Agenda and minutes

The Chair reminded Members of the need to declare any known interests in any matters to be considered at the meeting.  No declarations were made.

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 21^st March 2012.

Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 21^st March 2012, be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The following question was asked in accordance with Standing Order 28.

Questioner

Mr Brian Cockbill, Stratton St Margaret, Swindon. 

Question

How many homes in the Borough of Swindon qualify under Eric Pickles criteria to be “troubled families”?

Response

          The Chair thanked Mr Cockbill for his question and responded at the meeting..  He advised that there were 370 homes in the Borough of Swindon that qualify under the criteria for “troubled families”. 

Questioner

Mr Richard Symonds, Shaw, Swindon. 

Question

Does the Leader agree with me that it is unacceptable for a frail ninety year old, living on her own, to wait for eighteen weeks before an assessment of her needs is conducted?

Response

The Chair thanked Mr Symonds for his question and and requested the Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care and the Board Director Commissioning investigate the matter.  He would arrange for a fuller written response to be provided if Mr Symonds could clarify the details of his question in writing. 

Certain items are expected to include the consideration of exempt information and the Cabinet 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 14 on the grounds that they would involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 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 10 refers).

            The Leader of the Council, Cabinet Member for Finance, Director of Law and Democratic Services and the Head of Property Assets submitted a joint report updating Cabinet on the proposed sale of land at Gorse Hill, Swindon and responding to a Motion at Council on 11^th June 2012, Minute 15 refers, which stated –

“This Council wishes to make it clear that it seeks to protect public land and open spaces. 

This Council recommends that Cabinet requests that Councillors within the North Central Swindon locality continue to engage with local residents on the future of the Pickards Small Field and Kembrey Grass Field and the surrounding open spaces of Gorse Hill and Pinehurst and report back to Cabinet prior to any disposal of land at these sites.”

            The Chair advised that further to his statement at the Cabinet Open Forum held immediately prior to the Cabinet meeting, as Haboakus no longer had an interest in the site of Gorse Hill, this item had been withdrawn from the agenda. 

            Councillors John and Ray Ballman, Gorse Hill and Pinehurst Ward, enquired as to the current position of the Gorse Hill site and its future.  The Chair replied that in light of the withdrawal of Haboakus, the site was open for any future interests. The Chair further advised that officers would need to give further consideration to this matter in light of this recent development and that an update would be provided to a future meeting of the Cabinet.

            The Cabinet Member for Finance and the Board Director Finance, Revenues, Benefits and Property submitted a joint report setting out the Revenue outturn position for 2011/12 and providing an update of the financial position for 2012/13 and beyond. 

            Councillor Mark Edwards, Cabinet Member for Finance, welcomed the under spend on the Council’s Budget for 2011/12 which would be used to support expenditure in 2012/13 and future years.  He explained that the reason for the under spend was primarily due to the early delivery of the savings from the last financial year.  This underspend would be utilised to support proposals to enable the Council to build up its one-off resources to help ease the immediate impact of the financial challenges and the changes in funding for future years. 

            The Board Director Finance, Revenues, Benefits and Property, emphasised the need for awareness regarding future funding and predicted shortfalls. 

            Councillor Stan Pajak, Eastcott Ward Councillor, enquired about the availability of additional Central Government funding.   The Board Director Finance, Revenues, Benefits and Property, confirmed there would be no change to funding in the short term.  He added that any proposed new systems would be reliant on the potential for retaining business rates and increasing or reducing them as appropriate. 

            Councillor Dale Heenan, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Sustainability commented on the positive position of spending within budget.  He enquired regarding the increase in future adult social care funding.  The Board Director Finance, Revenues, Benefits and Property, confirmed that increases in future adult social care needs were a concern but may not have a direct impact on the adult social care budget.

            Resolved – (1) That the current projected Revenue Budget Out-turn for 2011/12, as set out in Table 1 of the joint report, be noted. 

            (2) That the appropriation of funds, as set out in Appendix 2 of the joint report, be approved. 

