Agenda and minutes

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

Councillor Brian Mattock made a personal declaration in respect of Cabinet’s consideration of agenda item no. 5 (“SEQOL contract”) in that his daughter is a social worker employed by SEQOL.

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 9^th December 2015.

Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 9^th December, 2015, be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Reverend Linda Fletcher, Priest-in-charge, St. John’s, Walcot, asked a question regarding the level and nature of the consultation undertaken by the Council in relation to its proposed changes to children’s centre provision and the report’s summary of that consultation.

The Chair thanked Reverend Fletcher for her question and advised that a written answer had been provided and circulated at the meeting. Councillor Fionuala Foley, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services provided additional information in response to Reverend Fletcher’s question at the meeting.

Reverend Fletcher took the opportunity of Public Question Time to present to Cabinet a petition of 576 signatures requesting that the Council keep children’s centres open. The petition was handed to the Council’s Petitions Officer.

Ms Shirley Burnham, a resident of Arundel Close, Swindon, asked questions regarding the Council’s intention to achieve a reduction in its libraries budget and its engagement process for the development of a Libraries strategy.

The Chair thanked Ms Burnham for her questions and advised that a written answer had been provided and circulated at the meeting. Councillor Garry Perkins responded to supplementary questions put by Ms Burnham at the meeting on the same, general, topic and on her understanding of additional funding that had been made available to local authorities by Central Government.

Mr Tim French, a local resident, asked questions regarding (i) problems with the entry doors at the Central Library, and (ii) the future of the Liden library. The Chair thanked Mr French for his questions, both of which were answered by Councillor Perkins at the meeting. 

Ms Talis Kimberley Fairbourne, a local resident, asked a question regarding the future of the Wroughton library and a supplementary question regarding libraries as a source of community access to computer facilities and the internet and for the provision of a wide range of other community benefits. The Chair thanked Mr French for his questions, both of which were answered by Councillor Perkins at the meeting.

Councillor Brian Mattock, the Cabinet Member for Adult Health and Social Care, and the Interim Director of Adult Social Services (DASS) submitted a joint report reviewing the existing community health and social care model in Swindon, currently provided by SEQOL, in the light of national and local policies.

Councillor Mattock introduced the report, explaining that the SEQOL contract was due to end in March 2016 and that it was necessary to consider the future options for Swindon Borough Council and the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), successor of the Primary Care Trust, in managing future demand for adult social care and achieving financial balance. It was noted that the changes were also required in order to support reducing the demand for specialist adult social care services whilst also contributing to the Council Budget 2016/17 savings and beyond.

Councillor Mattock advised that the CCG had considered a report on the issue of future service provision and had subsequently issued the requisite 12 months’ notice to SEQOL of its intention to terminate the contract. It was noted that the CCG would be considering a further report, in March, referencing NHS England’s Five Year Forward View, on its proposals for a new care model for the commissioning of provider services across the acute and community health services sectors. Councillor Mattock added that both the Council and the CGG recognised the necessity for a shift in service provision from expenditure on acute services to support for preventative services and independent living and also the opportunity the proposed change in service commissioning arrangements presented for the pooling of Council and CGG health care budgets to facilitate the integration of health and social care to significantly improve the health, wellbeing and care of Swindon residents.

Following his introduction of the report, Councillor Mattock responded to questions put by Councillors Jim Grant (JG) and Stan Pajak (SP) on the following issues:

·        The success of the commissioning arrangement with SEQOL in resolving the challenge of the integration of health and social care services. (JG)

·        The possibility that health and social care services brought “in-house” might be de-centralised at some future time. (JG)

·        The potential redundancy costs associated with the revised service commissioning proposals. (JG)

·        SEQOL’s sponsorship of the Swindon Half-Marathon and the implications of the proposal for the future staging of that event. (SP)

Resolved – (1) That the approach set out in the report, to give notice to SEQOL on the contract to deliver community health and social care services and make significant savings for Swindon Borough Council through reduction in management, cost of services and control over Older People’s care packages of £1m, be endorsed and that it be noted that this would also assist in managing demand for older people’s care packages, which is currently predicting an overspend of £1.7m in 2015/16.

