding for Swindon."

Councillor Timothy Swinyard moved and Councillor Oladapo Ibitoye     seconded that the Motion be amended to read:

This Council:

·         Welcomes the fact that this Government is investing in the housing industry, which is key to our economic recovery. This includes £12b in affordable housing, £400m to build on more brownfield land and £7.1b for a new National Home Building Fund unlocking up to 860,00 homes. This Government has delivered twice as many new housing starts compared with the previous quarter and house completions have almost tripled demonstrating its commitment to provide the Country with the housing it needs.

·         Welcomes the valuable role that Councillor David Renard plays on the national stage representing Swindon’s interests and his statement in his role as LGA Housing spokesperson that “With council housing waiting lists set to potentially nearly double next year, we need to let councils embark on an ambitious post-pandemic building boom of 100,000 social homes for rent a year, which as well as reducing homelessness would also deliver a £14.5 billion boost to the economy.”

This Council notes that:

·         The LGA's document "Building a post-pandemic prosperity" recognised that "Councils have an important role in rebuilding the national economy after the Covid lockdown through building new homes for social rent. A programme of building 100,000 new homes for social rent across England each year will help the Covid economic recovery and deliver long-term fiscal benefits."

·         In Swindon, our Housing Needs Assessment shows that we need funding to deliver more social housing as well as the resources to maintain our existing stock and improve its energy efficiency. Therefore,

This Council requests that

·         The Cabinet Member for Housing and Public Safety writes to the Secretary of State asking for:

o   Direct funding to support a house-building programme to enable us deliver the 419 affordable housing units each year to meet Swindon’s housing need.

o   The resources to maintain and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 69.

Councillor Paul Dixon will move:

This Council notes:

·         That Trussell Trust research that shows three million children are at risk of hunger during the school holidays.

·         134 independent food banks distributed a total of 426,958 emergency food parcels between February and October 2020 compared to 226,605 emergency food parcels in the same period last year - a rise of 88%. 

·         That the government has committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which have an international and domestic commitment to ending hunger by 2030

This Council believes:

·         No one in the UK should go hungry, not least children. Food justice is about taking action on the causes of hunger such as affordability and availability of good nutritious food.

·         Local councils and communities played a key role in during the Covid-19 pandemic that should be recognised.

“The Council resolves to:

·         Appoint a Cabinet Member to act as a food justice champion, who will lead on tackling food poverty locally.

·         The Food Justice Champion will set up a food partnership to bring together partners to develop a food action plan to address the causes of food poverty.”

With the consent of Council, Councillor Paul Dixon moved and Councillor Russell Holland seconded an altered motion as set out in the Supplementary Papers:

This Council notes:

o   That Trussell Trust research that shows three million children are at risk of hunger during the school holidays.

o   134 independent food banks distributed a total of 426,958 emergency food parcels between February and October 2020 compared to 226,605 emergency food parcels in the same period last year - a rise of 88%.

o   That the government has committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which have an international and domestic commitment to ending hunger by 2030.

This Council believes:

o   No one in the UK should go hungry, not least children. Food justice is about taking action on the causes of hunger such as affordability and availability of good nutritious food.

o   Local councils and communities played a key role in during the Covid-19 pandemic that should be recognised.

The Council requests that:

·         The Cabinet appoints a Cabinet Member to have responsibility for social inclusion matters, including food poverty, and to establish a Cabinet Member Advisory Group to bring together partners to develop a social inclusion strategy to include food poverty and consideration being given to the establishment of a food partnership.

The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

Councillor Kevin Small will move and Councillor Jim Grant will second:

“1.   This Council is concerned over the closure of the Oasis Leisure Centre and instructs the Scrutiny Committee to undertake and investigation into how this came about and what options are open to the Council so it can ensure the reopening of the Oasis. 

2.    The Scrutiny Committee should also look into the £3m payment made to GLL by Swindon Borough Council and what obligations the Council placed on GLL for the granting of this £3m subsidy and whether any of it should be repaid now the Oasis has closed. 

3.    The Investigation’s report should present to Cabinet at its March meeting. Then the report along with the Cabinet’s response will be reported to the Council’s April meeting.  

