Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Oladapo Ibitoye.

The Chief Executive reported that no communications had been received.

            Resolved – That, subject to amendment of Minute 70, the minutes of the meeting held on 21^st January, be confirmed and signed.

The Chair reminded Members of the need to declare any known interests in any matters to be considered at the meeting. 

Councillor Barbara Parry made a non prejudicial declaration of interest in respect of Agenda Item No. 10a (Motion – Young Carers) in her capacity as an employee of Kingsdown School and a Key Stage 4 Yong Carer monitor.

Ms Nicky Idden submitted a written question regarding the funding of electric buses within the Borough. The Leader of the Council tabled a written response.

Mr Jacek Zmarzlik submitted a written question regarding the roll-out of the food waste collection service within the Borough. The Cabinet Member for Highways, Maintenance and Waste tabled a written response.

Ms Glynis Hales submitted a written question regarding the establishment of wildlife corridors within the Borough. The Cabinet Member for Highways, Maintenance and Waste tabled a written response.

Mr Bradley Williams submitted a written question regarding the Council’s future strategy around cycle paths and when it would be published. The Cabinet Member for Highways, Maintenance and Waste tabled a written response.

Mr Bradley Williams submitted a written question regarding the Green Homes Grant. The Cabinet Member for Climate Change tabled a written response.

Mr Roy Worman submitted a written question regarding the establishment of a Community Interest Company. The Cabinet Member for Climate Change tabled a written response.

Mr Worman asked a supplemental question the type of Community Interest Company the Council might establish the costs involved. The Cabinet Member responded at the meeting.

To approve, following a recorded vote, the Council’s Budget for the Financial Year, 2021/22.

The Cabinet met on 3^rd February 2021 to consider the following reports relating to the Council’s Budget, 2021/22.
(i) Budget Management Update (February)/Draft Budget 2021/22.

(ii) Capital Programme 2025/26.

(iii) Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2021/22

Cabinet Minutes 44, 45 and 46 relating to these reports are attached (Pages 17 to 21).                             .

The Council considered joint reports of the Cabinet Member for Commercialisation, Education and Skills and  Corporate Director of Finance and Assets  considered by the Cabinet on 18^th February 2021 relating to (i) Budget Management Update (February)/Draft Budget, (ii) Capital Programme to 2025/26, (iii) Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2021/22, and (iv) Minute 44 of the Cabinet (Budget 2021/22 and Beyond), Minute 45 of the Cabinet (Capital Programme to 2025/26) and Minute 46 of the Cabinet (Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2021/22).

The Cabinet Member for Commercialisation, Education and Skills advised the Council of two technical changes to the minutes and report as set out below:

(a) Minute 44(c) be amended to read: “It be determined that the proposed increase in the basic amount of Council Tax for 2021/22 is not excessive in accordance with Schedule 5 of the Localism Act 2011 and therefore does not trigger the requirement for a referendum.”, and

(b) That in the Budget Management Update (February)/Draft Budget report to Cabinet Appendix 4 on page 48 of the agenda papers an heading under “Service Area – Adult, Housing & Public Health identifying £500,000 be amended to include the following description of funding “Demand Pressure - Learning Disability, increased number of older adults requiring social care services”.

The Council agreed that the proposed corrections be accepted as they corrected technical errors and had no impact on the budget itself and did not constitute an amendment.

Councillor Russell Holland moved and Councillor David Renard seconded that Minute 44(10)(a)(b)(c) of the Cabinet (Budget Management Update (February)/Draft Budget), as corrected, Minute 45(1) (Capital Programme to 2025/26) and Minute 46(1) (Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2021/22)  be confirmed and adopted.

Councillor Kevin Small moved and Councillor Jim Grant seconded:

That the wording in the resolution be deleted and replaced with the following:

“The Council agrees that:

1.    The 2021/22 Budget be set at £153.277m.

2.    The council tax be increased by 4.99%, comprising 1.99% for the basic amount of council tax and a specific adult social care precept of 3%.

3.    The Capital Financing Budget will increase by an additional £100k from the figure stated in the Budget Report and a further £100k be allocated for revenue support for the Oasis on the basis that the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Finance will bring a report to the July Cabinet on the early release of £200k of the 2022/23 Efficiency and Productivity Savings as listed in Table 1 of the Medium Term Financial Strategy and Efficiency Statement, which is included in the Budget Report at Appendix 6.

4.    The Medium Term Strategy be amended to reflect the fact that an additional £370k of revenue savings will be required in 2022/23 to support the Capital Programme.

