Agenda and minutes

          The Council held a minutes silence in memory of Councillor Des Moffatt who had recently passed away after serving as a Councillor for 28 years on Swindon Borough Council and its predecessor.

          Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Steph Exell, Kevin Parry, Andy Spry and Vera Tomlinson.

The Chief Executive reported that no communications had been received.

To receive the minutes of the Council meetings held on 7^th and 21^st November 2019.

          Resolved – That the minutes of the meetings held on 7^th and 21^st November 2019, be confirmed and signed.

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

Mr Bill Janson asked a public question regarding the Council’s response to Climate Change through the Local Plan.  The Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning responded at the meeting.

Mr Janson asked a supplemental question reading the Local Plan consultation. The Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning responded at the meeting.

Mr Julian Ross submitted written questions relating to (i) the work of the Council’s Climate Change Working Group, (ii) the use of eco-friendly mass transport systems, and (c) the future use of the current Honda site.  The Cabinet Member for Corporate Services indicated that a written response would be provided, and responded at the meeting.

Mr Julian Ross asked a supplemental questions relating to joining the Council’s Climate Change Working Group. The Cabinet Member for Corporate Services responded at the meeting and indicated he would be willing to meet Mr Ross outside of the Council meeting.

Mr John Ranford tabled written questions regarding climate change. The Cabinet Member for Corporate Services indicated that a written response would be provided.

Mrs Joy Corridon asked a public question relating to the local use of electricity produced by solar farms built by Public Power Solutions and the provision of electric vehicle charging points by the Council. The Cabinet Members for Economy and Place and Cabinet Member for Corporate Services responded at the meeting.

Mr Mitchell asked a public question regarding carbon emissions produced within the Borough. The Cabinet Member for Corporate Services responded at the meeting.

Mr Mitchell asked a supplemental question asking for a new carbon emissions survey for the Borough. The Cabinet Member for Corporate Services responded at the meeting.

The Council received a public questions asking if the Council and Councillors accepted the climate change science as being accurate and real. The Cabinet Member for Corporate Services responded at the meeting.

To consider a Minute for Confirmation from the Cabinet:

·       Minute 55 (Adult Community Learning Plan 2019-21)

Councillor Russell Holland moved and Councillor David Renard seconded that Minute 55 of the Cabinet (Adult Community Learning) be confirmed.

The resolution was put to the vote and declared carried.

Councillor Roger Smith will move and Councillor Vinay Manro will second:

“This Council notes:

·       Swindon Borough Council is proud of its efforts to tackle discrimination in all its forms, we celebrate our diverse community and we condemn racism and antisemitism wherever it is found.

·       That the annual figures for 2018 showed the highest number of anti-Semitic incidents on record, and reflected the Home Office official statistics from October 2019 which show that 18% of religiously motivated hatred is targeted at Jewish people – up from 12% in 2018 – and that, per capita, Jewish people were most likely to report experiencing hatred.

·       That eradicating antisemitism is not a task for the Government alone, and all Local Authorities have been written to by the Secretary of State, asking them to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism.

·       That Semite people include Arabs, Akkadians, Canaanites, Hebrews, some Ethiopians and Aramaean tribes.

Further notes:

·       As part of the Council’s ongoing equalities work we are committed to joining with the Government in signing up to the internationally recognised International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) guidelines on antisemitism which defines antisemitism as:-

‘Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred towards Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed towards Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, towards Jewish Community institutions and religious facilities.’

