Agenda and minutes

The Council held a minute of silence in remembrance of Mr. John Archer, a former Thamesdown Borough and Swindon Borough Councillor and Mr. Rod Haines a former Thamesdown Borough Councillor.

            Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Ray Ballman, Mike Bawden, Stephanie Exell, Russell Holland, Kevin Parry and Glenn Smith.

The Mayor announced that he had received a petition seeking to keep the Donut Stall in Havelock Square, Swindon and that the petition had been forwarded to the appropriate Group Directors for action.

The Mayor also announced that the report arising from the Council Motion on Physical Activity, originally scheduled to be considered at this meeting, was expected now to be submitted to a later meeting of the Council.

To receive the minutes of the previous meeting held on 13^th November 2008.

            Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 13^th November 2008, be confirmed and signed.

See explanatory note below.

            Ms Shirley Burnham (Save Old Town Library Campaign) submitted a written question to the Leader of the Council regarding the use of volunteers to staff Old Town Library under a “Dorset model”.

            The Leader of the Council tabled a response.

            Ms. Shirley Burnham thanked the Leader for his response and asked if the Council had given any consideration to the potential use of the building currently housing the Old Town Library if it were to close?

            The Leader of the Council confirmed, that to his knowledge, this issue had not been considered.

To receive any communications or letters which the Mayor or Chief Executive may have to bring before the Council.

The Chief Executive reported that a letter dated 26^th November 2008, has been received from the Rt. Honourable Michael Wills M.P., together with an enclosure from Baroness Andrews O.B.E. regarding the Regional Spatial Strategy for the South West.

The Council requested that the Director of Law and Democratic Services write, on behalf of the Council, to the Rt. Honourable Michael Wills M.P. congratulating him on his appointment to the Privy Council.

(i) Adult Learning Plan, 2008/09  - Minute 78(1) of the Cabinet;

(ii) Draft Revenue Budget Proposals, Capital Programme and Treasury Management Strategy for 2009/10 – Minute 81(8) of the Cabinet;

(iii) Councillors’ Allowances 2009/10 – Recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel – Minute 82(2) of the Cabinet; and

(iv) Audit Committee – Proposed change to the Council’s Constitution – Minute 30 of the Audit Committee.

See related reports in Background Papers. (Yellow)

Councillor Roderick Bluh moved and Councillor Fionuala Foley seconded that Minute 78(1) of the Cabinet (Adult Learning Plan) be confirmed and adopted.

The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

Councillor Roderick Bluh moved and Councillor Fionuala Foley seconded that Minute 81(8) of the Cabinet (Draft Revenue Budget Proposals, Capital Programme and Treasury Management Strategy for 2009/2010) be confirmed and adopted. 

The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

Councillor Roderick Bluh moved and Councillor Fionuala Foley seconded that Minute 82(2) of the Cabinet (Recommendations of the Independent Renumeration Panel) be confirmed and adopted. 

Councillor Stan Pajak moved and Councillor David Glaholm seconded that the Motion be amended as follows:

Replace paragraph 2 (a) (c) and (e) with:

That, in light of the Council’s present financial situation, as referred to in paragraphs 2.8 and 2.9 of the joint report and the need to preserve front line services, the Council only adopt the following:

(a) That no increase be made to the Basic Allowance payable to all Councillors, the level of Special Responsibility Allowances and the level of
Co-optees' Special Responsibility Allowance for 2009/10 (The Independent Remuneration Panel will undertake a full review of Councillor Allowances for future years during 2009).”

Paragraphs  (f) and (i) to be renumbered (b) and (c)

The Amended Motion read:

That, in light of the Council’s present financial situation, as referred to in paragraphs 2.8 and 2.9 of the joint report and the need to preserve front line services, the Council only adopt the following:

(a) That no increase be made to the Basic Allowance payable to all Councillors, the level of Special Responsibility Allowances and the level of Co-optees' Special Responsibility Allowance for 2009/10 (The Independent Remuneration Panel will undertake a full review of Councillor Allowances for future years during 2009).

(b) In view of the current volatile nature of the economy and inflation levels -to continue with the current level of travel, subsistence and dependent care allowances for 2009/10; (The Independent Remuneration Panel will undertake a full review of Councillor travel, subsistence and dependent care allowances during 2009.) and

(c) To index link the level of allowances to be applied to parish councils for 2009/10 to the increase in the Local Government Pay Settlement for 2009/10.

            The Amended Motion was put to the vote and declared lost.

            The Substantive Motion (Minute 82(2) of the Cabinet) was put to the vote and declared carried.

            Councillor Michael Dickinson moved and Councillor Des Moffatt seconded that: Minute 30 of the Audit Committee (Proposed Change to the Council’s Constitution) be confirmed and adopted. 

            The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

(Councillor Michael Dickinson made a personal and prejudicial declaration of interest in respect of Minute 78(1) of the Cabinet, as he works for New College, Swindon, and he left the room and took no part in the discussion of this matter.)

Questions (if any) of which notice has been given by Councillors in accordance with Standing Order 15.

            The Director of Law and Democratic Services reported that Standing Order 15 Questions had been received from Councillors Junab Ali, David Glaholm, Jim Grant, Fay Howard and Bob Wright.  The questions and answers submitted by the appropriate Cabinet Member are attached as an appendix to the minutes.

            Councillor Junab Ali thanked the Leader of the Council for his response and indicated that although there were still unresolved issues he would raise these outside of the meeting.

            Councillor Roderick Bluh indicated he would be pleased to meet with Councillor Ali.