4.    The Council also instructs the Cabinet to produce a report for next meeting of the Council, into the deal with Seven Capital which includes the transfer of land at the former Clares site (with an estimated valued of c£20m) The report should outline what obligations were placed upon Seven Capital to deliver the Snowdome project and the protection of the Oasis Leisure Centre. The report should also contain what break clauses are open to the council to return the land and the Oasis to Council ownership.

5.    It has also been reported that GLL are assets stripping the Oasis, and removing fixture and fittings to other GLL sites. The Councils instructs the Audit Committee to investigate this and look to see what contractual obligation were placed on GLL to maintain the fixtures and fittings of the Oasis and other former Swindon Borough Council leisure sites, and what should happen to these fittings if a site is relinquished by GLL. With the outcome of the investigation reporting back to the Council’s April meeting.”

Councillor Kevin Small moved and Councillor Jim Grant seconded:

1. This council is concerned over the closure of the Oasis Leisure Centre and instructs the Scrutiny Committee to undertake and investigation into how this came about and what options are open to the Council so it can ensure the reopening of the Oasis. 
   
   
2. The Scrutiny Committee should also look into the £3m payment made to GLL by Swindon Borough Council and what obligations the Council placed on GLL for the granting of this £3m subsidy and whether any of it should be repaid now the Oasis has closed. 
   
   
3. The Investigation’s report should present to Cabinet at its March meeting. Then the report along with the Cabinet’s response will be reported to the Council’s April meeting.  
   
   
4. The Council also instructs the Cabinet to produce a report for next meeting of the Council, into the deal with Seven Capital which includes the transfer of land at the former Clares site (with an estimated valued of c£20m) The report should outline what obligations were placed upon Seven Capital to deliver the Snowdome project and the protection of the Oasis Leisure Centre. The report should also contain what break clauses are open to the council to return the land and the Oasis to Council ownership. 
   
   
5. It has also been reported that GLL are assets stripping the Oasis, and removing fixture and fittings to other GLL sites. The Councils instructs the Audit Committee to investigate this and look to see what contractual obligation were placed on GLL to maintain the fixtures and fittings of the Oasis and other former Swindon Borough Council leisure sites, and what should happen to these fittings if a site is relinquished by GLL. With the outcome of the investigation reporting back to the Council’s April meeting.”

Councillor Vinay Manro moved and Councillor Steve Heyes seconded that the Motion be amended to read:

This Council:

·        Recognises the devastating impact the Covid pandemic has had on the leisure sector and the significant financial losses and liabilities incurred during 2020.  The Council regrets the impact on GLL of running the Oasis and understands the reasons for its closure.  The Council is committed to support the work being undertaken with both Seven and GLL to find a way of reopening a refurbished Oasis.

·        Firmly believes that a long-term future can be secured for the Oasis once the pandemic is over.

·        Condemns the breaking and entering into the Oasis or any other property.

This Council notes that:

·        Councillors of all Political parties supported the decision to outsource the Oasis to Moirai in 2012.

·        GLL secured the contract to run the Oasis in 2013 from Moirai.

·        Moirai's interest was taken over by Seven Capital in 2017.

·        It is the responsibility of Seven Capital to appoint a new Leisure Operator to run the Oasis, and expects this to occur as soon as possible once the pandemic ends.

·        The Leader of the Council is responsible for the relationship with Seven Capital, and discussions are ongoing about the impact  ...  view the full minutes text for item 71.

Councillor Matthew Courtliff will move and Councillor Vinay Manro will second:

“This Council notes that:

·         The Covid pandemic has had a devastating impact on the Country, and here in Swindon. More than 200 people in Swindon have passed away due to Covid over the 12 months, and whilst a vaccine is now being rolled out, lives are still being lost.

·         Several authorities are using blossom trees as a way to mark Covid and our shared experience of it, and to act as a memorial for all those whose lives have been affected.

This Council requests that:

·         The Leader of the Council finds a way for a suitable Blossom Tree Memorial to be created in one of the towns Country Parks. This will serve as a lasting reminder for the town and allow its residents to have a public space for reflection and contemplation now and in the future.”

