Agenda and minutes

          The Worshipful The Mayor invited all Councillors to join him at the Remembrance Ceremony to be held at 11:00 am at the Cenotaph on Friday 11^th November 2016.

          An apology for absence was received from Councillor David Wood.

The Chief Executive reported that no communications had been received.

          Resolved –That the minutes of the meeting held on 22^nd September 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.  Councillors Alan Bishop, Teresa Page, Maureen Penny Kevin Parry, Joe Tray, Gary Sumner and Tim Swinyard made personal declarations of interest in respect of Agenda Item No. 6(1) in their capacity as Parish Councillors.

          Mr Ian Jankinson submitted written questions regarding procedural issues in respect of the Council’s proposed creation of new parish councils within the Borough. The meeting was advised that the Cabinet Member for Communities had provided written responses to Mr Jankinson’s questions and that these had been circulated at the meeting.

          Mr Jankinson asked a supplementary question regarding the benefits to local residents used for amending existing parish council boundaries.  The Cabinet Member for Communities responded at the meeting.

          Mr Richard Hayden submitted written questions regarding the Council’s proposals for creating new Parish Councils within the Borough. The meeting was advised that the Cabinet Member for Communities had provided written responses to Mr Hayden’s questions and that these had been circulated at the meeting.

          Mr Hayden asked a supplementary question relating to the level of public support for the Council’s proposals to create new parish councils within the Borough. The Cabinet Member for Communities indicated that a written response would be provided to Mr Hayden’s question.

          Ms Linda Brown and Mr Damon Bower submitted written questions regarding public responses Community Governance Review undertaken by the Council and the amendment of existing parish council boundaries. The meeting was advised that the Cabinet Member for Communities had provided written responses to the questions submitted by Ms Brown and Mr Bower and that these had been circulated at the meeting.

          Mr Terry Reynolds submitted written questions regarding transitional payments to parish councils. The meeting was advised that the Cabinet Member for Communities had provided written responses to Mr Reynold’s questions and that these had been circulated at the meeting.

          Mr Brian Cockbill submitted written questions regarding police checks and training provided to staff and governors of Swindon schools.  The meeting was advised that the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services had provided written responses to Mr Cockbill’s questions and that these had been circulated at the meeting.

          Mr Cockbill asked a supplementary question regarding whether the checks and training referred to in his written questions took place prior to school’s receiving academy status.  The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services indicated that a written response would be provided to Mr Cockbill. 

          Mr Colin Doubleday asked public questions regarding the establishment of parish councils and the possibility of delaying the introduction of such new parish councils. The Leader of the Council responded at the meeting.

          Mr Doubleday asked a supplementary question regarding the financial risk of postponing changes to parish councils for a one year period. The Cabinet Member for Communities indicated that a written response to the question would be provided to Mr Doubleday.

          The Reverend Alison Boulton asked a question seeking clarification as to why West Witchel had been included within the boundary of Wroughton Parish Council. The Cabinet Member for Communities responded at the meeting.

          Ms Natasha Staniford asked a public question regarding the proposed boundary for Wroughton Parish Council within the Community Governance review. The Cabinet Member for Communities responded at the meeting.

          Mr Michael Townsend asked a question regarding the appointment  ...  view the full minutes text for item 60.

(1) To consider a Minute for Confirmation from the Cabinet.

·       Community Governance Review – to consider the attached report.

(2) To consider a Minute for Confirmation from the Schools Forum.

·       Minute 18 (Schools Forum Membership)

(3) To receive a Minute for Note from the Scrutiny Committee.

·       Minute 34 (Scrutiny Committee Annual Report 2015/16).

A copy of this report is available on the Council’s website http://sbcvpwmmgv02:9070/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=619&MId=7541&Ver=4   or from the Committee and Member Services.

          (1) The Council considered (a) a joint report of The Leader of the Council, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services, Cabinet Member for Streetsmart, Cabinet Member for Communities, Chief Executive, Corporate Director Resources and Director of Law and Democratic Services summarising the Community Governance Review the Council had undertaken and seeking support for amendments to existing Parishes and the creation of new parishes, (b) recommendations of the Cabinet set out as Appendix three to the report (Minute 58(5) and (6) refer), (c) supplementary papers setting out amendments to the joint report attached to the Council Agenda papers, and (d) issues raised by members of the public as part of public question time:

Councillor David Renard moved and Councillor Mary Martin seconded:

“(1) That Minute 58(5) and (6) of the Cabinet be noted.
(2) That the recommendations set out in Appendix three of the joint report and supplementary papers be adopted and given effect to in order to ensure that community governance within the Borough is effective and convenient, and reflective of the identities and interests of communities within the Borough.
(3) That it be noted that parishing the entire Borough would enable community empowerment at local level consistently throughout the Borough and extend localism to those parts of the Borough that do not currently have a local council and so do not have the full range of options for local service provision.
(4) That it be agreed that the final proposal map as set out in the supplementary papers be approved as the new boundaries of existing and new parishes with effect from the dates to be set out in the Order.
(5) That the Director of Law and Democratic services be authorised in consultation with the  Cabinet Member for Communities, to;
(i) Establish Shadow Councils for each of the proposed new parishes with a membership of at least 5 in number made up from the ward members in each area;
(ii) Determine, in consultation with the Shadow Parishes, the governance arrangements for each new parish; and
(iii) In accordance with the requirements set out in Section 96 of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, publish the Council’s decision in relation to these recommendations together with the reasons for making this decision, and to take such steps as he considers sufficient to secure that persons who may be interested in the Community Governance Review are informed of that decision.
(6) That the Head of Streetsmart be authorised to organise the Borough Council’s workforce in such a way as to facilitate any service transfer that may be agreed between the borough council and any new or existing parish or town council.
(7) That the Director of Law and Democratic Services be authorised to:

(a) prepare, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, a revised scheme and consequential Community Governance Reorganisation Order to include such provisions as he considers appropriate in relation to (inter alia) implementation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 61.