5.    To note that the proposed amendment has been checked by the Section 151 Officer who has confirmed that this alternative budget for 2021/22 is financially deliverable, if agreed, and the Budget would be lawful.

6.    It be determined that the proposed increase  ...  view the full minutes text for item 83.

To enable Members, following a recorded vote, to formally resolve the Borough Council’s Council Tax for 2021/22.

The Council considered a joint report of the Cabinet Member for Commercialisation, Education and Skills and the Corporate Director of Finance and Assets, inviting members to formally resolve the Borough's Council Tax for 2021-22, recognising that Billing Authorities have a statutory requirement to set the annual Council Tax bills by 11th March.

Councillor Russell Holland moved and Councillor David Renard seconded and the Council agreed:

“(1) That it be recorded that the advice of the Chief Legal Officer (Monitoring Officer) has been taken into account in the setting of the level of Council Tax for 2021-22.

(2) That it be noted that the Council's revenue budget is £153,277,452 as recommended by the Cabinet to this Council on 3^rd February 2021.

(3) That it be recorded that the advice of the Corporate Director of Finance and Assets (Section 151 Officer) has been taken into account in the setting of the level of Council Tax for 2021-22.

(4) That it be noted that in accordance with Section 31B of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (as amended) the Council’s Tax Base for 2021-22 is 76,260.3 in total with the breakdown by Parish set out in Appendix 3 of the joint report.

(5) That the following amounts be calculated by the Council in accordance with Sections 31 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended by the Localism Act 2011:-

(a)       Borough / Parish Gross Expenditure £535,861,027 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(2) of the 1992 Act taking into account all precepts issued to it by Parish Councils.

(b)       Borough Gross Income plus Collection Fund Balance£412,880,365 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(3) of the Act.

(c)       Borough/Parish Net Expenditure £122,980,662 being the amount by which the aggregate at 4(a) above exceeds the aggregate at 4(b) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 31A(4)  of the Act, as its COUNCIL TAX REQUIREMENT for the year.

(d)       Basic Amount of Tax (including average parish precepts)£1,612.64 being the amount at 4(c) above divided by the amount at 3 above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 31B of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year.  In accordance with Schedule 5 of the Localism Act 2011, this sum is not considered to be excessive.

(e)       Special Items £9,234,612 being the aggregate of Parish Precepts and collectively known as special items and referred to in Section 34(1) of the Act.

(f)        Basic Amount of Tax⁽¹⁾ £1,491.55 being the amount at 4(d) above less the result given by dividing the amount at 4(e) above by the amount at 3, calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 34(2) of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which no special item relates. 

(g)  ...  view the full minutes text for item 84.

To approve the Council’s Housing Revenue Account Budget for the Municipal Year 2021/22.

The Cabinet met on 3^rd February 2021 to consider the attached report on the Housing Revenue Account – Rents and Charges 2021/22.

Cabinet Minute 47 relating to this report is attached (Pages 147 to 148).

The Council considered (a) a joint report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Public Safety and the Corporate Director, Communities and Housing, concerning the proposed Housing Revenue Account – Rents and Charges 2020/21, and (b) Minute 47 of the Cabinet (Housing Revenue Account – Rents and Charges 2021/22).

Councillor Cathy Martyn moved and Councillor David Renard seconded:

“That Council approves that:

(1) That the proposed average social rent for Housing Revenue Account (HRA) dwellings for 2021/22 of £82.55 per week (52 week basis), which is an increase of 1.5%, be approved. This will be an average increase of £1.22 per week (on a 52 week basis). The range of increases are shown in paragraph 3.7 of the joint report.
(2) That the Director of Housing be authorised to seek authority from the Secretary of State to extend permission to provide a budget of £200,000 within the HRA for payments to Council’s tenants under the Discretionary Housing Payments scheme in 2021/22 as detailed at paragraphs 3.22 of the joint report.
(3) That the housing related support charges for 2021/22 and service charges for 2021/22 as outlined in Appendix 2 be approved.
(4) That the leaseholder service charges are set for 2021/22 as shown in Appendix 3 of the joint report be approved.
(5) That based on the proposals within this report, the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) proposed budget 2021/22, shown in Appendix 4, be approved and that the HRA Capital Budget and Funding as shown in Appendix 5 of the joint report be approved.
(6) That the draft 5 year capital projects and planned maintenance programme be approved at an indicative funding level of £16.0m (2020/21 prices) for 2021/22 Appendix 5 of the joint report.

