Agenda and minutes

The Chair reminded Members of the need to declare any known interests in any matters to be considered at the meeting. The following declarations were made:

·        Councillor Steve Allsopp made a personal, non-prejudicial declaration of interest in respect of agenda item 11 (Cabinet Member Question and Answer Session - Cabinet Member for Commercialisation, Education and Skills) as a member of the Oak Tree Primary School Governing Body.

·         Councillor Barbara Parry made a personal, non-prejudicial declaration of interest in respect of agenda item 11 (Cabinet Member Question and Answer Session - Cabinet Member for Commercialisation, Education and Skills) as she is employed at The Ridgeway School (part of the White Horse Federation).

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 7^th July 2020.

Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 7^th July 2020 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

For this meeting, any questions must be sent in writing to committeeservices@swindon.gov.uk by no later than 4.00pm on Thursday 6^th August 2020.

There were no questions submitted under this item.

Councillor Russell Holland (Cabinet Member for Commercialisation, Education and Skills), was in attendance and presented to the Committee a report summarising progress and performance in respect of the key objectives of his role, which are to:

·        Ensure the Council achieves Financial Sustainability.

·        Be the Council’s Champion for Strong Financial Management.

·        Provide political leadership for Commercialisation.

·        Set the Council’s Commercial Investment Strategy, and, through the senior officer and the Commercial Investment Strategy Board, oversee its delivery.

·        Ensure Council owned assets are used effectively.

·        Set the welfare and benefits policy and, through the senior officer, oversee its delivery.

·        Provide the overarching direction to enable the Borough to have the range of vocational and higher education opportunities necessary to meet the future needs of employers.

·        Provide political leadership through the Swindon Challenge Board in raising school attainment.

·        Ensure that the Council's agreed priorities within the portfolio are delivered.

The Cabinet Member is responsible for securing the following Vision pledges:

·        Pledge 7: In addition to the two new free secondary schools, build one secondary and 13 primary schools to meet the needs of our increasing population.

·        Pledge 8: Improve educational attainment, in particular at ages 16-19 so we are above the average in England by 2021.

·        Pledge 9: Increase the number of people starting an apprenticeship in line with the targets in the Apprenticeship Strategy.

·        Pledge 10: Secure a range of options to access Higher Education in Swindon to drive up attainment.

·        Pledge 11: Work with partners to increase the level of skills of Swindon’s workforce to support all our residents, including the most vulnerable, to access employment.

·        Pledge 17: Provide early support so that Swindon residents are financially included and avoid getting into debt.

The Cabinet Member also has delegated responsibility for:

·        Annual Budget (Revenue and Capital Programme)

·        Finance Management Overview

·        Medium Term Financial Plan

·        Commercial Investment Fund

·        Disposal of Assets

·        Swindon Housing Company

·        Revenue and Benefits Services

·        Welfare and Benefits Policy

·        Strategic Procurement

·        Audit and Risk

·        Adult Learning

·        Higher/Tertiary Education

·        Skills

·        Apprentices

·        Education Services including, Provision for Early Years, LA Maintained Schools, Provision for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, Education Other Than At School, Tuition Service, Championing Excellence and Promoting High Standards

·        Schools’ Forum

·        Traded Services

·        Libraries

Councillor Holland introduced his report and highlighted the following points:

·        That the Government has been forthcoming with two sets of funding (and other measures) to assist councils, businesses and individuals.

·        That the additional spending required as a result of the Covid pandemic, predominantly on the assistance required by service providers in adult social care, has left the Council in a difficult position.

·        The Government has stated that any significant reduction caused by Covid to council tax collections can be extended from one to three years to help mitigate the impact on council budgets. However, this will result in the Council running at a deficit and could potentially cause longer term difficulties.

·        How all involved are working towards ensuring that schools can be safely opened from September.

·        That Early Years outcomes have  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Legal Officer setting out the topics for inclusion in the 2020/2021 Scrutiny Work Programme, as agreed by the Committee at its meeting on 7^th July 2020.

The Chair advised that he is meeting with the Chief Executive to discuss how the Council’s response to the recovery from Covid can be scrutinised effectively, and that an update will be provided at a future meeting.

The Committee considered a proposal for the creation of a Task Group with the remit of producing an overview of the Town Centre as a concept. To include reviewing its social importance to the town as a whole, and what is needed socially to increase footfall and open new businesses.

Resolved – That a Town Centre Task Group be added to the Work Programme for 2020/2021.

The Committee received an updated report advising on the status of outstanding issues and member requests for information.

Resolved – That the report on the status of outstanding issues and member requests for information be noted.