(2) That, with regard to (1) above, the Director of Law and Democratic Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Health and Social Care and the Interim Director of Adult Services, be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57.

Councillor Garry Perkins, the Cabinet Member for the Economy, Regeneration and Skills, and the Board Director Resources, submitted a joint report that (i) provided an update on progress towards achieving a sustainable future for Lydiard House and Park, within the medium-term financial context set out in the report to Cabinet on 9th December 2015, (ii) responded to Cabinet’s request to develop a draft service strategy for libraries that would achieve a reduction in the budget for that service of at least £1.5m by 2020, this in the context of a review of community-based assets and services across the Borough, and (iii) proposed the transfer of Richard Jefferies Museum to the Richard Jefferies Museum Trust and the Railway Cottage to the New Mechanics Institution Preservation Trust Limited.

Councillor Perkins introduced the report, expanding on the principles behind the proposals, to secure a sustainable future for Swindon’s cultural assets, its libraries and its community services, and placed the report’s recommendations in the context the of medium-term financial position set out in the report to Cabinet on 9^th December 2015 (Cabinet Minute 45(3), 2015/16 refers), which authorised further work in a range of areas that would help ensure a financially sustainable position by 2020. In particular, and regarding the objective of finding an acceptable, sustainable future for Lydiard House and Park, within the Council’s ownership, while reducing the annual cost to the Council Tax Payer, Councillor Perkins drew the meeting’s attention to the following elements to be considered integral to any successful bid for the future operation of the House and Park, that it should:

·        Secure a sustainable future for Lydiard House and Park within the Council‘s ownership that does not rely on an on-going Council subsidy.

·        Safeguard the historical importance of the Lydiard House Museum and its collections and the Walled Garden and ensure they remain accessible to the general public.

·        Protect the historic landscape and structures within the Park, which were restored as part of the £5.1m Heritage Lottery Fund Project, and reflect the long-term plans for Lydiard Park submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund in 2005.

·        Allow the continuation of public access to the park and grounds.

·        Address the on-going maintenance and repair of the House and Park.

Following his introduction of the report, Councillor Perkins, with Councillor Russell Holland, Cabinet Member for Finance, People and Performance, responded to questions put by Councillors Jim Robbins (JR) and Stan Pajak (SP) on the following matters:

·        The “reverse premium” proposed to be offered to any preferred bidder for the future operation of Lydiard House and Park to address current backlog maintenance issues and the options open to the bidder with regard to the application of that resource. (JR)

·        The Government’s announcement of the availability of “transitional funding” for local authorities, amounts that might available for use in Swindon, and the allocation of any such funding. (JR)

·        The implications of introducing car parking charges at Lydiard Park and the Council’s other country parks. (SP)

·        The proposed models of delivery for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58.

Councillor Russell Holland, Cabinet Member for Finance, People and Performance, and the Council’s Board Director, Resources, submitted a joint report proposing a Budget for 2016-17. It was noted that, in accordance with the Council’s Constitution, the Cabinet was required to recommend a budget and level of Special Expenses to Council as part of its formal Council Tax Setting responsibilities.

The report specifically addressed:

a)   The Forecast Out-turn 2015-16.

b)   The 2016-17 Finance Settlement.

c)    Council Tax 2016/17.

d)   Public Power Solution Limited (PPS) (formerly Swindon Commercial Services (SCS)) Business Plan 2016-17.

e)   Specific feedback on the budget setting process received from the Scrutiny Committee.

f)     Consultation Feedback.

g)   The Proposed Budget 2016-17.

h)   Business Rates Discounts 2016-17.

i)     The relationship between Revenue and Capital Budgets.

j)     Members’ Allowances.

k)    Special Expenses (charges for services provided in the non-parished area).

l)     The reflection in the budget proposals of the adoption of the motion agreed at Council on 21^st January 2016 that all staff will be paid at or above the Government’s National Living Wage in 2016-17.

m)  Contingencies and Risk.

n)   One-off Resources commitments.

o)   Fees and Charges.

p)   General Reserves.

q)   The Schools Budget 2016-17.

r)     The outcome of Budget consultations.