(7) That the revision to the budget for the two bungalow schemes in the New

Development Programme of £800,000 included in Appendix 5 pf the report reflecting additional costs associated with the Council’s commitment to delivering low carbon energy efficient homes be approved.
(8) That the Director of Housing be authorised to undertake a new acquisition programme and approve the acquisition programme budget of £8m for 2021/22 in accordance with paragraph 3.18 of the joint report, to include the purchase of 1-4 bedroom properties to help meet priority housing needs arising from homelessness and clients supported by Adult Social Care.
(9) That rents charged on General Fund properties be increased in line with the Government’s Direction on the Rent Standard 2019 also applied to Housing Revenue Account rents. This allows for rent increases of up to the CPI for the September of the preceding financial year, plus 1%. Increases for 2020/21 will therefore be capped at 1.5%.

(10) That service charges for General Fund properties for 2021/22, as shown in Appendix 7 of the joint report be approved.
(11) That the charges for Private Sector Leased (PSL) accommodation for those accepted as homeless once published by the Government and as set out in Appendix 6 of the joint report be approved.
(12) That any underspend  ...  view the full minutes text for item 85.

To approve the Council’s Pay Policy Statement 2021/22.

The attached report on the Council’s Pay Policy Statement 2021/22 was considered by the Cabinet on 3^rd February 2021.

Cabinet Minute 48 relating to this report is attached. (Pages 171 to 172)

The Council considered (a) a joint report of the Cabinet Member for Organisational Excellence and the Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development, on the requirement, under Section 38 of the Localism Act 2011, for the Council to agree and publish a Pay Policy Statement by 1^st April each year, and setting out the Council’s proposed Pay Policy Statement for consideration, (b) Minute 48 of the Cabinet (Pay Policy Statement), and (c) the Council’s draft Pay Policy Statement.

Councillor Robert Jandy moved and Councillor Russell Holland seconded:

“That the Council’s Pay Policy Statement for 2021/22, as set out in Appendix 1 of the joint report be approved and adopted.”

The resolution was put to the vote and declared carried.

Councillor Barbara Parry will move:

There is a relatively strong body of evidence on the adverse impact of caring on health outcomes - including mental health, social activity, educational engagement and employment opportunities for Young Carers. OFSTED inspections no longer directly recognise Young Carers and hence, they are not afforded the protection and financial support that other disadvantaged young people are. Young Carers are considerably disadvantaged and whilst some fall into the Pupil Premium category by coincidence, many do not due to the ongoing difficulties with identifying them. They can often find themselves struggling to meet homework deadlines due to their commitments in the home, miss out on opportunities and experiences to aid personal development, and develop cultural capital.  This includes extra-curricular activities, which also support academic attainment.  As many of these activities take place outside of school hours, many Young Carers will not attend these sessions due to commitments at home.

This Council believes:

?       By using a small proportion of the Pupil Premium to support young carers, schools can mitigate some of the inequalities and barriers that young carers face, raise student aspirations, attainment and improve the life chances for this significant and vulnerable group.

?       All Young Carers should be put under the Pupil Premium umbrella in order to provide them with the necessary protection and support. 

?       All Young Carers should receive dispensation from consequences when their Young Carer role prevents them from meeting homework deadlines and alternative arrangements should be made to support them and their learning.

?       The system for identifying Young Carers should be reviewed with a view to making improvements to ensure they are all able to receive the support they require.

This Council:

?       Is committed to doing all it can to champion Young Carers and to raise their aspirations and as such will work with schools and other relevant partners, including the Government, to make necessary improvements and to periodically review, reflect and implement any further improvements.

This Council requests that:

?       The Leader writes to the Secretary of State for Education, the Rt Hon Gavin Williamson MP, and the Minister of State for Schools, the Rt Hon Nick Gibb MP, recognising the enormous contribution that young carers make. The letter should further request:

o   That a system be put in place to ensure that all Young Carers are included in the Pupil Premium or that a separate fund similar to that of the Pupil Premium be implemented for young carers. 

o   That OFSTED inspections must once again include support for and outcomes of Young Carers

?       The Cabinet Members for Children’s Services and Education & Skills, in consultation with the Young Carers themselves, work with their officers to raise further awareness in all Swindon Schools of the role of Young Carers and to encourage all Swindon schools to achieve the Young Carer Award and rightly champion these young people.  Thereby creating a strong culture of pride in Young Carers themselves and providing their peers with a sense of pride and admiration towards them.