            (3) That, in respect of the Plas Pencelli facility, the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, in consultation with the Board Director Finance, Revenues, Benefits and Property, be authorised to:

            (a) Agree future charging structures for the services offered at the site.

            (b) Make decisions around whether to carry forward any year-end trading surpluses, subject to the cumulative total not exceeding £100,000; and

            (c) Agree the use of the reserve to invest in specific projects to support the continued operations of the site.

            (4) That the proposed Major Earmarked Reserves, as set out in Appendix 3 of the joint report, be approved.

            (5) That the overall Council-wide financial position for 2012/13, be noted.

            (6) That the virements of £407,000 from the Contingency Fund to Adult Social Care in 2012/13, be approved.

            (7) That an increase in the sum to be made to the Council’s Adult Social Care provider, SEQOL, of up to £707,000 for 2012-13 only be agreed and that the use of the funding to be reported monthly to Commissioners, as described in paragraph 4.9 of the joint report, be approved.

            (8) That the challenging financial context for 2013/14 and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

            The Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care and the Joint Director of Public Health submitted a joint report concerning the Public Health Transition Plan for Swindon. 

            The Chair explained that the purpose of the plan was to ensure readiness for the public health transition from Swindon Primary Care Trust to Swindon Borough Council from 1^st April 2013.  He advised that the plan outlined the approach to the transfer of public health responsibilities from the Primary Care Trust to Swindon Borough Council and Public Health England.  He advised that the plan had been submitted to the Strategic Health Authority and noted that this would place the Council in a leadership role in terms of public health and its position of assuming responsibility for the Health and Well Being Board. 

            The Joint Director of Public Health commented on the significance of the Plan and explained the new public health functions to be undertaken by the Council and its duty to improve the health of the population.  He commented on the challenges to be faced and how these would be addressed by working with Clinical Commissioning Groups to integrate care pathways.

            Councillor Ray Ballman, Gorse Hill and Pinehurst Ward, enquired if all public health services would be under the local authority and if annual health checks for people with learning disabilities would be made available following withdrawal of Government funding.  Councillor Ray Ballman also asked if there was provision for her to attend the Shadow Health and Well-being Board as an observer and the Leader of the Council indicated he would see if this was possible.

            The Joint Director of Public Health responded that health improvement issues would be addressed by commissioning services to offer information and self -help support to the public.  He confirmed that health checks for those with learning disabilities would continue.

            Councillor Stan Pajak, Eastcott Ward Councillor, welcomed the report and enquired regarding Council policy for on-going promotion of healthier lifestyles through sport, leisure and alternative health style options to car travel. 

            The Chief Executive advised that the Board Director Commissioning, was formulating a policy that would address these points.

Resolved – (1) That the Public Health Transition Plan for Swindon, as outlined in Appendix 1of the joint report, be noted.

(2) That the Public Health Transition Plan for Swindon submitted by the Chief Executive of Swindon Borough Council and the Chief Executive of the NHS Gloucestershire and Swindon Primary Care Trust Cluster, be endorsed.

(3) That, the Joint Director of Public Health be authorised, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care to implement the Public Health Transition Plan for Swindon.

The reasons for the decision and any alternative options considered are as set out in the report to the meeting.

                        The Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Sustainability, the Board Director for Service Delivery and the Head of Planning submitted a joint report concerning the Submission Draft of the Wiltshire and Swindon Aggregate Minerals Site Allocations Development Plan.  

            Councillor Dale Heenan, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Sustainability explained that Wiltshire Council and this Council jointly prepared all mineral-planning documents covering the Wiltshire and Swindon area. He advised that this Submission Draft reflected the responses received following consultation that had been requested by the Cabinet at its meeting (Minute 70, 2011/12 refers).

