Agenda and minutes

          Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Paul Baker, Roderick Bluh, Kevin Parry, Nicky Sewell, Carol Shelley and Dave Wood.

The Chief Executive reported that no communications had been received.

To receive the minutes of the previous meeting held on 3^rd July 2014.

          Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 3^rd July 2014, be confirmed and signed.

The Mayor reminded Members of the need to declare any known interests in any matters to be considered at the meeting.

In accordance with the Code of Conduct Councillor Steve Wakefield made a personal declaration of interest in respect of Agenda Item 6 (Options Appraisal – Leisure Commissioning) as he was a Haydon Wick Parish Councillor.)

          Mr Barrie Thompson submitted written questions regarding dementia awareness and staff training for dealing with dementia problems. A written response was tabled at the meeting.

          Mr Barrie Thompson asked a supplementary question regarding making Swindon a dementia friendly community.  The Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care responded at the meeting.

          Ms Linda Kasmaty submitted written questions concerning the Croft Sports Centre Car Park.  A written response was tabled at the meeting.

          Mr Neil Hopkins submitted written questions regarding Twigmarket’s finances and its operation of Council leisure facilities. A written response was tabled at the meeting.

          Mr Neil Hopkins asked a supplementary question regarding access to Twigmarket’s accounts prior to it being added to the shortlist for leisure facilitiy operators. The Cabinet Member for Corporate and Leisure Services responded at the meeting.

          Mrs Kareen Boyd submitted written questions regarding leisure facility lease variations.  A written response was tabled at the meeting.

          Mrs Kareen Boyd asked a supplemental question seeking clarification as to whether all Councillors saw the variation to the Oasis Leisure Centre lease to Moiria prior to changes being agreed. The Cabinet Member for the Economy, Regeneration and Skills responded at the meeting.

          Ms Susanne Webb submitted written questions concerning the Croft Sports Centre Car Park.  A written response was tabled at the meeting.

          Ms Susanne Webb asked a supplementary question seeking clarification on responsibility for the maintenance of the Croft Sports Centre Car Park under the proposed contract.  The Cabinet member for Corporate and Leisure Services responded at the meeting.

          Mrs Margaret Cooney submitted written questions regarding the variations to the Oasis Leisure Centre lease to Moirai. A written response was tabled at the meeting.

          Mrs Jane Milner-Barry submitted written questions regarding the Options Appraisal Report for Leisure Services and the purchase of land at Broome Manor Golf Course.  A written response was tabled at the meeting.

          Mrs Jane Milner-Barry asked a supplemental question on the relocation of leisure facilities.  The Cabinet Member for Corporate and Leisure Services responded at the meeting.

          Mr Christopher Hawkins submitted written questions regarding variations to the proposed Croft Sports Centre lease.  A written response was tabled at the meeting.

          Mr Christopher Hawkins asked a supplemental question regarding variations to the proposed Croft Sports Centre lease.  The Cabinet Member for Corporate and Leisure Services responded at the meeting.

          Mr Des Morgan submitted written questions regarding Broome Manor Golf Course actual full year expenditure and income. A written response was tabled at the meeting.

          Dr Chris Barry submitted a written question regarding a Cabinet Member Briefing Note on the Council’s website.  The Leader of the Council responded at the meeting.

          Mr Colin Doubleday asked a public question regarding the Croft Sports Centre Car Park.  The Cabinet Member for Corporate and Leisure Services responded at the meeting.

          Mr Colin Doubleday asked a supplemental question regarding the future use of the Croft Sports Centre Car Park. The Cabinet Member for Corporate and Leisure Services responded at the meeting.

          Mr Richard Symmonds asked a public  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

To consider (a) a joint report of the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services and Leisure and Board Director Service Delivery regarding the Options Appraisal – Leisure Commissioning, and (b) Minute 5 of the Cabinet relating to this report.

          The Cabinet Member for Corporate and Leisure Services and the Board Director, Service Delivery submitted a joint report concerning the implementation of the next stage of the Leisure and Culture Commissioning Change Programme in respect of the Council’s leisure and golf facilities, that would ensure the most viable option for continued delivery of a sustainable provision within the Borough, and the results of additional consultation and engagement.