At the request of the mover of the Motion and with the agreement of the Council the motion was amended to read:

Councillor Barbara Parry moved and Councillor Carol Shelley seconded:

“There is a relatively strong body of evidence on the adverse impact of caring on health outcomes - including mental health, social activity, educational engagement and employment opportunities for Young Carers. OFSTED inspections no longer directly recognise Young Carers and hence, they are not afforded the protection and financial support that other disadvantaged young people are. Young Carers are considerably disadvantaged and whilst some fall into the Pupil Premium category by coincidence, many do not due to the ongoing difficulties with identifying them. They can often find themselves struggling to meet homework deadlines due to their commitments in the home, miss out on opportunities and experiences to aid personal development, and develop cultural capital.  This includes extra-curricular activities, which also support academic attainment.  As many of these activities take place outside of school hours, many Young Carers will not attend these sessions due to commitments at home.

This Council believes:

?       By using a small proportion of the Pupil Premium to support young carers, schools can mitigate some of the inequalities and barriers that young carers face, raise student aspirations, attainment and improve the life chances for this significant and vulnerable group.

?       All Young Carers should be put under the Pupil Premium umbrella in order to provide them with the necessary protection and support. 

?       All Young Carers should receive dispensation from consequences when their Young Carer role prevents them from meeting homework deadlines and alternative arrangements should be made to support them and their learning.

?       The system for identifying Young Carers should be reviewed with a view to making improvements to ensure they are all able to receive the support they require.

?       All young carers will be offered a “School Nurse Health Assessment” to offer a holistic assessment of physical, emotional or social need.

This Council:

?       Is committed to doing all it can to champion Young Carers and to raise their aspirations and as such will work with schools and other relevant partners, including the Government, to make necessary improvements and to periodically review, reflect and implement any further improvements.

This Council requests that:

?       The Leader writes to the Secretary of State for Education, the Rt Hon Gavin Williamson MP, and the Minister of State for Schools, the Rt Hon Nick Gibb MP, recognising the enormous contribution that young carers make. The letter should further request:

o   That a system be put in place to ensure that all Young Carers are included in the Pupil Premium or that a separate fund similar to that of the Pupil Premium be implemented for young carers. 

o   That OFSTED inspections must once again include support for and outcomes of Young Carers

?       The Cabinet Members for Children’s Services and Education & Skills, in consultation with the Young Carers themselves, work with their officers to raise further awareness in all Swindon Schools of the role  ...  view the full minutes text for item 87.

Councillor Matthew Courtliff will move:

This Council:

·         Recognises that heating residential and commercial property is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions in the U.K.

·         Retrofitting a property to meet the highest standards of energy efficiency generates around 10% of the emissions of a new build

?This council pledges:

·         To support and initially finance the setting up of a CIC to perform residential and commercial energy efficiency audits in Swindon.

·         To encourage the training and creation of retrofitting jobs in the Swindon community to support this initiative.

This Council Requests:

·         The Cabinet Member for Climate Change works with both residents, action groups and the business community to investigate the setting up of a Community Interest Company in Swindon to carry out Energy Audits on residential and business properties and works with colleagues and officers to look at the potential for ‘Seed Funding’ this important work.

At the request of the mover of the Motion and with the agreement of the Council the motion was amended to read:

Councillor Matthew Courtliff moved and Councillor Jane Milner-Barry seconded:

“This Council:

• Recognises that heating residential and commercial property is one of the    largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions in the U.K.
• Retrofitting a property to meet the highest standards of energy efficiency generates around 10% of the emissions of a new build
- Nationally fuel poverty is a continuing problem
- Government policy is that all homes should achieve an EPC rating of C or above

This Council pledges:

• To support the setting up of a CIC to promote energy efficiency and respond to fuel poverty in Swindon
- This will be achieved by (but not exclusively) performing energy efficiency audits
- providing advice, education, training and installation services
- recruiting and training volunteers to meet the level of need

• In addition we pledge to encourage the training and creation of retrofitting jobs in the Swindon community to support this initiative.

This Council Requests:

• The Cabinet Member for Climate Change works with residents, businesses and community groups to investigate the setting up of an Energy Efficiency Community Interest Company in Swindon.”

The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

The Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive submitted a joint report setting out the status of actions requested by the Council and to allow the Leader of the Council to report on the reasons why any actions have not been completed within 90 days.

Resolved – (1) That the record of actions completed as set out in paragraph 1 of the joint report be noted.

(2) That the outstanding action, set out within paragraph 3.2 of the report, and the reason for its incompletion be noted.

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

Councillor Bob Wright asked a supplemental question regarding the recording of local Covid-19 data. The Cabinet Member for Adults and Health responded at the meeting.