Agenda and minutes

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

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 5^th June 2019.

Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 5^th June 2019 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Gerry Hannon, Swindon Cycling Campaign, asked a question relating to the inclusion of existing cycling strategies and plans in the Swindon Borough Local Plan Review Consultation (Minute 19).

The Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and the Leader of the Council responded at the meeting.

Councillor Russell Holland, the Cabinet Member for Finance, Education, and Skills, and the Head of Finance (Deputy Section 151 Officer) (on behalf of the Director of Finance), submitted a joint report presenting the 2019/20 revenue budget forecast out-turn.

Councillor Holland drew Members’ attention in particular to the challenges in delivering a balanced budget over the year as well as to the funding issues that would be addressed in the future report on the DSG. In response to a question from Councillor Heenan, he clarified that the figure for overspend was a projection for the end of the financial year if no mitigating actions were taken.

Resolved:

1)   That the 2019/20 revenue budget forecast out-turn for each service area set out in Table 1 and Appendix 1 be noted;

2)   That it be noted that the Corporate Management Team will develop plans to mitigate the current forecast overspend;

3)   That the Head of Education be requested to provide an update to Cabinet, by October 2019, on the steps being taken to manage the DSG High Needs Budget in consultation with the Schools Forum.

4)   That the virements set out in Appendix 2 be approved; and

5)   That the changes to the capital programme as set out in section 4 be approved.

The reasons for the decision and alternative options are as set out in the report to the meeting.

Councillor Russell Holland, the Cabinet Member for Finance, Education, and Skills and the Head of Education introduced a joint report setting out the proposed Education Transport Policy for 2020/2021.

Councillor Holland confirmed in a response to Councillor Sumner that the designated areas referred to in the online appendix 2 had not changed.

Resolved:

1)   That the Education Transport Policy 2020-21 be approved.

2)   That the Designated Transport Areas for 2020-21 be approved.

The reasons for the decision and alternative options are as set out in the report to the meeting.

Councillor Maureen Penny, the Cabinet Member for Transport and the Environment and the Head of Planning, Regulatory Services and Heritage (on behalf of the Corporate Director of Communities and Housing) introduced a joint report summarising the responses to the consultation and seeking approval to amend the parking charges at Bristol Street car park as set out in the consultation.

Councillor Bob Wright asked questions about how the proposals might not increase the car park’s usage, to which the Cabinet Member responded at the meeting.

Councillors Oliver Donachie and Dale Heenan spoke in favour of the report emphasising the consultation comments and that councillors’ observations have indicated that the carpark is used for long stays. Therefore, policy should be fair and consistent, that the proposals were competitive both with other local facilities and when compared with a similar car park in Bristol.

Resolved:

1)   That the objections received in respect of the advertised Public Notice (dated 1 March 2019) to add Bristol Street Car Park as a town centre, long stay, pay on foot car park, subject to the same tariff as other town centre, long stay car parks be noted.  (In addition, that the copy of the advertised Public Notice is included as Appendix A to the main report and a copy of the summary of objections included as Appendix B also be noted).

2)   That the Corporate Director of Communities and Housing be authorised to implement the Order as advertised subject to amending the tariff on Sundays to provide free parking in line with other town centre long stay car parks.

3)   That the Corporate Director of Communities and Housing be authorised to notify the objectors of the Cabinet decision on this matter.

The reasons for the decision and alternative options are as set out in the report to the meeting.

Councillor Gary Sumner, the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, and the Head of Planning, Regulatory Services and Heritage, introduced a joint report setting out a proposal to commence a consultation on the preferred and ‘emerging’ options of the Swindon Borough Local Plan Review.

Councillor Sumner, with the meeting’s consent, tabled two amendments.

1) To add the following words to the end of recommendation 2.1: “with the following additional text being inserted into Appendix 2: “New Policy LA7

Setting Protection to Coate Water The area between Coate Water and Badbury Park housing development, as indicated on the current Policies Map will be protected from development to preserve the setting to Coate Water Country Park, and the function of Day House Lane as a green corridor will be safeguarded”.

2)        To amend the Cabinet Member title in Recommendation 2.2 to read “Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning.” then to agree the recommendations

Councillor Sumner noted the significant local interest generated in the possible use of some public open space for housing, the views of the Ward Members for Chiseldon and Lawn, as well as Council resolution requesting that Cabinet consider a land transfer to the Parish Council. He stated that the Council would consider transfers of land not required for other purposes to Parish Councils at the conclusion of the Local Plan

Councillors Jayne Milner-Barry and Bob Wright asked questions relating to:

·        how the consultation draft policies addressed climate change and sustainability,

·        how the Council is enforcing current policies along with how it would enforce those being be proposed,

·        the increasing number of housing developments in the town centre, and

·        how schools, healthcare, and other infrastructure could be provided.

