Agenda and minutes

          Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mark Dempsey,

Paul Dixon, Fionuala Foley, Teresa Page, Eric Shaw, David Wood and Julie Wright.

The Chief Executive reported that no communications had been received.

          Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 13^th July, 2017, 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. 

Councillors Alan Bishop, John Ballman, Stephanie Exell, Malcolm Davies, Nick Martin, Derique Montaut, Stan Pajak, Kevin Parry, Jim Robbins, Timothy Swinyard, Gary Sumner and Peter Watts made non-prejudicial and personal declarations of interest in respect of Agenda Item No. 7(c) (Motion – Development at Brook Cottage, Hay Lane, Swindon) in their capacity as Members of the Council’s Planning Committee. 

Councillor Jim Grant made non-prejudicial and personal declaration of interest in respect of Agenda Item No. 7(d) (Motion – Local Policing) on the grounds of his employment by the Wiltshire Police Authority.

Councillors Abdul Amin, Junab Ali and Caryl Sydney-Smith made non-prejudicial and personal declarations of interest in respect of Agenda Item No. 7(d) (Motion – Local Policing) as they were Council appointed representatives on the Wiltshire Police and Crime Panel.

Councillors Steve Allsopp, Junab Ali, Jane Milner-Barry, Stan Pajak, Chris Watts and Nadine Watts, made non-prejudicial and personal declarations of interest in respect of Agenda Item No. 8 (Request to change the name of Central Swindon South Parish Council) in their capacity as Central Swindon South Parish Councillors.

          Mrs Hannah Dosanjh asked a question regarding the Council’s support for Local Neighbourhood Plans and asking the Council to support Motion 7(a) set on the agenda papers.  The Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Sustainability responded at the meeting.

          Mrs Dosanjh asked a supplementary question regarding agenda Item 7(c) on the agenda papers. The Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Sustainability responded at the meeting.

          Mr Paul Sumners asked a question relating to the work and responsibilities of the Swindon Challenge Board.  The Leader of the Council responded at the meeting.

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

·       Minute 33 – (Draft Economic Strategy).

(2) To note a Minute from the Cabinet.

·       Minute 37 – (Kimmerfields: Central Business District).

(A copy of the Kimmerfields report has previously been circulated to all Members and a further copy is available from Committee and Member Services.)

          (1) Councillor Oliver Donachie moved and Councillor David Renard seconded that Minute 33 of the Cabinet (Draft Economic Strategy) be confirmed and adopted.

          The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

          (2) Councillor Garry Perkins moved and Councillor David Renard seconded that Minute 37 of the Cabinet (Kimmerfields: Central Business District) be noted.

          The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

Councillor Brian Ford will move and Councillor Cathy Martyn will second:

This Council notes the recent planning permissions granted on appeal that have overturned the decisions of local councils, parish and town councils and residents of those councils that have voted for neighbourhood plans.

Therefore, we request that the Government change the way the 3 and 5 year housing land supply is calculated. We believe that all planning permissions should be counted towards the 3 and 5-year land supply.

Council requests that the Leader writes to the Secretary of State to set out this request.

          Councillor Brian Ford moved and Councillor Cathy Martyn seconded:

“This Council notes the recent planning permissions granted on appeal that have overturned the decisions of local councils, parish and town councils and residents of those councils that have voted for neighbourhood plans.

Therefore, we request that the Government change the way the three and five year housing land supply is calculated. We believe that all planning permissions should be counted towards the three and five year land supply.

Council requests that the Leader writes to the Secretary of State to set out this request.”

          Councillor Jim Robbins moved and Councillor Des Moffatt seconded that the Motion be amended to read:

““This Council notes the recent planning permissions granted on appeal that have overturned the decisions of local councils, parish and town councils and residents of those councils that have voted for neighbourhood plans.

Therefore, we request that the Government change the way the three and five year housing land supply is calculated. We believe that all planning permissions should be counted towards the three and five year land supply.

This Council also notes recent criticism of house builders for failing to build homes on the land they have in order to drive up house prices, which has also led to insufficient homes being delivered in Swindon. Therefore Council requests the Government to introduce measures that will force large house builders to either build on the land they have or be prepared to lose that land.

Council requests that the Leader writes to the Secretary of State to set out these requests.”