Councillor Holland introduced the report, placing the budget proposals within the financial context for 2017-18 and beyond, most particularly the projected level of savings required to be made by the Council in the period of the next three years against a background of an unprecedented reduction in the Revenue Support Grant and a reduction in New Homes Bonus. Councillor Holland commented that this significant decrease in Central Government funding was, almost inevitably, occurring at a time when inflation, particularly in relation to social care, continued to increase. He advised that there would be an increased level of funding available to the Council from changes in Business Rates but that the details remained to be confirmed.

Councillor Holland referred to the Final Local Government Finance Settlement, which was announced on 8^th February 2016, sooner than expected but after the Cabinet agenda was published. He advised that, although a number of small adjustments were made to the provisional settlement announced in December, most of which did not affect Swindon, the Government had also announced £150m of additional one-off funding in the form of transitional grant, in both 2016-17 and 2017-18, for those councils most adversely affected by the change in Revenue Support Grant (RSG), and that Swindon would receive £826k and £827k respectively over the two years.

Councillor Holland commented that, in the context of the overall savings required to be made, the additional funding did not significantly change the Council’s financial position but it did, however, present an opportunity to provide additional financial resource for existing programmes to achieve outcomes for the long term sustainability for the organisation and its services. Councillor Holland advised that additional recommendations, proposing how the additional funding might be utilised, had been tabled at the meeting.

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The Director of Law and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59.

The Cabinet Member for Finance, People and Performance and the Board Director, Resources, submitted a joint report concerning new Capital Programme requirements for the period 2016/17 to 2017/18 and beyond, including:

a)   Children’s Services schemes.

b)   Local Priority Highways and Transport Schemes.

c)    Property and Assets.

d)    Older People and Other Proposals.

e)    The Waterside depot.

Resolved – That the Council be recommended:

a)   That the position and future budget requirement for the additional Children’s Services schemes, referred to at paragraphs 3.7 of the report, be noted.

b)   That a budget of £2.090m for the schemes referred to at paragraph 3.8 in the report and detailed in Appendix 1 to the report, be approved.

c)    That a total budget of £3.944m for the 2016/17 local priority Highways and Transport schemes, referred to at paragraph 3.9 in the report and detailed at Appendix 2 to the report, be approved.

d)   That a total budget of £2.391m for 2016/17 for Repairs and Maintenance on Corporate Property, as referred to in paragraphs 3.11 and detailed at Appendix 3 to the report, be approved.

e)   That a total budget requirement of £1.188m for Older Peoples and other capital schemes, referred to in paragraph 3.15 and detailed at Appendix 4 to the report, be approved.

f)     That a budget of £38,507 for refurbishment work to the Highdown play area, funded from Abbey Stadium S106 monies, as detailed at paragraph 3.18 in the report, be approved.

g)   That an increase in the budget for Waterside improvement works, from £3.8m to £4.0m, as detailed at paragraphs 3.19 to 3.21 of the report, be approved.

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

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Public Safety and the Board Director, Service Delivery, submitted a joint report presenting to Cabinet the proposed rents, service charges and support charges for 2016/17 and the proposed Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget for 2016/17.

Resolved – That Council be recommended:

a)   That the proposed average rent for Housing Revenue Account (HRA) dwellings for 2016/17, of £80.76 per week (52 week basis), which is a decrease of 1.0%, be approved, subject to confirmation from the Government as mentioned in paragraph 3.6 of the report. This would be an average decrease of £0.81 per week (52 week basis). The range of increases is shown in paragraph 3.10 of the report.

b)   That the Board Director, Service Delivery, be authorised to seek authority from the Secretary of State to extend the permission for the use of the Housing Revenue Account for payments to the Council’s tenants under the Discretionary Housing Payments scheme, and provide a budget of £300k in 2016/17 as detailed at paragraph 3.27 of the report.