Councillors Gary Sumner and Dale Heenan responded at the meeting. The Leader of the Council encouraged Councillor Wright to make a formal submission of his points as part of the consultation.

Resolved (Minute for Confirmation):

1)   That Cabinet recommends to Council that:

a.    The Head of Planning, Regulatory Services, and Heritage to be authorised to undertake public consultation on the preferred and ‘emerging’ options of the Swindon Borough Local Plan Review as attached at Appendix 1 and 2 and in accordance with the arrangements set out in paragraph 3.45.to 3.48 with the following additional text being inserted into Appendix 2: “New Policy LA7

Setting Protection to Coate Water The area between Coate Water and Badbury Park housing development, as indicated on the current Policies Map will be protected from development to preserve the setting to Coate Water Country Park, and the function of Day House Lane as a green corridor will be safeguarded”.

b.    The Head of Planning, Regulatory Services, and Heritage, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and the Chief Legal Officer, be authorised to make minor non-material changes to the content of the documents if required, prior to publication.

The reasons for the decision and alternative options are as set out in the report to the meeting.

Councillor Maureen Penny, the Cabinet Member for Transport and the Environment and the Service Manager – Transport Planning, Development & Street Works Management introduced a joint report setting out proposals to commence a public consultation to inform the emerging town centre movement strategy.   

Councillor Penny set out the aims for the Town Centre Movement Strategy, which would be informed by the consultation that this report was seeking to commence.  Councillor Penny thanked officers for their work on this Strategy.

Councillors Jim Robbins and Bob Wright asked questions concerning:

·        The impact of the rising town centre population,

·        The need to accommodate additional passenger numbers seeking to access the station from south of railway,

·        The effects of previous changes to traffic movement in the town centre, and

·        The scope of the study not covering Rodbourne.

Councillor Penny and the Service Manager – Transport Planning, Development & Street Works Management responded at the meeting.

Councillors Brian Ford and Dale Heenan spoke in favour of the proposals and emphasised how the strategy was developed on a cross party basis, would need to address projected increases in all vehicle numbers as well as how it would provide better linkages for the cycle network through the town centre.

Resolved:

1)   That it be agreed that an 8 week public consultation exercise, seeking the opinions of a range of stakeholders on the draft Movement Strategy be commenced and that document proposed as the subject of consultation be the text attached at Appendix 1.

2)   That the Service Manager – Transport Planning, Development & Street Works Management be authorised to make any minor or typographical and/or graphical changes as may be necessary prior to publication.

The reasons for the decision and alternative options are as set out in the report to the meeting.

Councillor Gary Sumner, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Councillor Maureen Penny, Cabinet Member for Transport and the Environment, and the Head of Planning, Regulatory Services and Heritage (on behalf of the Corporate Director of Communities and Housing) introduced a joint report setting out proposals for strategic transport schemes to support the New Eastern Villages development. 

Councillor Sumner elaborated on how the proposed schemes would benefit existing residents as well as facilitate the New Eastern Villages developments.

Councillors Dale Heenan, Jim Robbins and Bob Wright asked a number of questions relating to:

·        The possible level of borrowing and the revenue impact this would bring,

·        The level of risk the Council would have to bear,

·        The provision of landscape features to protect residents from the effects of building work or increased traffic,

·        The provision of rapid transit or other public transport corridors.

Councillors Sumner and Holland, supported by the Head of Finance (Deputy Section 151 Officer) along with the Strategic Allocations Planning Manager and New Eastern Villages Programme Lead, responded at the meeting. Councillor Sumner agreed to provide a written update on Landscaping between Coleview and Merlin Way to Cllr Heenan.

Resolved:

1)   That the Director for Communities and Housing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Cabinet Member for Transport and the Environment, be authorised to progress the detailed design and construction for White Hart Junction, Gablecross Junction, Nythe Road Junction, Piccadilly Roundabout and the Southern Connector Road schemes, subject to confirmation of grant funding, as detailed in Section 3 of the joint report;

2)   That the Head of Property Assets, in consultation with the Director for Communities and Housing and the Chief Legal Officer, be authorised to undertake the necessary land assembly through voluntary and/or Compulsory Purchase of land necessary for the delivery of the White Hart Junction and Gablecross Junction improvement schemes as detailed in paragraphs 3.3 to 3.16 of the joint report;

3)   That the budgets detailed at paragraphs 3.31 and 3.32 of the joint report be approved.

The reasons for the decision and alternative options are as set out in the report to the meeting.