          The amendment was put to the vote and declared lost.

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

Councillor Mary Martin will move:

“This Council notes

1.     The absence of some formal legal powers to take enforcement actions to raise the quality of life for residents in Swindon, powers that are available to the London Borough councils,

2.     The concerns raised by ward members on the nuisance caused to residents by obstructions on pavements and, particularly to those residents with pushchairs, mobility scooters or impaired vision, and

3.     The additional powers that London Borough councils enjoy to improve traffic flow by being able to levy fines for violating junctions,

This Council requests that the Leader of the Council writes to the two local Members of Parliament: Robert Buckland QC and Justin Tomlinson requesting that government introduce primary legislation to harmonise the powers available to unitary authorities at the widest range possible.”

With the agreement of the Council the mover and seconder were permitted to amend the wording of their Motion to be debated.

          Councillor Mary Marin moved and Councillor Matthew Courtliff seconded:

“This Council notes the concerns raised by Ward Members on the nuisance caused to residents by obstructions on pavements and, particularly to those residents with pushchairs, mobility scooters or impaired vision. 

Council requests that Cabinet Member for Communities and Place bring a report to Cabinet on how the Council can use the powers available to unitary authorities to tackle the obstruction of pavements in the areas where Ward Members think appropriate.”

          The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

Councillor Tim Swinyard will move and Councillor Mary Martin will second:

“This Council notes the grave concern of local residents with regard to the planning application to erect four dwellings on land at Brook Cottage, Hay Lane, Grange Park, which is within the Essential Setting of Lydiard Park.

This Council also notes its resolution of 22^nd September 2016, expressing grave concern for another proposed development that would have had an adverse impact on Lydiard Park (Council Minute 47, 2016/17 refers).

This Council requests that the Cabinet Member responsible for Lydiard write to the Planning Committee asking the Planning Committee to have regard to the grave concern of local residents as to the impact on Lydiard Park of the proposed development.”

          Councillor Tim Swinyard moved and Councillor Mary Martin seconded:

“This Council notes the grave concern of local residents with regard to the planning application to erect four dwellings on land at Brook Cottage, Hay Lane, Grange Park, which is within the Essential Setting of Lydiard Park.

This Council also notes its resolution of 22^nd September 2016, expressing grave concern for another proposed development that would have had an adverse impact on Lydiard Park (Council Minute 47, 2016/17 refers).

This Council requests that the Cabinet Member responsible for Lydiard write to the Planning Committee asking the Planning Committee to have regard to the grave concern of local residents as to the impact on Lydiard Park of the proposed development.”

          The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

(Councillors Alan Bishop, John Ballman, Stephanie Exell, Malcolm Davies, Nick Martin, Derique Montaut, Stan Pajak, Kevin Parry, Jim Robbins, Timothy Swinyard, Gary Sumner and Peter Watts made non-prejudicial and personal declarations of interest in respect of this item in their capacity as Members of the Council’s Planning Committee.)

(Councillors John Ballman, Stephanie Exell, Derique Montaut, Stan Pajak, Jim Robbins and Peter Watts left the room taking no part in the discussion of this item.)

Councillor Chris Watts will move and Councillor Derique Montaut will second:

“This Council:

-   Recognises the concerns many residents have raised regarding lack of police resources allocated to Swindon that has had a direct detrimental impact on the Police's ability to respond to crime in the Borough.

-   Note the impact the lack of resources has on the officers and support staff health     and well-being.

-   Notes that Wiltshire and Swindon has one of the lowest rates of police officers and constables per population in England and nationally there has been a reduction of 20,000 police officers.

-   Notes that the Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon has  called on the government to increase funding to the Wiltshire Police Authority.

-   Requests the Leader of the Council write to Swindon’s two MPs to urge them to work together in the best interests of our town to effectively lobby the government for more investment in policing.”

Councillor Chris Watts moved and Councillor Derique Montaut seconded:

“This Council:

-   Recognises the concerns many residents have raised regarding lack of police resources allocated to Swindon that has had a direct detrimental impact on the Police's ability to respond to crime in the Borough.

-   Note the impact the lack of resources has on the officers and support staff health     and well-being.

