Agenda and minutes

Members are reminded that at the start of the meeting they should declare any known interests in any matter to be considered, and also during the meeting if it becomes apparent that they have an interest in the matters being discussed.

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

            Councillor Brian Mattock and Councillor David Renard made personal declarations of interest in respect of Agenda Item 7 – Proposed Changes to Pension Fund Balances, as they were members of the Wiltshire Pension Fund.

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 25^th August 2010.

            Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 25^th August 2010 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

See explanatory note below.  Please phone the Committee Officer whose name and number appears at the top of this agenda if you need further guidance.

            No public questions were asked under Standing Order 28.

Certain items are expected to include the consideration of exempt information and the Special Committee is, therefore, recommended to resolve "That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded during the discussion of the matters referred to in the items listed below, on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information, as defined in the respective paragraph of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, and the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information".

            Resolved – That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded during the discussion of the matters referred to in Agenda Item No. 6 of the Notice of the Meeting on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act, and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information concerned. (Minute 15 refers.) 

            The Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, the Cabinet Member for Sustainability, Strategic Planning, Property and Transport; the Cabinet Member for Leisure and Corporate Services, the Director for Adult Social Care, the Deputy Chief Executive and Group Director, Environment, Regeneration and Community and the Group Director, Business Transformation submitted a joint report concerning the progress of the Council’s involvement in the Government’s Capital and Assets Pathfinder Programme, and setting out proposals associated with that programme that would enable the achievement of efficiency savings by Adult Social Care provider services, through the establishment of a Social Enterprise to be known as Care and Support Swindon, by way of the rationalisation of Council and Swindon Primary Care Trust office accommodation, including the vacation by the Council of Sanford House, the adoption of New Ways of Working by way of a joint project with the Swindon Primary Care Trust, and by the adoption of plans to integrate and modernise Information Communication and Technology to support the delivery of Adult Health and Social Care services.

            Councillor James Grant advised that he was broadly supportive of the proposals. He referred to the future of Sanford House and to his wish to see the premises occupied by the Council until such time that its long-term future was determined. Ms. Kathy Sherratt, Principal Asset Manager, Business Transformation, explained how the longer-term future of the building would be assessed and established.

            Councillor Stan Pajak referred to recent media coverage on the possibility of a new school being located at Sanford House. Councillor David Renard, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, apologised for not recognising that the property was within Eastcott Ward. He referred to the pressure on school places in central Swindon and advised that a number of sites were being identified and evaluated as possible locations for a future one-form of entry school. This was just one of a number of sites to be evaluated. He would ensure that Eastcott Ward Councillors were advised of the background to the evaluation exercise and the reasons why it was necessary.

            Resolved –That the Special Committee, on behalf of the Council, approve: -

·        One-off investment of up to £730,000, to be funded through Prudential Borrowing, as the Council’s share of the project to rationalise estates, on the basis that this will be recovered through reduced ongoing premises costs and savings that will be enabled by the creation of a single “hub” for Care and Support Swindon, as detailed in the joint report.

·        Should the proposal to vacate Sanford House lead to the building being sold, that £250,000 from the future disposal proceeds be earmarked to support the premises costs detailed in the joint report;

·        The Council’s share of the investment in modernised ICT systems for Adult Social Care, Health and Care and Support Swindon, including the adoption of New Ways of Working arrangements, as described in “Option 2” in the joint report, totalling £285,000, be endorsed, noting that this investment is required to facilitate the achievement of savings by Care  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

            The Cabinet Member for Finance and the Director of Finance submitted a joint report concerning proposed changes to the treatment of the deficits and surpluses on the elements of the Wiltshire Pension Fund for which the Council acted as guarantor.

            Councillor Des Moffatt, a Council representative on the Wiltshire Pension Fund Committee, commented on the position of Thamesdown Transport Ltd. in respect of the Wiltshire Pension Fund and expressed his support for the report’s recommendations.

            Resolved –(1) That the Special Committee, on behalf of the Council, approves the proposed changes to the treatment of the deficits and surpluses on the elements of the Wiltshire Pension Fund for which the Council acts as guarantor as set out below: -

·        To amalgamate the Local Government Pension Fund balances that the Council under-writes for Swindon Borough Council, Capita and Swindon Commercial Services (SCS) Limited with effect from 1^st April 2011.

·        To repay the deficit on the Local Government Pension Fund for Thamesdown Transport Limited in two instalments as at 31st March 2011 and as at the date the scheme is closed to current employees (expected to be by 31st March 2012).

·        To build into the base budget of the Council, the annual contributions from Thamesdown Transport Limited to recognise the repayment of its deficit.

(2) That the Director of Law and Democratic Services, in consultation with the Director of Finance and the Leader of the Council, be authorised to enter into any necessary legal agreements or documentation to give effect to the decisions in (1) above, on such terms and conditions as are viewed necessary to protect the Council’s interests.