Agenda and minutes

          Apologies for absence were received from Councillors John Ballman, Paul Dixon, Fay Howard, Barbara Parry, Kevin Parry, Keith Williams and Julie Wright.

          In accordance with Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Chair determined that an additional item “Fixed Penalty Notice Enforcement Policy (Cabinet Minute 27)” be considered as a matter of urgency in order to avoid an unnecessary delay in the introduction the Policy. (Minute 31(3) refers.)

The Board Director, Service Delivery reported that no communications had been received.

To receive the minutes of the previous meeting held on 15^th June 2016.

          Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 15^th June 2016, be confirmed and signed.

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

In accordance with the Code of Conduct Councillor, Jim Robbins made personal declaration of interests in respect of Agenda Item 8 (b) (Motion – European Referendum) as he worked for a Member of the European Parliament.

          Ms Alison Durrant submitted written questions regarding the future provision of Council run library services at Highworth Library.  The meeting was advised that the Cabinet Member for Communities had provided a written response to Ms Durrant’s questions and that this had been circulated at the meeting.

          Ms Durrant asked a supplementary question regarding the future provision of a Council library service in Highworth in its existing location. The Cabinet Member for Communities responded at the meeting.

          Ms Helen James submitted written questions regarding the future provision of a professionally staffed library service within the Borough and in particular at Highworth. The meeting was advised that the Cabinet Member for Communities had provided a written response to Ms Durrant’s questions and that this had been circulated at the meeting.

          Ms Helen James asked a supplementary question regarding the future hours of professional staffing at Highworth library. The Cabinet Member for Communities responded at the meeting.

          Mr Tony Hillier submitted written questions regarding governance issues relating to Council meetings.  The meeting was advised that the Leader of the Council had provided a written response to Mr Hillier’s questions and that this had been circulated at the meeting.

          Mr Tony Hillier asked a public question regarding public participation and the use of volunteers to run libraries. The Cabinet Member for Communities responded at the meeting.

          Mr Edward Glennie submitted written questions relating to the running costs of the Council’s library service and the use of library services. The Cabinet Member for Communities indicated that a written response would be provided to Mr Glennie’s questions.

          Mr Ian James asked a question regarding consultations with Highworth Co-operative store regarding the future provision of library services at its current location. The Cabinet Member for Communities responded at the meeting.

          Mr Ian James asked a supplementary question on the same topic. The Cabinet Member for Communities responded at the meeting.

To consider Minutes fro Confirmation from the Cabinet.

·       Minute 6 (Councillors’ Allowances 2017/18 – Recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel)

·       Minute 15 (Swindon Local Transport Plan – Implementation Plan 2016/17)

          (1) Councillor David Renard moved and Councillor Jim Grant seconded that Minute 6 of the Cabinet (Councillors Allowances 2017/18 – Recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel) be confirmed and adopted.

          The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

          (2) Councillor Dale Heenan moved and Councillor David Renard seconded that Minute 15 of the Cabinet (Swindon Local Transport Plan – Implementation Plan 2016/17) be confirmed and adopted.

Councillor Matthew Courtliff moved and Councillor James Robbins seconded that the Motion be amended to read:

“This Council resolves:

·     To amend the Cabinet’s Local Transport Plan proposals, as agreed at the 16^th June Cabinet Meeting, by reallocating the £200,000 that had been allocated for Queen Elizabeth Drive and Commercial Road to the minor road maintenance programme.
 

·     To use the additional £200,000 funding to bring forward minor road maintenance schemes previously earmarked for 2018/19 to 2017/18. Those schemes brought forward will be based on Highways Officers professional opinion of those roads in highest need.”

The amendment was put to the vote and declared lost.

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

          (3) Councillor Oliver Donachie moved and Councillor David Renard second that Minute 27 of the Cabinet (Fixed Penalty Notice Enforcement Policy) be confirmed and adopted.

          The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

The Council considered a report of the Director of Law and Democratic Services concerning the receipt of a petition containing 2,735 signatures calling on Swindon Borough Council to save Highworth Library.

In accordance with the Council’s Petitions Scheme Mr Paul Newton-Smith, on behalf of the petitioners, introduced the petition.

Councillor Mary Martin moved and Councillor David Renard seconded:

“This Council welcomes the decision by Cabinet last night (13th July 2016) to recommend a strategy in which the Highworth, West, North, and Central libraries are not only retained as part of a core network but also the Council is looking to invest in technology to increase access to resources.

This Council notes the work by the ward councillors: Alan Bishop, Maureen Penny, and Steve Weisinger to secure this outcome and to honour their public commitments to the residents of Highworth.

This Council calls on parishes, schools, colleges and other community groups to work with the Council to see what additional access to libraries can be provided outside this core, especially where innovative suggestions mean that residents may have enhanced opportunities from local services.”

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

“This Council:

Notes the petition calling for Swindon Council to save Highworth Library that has obtained 2,735 signatures.

