Agenda and minutes

          Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Jane Milner-Barry and Des Moffatt.

The Chief Executive reported that she had received a writ from the Government calling a General Election on 12^th December 2019.

          Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 19^th September 2019, 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.  The Worshipful The Mayor made a personal declaration of interest in respect of Agenda Item No. 8(b) in his capacity as a Chair of Nythe, Eldene and Liden Parish Council.

Mr Tom Butcher asked a public question regarding the provision of financial subsidies should the No. 20 bus service be reinstated.  The Leader of the Council indicated that a written response would be provided.

Mr Barrie Jennings requesting the reinstatement of the No.20 bus service and promotion of public transport. The Leader of the Council indicated that a written response would be provided.

Mr Davies regarding the likely adverse effect on residents of Oxford Road should the proposed improvement works to the Oxford Road/Nythe Road junction be undertaken. The Leader of the Council indicated that a written response would be provided.

To consider a Minute for Confirmation from the Cabinet:

·     Minute 40 (Polling Districts and Places Review)

          Councillor David Renard moved and Councillor Russell Holland seconded:

“That Minute 40of the Cabinet (Polling Districts and Places Review) be confirmed and adopted.”

          The resolution was put to the vote and declared carried.

          The Council considered a report of the Chief Legal Officer concerning the receipt of a petition containing 364 signatures calling on the Council “not to undertake the proposed changes to the junction of Nythe Road and Oxford Road”.

          In accordance with the Council’s Petition Scheme, Mr Ron Fox (on behalf of the Petition Organisers) introduced the petition the petition.

          Councillor Gary Sumner moved and Councillor Maureen Penny seconded:

“This Council:

·       Thanks for the petitioners for their petition.

This Council notes:

.

·       The NEV has been planned for a number of years and as a result of more realistic aspirations championed by local Conservative Councillors the quantum of developments has reduced - but not the need to deliver high quality infrastructure to make this a great place in which to live, but also to ensure that the effect on the existing residents is negligible.

·       That the original proposal was for 12,000 homes derived from the draft South West Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) which identified growth at the east of Swindon making the NEV will be one of the most sustainable developments in the country with new Conservative policies on EVCP and benefiting from our huge investment in renewable energy.

·       That journey times are reduced as all facilities are nearby and all ‘villages’ will be sustainable with walking and cycling routes, key facilities such as schools and shops within walking distance.

·       That every house will have an electric vehicle charging point and be designed to make the most of passive solar benefits such as orientation to retain heat and reduce running costs.

·       That for existing residents we have carefully calculated the likely pressures and have been supported by the Government with funding to deliver nearly all of the major highway infrastructure required - years ahead of the eventual need. Indeed the Council has been successful in securing £11.34m of funding for the upgrading of the A420 schemes, £28.2m for improvements to the White Hart roundabout and Southern Connector Road funding from HIF (£19million confirmation Friday) and DfT (£22.5m) confirmed on 30^th September.

·       This will lead to improved air quality issues, reduced congestion (which is a major cause of pollution) and ‘greener’ highways corridors incorporating tree planting and wild-flower verges.

·       That within two years residents will see a transformed White Hart Junction, Gablecross junction and the Southern Connector road will ensure that 1/3rd of the traffic generated will not touch the local highways network in Stratton St Margaret.

·       The new schemes will deliver a new entrance to Swindon from the East and a transformation in the daily lives of local residents at the same time as providing new homes and a large number of affordable homes, education and medical facilities. A comprehensive development showcasing the best design we can deliver for both homes and highways.

·       That consultation events with residents took place on a number of dates between July and October:

o   20 July 2019 at Grange Leisure Main Hall, Grange Drive, Swindon,

o   24 July 2019 at Coleview Community Centre, Towcester  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45.

Councillor Steve Allsopp will move:

“This Council recognises:

1)        The importance business taxation plays in supporting public services.

2)         That the tax system needs to be fair and equitable across the economy.

3)         That many small and medium sized businesses pay higher rates of net taxation   than our largest companies.

4)        The activity of the Fair Tax Campaign in seeking to encourage businesses in all sectors to develop tax strategies which are open, transparent and avoid aggressive tax avoidance.

This Council calls upon the Cabinet Member for Finance and Education to support the work of the Fair Tax Campaign and requests he brings a report to Cabinet outlining the feasibility of including the campaign’s underlying principles in the Council’s procurement processes.”

          Councillor Steve Allsopp moved and Councillor Kevin Small seconded:

“This Council recognises:

1)    The importance business taxation plays in supporting public services.

2)    That the tax system needs to be fair and equitable across the economy.

3)     That many small and medium sized businesses pay higher rates of net taxation   than our largest companies.

4)     The activity of the Fair Tax Campaign in seeking to encourage businesses in all sectors to develop tax strategies which are open, transparent and avoid aggressive tax avoidance.

          This Council calls upon the Cabinet Member for Finance and Education to support the work of the Fair Tax Campaign and requests he brings a report to Cabinet outlining the feasibility of including the campaign’s underlying principles in the Council’s procurement processes.”

          Councillor Oliver Donachie moved and Councillor Steve Allsopp seconded that the Motion be amended to read:

“This Council recognises:

The importance business taxation plays in supporting public services.

That the tax system needs to be fair and equitable across the economy.