c)    That the housing related support charges for 2016/17 and service charges for 2016/17 as outlined in Appendix 2 to the report, be approved.

d)   That Leaseholder service charges are set for 2016/17, as shown in Appendix 3 to the report.

e)   That, based on the proposals set out within this report, the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) proposed budget 2016/17, shown in Appendix 4 to the report, be approved and that the HRA Capital Budget and Funding be approved as shown in Appendix 5 to the report.

f)     That a budget of £1m be approved to acquire properties as detailed at paragraph 3.36 of the report and that the Board Director, Service Delivery, in consultation with the Board Director, Resources, be authorised to commit this expenditure.

g)   That the draft 3 year capital projects and planned maintenance programme be approved, at an indicative funding level of £15.7m (2015/16 prices) for 2016/17 onwards, as shown in Appendix 6 to the report.

h)   That rents charged on General Fund properties be increased by an average increase of 0.9% and the service charges for Christopher House and the David Murray John Apartments, as shown in Appendix 7 to the report, be approved.

i)     That rents charged for plots at the Hay Lane Residential Gypsy Site be increased by £0.45 per week (0.9%) to £50.26 per week (52 week basis) and the rents for workpens, as shown in Appendix 7 to the report, be approved.

j)     That the charges for Private Sector Leased (PSL) accommodation for those accepted as homeless, outlined in Appendix 7 to the report, be approved.

k)    That any underspend on the 2015-16 Housing Revenue Account be added to revenue reserves.

l)     That Housing Revenue Account rents in supported housing be increased by 0.9% subject to a further tenant consultation to be held on 15 February 2016.

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

The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and the Head of Education Services submitted a joint report identifying the number of school places required to meet Swindon’s long-term educational place planning needs until 2026. The report addressed the expected demographic projections, proposed housing development areas, and the need to support attainment and opportunities for young people across the Town and Borough. Summarising information from a range of sources, the report set out the issues the Borough will face in meeting its statutory duties for providing school places until 2026. It was noted that the strategy includes present and predicted future pupil numbers on roll, together with information about birth rates, school capacity and new housing.

Resolved – (1) That the education place planning demand arising across the Borough for Primary and Secondary school places and changes to national legislation be noted.

(2) That the Head of Education Services be authorised to conduct a consultation on the school place planning study attached at Appendix 1 to the report, as set out in paragraphs 3.10 to 3.16 of the report.

(3) That the basic principles on new school provision, as set out in paragraph 3.35 of the report, be approved.

(4) That, in order to start meeting the demand for additional places, the Head of Education Services be authorised to commence processes for seeking a free school for the new provision, as set out in paragraphs 3.7 and 3.8 of the report, and report back on progress at the next Cabinet meeting on the 16^th March 2016.

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

The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and the Head of Education Services submitted a joint report on the establishment of co-ordinated admission arrangements for the normal point of entry (Reception, Year 3, Year 7 and Year 10 (UTC)) and In-year admission arrangements for all Swindon Schools and Published Admission Numbers (PAN) for Community and Voluntary Controlled Schools in Swindon for September 2017.

Resolved – (1) That the response to the public consultation on admission arrangements, as set out in the report and in Appendix 3 to the report, be noted.

(2) That the co-ordinated scheme of admission arrangements for the normal point of entry (Reception Year, Year 3 and Year 7 and Year 10 (University Technical College)) and In Year admissions for all primary schools and secondary schools in Swindon from September 2017, as set out at Appendix 2 to the report, be approved.

(3) That the admission numbers and arrangements for Community and Voluntary Controlled schools from September 2017, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, be approved.

(4) That it be noted that these proposals will be determined by 28^th February 2016 and will be implemented by the Head of Education Services for admission from September 2017 for all applicants.

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

The Cabinet Member for Finance, People and Performance and Head of People, Performance and Engagement, submitted a joint report concerning the proposed Swindon Borough Council Pay Policy Statement for 2016/17.