-   Notes that Wiltshire and Swindon has one of the lowest rates of police officers and constables per population in England and nationally there has been a reduction of 20,000 police officers.

-   Notes that the Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon has called on the government to increase funding to the Wiltshire Police Authority.

-   Requests the Leader of the Council write to Swindon’s two MPs to urge them to work together in the best interests of our town to effectively lobby the government for more investment in policing.”

          Councillor Russell Holland moved and Councillor Kevin Parry seconded that the Motion be amended to read:

"This Council recognises the concerns expressed by Councillors and residents in respect of recent incidents of crime in Swindon.

This Council requests that the Leader of the Council writes to the Police and Crime Commissioner in order to request that he provides an urgent response to these incidents and to ensure that Swindon receives its fair share of Policing"

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

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

(Councillor Jim Grant made non-prejudicial and personal declaration of interest in respect of this item on the grounds of his employment by the Wiltshire Police Authority.)

(Councillors Abdul Amin, Junab Ali and Caryl Sydney-Smith made non-prejudicial and personal declarations of interest in respect of this item as they were Council appointed representatives on the Wiltshire Police and Crime Panel.)

Councillor Stan Pajak will move and Councillor Dave Wood will second:

“This Council notes:

1.   Swindon like most towns and cities in this country has seen a shockingly high rise in the number of drug users.

2.   That deaths related to drug misuse in this country are at their highest levels since  records began.

3.   The recent successful court case where drug dealers in Swindon were convicted was accompanied by a statement by Wiltshire Police regarding how London gangs are travelling to our town to sell class A drugs bringing with them violence and blighting the lives of people living within the local communities.

4.   The dramatic rise in the highly dangerous disposal by users of needles and syringes in our public parks and open spaces exemplified by many recent cases

This Council believes amid our continuing efforts with our Health partners to reduce drug misuse we must ensure that members of the public remain safe when using our open spaces and ensure our council workers remain safe when they collect sharps associated with drug usage. It therefore request the Scrutiny Committee to consider setting up a task group to identify opportunities to reduce the incidence of drug related litter in Swindon.”

          Councillor Stan Pajak moved and Councillor Steve Allsopp seconded:

“This Council notes:

1.   Swindon like most towns and cities in this country has seen a shockingly high rise in the number of drug users.

2.   That deaths related to drug misuse in this country are at their highest levels since records began.

3.   The recent successful court case where drug dealers in Swindon were convicted was accompanied by a statement by Wiltshire Police regarding how London gangs are travelling to our town to sell class A drugs bringing with them violence and blighting the lives of people living within the local communities.

4.   The dramatic rise in the highly dangerous disposal by users of needles and syringes in our public parks and open spaces exemplified by many recent cases

This Council believes amid our continuing efforts with our Health partners to reduce drug misuse we must ensure that members of the public remain safe when using our open spaces and ensure our council workers remain safe when they collect sharps associated with drug usage. It therefore requests the Scrutiny Committee to consider setting up a task group to identify opportunities to reduce the incidence of drug related litter in Swindon.”

          The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

Councillor Emma Bushell will move and Councillor Stan Pajak will second:

“This Council: 

·       Recognises and thanks organisers of the Swindon Half Marathon held on September 3^rd for taking the initiative to bring back this event to Swindon and for organising a successful day enjoyed by participants and spectators.

• Recognises the charities and businesses who supported event and local residents who turned out to support the race.
  
  
• Recognises the importance of participation in sport and exercise to physical and mental health and the long-term savings to the public sector through higher participation rates; the role that events like this can play in this and the obligation of the council to support events that achieves these aims.
  
  
• Recognises the positive contribution an established event such as this can make to community spirit in the town and Swindon’s reputation.
  
  
• Asks the Mayor of Swindon to write to the organisers of the Swindon Half Marathon thanking them for their efforts to bring back this event.
  
  
• Thanks any residents who may have been inconvenienced by the event for their patience and
  
  
• Requests the Head of Highways and Transport to review the impact of the road closures with officers and event organisers.”

          Councillor Emma Bushell moved and Councillor Stan Pajak seconded:

“This Council: 

·       Recognises and thanks organisers of the Swindon Half Marathon held on September 3^rd for taking the initiative to bring back this event to Swindon and for organising a successful day enjoyed by participants and spectators.