Resolved - That the Council be recommended to –

(i) Approve the Submission Draft of the Wiltshire and Swindon Aggregate Minerals Site Allocations Development Plan as set out in Appendices 1 and 2 to the joint report;

(ii) Authorise the Head of Planning and the Director of Law and Democratic Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Sustainability, to make minor changes, if required, to the content of the document prior to submission to the Secretary of State for formal examination;

(iii) Authorise the Head of Planning to submit the Wiltshire and Swindon Aggregate Minerals Site Allocations Development Plan Document (Submission Drafts) to the Secretary of State and authorise the Head of Planning to publish the documents in accordance with the procedures set out in paragraph 3.11 of the joint report;

(iv) Authorise the Head of Planning to undertake any consequential action as directed by the Inspector relating to the examination of the Aggregate Minerals Site Allocations Development Plan Document.

            The reasons for the decision and alternative options are as set out in the report to the meeting.

            The Leader of the Council, Cabinet Member for Children Services, Cabinet Member for One Swindon, Localities and Housing and the Director of Law and Democratic Services submitted a joint report concerning recommendations arising from the Housing Advisory Forum held on 7^th March 2012 and the Swindon Children’s Trust Board held on 15^th March 2012.  

            The Chair referred to the decisions of the Housing Advisory Forum.  He explained that, in respect of Minute 36 of the Forum concerning alternatives to paying-in cashiers, a review had been undertaken and the cashier desks were no longer utilised.  

            Councillor David Renard, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Children’s Services referred to the decisions of the Housing Advisory Forum. He explained that, in respect of Minute 40(1) of the Forum, the appendices to the report set out the detail of the Council’s repair and improvement programme. 

            Councillor David Renard, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children’s Services expressed his support for the decisions of the Swindon Children’s Trust Board, particularly in respect of Minute 39 (3) of the Board concerning the adoption of the Special Educational Needs Provision Strategy.   

Resolved – (1) That, the decision in Minute 36 of the Housing Advisory Forum, requesting a deferment of the removal of the cashier service for housing tenants at the One Stop Shop for a period of three months, in order to allow full consultation to be undertaken, be noted.

(2) That, further to Minute 40 of the Housing Advisory Forum, the Housing Repair and Improvement Programme for 2012/13, as set out in the Appendices to the joint report of the Cabinet Member for Housing, Communities and Partnership and the Director of Housing, Leisure, Libraries and Culture, be approved.

(3) That, further to Minute 39 of the Swindon Children’s Trust Board, the development of provision indicated in the Special Educational Needs Provision Strategy, be approved.

         The reasons for the decision and alternative options are as set out in the report to the meeting.

            The Cabinet Member for Finance, Board Director Finance, Revenues,

Benefits and Property and the Head of Property and Assets submitted a joint report providing an update on and setting out the commercial terms agreed in relation to the provision of a new retail development on the site of Dorcan House at Dorcan Way, Swindon following on from the decision of the Cabinet at its meeting on 21^st March 2012, to enter into a collaboration agreement for the proposed development. (Minute 104. 2011/12 refers).

            Councillor Garry Perkins, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Culture, explained that this was an excellent opportunity for the development of one of Swindon’s oldest shopping centres and welcomed the benefits to the community of the provision of a full sized supermarket facility.

            Councillor Fay Howard, Liden, Eldene and Park South Ward Councillor, enquired regarding proposed improvements for vehicular site access via the existing main traffic roundabout.  The Head of Property and Assets advised that amendments had already been made to the original layout in order to channel traffic out of residential areas onto Dorcan Way.   A full transport assessment would be undertaken as part of the planning process and any issues identified would be resolved. 

            Councillor Neil Heavens, Liden, Eldene and Park South Ward Councillor, enquired what provision would be made for independent traders at the Eldene Centre.   The Head of Property and Assets explained the provision that was likely to be available as part of the overall development.  

            Resolved – That the Director of Law and Democratic Services, in consultation with the Head of Property Assets, be authorised to conclude a collaboration agreement with the current site owner and the supermarket referred to in the joint report to facilitate the new retail development on the terms set out in the report, subject to planning consent being obtained.

            The reasons for this decision and alternative options are as set out in the report of the meeting.