It was noted that Section 38 of the Localism Act 2011 placed a requirement on local authorities to prepare a Pay Policy Statement for each new financial year, setting out the Council’s policies relating to the following:

·           Remuneration of its Chief Officers;

·           Remuneration of its lowest paid employees;

·           The relationship between the remuneration of its Chief Officers and the remuneration of its employees who are not Chief Officers; and

·           The Pay Policy Statement does not cover or include school employees and is not required to do so.

It was also noted that the Statement was required to be approved by Full Council before 31^st March 2016 and to be published as soon as is reasonably practicable after approval, including being made available on the authority’s website.

Resolved – That the Council be recommended that the Council’s proposed Pay Policy Statement for 2016/17, as set out in Appendix 1 to the joint report, be approved.

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

The Cabinet Member for Finance, People and Performance and Head of People, Performance and Engagement, submitted a joint report setting out a proposed Performance Framework, to enable Members, residents and stakeholders to measure the success of the Council’s Vision, Priorities and Pledges. It was noted that the framework was required in order to provide transparency and accountability to Councillors, residents and stakeholders and that the success measures outlined in the Performance Framework would be a fundamental part of the Council’s new Corporate Plan providing measurable evidence of progress.

Resolved – (1) That the implementation of the Performance Management Framework, outlined in the report, be agreed and that the success measures detailed in Appendix 1 to the report, be adopted.

(2) That the Chief Executive Designate, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Finance, People and Performance, be authorised to introduce the performance framework throughout the Council.

(3) That the Head of Performance, People and Engagement, in consultation with the appropriate Cabinet Member and Head of Service, be authorised to amend specific performance measure in the event of any changes in local or national policy.

(4) That Cabinet’s thanks to Sam Mowbray, the Council’s Head of Performance, People and Engagement, for the significant amount of time and work she has invested in developing the Performance Framework, be recorded.

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

The Cabinet Member for Corporate, Customer and Digital Services and Board Director, Resources, submitted a joint report responding to Motions agreed by Council in March 2015 and November 2015 relating to the improvement of Superfast Broadband coverage across the Borough (Council Minutes 96 2014/15 and 48 2015/16 refer).

Resolved – (1) That the report be noted and that the Council’s support for the existing contract with UK Broadband Networks (UKBN) as the best available means of securing Superfast Broadband coverage for the Borough of Swindon be confirmed.

(2) That it be agreed that the £0.5m budget previously allocated for Superfast Broadband from the New Homes Bonus remain available for this purpose.

(3) That the Cabinet Member for Corporate, Customer and Digital Services report the outcome of this report to the next meeting of Council.

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

The Cabinet Member for Adult Health and Social Care and the Board Director, Resources, submitted a joint report providing an update on the due diligence works associated with the establishment of the Wichelstowe Joint Venture. 

The report also set out the detail of a financially beneficial change being sought to be made to the current proposed Joint Venture structure, as presented to the Cabinet on 17^th June 2015 (Cabinet Minute 5, 2015/16 refers).

Councillor Toby Elliott, Cabinet Member for Communities & Strategic Planning, welcomed the report and emphasised the importance of the delivery of housing in Wichelstowe in meeting the Swindon Local Plan’s new homes and 5 year land supply commitments.

Resolved – (1) That the change to the proposed Joint Venture structure, from two tiers to a single tier, as detailed in paragraphs 3.6 to 3.11 of the report, be approved.

(2) That the Board Director, Resources, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Health and Social Care, be authorised to take such steps as are necessary to implement the change agreed in (1) above.

(3) That the Board Director, Resources, and his officer team, be thanked for their hard work in support of the development of the Wichelstowe Joint Venture project.

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

The Cabinet Member for Sustainability and Transport, the Chief Executive Designate and the Head of Economy, Skills and Property Development submitted a joint report inviting Cabinet to agree the method by which the Council would enable community investment in renewable energy projects on its land and how this function would be managed. In addition, the report provided an update on solar schemes proposed on the Barnfield and Mannington sites, a scheme to place solar panels on canopies in several Swindon Borough Council (SBC) owned car parks and the M4/A419 solar noise barriers.