Councillor Matthew Courtliff moved and Councillor Junab Ali seconded:

“This Council notes that:

·         The Covid pandemic has had a devastating impact on the Country, and here in Swindon. More than 200 people in Swindon have passed away due to Covid over the 12 months, and whilst a vaccine is now being rolled out, lives are still being lost.

·         Several authorities are using blossom trees as a way to mark Covid and our shared experience of it, and to act as a memorial for all those whose lives have been affected.

This Council requests that:

·         The Leader of the Council finds a way for a suitable Blossom Tree Memorial to be created in one of the towns Country Parks. This will serve as a lasting reminder for the town and allow its residents to have a public space for reflection and contemplation now and in the future.”

The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

Councillor Nick Burns-Howell will move and Councillor Jenny Jefferies will second:

“This Council:

• Acknowledges the challenges Covid presents to Regeneration Schemes that involve retail, commercial, restaurants and leisure activities
• Recognises that the Corn Exchange is a key part of Swindon's heritage and it is a prominent building in Old Town and, 
• Reiterates its desire to see a viable, and deliverable, plan for the Corn Exchange in Old Town to come forward

Requests that

• Officers explore all options with the owner to see what would be required to guarantee a Regeneration scheme completed by 2025.
• Officers consider the options available, such as s215 enforcement if a scheme cannot be delivered by the owner to achieve building repairs and brought back into use.

Requests that:

• The Cabinet Member for Town Centre, Culture and Heritage, and Cabinet Member for Strategic Infrastructure, Transport and Planning, present a joint report to Cabinet in March 2021 setting out the findings and a way forward with clear actions to be implemented if a full planning application is not forthcoming by June.

• The Cabinet Member for Town Centre, Culture and Heritage and the Heritage Champion explores the potential for bringing together the heritage maintenance craft businesses, heritage bodies and the educational institutions to look at how they might create a Charitable Trust to focus on preserving traditional skills to maintain the fabric of historic buildings in Swindon.”

Councillor Nick Burns-Howell moved and Councillor Jenny Jefferies seconded:

This Council:

• Acknowledges the challenges Covid presents to Regeneration Schemes that involve retail, commercial, restaurants and leisure activities
• Recognises that the Corn Exchange is a key part of Swindon's heritage and it is a prominent building in Old Town and, 
• Reiterates its desire to see a viable, and deliverable, plan for the Corn Exchange in Old Town to come forward

Requests that

• Officers explore all options with the owner to see what would be required to guarantee a Regeneration scheme completed by 2025.
• Officers consider the options available, such as s215 enforcement if a scheme cannot be delivered by the owner to achieve building repairs and brought back into use.

Requests that:

• The Cabinet Member for Town Centre, Culture and Heritage, and Cabinet Member for Strategic Infrastructure, Transport and Planning, present a joint report to Cabinet in March 2021 setting out the findings and a way forward with clear actions to be implemented if a full planning application is not forthcoming by June.

• The Cabinet Member for Town Centre, Culture and Heritage and the Heritage Champion explores the potential for bringing together the heritage maintenance craft businesses, heritage bodies and the educational institutions to look at how they might create a Charitable Trust to focus on preserving traditional skills to maintain the fabric of historic buildings in Swindon.”

The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

Councillor David Renard proposed and Councillor Russell Holland seconded:

“That the  single use of an exemption from call-in for the Test and Trace Payment Cabinet Member Delegated decision on 19^th November 2020 be noted.”

The resolution was put to the vote and declared carried.

The Council considered (a) the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 2^nd December 2020, (b) questions to the Cabinet Members regarding their portfolio responsibilities and answers received, and (c) Cabinet Member Decision Notices.

The Council (a) received the minutes set out in the “Minutes of Other Council Bodies” circulated with the Agenda, and (b) considered questions to Chairs relating to the work of their Committees and other bodies and answers received.

The Chief Legal Officer reported that a Standing Order 15 Questions had been received from Councillors Jim Grant and Janine Howarth.

Councillor Jim Grant asked a supplemental question regarding the submission of required information by election candidates during the current pandemic lock-down.  The Leader of the Council indicated that a written response would be provided.

Councillor Janine Howarth asked a supplemental question the future of Cavendish Square.  The Leader of the Council responded at the meeting.