Manifestations might include the targeting of the state of Israel, conceived as a Jewish collectivity. However, criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other country cannot be regarded as anti-Semitic. Antisemitism frequently charges Jews with conspiring to harm humanity, and it is often used to blame Jews for “why things go wrong.” It is expressed in speech, writing, visual forms and action, and employs sinister stereotypes and negative character traits:

o   Calling for, aiding, or justifying the killing or harming of Jews in the name of a radical ideology or an extremist view of religion.

o   Making mendacious, dehumanizing, demonizing, or stereotypical allegations about Jews as such or the power of Jews as collective — such as, especially but not exclusively, the myth about a world Jewish conspiracy or of Jews controlling the media, economy, government or other societal institutions.

o   Accusing Jews as a people of being responsible for real or imagined wrongdoing committed by a single Jewish person or group, or even for acts committed by non-Jews.

o   Denying the fact, scope, mechanisms (e.g. gas chambers) or intentionality of the genocide of the Jewish people at the hands of National Socialist Germany and its supporters and accomplices during World War II (the Holocaust).

o   Accusing the Jews as a people, or Israel as a state, of inventing or exaggerating the Holocaust.

o   Accusing Jewish citizens of being more loyal to Israel, or to the alleged priorities of Jews worldwide, than to the interests of their own nations.

o   Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a  ...  view the full agenda text for item 65.

Councillor Roger Smith moved and Councillor Vinay Manro seconded:

“This Council notes:

·       Swindon Borough Council is proud of its efforts to tackle discrimination in all its forms, we celebrate our diverse community and we condemn racism and antisemitism wherever it is found.

·       That the annual figures for 2018 showed the highest number of anti-Semitic incidents on record, and reflected the Home Office official statistics from October 2019 which show that 18% of religiously motivated hatred is targeted at Jewish people – up from 12% in 2018 – and that, per capita, Jewish people were most likely to report experiencing hatred;

·       That eradicating antisemitism is not a task for the Government alone, and all Local Authorities have been written to by the Secretary of State, asking them to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism.

·       That Semite people include Arabs, Akkadians, Canaanites, Hebrews, some Ethiopians and Aramaean tribes.

Further notes:

·       As part of the Council’s ongoing equalities work we are committed to joining with the Government in signing up to the internationally recognised International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) guidelines on antisemitism which defines antisemitism as:-

‘Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred towards Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed towards Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, towards Jewish Community institutions and religious facilities.’

Manifestations might include the targeting of the state of Israel, conceived as a Jewish collectivity. However, criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other country cannot be regarded as anti-Semitic. Antisemitism frequently charges Jews with conspiring to harm humanity, and it is often used to blame Jews for “why things go wrong.” It is expressed in speech, writing, visual forms and action, and employs sinister stereotypes and negative character traits:

o  Calling for, aiding, or justifying the killing or harming of Jews in the name of a radical ideology or an extremist view of religion.

o  Making mendacious, dehumanizing, demonizing, or stereotypical allegations about Jews as such or the power of Jews as collective — such as, especially but not exclusively, the myth about a world Jewish conspiracy or of Jews controlling the media, economy, government or other societal institutions.

o  Accusing Jews as a people of being responsible for real or imagined wrongdoing committed by a single Jewish person or group, or even for acts committed by non-Jews.

o  Denying the fact, scope, mechanisms (e.g. gas chambers) or intentionality of the genocide of the Jewish people at the hands of National Socialist Germany and its supporters and accomplices during World War II (the Holocaust).

o  Accusing the Jews as a people, or Israel as a state, of inventing or exaggerating the Holocaust.

o  Accusing Jewish citizens of being more loyal to Israel, or to the alleged priorities of Jews worldwide, than to the interests of their own nations.

o  Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 65.

Councillor Jane Milner-Barry will move:

“This Council congratulates the Leader of the Council on his recent comments in which he commits the Council to a carbon neural Swindon by 2030.

In light of these comments we call upon this council to formally adopt the policy of a carbon neutral Swindon by 2030 and further requests that the Leader commissions a report to determine how this aspiration can be achieved.”

          Councillor Jane Milner-Barry moved and Councillor Stan Pajak seconded:

“This Council congratulates the leader of the council on his recent comments in which he commits the council to a carbon neural Swindon by 2030.

In light of these comments we call upon this council to formally adopt the policy of a carbon neutral Swindon by 2030 and further requests that the leader commissions a report to determine how this aspiration can be achieved.”

          The Motion was put to the vote and declared lost.

