Issue - meetings

(1) To consider Minutes for Confirmation from Cabinet:

• Minute 18(6) – Budget Management 2014/15.
• Minutes for Confirmation arising from the meeting of the Cabinet held on 10^th September 2014.  (Minutes to follow under separate cover.)

(2) To consider Minutes for Confirmation from the Licensing Committee:

• Minute 15 – Revision of Street Trading Policy.
• Minute 17 – Adoption of Consolidated Skin-Piercing Byelaws.

(3) To consider a Minute for Confirmation from the Audit Committee:

• Minute 9(2) – Terms of Reference and Work Plan.
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          (1) Councillor Russell Holland moved and Councillor David Renard seconded:

“That  Minute 18(6) of the Cabinet (Budget Management 2014/15) be confirmed and adopted.”

The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

          (2) Councillor Emma Faramarzi moved and Councillor David Renard seconded:

“That Minute 36(1) of the Cabinet (Reference from Other Council Bodies – Licensing Committee (Delegations under Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013)) be confirmed and adopted.”

The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

(3) Councillor Vera Tomlinson moved and Councillor Eric Shaw seconded:

“That Minute 15 of the Licensing Committee (Revision of Street Trading Policy) be confirmed and adopted.”

The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

In response to a question seeking clarification regarding Minute 15 of the Licensing Committee from Councillor Kevin Small, the Chair of the Licensing Committee confirmed that the revised Street Trading Policy would permit the playing of music at Christmas Markets, and where appropriate, at other organised markets.

(4) Councillor Vera Tomlinson moved and Councillor Eric Shaw seconded:

“That Minute 17 of the Licensing Committee (Adoption of Consolidated Skin-piercing Byelaws) be confirmed and adopted.”

The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

          (5) Councillor Steve Weisinger moved and Councillor Oliver Donachie seconded:

“That Minute 9(2) of the Audit Committee (Audit Committee: Terms of Reference and Work Plan) be confirmed and adopted.”

The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and the Board Director, Resources submitted a joint report setting out (a) the current forecast outturn position of the Council's Revenue Budget as at the end of May 2014, (b) issues impacting on the Council’s finances, including (i) a loan request from Swindon Commercial Services (SCS) to enable the acquisition of a Can Baler, (ii) a proposed reduction in the maximum limit of the cashflow loan facility to Swindon Commercial Services Ltd. following the reintegration of Swindon Commercial Services (SCS) into the Council, and (iii) the funding of required works in Swindon Town Centre from available “one-off” resources, (c) a proposed change to the Council’s Scheme of Delegations to enable the Board Director, Resources to submit external funding bids, (d) progress of the preparation of a revised Library Strategy, and (e) the current forecast out-turn position for the Housing Revenue Account and the Dedicated Schools Grant.

          Councillor Russell Holland, Cabinet Member for Finance, introduced the report and referred to the success of the work being undertaken to deliver budget savings early for the next Financial Year and how this both strengthened the Council’s financial position and provided capacity to fund the Council’s on-going transformation.

          Resolved – (1) That the Cabinet notes the Projected Out-turn by Service 2014/15, as set out in Table 1 and Appendices 1 and 2 to the joint report.

          (2) That the proposed budget virements, as set out in Appendix 3 to the joint report, be approved.

          (3) That a loan of £280,000 be made to Swindon Commercial Services Ltd to finance the purchase and installation of a can baler for its Recycling facility as referred to in paragraph 6 of the joint report.

          (4) That the maximum limit of the cashflow loan facility to Swindon Commercial Services Ltd be reduced from £2.25m to £1.25m as referred to in paragraph 6 of the joint report.

          (5) That the sum of £88,000 be approved for the deep clean and seal of surfacing in Swindon Town Centre, as referred to in paragraph 7 of the joint report, to be funded from one-off resources.

          (6) That the Council be recommended that –

(a)       the Board Director, Resources be authorised to

(i)              submit applications for external funding which would further the Council’s strategic objectives, and

(ii)             accept the award of external funding which further the Council’s strategic objectives, in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member,

(b)  the Director of Law and Democratic Services be authorised to amend the Scheme of Delegation accordingly.

          (7) That the proposed work to be undertaken on a detailed needs assessment of the Library service following recent consultation feedback associated with the preparation of a revised Library Strategy, as referred to in paragraph 9 of the joint report, be noted.

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