Council and Democracy

Information about Swindon Borough Councillors and Meetings

Issue details

Covid-19 Response - Urgent Decision - Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund

NB this CMDN will not be subject to call-in under the Council’s urgency process (Paragraph 16(h), Rules of Procedure and Terms of Reference - Overview and Scrutiny Committees, (Par 4 of the Constitution).

Decision type: Non-key

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Wards affected: (All Wards);

Notice of proposed decision first published: 05/06/2020

This decision will be taken under urgency procedures.

Reason for urgency:
In accordance with Paragraph 16(h) of Rules of Procedure and Terms of Reference Overview and Scrutiny Committees (Part 4 of the Constitution) Call-in Procedure, His Worship the Mayor Councillor Perkins has agreed that this issue be treated as urgent as any delay likely to be caused by the call-in process would seriously prejudice the Council’s or the public interests by impeding the Council’s ability to assist the businesses that meet the criteria. Therefore, the call-in will not apply.

Open/Exempt: Open;

Decision due: 5 June 2020 by Leader of the Council

Lead member: Leader of the Council and Chair of Cabinet

Lead director: Head of Strategic Growth and Place

Contact: Head of Finance - Deputy Section 151 Officer or Paul Smith on telephone 07500 884176 or via email psmith2@swindon.gov.uk..

Consultation process

The following Opposition Spokespersons / Ward Members have been consulted on the recommendations of the report and their responses are summarised below.

Councillor Grant – “It is patently absurd for opposition councillors to be able to give a considered response to such an important proposal when they have been given less than 3 hours to do so, Had the administration taken up the offer of a cross party working group to cover all aspects Swindon’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic things may have been different. So much for the Leader’s commitment to the “usual democratic process”. The report carries no analysis of how companies in receipt of this grant might benefit the long term future of the Swindon economy. Nor does it appear to prioritise those companies who have shown a commitment to Swindon in the past. Had it done so the Swindon Scheme would be prioritising those companies which 1) recognise trade unions 2) are committed to paying the real living wage and 3) have a proven track record in seeking to recuse carbon emissions. I would ask that these 3 items are added to our local criteria”

Councillor Pajak - “Very happy to support this help to small businesses”

Portfolio Holder / Cabinet Member: Councillor David Renard, Leader of the Council

Shadow / Group Spokespersons: Councillor Jim Grant, Leader of the Opposition Group Councillor Stan Pajak, Leader of the Minority Group

Date of Notice: Date of Notice: 5th June 2020

Documents

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