Further notes:

•         That the Council has adopted the Government’s supplier selection and auditability questions for regulated procurement exercises which includes the right for the Authority to exclude a potential supplier where it can demonstrate that the potential supplier is in breach of its obligations relating to the non-payment of taxes.

•         That the Council has extensive guidance and procedures in relation to the tax implications of IR35 with specific regard to the engagement of consultants.

This Council Requests that:

•         The Cabinet Member for Finance and Education brings a report to Cabinet outlining the feasibility of including the Governments underlying principles on fair tax in the Council’s procurement processes.”

          The Amendment was put to the vote and declared carried becoming the Substantive Motion.

          The Substantive Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

Councillor Bazil Solomon will move and Councillor Steve Allsopp will second:

“This Council:

·       Notes the closure of the 20 Bus Service in 2015 as a result of subsidy cuts and that Stratton Parish council have looked in to part-funding a bus service along the old 20 bus route.

·       Recognises how passengers of the former 20 Bus service valued having a public transport service along stretches of the Borough without any other bus service nearby and in helping people get to the Great Western Hospital.

·       Supports the Leader of the Council’s view (expressed through the Local Government Association) that there is a need for local authorities to both protect bus services and to invest in subsidised routes.

·       Believes the Council should work with Parish Councils whose boundaries the 20 Bus went through to find a solution to reintroducing a bus services along the old 20 bus route.

Requests the Cabinet Member for Transport and the Environment set up a working party with representatives of all political groups and representatives of Parish Councils which the old 20 bus services went through to find a way to reintroduce such a service.”

          Councillor Bazil Solomon moved and Councillor Steve Allsopp seconded:

“This Council:

·     Notes the closure of the 20 Bus Service in 2015 as a result of subsidy cuts and that Stratton Parish council have looked in to part-funding a bus service along the old 20 bus route.

·     Recognises how passengers of the former 20 Bus service valued having a public transport service along stretches of the Borough without any other bus service nearby and in helping people get to the Great Western Hospital.

·     Supports the Leader of the Council’s view (expressed through the Local Government Association) that there is a need for local authorities to both protect bus services and to invest in subsidised routes.

·  Believes the Council should work with Parish Councils whose boundaries the 20 Bus went through to find a solution to reintroducing a bus services along the old 20 bus route.

·     Requests the Cabinet Member for Transport and the Environment set up a working party with representatives of all political groups and representatives of Parish Councils which the old 20 bus services went through to find a way to reintroduce such a service.”

          Councillor Dale Heenan moved and Councillor Steve Heyes seconded that the Motion be amended to read:

“This Council notes:

·       When the 400 bed Great Western Hospital was opened in 2003 to replace the larger 524 bed Princess Margaret Hospital, there was an agreement that the NHS would subsidise public transport for 10 years to pay for bus travel to the new site.

·       This funding was used by the Service 20 bus route to cover the annual losses from low passenger numbers.

·       The closure of the 20 Bus Service was taken by the bus company, as a result of the s106 funding from Great Western Hospital ending, and the service running at a £100,000 annual loss.

·       That local Councillors in Stratton & South Marston, and Covingham and Dorcan, along with Stratton Parish council, have for many years looked into all of the possible ways that a new Service 20 bus service could be restarted.

·       Recognises how passengers of the former 20 Bus service valued having a public transport service along stretches of the Borough without any other bus service nearby and in helping people get to the Great Western Hospital.

·       Supports the Leader of the Council’s view (expressed through the Local Government Association) that there is a need for local authorities to protect bus services.

·       Believes the Council should continue to work with Parish Councils whose boundaries the 20 Bus went through to try to find a solution to reintroducing a bus services along the old 20 bus route.

This Council Requests:

·       That the Cabinet Member for Transport and the Environment writes to the Swindon Bus Company to ask them to consider re-instating a sustainable route similar to the No 20 bus service at their next review.”

     At the request of the mover and seconder of the Amendment and with the agreement of the Council the Amendment was amended to read:

“This Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47.

          (1) Councillor David Renard moved and Councillor Russell Holland seconded:

“That Councillor Emma Faramarzi be replaced by Councillor Steve Heyes to serve on the Licensing Committee for the remainder of the Municipal Year 2019/20.”

          (2) Councillor Jim Grant moved and Councillor Steve Allsopp seconded:

“That Councillor Jane Milner-Barry be replaced by Councillor Carol Shelley to serve on the Licensing Committee for the remainder of the Municipal Year 2019/20.”

          (3) Councillor Jim Grant moved and Councillor Steve Allsopp seconded:

“That Councillor Jane Milner-Barry be replaced by Councillor Emma Bushell to serve on the Scrutiny Committee for the remainder of the Municipal Year 2019/20.”

          The resolutions were put to the vote and declared carried.

          The Council considered (a) the minutes of the meetings of the Cabinet held on 4^th September and 16^th October 2019, (b) questions to the Cabinet Members regarding their portfolio responsibilities and answers received, and (c) a Cabinet Member Decision Notice.

          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 Steve Allsopp and Emma Bushell.

          Councillor Steve Allsopp asked a supplemental question seeking clarification as to whether the Council could report its environmental data more widely.  The Leader of the Council responded at the meeting.

          Councillor Emma Bushell asked a supplemental question (a) asking that the written response to her question be forwarded to all Councillors, and (b) seeking clarification as to the monitoring of the Homebid scheme and its effectiveness.  The Cabinet Member for Housing and Public Safety indicated that a written response would be provided.