            Councillor David Glaholm asked the Cabinet member for Children’s Services whether he though it strange that only one teacher from Swindon had been referred to the General Teaching Council when the figure of referrals nationally was around 15,000.

            Councillor Garry Perkins responded that over two-thirds of the Councils in the country had made no referrals.

            Councillor David Glaholm indicated that he believed the information in the response from the Cabinet Member for Resources (Housing Benefits) was incorrect, but that he would take this matter up with him outside of the meeting.

            Councillor Jim Grant asked if the technical feasibility study on the canal had been completed.

            Councillor Philip Young responded that most of the study had been completed but that it needed to be linked in the Transport Study to be published later in the year.  Following this, work can progress on a transport solution for the canal and on funding requirements in order that an informed debate/referendum can be held.

            Councillor Jim Grant asked if parish councils had been consulted on the Connecting People, Connecting Places proposals, as Stratton Parish Council, one of the biggest in the country had not been party to discussions.

            Councillor Brian Mattock confirmed that parish councils, agencies and voluntary groups had been consulted on proposals, which were expected to be considered by the Cabinet in April 2009.  He was willing to accept any invitation to discuss proposals prior to a Cabinet decision.

            Councillor Fay Howard indicated that she would appreciate updates on the future of the Oakfield Campus as they became available.

            Councillor Fay Howard expressed her disquiet at the level of vacancies in the Youth Service to the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services.

            Councillor Garry Perkins responded that the quality of the provision of Youth Services did not necessary reflect the resources committed to it.  He noted that under the current administration the Youth Service had steadily improved and had received good inspection reports.

            Councillor Bob Wright asked the Cabinet Member for Property, Leisure and Recreation if he could provide the following clarifications (a) can the figure of £22,601 be broken down by per pool? and (b) can the total income per pools be given together with the figures for the previous two years?

            The Cabinet Member indicated that he would write to Councillor Bob Wright with an answer.  He noted that the income from young people using pools had been substantial for years.  He was wary of Government funding for schemes, however, as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63.

To receive a report on the meetings of the Special Committee held on 11^th and 19^th December 2008.

            The Council considered (a) a report of the Director of Law and Democratic Services setting out a report of the meetings of the Special Committee held on 11^th and 19^th December 2008, and (b) questions to the Leader of the Council and answers received.

To receive a report on the meeting of the Cabinet held on 10^th December 2008, and on decisions taken by Cabinet members under their delegated powers in November and December 2008. (Copies are set out in the Background Papers Pack.)

            The Council considered (a) a report of the Director of Law and Democratic Services setting out a report of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 10^th December 2008, (b) questions to the Cabinet Members regarding their Portfolio responsibilities, as set out within the report, and answers received, and (c) decisions taken by Cabinet Members relating to delegated decisions taken under their portfolio responsibilities. 

To receive a report on the meeting of the Audit Committee held on 25^th November 2008.

            The Council considered (a) a report of the Director of Law and Democratic Services setting out a report on the meeting of the Audit Committee held on 25^th November 2008, and (b) questions to the Committee Chair regarding the work of the Committee and answers received. 

To receive a report on issues considered at meetings on the meetings of the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committees between 27^th October and 12^th December 2008.

            The Council considered (a) a report of the Director of Law and Democratic Services on the work of the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committees held between 27^th October and 12^th December 2008, and (b) questions to the Committee Chairs regarding the work of their Committee, and answers received. 

            The Council noted its appreciation to the Youth Forum for its participation in the Youth Festival.

To receive a report on the meetings of the Planning Committee held on 11^th November and 9^th December 2008, and planning statistics for October and November 2008.

            The Council considered (a) a report of the Director of Law and Democratic Services setting out a report on the meetings of the Planning Committee held in October and November 2008, and (b) questions to the Committee Chair regarding the work of the Committee and answers received. 

To receive a report on issues considered by the Appeals Committee, Education Transport Appeals Sub-Committee, Appointments Committee, Chief Officer Appointments Sub-Committee, Deputy Chief Officer Appointments Sub-Committee, Licensing Committee, Licensing Panel, Ad-hoc Licensing Sub-Committee, Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Licensing Sub-Committee and Footpath and Rights of Way Committee between 28^th October and 19^th December 2008.

                        The Council considered (a) a report of the Director of Law and Democratic Services on the work of the Council’s Regulatory Committees held between 28^th October and 19^th December 2008, and (b) questions to the Committee Chairs regarding the work of their Committee, and answers received.  

To receive a report on issues considered by Children Services Bodies between 29^th October and 31^st December 2008.

            The Council considered (a) a report of the Director of Law and Democratic Services on the work of the Council’s Children’s Services Bodies held between 29^th October and 31^st December 2008, and (b) questions to the Committee Chairs regarding the work of their Committee and answers received.

(Councillor Paul Baker made a personal and prejudicial declaration of interest in respect this item, as he was involved in an outstanding Education Transport Appeal, and took no part in the discussion of this matter.)

To receive the minutes of the meeting of the Wiltshire Fire Authority held on 18^th December 2008.  There are no minutes of meetings of the Police Authority. To receive any oral report from the Council’s representatives serving on those bodies.

            The Council received the minutes of the meetings the Wiltshire and Swindon Fire Authority dated 18^th December 2008. 

            There were no minutes of the Wiltshire Police Authority for consideration. Councillor David Glaholm noted that Penhill had been designated a Super Neighbourhood Policing Team, and asked for clarification on what this actually meant and the expected police staffing levels for this team.  Councillor Brian Ford undertook to seek clarification from the Wiltshire Police Authority and to provide Councillor David Glaholm with a written response.