Councillor Toby Elliott will move:

“This Council notes:

1 The resolution of this Council of 20^th December 2012, agreed unanimously, calling for better connections between Swindon and Heathrow as this would benefit Swindon’s economy (Council Minute 84, 2012/13 refers).

2 The Conservative Government’s announcement to support the expansion of Heathrow with the provision of a third runway.

3 The vital importance of expanding Britain’s international airport capacity so that this country can take full advantage of its new global trading opportunities on leaving the EU.

This Council resolves to congratulate the Government on taking this difficult but necessary decision, which puts the needs of British people and the economy first.

This Council requests that the Cabinet Member for the Economy, Regeneration, and Skills report to Cabinet, when practicable, about how Swindon can take contribute to and take advantage of Heathrow’s expansion.”

          Councillor Toby Elliott moved and Councillor Garry Perkins seconded:

“This Council notes:

1. The resolution of this Council of 20^th December 2012, agreed unanimously, calling for better connections between Swindon and Heathrow as this would benefit Swindon’s economy (Council Minute 84, 2012/13 refers).

2. The Conservative Government’s announcement to support the expansion of Heathrow with the provision of a third runway.

3. The vital importance of expanding Britain’s international airport capacity so that this country can take full advantage of its new global trading opportunities on leaving the EU.

This Council resolves to congratulate the Government on taking this difficult but necessary decision, which puts the needs of British people and the economy first.

This Council requests that the Cabinet Member for the Economy, Regeneration, and Skills report to Cabinet, when practicable, about how Swindon can take contribute to and take advantage of Heathrow’s expansion.”

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

“This Council notes:

1. The resolution of this Council of 20^th December 2012, agreed unanimously, calling for better connections between Swindon and Heathrow as this would benefit Swindon’s economy (Council Minute 84, 2012/13 refers).

2. The Conservative Government’s announcement to support the expansion of Heathrow with the provision of a third runway.

3. The vital importance of expanding Britain’s international airport capacity so that this country can take full advantage of its new global trading opportunities on leaving the EU.

This Council requests that the Cabinet Member for the Economy, Regeneration, and Skills report to Cabinet, when practicable, about how Swindon can take contribute to and take advantage of Heathrow’s expansion.”

(In accordance with the Code of Conduct, Councillor Tim Swinyard made a personal declaration of interest as his employer is involved in the bidding process for work at Heathrow airport.)

(In accordance with the Code of Conduct, Councillor Toby Elliott made a personal and non-prejudicial declaration of interest as his employer is involved in work at Heathrow airport.)

Cllr Steve Allsopp will move:

“This Council welcomes the recent petition obtaining over 1100 signatories, calling on Swindon Council to include Parks Library as part of the Council’s future core library service.

This Council urges Cabinet to give significant weight to this petition when considering its future core library service.”

          With the agreement of the Council Mr Martin Wicks, lead petitioner on a 1100 signature petition calling on Swindon Council to include Parks Library as part of the Council’s future core library service was permitted to address the Council in respect of the petition.

Councillor Steve Allsopp moved and Councillor Fay Howard seconded:

“This Council welcomes the recent petition obtaining over 1100 signatories, calling on Swindon Council to include Parks Library as part of the Council’s future core library service.

This Council urges Cabinet to give significant weight to this petition when considering its future core library service.”

          Councillor Mary Martin moved and Councillor Russell Holland seconded that the Motion be amended to read:

“This Council welcomes the recent petition as part of the consultation on the draft Library Strategy, containing over 1100 signatures, calling on Swindon Borough Council to include Parks Library as part of the Council’s future library service and Council also welcomes all the submissions made by ward councillors and residents about all the Borough’s libraries as part of that consultation.

This Council requests that Cabinet give due weight to all the submissions received as part of the consultation in developing a strategy to secure a sustainable future for the library service it the Borough.”

          With the agreement of the Council the Motion was amended to read:

“This Council welcomes the recent petition as part of the consultation on the draft Library Strategy containing over 1100 signatures, calling on Swindon Borough Council to include Parks Library as part of the Council’s future core library service and Council also welcomes all the submissions made by ward councillors and residents about all the Borough’s libraries as part of that consultation.

This Council requests that the Cabinet give due weight to this and all submissions received as part of the consultation in developing a strategy to secure a sustainable future for the library service it the Borough.”

          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.

To consider appointments to Committees and Other Bodies.

          Councillor David Renard moved and Councillor Russell Holland seconded:

“That Councillor Steve Weisinger replace Councillor John Haines as a Conservative Group representative serving on the Council’s Scrutiny Committee.”

          The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

          The Council considered (a) the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 19^th October 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 Councillors Steve Allsopp, Fay Howard, Jim Robbins and Kevin Small.

Councillor Steve Allsopp asked a supplementary question regarding authorisation for the expenditure on refurbishing Council committee rooms.  The Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services responded at the meeting.

Councillor Fay Howard asked a supplementary question regarding timescales for the refurbishment of the Liden Centre.  The Cabinet Member for Communities responded at the meeting.

Councillor Jim Robbins asked a supplementary question regarding the number of families in Swindon affected by the universal benefits cap.  The Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services responded at the meeting.

Councillor Jim Robbins asked a supplementary question regarding specialist advice available in Swindon for young asylum seekers. The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services responded at the meeting.