Councillor Gary Sumner will move:

“Council Notes that:

·       A cross-party Motion was passed in January 2019

·       Climate change is an urgent issue and we are already taking a leading role by challenging ourselves and others to take steps towards becoming carbon neutral through the Councils Climate Change Working Group and its five Steering Groups:

o   Policy and Lobbying

o   Transport

o   Environment, Air Quality and Farming

o   Education, Engagement and Communication

o   Buildings, Economy Industry and Planning

·       By taking a lead in the climate movement the Council can create something of a domino effect of climate action among local businesses, residents and policymakers alike.

Requests that the Leader of the Council:

·       Commits the Council to an 80 per cent reduction in the council`s corporate carbon emissions no later than 2030, striving towards 100 per cent with carbon offsetting by the same date, with the aim of making the council’s estate and activities net-zero carbon by 2030.

·       Ensures that all strategic decisions, budgets and approaches to planning decisions are in line with a shift to zero carbon by that date.

·       Ensures that the council supports and works with other agencies towards making Swindon zero carbon within the same timescale.

·       Ensures that political and chief officer leadership teams embed this work in all service areas.

·       Asks the Council’s Scrutiny Committees to consider the impact of climate change and the environment when reviewing policies and strategies.”

          Councillor Gary Sumner moved and Councillor Nick Burns-Howell seconded:

“Council Notes that:

·       A cross-party Motion was passed in January 2019

·       Climate change is an urgent issue and we are already taking a leading role by challenging ourselves and others to take steps towards becoming carbon neutral through the Councils Climate Change Working Group and its five Steering Groups:

o   Policy and Lobbying

o   Transport

o   Environment, Air Quality and Farming

o   Education, Engagement and Communication

o   Buildings, Economy Industry and Planning

·       By taking a lead in the climate movement the Council can create something of a domino effect of climate action among local businesses, residents and policymakers alike.

Requests that the Leader of the Council:

·       Commits the Council to an 80 per cent reduction in the council`s corporate carbon emissions no later than 2030, striving towards 100 per cent with carbon offsetting by the same date, with the aim of making the council’s estate and activities net-zero carbon by 2030.

·       Ensures that all strategic decisions, budgets and approaches to planning decisions are in line with a shift to zero carbon by that date.

·       Ensures that the council supports and works with other agencies towards making Swindon zero carbon within the same timescale.

·       Ensures that political and chief officer leadership teams embed this work in all service areas.

·       Asks the Council’s Scrutiny Committees to consider the impact of climate change and the environment when reviewing policies and strategies.”

Councillor Jane Milner-Barry moved and Councillor Mark Dempsey seconded that the Motion be amended to read:

“This Council notes that:

·       Climate change is the biggest threat to our planet.  Swindon Borough Council endorses the Local Government Association’s declaration of Climate Emergency made on 2 July 2019.

·       Achieving a zero carbon Swindon will be a huge undertaking.  It will require Swindon Borough Council to engage with every organisation and individual in the borough, and to co-operate with and learn from other Local Authorities.   It will not be achievable unless additional powers and resources are made available to local authorities by Central Government.

This Council requests that the Leader of the Council:

·       Formally adopts the Cross Party Working Group’s aim of a zero carbon Swindon by 2030, and commissions an initial report to determine how this can be achieved, to be presented to Cabinet within six months.

·       As a matter of urgency, defines the mandate, governance, terms of reference and reporting timetable of the Cross Party Climate Change Group and its five subgroups (Policy and Lobbying; Transport; Environment, Air Quality and Farming; Education, Engagement and Communication;  Buildings, Economy, Industry and Planning) to enable them to make an effective contribution to the achievement of SBC’s aim of a zero carbon Borough.

·       Commits the Council to making its own estate and activities net zero carbon by 2025. By taking a lead, the Council will create a domino effect of climate action among local organisations. 

·       Tasks a Corporate Director with managing the transition to a zero carbon Swindon by 2030 and ensures that political and chief officer leadership  ...  view the full minutes text for item 67.