• Recognises the charities and businesses who supported event and local residents who turned out to support the race.
  
  
• Recognises the importance of participation in sport and exercise to physical and mental health and the long-term savings to the public sector through higher participation rates; the role that events like this can play in this and the obligation of the council to support events that achieves these aims.
  
  
• Recognises the positive contribution an established event such as this can make to community spirit in the town and Swindon’s reputation.
  
  
• Asks the Mayor of Swindon to write to the organisers of the Swindon Half Marathon thanking them for their efforts to bring back this event.
  
  
• Thanks any residents who may have been inconvenienced by the event for their patience and
  
  
• Requests the Head of Highways and Transport to review the impact of the road closures with officers and event organisers.”

The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

Councillor Emma Bushell will move and Councillor Bob Wright will second:

“This Council:

·       Notes that statutory homelessness has dramatically increased in Swindon, with the number of households assessed as homeless and accommodated by SBC in some form increased by 78%; the number of homeless households with children or a pregnant woman increasing by 125%; and the number of children or expected children within homeless households increasing by 162%.
 

·       Is hugely concerned about the dramatic increase of statutory homelessness in Swindon and believes it should do all it can to reverse this trend.

Requests the Cabinet Member for Housing:

·       To bring a report to Cabinet on how the Council can increase the scale of the council house building it already has planned for Swindon.

·       To review the Council’s new allocations policy to ensure it isn’t a factor in increasing homelessness across the town.

·       Write to Swindon’s two MPs urging them to press the government to tackle the causes of increased homelessness including the widening gap between market rents and the local housing allowance and delays in the payment of Universal Credit which is leading to people falling into rent arrears and private sector landlords being reluctant to rent to those on benefits.”

          Councillor Emma Bushell moved and Councillor Bob Wright seconded:

“This Council:

·       Notes that statutory homelessness has dramatically increased in Swindon, with the number of households assessed as homeless and accommodated by Swindon Borough Council in some form increased by 78%; the number of homeless households with children or a pregnant woman increasing by 125%; and the number of children or expected children within homeless households increasing by 162%.

·       Is hugely concerned about the dramatic increase of statutory homelessness in Swindon and believes it should do all it can to reverse this trend.

Requests the Cabinet Member for Housing and Public Safety:

·       To bring a report to Cabinet on how the Council can increase the scale of the council house building it already has planned for Swindon.

·       To review the Council’s new allocations policy to ensure it isn’t a factor in increasing homelessness across the town.

·       Write to Swindon’s two Members of Parliament urging them to press the Government to tackle the causes of increased homelessness including the widening gap between market rents and the local housing allowance and delays in the payment of Universal Credit which is leading to people falling into rent arrears and private sector landlords being reluctant to rent to those on benefits.”

The Motion was put to the vote and declared lost.

To consider a request received from Central Swindon South Parish Council that it be permitted to change its name to South Swindon Parish Council.

          The Council considered a report of the Director of Law and Democratic Services setting out a request received from Central Swindon South Parish Council that it be permitted to change its name to South Swindon Parish Council.

          Councillor David Renard moved and Councillor Russell Holland seconded:

“That the request from the Central Swindon South Parish Council that it be permitted to change its name be refused.”

(Councillors Steve Allsopp, Junab Ali, Jane Milner-Barry, Stan Pajak, Chris Watts and Nadine Watts, made non-prejudicial and personal declarations of interest in respect of this item in their capacity as Central Swindon South Parish Councillors.)

To approve changes to the Council’s membership of Committees and Outside Bodies.

          Councillor David Renard moved and Councillor Russell Holland seconded:

“That Mr Michael Ash and Mr Adam Gatier be appointed as Directors of the Council’s Housing Holding Company.”

          The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

          The Council considered (a) the minutes of the meetings of the Cabinet held on 12^th July and 6^th September 2017, 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 and Paul Dixon.

          Councillor Steve Allsopp asked a supplementary question in relation to the communication with the public should there be delays in the collection of green waste.  The Cabinet Member for Communities and Place responded at the meeting.

          Councillor Steve Allsopp asked that all Councillors receive a copy of the response to his question regarding the Housing Revenue Account. The Cabinet Member for Housing and Public Safety responded at the meeting.