          The Mayor drew Members’’ attention to Minute 21 of Council (Petition on the future of the Croft Playing Fields set out on pages 2 and 3 of the agenda papers.

          Councillor Keith Wiillams moved and Councillor David Renard seconded:

“That Minutes 5(2) to (10) of the Cabinet (Options Appraisal – Leisure Commissioning) be confirmed and adopted.”

          Councillor Jim Grant moved and Councillor Jim Robbins seconded that the Motion be amended to read:

“This Council notes the recommendations of Cabinet to grant to external operators a lease of specified leisure and golf facilities and resolves to exclude from any lease the following:

·       Broome Manor and Highworth Golf Courses.

·       Croft Playing Fields and the Croft Sports Centre Car Park.

·       The Haydon Centre.

Council instructs the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services and Leisure to work with Haydon Wick Parish Council on a detailed business plan for the Haydon Centre to be leased to the Parish Council to enable them to take over the operations of that facility.”

          The amendment was put to the vote and declared lost.

          The Substantive Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

A formal division was requested in accordance with Standing Order 14(2).

          Members voting for the motion were Councillors Andrew Bennett, Alan Bishop, Mick Bray, Wayne Crabbe, Oliver Donachie, Mark Edwards, Toby Elliot, Emma Faramarzi, Fionuala Foley, Brian Ford, Mary Friend, Brian Ford, John Haines, Dale Heenan, Russell Holland, Richard Hurley, Colin Lovell, Mary Martin, Nick Martin, Brian Mattock, Gemma McCraken, Maureen Penny, Garry Perkins, David Renard, Eric Shaw, Tim Swinyard, Vera Tomlinson Steve Weisinger and Keith Williams.

          Members voting against the motion were Councillors Junab Ali, Steve Allsopp, Abdul Amin, John Ballman, Ray Ballman, Mark Dempsey, Jim Grant, Neil Heavens, Fay Howard, Cindy Matthews, Des Moffatt, Derique Montaut, Teresa Page, Stan Pajak, Ann Richards, Jim Robbins, Kevin Small, Joe Tray, Steve Wakefield, Nadine Watts, Peter Watts, Bob Wright and Julie Wright.

          (Councillor Steve Wakefield made a personal declaration of interest in respect of the above item as he was a Haydon Wick Parish Councillor.)

To consider a Minute for Confirmation from the Licensing Committee:

·       Minute 11 – Scheme of Delegations – Amendments and Updates

          Councillor Vera Tomlinson moved and Councillor Eric Shaw seconded:

“That Minute 11 of the Licensing Committee (Scheme of Delegations – Amendments and Updates) be confirmed and adopted.”

          The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

Councillor Ray Ballman will move:

“This Council recognises that some people in the Borough suffer from the rapidly progressive, disabling and terminal Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

This Council notes that the national Motor Neurone Disease Charter led by the Motor Neurone Disease Association has received more than 16,000 signatures and it is intended to be presented to the Government before the 2015 General Election. The 5 points of the Charter are:

1. People with MND have the right to an early diagnosis and information

2. People with MND have the right to access quality care and treatments

3. People with MND have the right to be treated as individuals and with dignity and respect

4. People with MND have the right to maximise their quality of life

5. Carers of people with MND have the right to be valued, respected, listened to and well supported

This Council recognises that it has a role to play in supporting sufferers of this condition whether it be from its adult social care services, housing adaptations or support for carers and believes that by supporting and signing this charter, it shows Council’s commitments to supporting sufferers of this disease.

This Council requests the Leader of the Council to sign the charter on behalf of Swindon Borough Council.”