Councillor Jim Grant will move and Councillor Claire Crilly will second:

“This Council notes:

·       the benefits that trees can have on a local area in air quality, and their role in helping mitigate climate change;

·       that the Great Western Community Forest was founded in 1994 with a target of 30% tree cover across the GWCF area which includes the whole Swindon borough area, but that  today tree cover in the borough has only reached around 8% to 10%; and

·       that Policy DM29 of the draft Local Plan states that "Development shall contribute towards the aims and objectives of the Great Western Community Forest."

This Council believes it is time to set a date by which the 30% target will be reached.

This Council will therefore add to Policy DM29 a commitment to planting trees on 30% of the Borough area by 2030 and requests its Climate Change Working Party to report on how the Council could work with the Borough’s Parish Councils to realise this commitment.”

With the agreement of the Council the published Motion was withdrawn and Councillor Jim Grant moved and Councillor Gary Sumner seconded:

“This Council notes:

• The benefits that trees can have on a local area in air quality, and their role in helping mitigate climate change;
• That the Great Western Community Forest (GWCF) was founded in 1994 with a target of 30% tree cover across the GWCF area which includes the whole Swindon borough area, when Swindon’s average baseline tree cover was 3%

• That, since the start of GWCF, tree cover has tripled to the national average of 10% for England.
• That Policy DM29 of the draft Local Plan states that "Development shall contribute towards the aims and objectives of the Great Western Community Forest."

This Council requests that:

• The Chief Executive formalises as a Pledge, the  GWCF headline aspiration to achieve 30% tree cover by 2030
• The Climate Change Working Group to report on how the Council could work with the Borough’s Parish Councils, schools, businesses and residents, and to continue working with organisations such as the Woodland Trust and Wiltshire Wildlife Trust  to realise the commitment to achieve the 30% target.”

The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

Councillor Matthew Courtliff will move and Councillor Russell Holland will second:

“This Council notes that:

• The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise by the nation ensuring that those who serve or who have served in the armed forces and their families are treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy and society they serve with their lives. The Covenant does not intend to replace current work by public service providers, charities and individuals, but rather formalise a commitment and build on existing sources of support.
• The Armed Forces Covenant has mitigated disadvantage arising from Service for our armed forces and their families since its introduction.
• There is a national commitment from Government to further incorporate the Armed Forces Covenant in law.

This Council recognises:

• The selflessness and bravery that members of the Armed Forces display in service of our country and thanks them for their sacrifice
• That a career in the armed forces is unique and that our Service personnel and their families can face disadvantages due to the unique nature of their service and that they deserve the highest levels of care and support.

·       That the Head of Housing and his team has renewed the existing Armed Forces Covenant, which has duly passed scrutiny at the Communities and Place Overview and Scrutiny committee.

 This Council Resolves to:

·       Thank the Head of Housing and his team for their commitment and work in updating the Swindon Borough Council Armed Forces Covenant.

·       Ask the Leader of the Council to commit once again to upholding the principles of the covenant and to work with the Armed Forces Champion and continue to mitigate disadvantage wherever it is found within the Armed Forces community.

·       Ask the Leader of the Council to work closely with leaders within the Armed Forces to build on the success of the Swindon Borough Council Armed Forces Covenant and strengthen the bond between our town and the armed forces community.”

          Councillor Matthew Courtliff moved and Councillor Russell Holland seconded:

“This Council notes that:

• The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise by the nation ensuring that those who serve or who have served in the armed forces and their families are treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy and society they serve with their lives. The Covenant does not intend to replace current work by public service providers, charities and individuals, but rather formalise a commitment and build on existing sources of support.
• The Armed Forces Covenant has mitigated disadvantage arising from Service for our armed forces and their families since its introduction.
• There is a national commitment from Government to further incorporate the Armed Forces Covenant in law.