Resolves to urge Cabinet to reconsider their Libraries strategy and use the Labour Group budget amendment moved at the February Full Council Meeting to reinstate funding for all of Swindon’s libraries that was cut in the Council 2016/17 budget.”

          The Amendment was put to the vote and declared lost.

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

Councillor David Renard will moved and Councillor Jim Grant will second:

“This Council

Notes that Members and residents are proud to live in a diverse and tolerant British society. Racism, xenophobia and hate crimes have no place in our Borough or country and this Council publically condemns any such attacks. 

Condemns racism, xenophobia and hate crimes unequivocally and will not allow hate to become acceptable. 

Resolves to continue to work to ensure local bodies and programmes have support and resources needed to fight and prevent racism and xenophobia.

Reassures all people living and working in the Borough that they are valued members of our community.

This Council requests that the Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness and the Cabinet Member for Communities bring a report to Cabinet as soon as practicable to outline the steps that show our Boroughs zero tolerance approach to anyone that would incite racial hatred”.

          Councillor David Renard moved and Councillor Jim Grant seconded the following motion and Councillor Stan Pajak his group’s support for the motion:

“This Council

Notes that Members and residents are proud to live in a diverse and tolerant British society. Racism, xenophobia and hate crimes have no place in our Borough or country and this Council publically condemns any such attacks. 

Condemns racism, xenophobia and hate crimes unequivocally and will not allow hate to become acceptable. 

Resolves to continue to work to ensure local bodies and programmes have support and resources needed to fight and prevent racism and xenophobia.

Reassures all people living and working in the Borough that they are valued members of our community.

This Council requests that the Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness and the Cabinet Member for Communities bring a report to Cabinet as soon as practicable to outline the steps that show our Boroughs zero tolerance approach to anyone that would incite racial hatred”.

          The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

A formal division was requested in accordance with Standing Order 14(2).

          Members voting for the motion were Councillors Junab Ali, Steve Allsopp, Abdul Amin, Ray Ballman, Alan Bishop, Emma Bushell, Matthew Courtliff, Wayne Crabbe, Malcolm Davies, Mark Dempsey, Oliver Donachie, Toby Elliott, Claire Ellis, Stephanie Exell, Emma Faramrzi, Fionuala Foley, Brian Ford, Mary Friend, Jim Grant, John Haines, Dale Heenan, Russell Holland, Colin Lovell, Mary Martin, Nick Martin, Cathy Martyn, Gemma McCracken, Jane Milner-Barry, Des Moffatt, Derique Montaut, Teresa Page, Stan Pajak, Maureen Penny, Garry Perkins, David Renard, Jim Robbins, Eric Shaw, Carol Shelley, Kevin Small, Gary Sumner, Tim Swinyard, Caryl Sydney-Smith, Vera Tomlinson, Joe Tray, Chris Watts, Nadine Watts, Peter Watts, Steve Weisinger, David Wood and Robert Wright.

          There were no votes against the Motion or abstentions recorded.

Councillor Steve Allsopp will move:

“This Council notes the result of the recent national European Union referendum.

This Council:

Requests the Economy and Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Committee to instigate a review of local business opinion on what would be in Swindon’s best interests in relation to trade and jobs from Britain's terms of exit from the European Union and submit a report on the findings of the review to the Cabinet.

Requests the Cabinet Member for Economic Development to ask Swindon’s two MPs to lobby the government for the terms of Britain’s exit from the European Union that is in the best interest of trade and jobs in Swindon.”

          Councillor Steve Allsopp moved and Councillor Oliver Donachie seconded:

“This Council notes the result of the recent national European Union referendum.

This Council:

Requests the Economy and Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Committee to instigate a review of local business opinion on what would be in Swindon’s best interests in relation to trade and jobs from Britain's terms of exit from the European Union and submit a report on the findings of the review to the Cabinet.

Requests the Cabinet Member for the Economy, Regeneration and Skills to ask Swindon’s two MPs to lobby the government for the terms of Britain’s exit from the European Union that is in the best interest of trade and jobs in Swindon.”

          The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

          In accordance with the Code of Conduct Councillor james Robbins made a personal declaration of interest in respect of this item as he worked for a Member of the European Parliament.

The Minute of the Cabinet relating to this report will be circulated under separate cover.

Councillor Toby Elliott moved and Councillor Brian Ford seconded:

“That the Wroughton Neighbourhood Plan be adopted formally as part of the statutory Development Plan for the Borough.”

          The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

          The Council considered (a) the minutes of the meetings of the Cabinet held on 20^th April and 16^th June 2016, and (b) questions to the Cabinet Members regarding their portfolio responsibilities and answers received.

          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 Director of Law and Democratic Services reported that Standing Order 15 questions had been received from Councillor Steve Allsopp.

Councillor Steve Allsopp asked a supplementary question regarding the timescales for work at Burghley Close, Walcot, Swindon.  The Leader of the Council responded at the meeting.

Councillor Steve Allsopp asked a supplementary question regarding access to the consultant’s report on Upham Road.  The Cabinet Member for Sustainability, Highways and Transport responded at the meeting.