Councillor Ray Ballman moved and Councillor Brian Mattock seconded:

“This Council recognises that some people in the Borough suffer from the rapidly progressive, disabling and terminal Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

This Council notes that the national Motor Neurone Disease Charter led by the Motor Neurone Disease Association has received more than 16,000 signatures and it is intended to be presented to the Government before the 2015 General Election. The 5 points of the Charter are:

1. People with MND have the right to an early diagnosis and information.

2. People with MND have the right to access quality care and treatments.

3. People with MND have the right to be treated as individuals and with dignity and respect.

4. People with MND have the right to maximise their quality of life.

5. Carers of people with MND have the right to be valued, respected, listened to and well supported.

This Council recognises that it has a role to play in supporting sufferers of this condition whether it be from its adult social care services, housing adaptations or support for carers and believes that by supporting and signing this charter, it shows Council’s commitments to supporting sufferers of this disease.

This Council requests the Leader of the Council to sign the charter on behalf of Swindon Borough Council.”

          The Motion was put to the vote and unanimously agreed.

Councillor Bob Wright will move and Councillor Steve Allsopp will second:

“This Council notes that in some areas of the Borough, a reliance on Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) as low cost housing has led to safety issues in many of those homes and squalid living conditions. On top of this many of the HMOs in the borough can be poorly managed and maintained.

Council believes it should have greater powers to ensure that all HMOs provide decent living conditions for tenants living within them. This Council notes the HMO licensing scheme administered by Oxford City Council which aims to protect the health, safety and welfare of all tenants in HMOs as well as improving the quality of the HMO housing rental stock.

This Council requests the Cabinet Member for Housing to bring a report to Cabinet detailing how the Council can apply the HMO licensing model run by Oxford City Council for the Swindon Borough.”

Councillor Bob Wright moved and Councillor Steve Allsopp seconded:

“This Council notes that in some areas of the Borough, a reliance on Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) as low cost housing has led to safety issues in many of those homes and squalid living conditions. On top of this many of the HMOs in the Borough can be poorly managed and maintained.

Council believes it should have greater powers to ensure that all HMOs provide decent living conditions for tenants living within them. This Council notes the HMO licensing scheme administered by Oxford City Council which aims to protect the health, safety and welfare of all tenants in HMOs as well as improving the quality of the HMO housing rental stock.

This Council requests the Cabinet Member for Housing to bring a report to Cabinet detailing how the Council can apply the HMO licensing model run by Oxford City Council for the Swindon Borough.”

          With the agreement of the mover and seconder the amendment was amended to read:

“This Council requests the Cabinet Member for Housing and Public Safery to include consideration of the HMO licensing module run by Oxford city council in the draft Housing Strategy.”

          The amendment was put to the vote and declared carried becoming the Substantive Motion.

          The Substantive Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

To consider changes to Scrutiny and Overview Committee Membership and Chairs of Overview and Scrutiny Committees.  (To be tabled at the meeting.)

Councillor David Renard moved and Councillor Brian Mattock seconded:

“(1) That Councillor Kevin Parry replace Councillor Maureen Penny as a Member serving on the Streetsmart and Highways Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

(2) That Councillor Kevin Parry replace Councillor Maureen Penny as Chair of the Streetsmart and Highways Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

(3) That Councillor Alan Bishop replace Councillor Kevin Parry as a Member serving on the Health, Adults and Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

(4) That Councillor Maureen Penny replace Councillor Kevin Parry as Chair of the Health, Adults and Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee.”

          The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

          The Council considered (a) the minutes of the meetings of the Cabinet held on 19^th March, 23^rd April and 25^th June 2014, and (b) questions to the Cabinet Members regarding their portfolio responsibilities and answers received.

          The Council (a) received the minutes set out in the “Minutes of Other Council Bodies” circulated with the Agenda together with the tabled minutes of the meeting of the Wiltshire and Swindon Fire Authority dated 12^th June 2014, and (b) considered questions to Chairs relating to the work of their Committees and other bodies and answers received.

The Director of Law and Democratic Services reported that Standing Order 15 questions had been received from Councillors Junab Ali and Steve Allsopp.

          Councillor Steve Allsopp asked a supplementary question regarding issues relating to parking at Primary schools when parents collected their children. The Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Sustainability, and Transport responded at the meeting.