Resolved –  (1) That the Director of Law and Democratic Services, be authorised to undertake the necessary steps to secure ownership of the Community Interest Company (“the CIC”) currently owned by Public Power Solutions (PPS), so as to enable the Council to become the sole shareholder of the CIC.

(2) That the Director of Law and Democratic Services be authorised to present to the Special Committee of the Council a report approving the appointment of a minimum of three Council Officers as Directors of the CIC, and one Council Officer as its Company Secretary.

(3) That the Director of Law and Democratic Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Communities and Strategic Planning, be authorised to agree an appropriate governance arrangement for purposes which include (but are not limited to) the involvement of elected members in the disbursement and distribution of funding from the proceeds of the CIC for the benefit of Swindon communities. 

(4) That the Board Director, Resources, be authorised to facilitate, on behalf of the Council as sole shareholder of the CIC, all necessary steps to enable “Abundance” to undertake and complete the community investment offer as detailed in this report.

(5) That it be noted that, in the event that the community investment offer is unsuccessful, the Council, in its capacity as sole shareholder of the CIC, would need to make a decision as to how the required investment should be raised.

(6) That the Board Director, Resources, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, People and Performance, be authorised to invest £3m in the CIC (£2,987,500 by way of a loan to the CIC and £12,500 as minimum Equity to meet the requirement of a Public Limited Company).

(7) That the Director of Law and Democratic Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Sustainability and Transport and the Head of Property Assets, be authorised to conclude all the necessary legal documentation in relation to the project at Common Farm and sites benefitting from the Local Development Order mentioned in Part 2 of this report, on such terms that are required to protect the interests of the Council.

(8) That the profits of the CIC be apportioned as follows: 65% distributed for community benefit and 35% to the Council as the sole shareholder.

(9) That this CIC model be used as a model for future community investment in Swindon renewable energy schemes, ensuring that such schemes meet Council requirements for financial  ...  view the full minutes text for item 68.

The Cabinet Member for Sustainability and Transport, the Cabinet Member for Housing and Public Safety, the Cabinet Member for Adult Health and Social Care and Director of Law and Democratic Services submitted a joint report concerning the following recommendations arising from meetings of the Streetsmart and Highways Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 18^th November 2015 and the Health and Wellbeing Board held on 9^th December 2015:

a)   That Cabinet look at options for reducing street lighting energy use by 40% (Streetsmart Overview and Scrutiny Committee).

b)   That Cabinet be recommended that (i) the draft Homelessness Strategy for Swindon 2016 to 2021 be approved and the Allocations Policy be amended to offer a proportion of social housing voids in a targeted way to homeless households, as set out in Priority 4 of the Draft Strategy, and (ii) the new Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy 2015 – 2020 be adopted (Health and Wellbeing Board).

Resolved – (1) That, further to Minute 15 of the Streetsmart Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the Cabinet Member for Sustainability and Transport report to a future meeting on the options for reducing street lighting energy usage by 10%, 20%, 30% and 40%.

(2) That, further to Minutes 34 and 35 of the Health and Wellbeing Board, (i) the draft Homelessness Strategy for Swindon 2016 to 2021 be approved and the Allocations Policy be amended to offer a proportion of social housing voids in a targeted way to homeless households, as set out in Priority 4 of the Draft Strategy, and (ii) the new Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy 2015 – 2020 be adopted.

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

The Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive Designate submitted a joint report providing Cabinet with an update on the ongoing discussions that the Council is having with Wiltshire Council, other local authorities, and the Government in respect of the Government’s devolution proposals.

Resolved – (1) That the action taken to date in furtherance of the Government’s initiative to enable local authorities to explore opportunities for further devolution to groupings of local authorities, be noted and endorsed.;

(2) That the Chief Executive Designate, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, be authorised to continue discussions with other Councils and the Government in relation to the devolution agenda and to develop proposals for submission to Cabinet and Council in due course.

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