This Council recognises:

• The selflessness and bravery that members of the Armed Forces display in service of our country and thanks them for their sacrifice
• That a career in the armed forces is unique and that our Service personnel and their families can face disadvantages due to the unique nature of their service and that they deserve the highest levels of care and support.

·       That the Head of Housing and his team has renewed the existing Armed Forces Covenant, which has duly passed scrutiny at the Communities and Place Overview and Scrutiny committee.

 This Council Resolves to:

·       Thank the Head of Housing and his team for their commitment and work in updating the Swindon Borough Council Armed Forces Covenant.

·       Ask the Leader of the Council to commit once again to upholding the principles of the covenant and to work with the Armed Forces Champion and continue to mitigate disadvantage wherever it is found within the Armed Forces community.

·       Ask the Leader of the Council to work closely with leaders within the Armed Forces to build on the success of the Swindon Borough Council Armed Forces Covenant and strengthen the bond between our town and the armed forces community.”

The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

          Councillor Jim Grant moved and Councillor Steve Allsopp seconded that the following changes be made to the Labour Group’s representation on Committees and Other Bodies for the remainder of the Municipal Year 2019/20:

Councillor Bob Wright replaces Councillor Des Moffatt on the Appointments Committee.

Councillor Steve Allsopp replaces Councillor Des Moffatt on the Audit Committee.

Councillor Jim Grant replaces Councillor Des Moffatt on the Resources and Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Jim Robbins replace Councillor Des Moffatt on the Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Bob Wright replaces Councillor Des Moffatt on the Welfare Advisory Group.

Councillor Mark Dempsey replaces Councillor Des Moffatt on the Averies Task Group of the Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Abdul Amin replaces Councillor Bazil Solomon on the Children’s Health, Social Care and Education Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Steve Allsopp replaces Councillor Bazil Solomon on the Communities and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Carol Shelley replaces Councillor Bazil Solomon on the Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education.”

          The resolution was put to the vote and declared carried.

Councillor David Renard moved and Councillor Russell Holland seconded:

“(1) That that the Indicative Timetable of Meetings for 2020/21 as set out in Appendix 1 be approved for formal adoption by Annual Council, with the provisions that:

(2) In accordance with current practice, Annual Council will be asked to authorise the Interim Director of Law, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to vary the dates for meetings of the Council, the Cabinet, Committees and Other Swindon Borough Council bodies should this prove necessary for the efficient discharge of Council business.”

          The resolution was put to the vote and declared carried.

          The Council considered (a) the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 4^th December 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 Nick Burns-Howell, Jim Grant, Steve Heyes, Vinay Manro and Bob Wright.

          Councillor Nick Burns-Howell asked a supplemental question regarding the future options for the development of the Corn Exchange and potential enforcement actions if required.  The Cabinet for the Town Centre responded at the meeting.

          Councillor Jim Grant asked a supplemental question seeking clarification as to reasons for the increase in the number of child protection investigations between 2010/11 and the current Municipal Year.  The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services responded at the meeting.

          Councillor Jim Grant asked a supplemental question seeking clarification as to the number of houses built by the Swindon Housing Company to date.  The Cabinet Member for Finance indicated that a written response would be provided.

          Councillor Steve Heyes asked a supplemental question regarding Council enforcement of animal health regulations at Greyhound races.  The Cabinet Member for Housing and Public Safety responded at the meeting.

          Councillor Vinay Manro asked a supplemental question regarding consultees on any new policy in respect of flying drones within the Borough.  The Cabinet Member for Economy and Place responded at the meeting.

          Councillor Bob Wright asked a supplemental question seeking clarification as to why the Council could not find additional space for additional taxi ranks and disabled parking in the town centre.  The Leader of the Council responded at the meeting

          Councillor Bob Wright asked a supplemental question regarding the use of planning powers to regenerate deprived areas of the town.  The Leader of the Council responded at the meeting.

          Councillor Bob Wright asked a supplemental question why the Council could not find additional space for additional taxi ranks and disabled parking in the town centre.  The Leader of the Council responded at the meeting.