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.

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 23^rd March 2011.

            Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 23^rd March 2011 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. 

The Director of Law and Democratic Services submitted a report concerning the appointment of further Directors to the Board of Forward Swindon Ltd.

The Deputy Chief Executive and Group Director, Environment, Regeneration and Community advised that Forward Swindon Ltd. had been incorporated on 17^th March 2010, and was a company limited by shares with the Council as the only shareholder. The current directors of the Company were the Chief Executive of the Council and Councillor Garry Perkins, Deputy Leader of the Council. She reported that Forward Swindon Ltd. was now keen to see the expansion of its Board in order to assist with the delivery of its Business Plan and objectives. The Council, as shareholder, was required to appoint the directors of the company, and details were set out in the Appendix to the report of those individuals that it was proposed should serve as non-executive directors on the Board of the company for a term expiring on 18^th May 2012, which was the date of the Council’s Annual Council meeting in 2012.  It was envisaged that during this period of office the structure and future membership of the Board would be reviewed.

The Deputy Chief Executive and Group Director, Environment, Regeneration and Community, explained that since the report had been prepared it had been decided to withdraw one nomination whilst clarification was sought around possible conflicts of interest that could limit that individual’s ability to serve on the Board.

Councillor Derique Montaut, Leader of the Opposition, asked that consideration be given at the appropriate time to including representatives of the Council’s minority political groups on the Board of Forward Swindon Ltd. or on the Shareholder Panel.

Resolved –That, on behalf of the Council, Mr. Robin Bailey, Divisional Director Savings and Investments, Nationwide, Ms. Tina Cumpstey, Centre Manager, McArthurGlen Swindon Designer Outlet Centre, Mr. Tony Wilkes, Brunel Shopping Centre Manager, Jones Lang LaSalle Ltd., and Mr. Mark Beard, Managing Director, EW Beard Ltd., be appointed as further Non-Executive Directors of Forward Swindon Ltd., for a term expiring on 18^th May 2012, and that the membership and structure of the Board be reviewed prior to that time.