Agenda and minutes

          Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Junab Ali, Garry Perkins, Dave Wood and Julie Wright.

The Chief Executive reported that correspondence has been received from the Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon responding to Minute 43 (Motion – Police Community Support Officers).  This Correspondence had been tabled.

To receive the minutes of the previous meeting held on 18^th September 2014.

          Resolved – (1) That the minutes of the meeting held on 18^th September 2014, be confirmed and signed.

          (2) That the minutes of the meeting held on 17^th July 2014, be amended to include Councillor Fay Howard in the list of attendees.

          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 Neil Heavens made a non prejudicial declaration of interest in respect of item 7 (c) (Motion – Regent Circus Crossing) as he and his wife had a financial interest in properties in Commercial Road, Swindon.)

          Mr Martin Wicks submitted written questions regarding (a) outstanding General Fund loans, (b) borrowing for homes associated with the successful bid for Housing and Communities Agency grant, and (c) the Council’s Housing Strategy and promised Housing Conference. Written responses were tabled at the meeting.

          Mr Martin Wicks asked a supplementary question seeking clarification about the figures set out in the Cabinet Member’s response on Housing Revenue Account financing. The Cabinet Member for Housing and Public Safety indicated she would provide a written response.

          Mr Martin Wicks asked a supplementary question regarding the proposed Housing Conference.  The Cabinet Member for Housing and Public Safety responded at the meeting.

          Mr Richard Symmonds asked a public question regarding whether the Council’s website could be deemed user friendly. The Leader of the Council responded at the meeting.

          Mr Richard Symmonds asked public questions regarding traffic flows around Regent Circus.  The Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Sustainability and Transport indicated he would provide a written response.

          Mr Richard Symmonds asked a public question regarding buses travelling through the Railway Village. The Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Sustainability and Transport responded at the meeting.

          Mr Tim French asked public questions regarding (a) street lighting in Regent Circus, and (b) the prosecution of a street artist using Regent Street. The Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Sustainability and Transport responded at the meeting.

          Mr Tom Jeffrey asked a public question relating to the Safety Audit for the Regent Circus development. The Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Sustainability and Transport responded at the meeting.

          Mr Tom Jeffrey asked a public question regarding the Sussex Square redevelopment. The Cabinet Member for Housing and Public Safety responded at the meeting.

(1) To consider Minutes for Confirmation from Cabinet:

·       Minute 41(2) (Budget Management 2014/15 and Draft Budget 2015/16.

·       Minute 46(1) (Independent Renumeration Panel on Councillors’ Allowances Recommendations 2015/16).

(Minutes to follow under separate cover)

(2) To receive Minutes to Note from Cabinet:

·       Minute 31 (Housing Strategy 2015-2026).

·       Minute 34 (Motion at Council – Traffic on Cricklade Road, Swindon).

·       Minute 35 Invest and Save for a Low Carbon Swindon – Swindon’s Energy Future – Motion at Council).

          (1) Councillor Russell Holland moved and Councillor Richard Hurley seconded:

“That Minute 41(2) of the Cabinet (Budget Management 2014/15 and Draft Budget 2015/16) be confirmed and adopted.”

          The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

          (2) Councillor David Renard moved and Councillor Brian Mattock seconded:

“That  Minute 46(1) of the Cabinet (Independent Renumeration Panel on Councillors’ Allowances and Renumeration) be confirmed and adopted.

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

“This Council thanks the Independent Renumeration Panel for its work. However, given the Council’s budgetary pressures, Council resolves to freeze the basic Councillors’ Allowance and cut all Special Responsibility Allowances by 10%.”

          The Amendment was put to the vote and declared lost.

          Councillor Kevin Small moved and Cpouncillor Jim Grant seconded that the Motion be amended to read:

“This Council requests the Director of Law and Democratic Services to provide legal advice on how the Council can set Councillors’ Allowances at its Annual Meeting for the following Financial Year, in order to improve the process of determining Councillors’ Allowances.”

          The Leader of the Council advised Council that he would refer this issue to the Council’s Corporate Governance Working Group for its deliberation.  The Mover and Seconder of the Amendment requested and Council agreed that the Amendment be withdrawn.

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

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

“That Minute 31 of the Cabinet (Housing Strategy 2015 - 2026) be noted.

          Councillor Bob Wright moved and Councillor Steve Allsopp seconded that the Motion be amended to read:

“This Council believes the final decision on key strategic documents of the Council, like the Housing Strategy, should be determined by Full Council.  This Council urges the Cabinet to reconsider its decision to delegate responsibility to authorize the Housing Strategy following consultation to the Cabinet Member for Housing and Public Safety and to transfer its responsibility to Full Council.”

          The Amendment was put to the vote and declared lost.

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

          (4) Councillor Dale Heenan moved and Councillor David Renard seconded:

“That Minute 34 of the Cabinet (Motion at Council – Traffic on Cricklade Road) be noted.”

          The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

(5) Councillor Dale Heenan moved and Councillor David Renard seconded:

“That Minute 35 of the Cabinet (Low Carbon Swindon – Swindon’s Energy Future – Motion at Council) be noted.”

          The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

Councillor Mark Dempsey will move and Councillor Jim Robbins will second:

“This Council:

·       Recognises that a University for Swindon is vital to unlock the talents of local people and drive economic regeneration. 

·       Recognises a University is also vital to attracting businesses to Swindon and enabling existing businesses recruit the skilled workers they need. 

·       Notes Swindon is the only major town out of 59 in England and Wales without a university, and Swindon is among the worst 10% of local authorities in England for participation in HE at 18. 

·       Notes the most recent research by the Higher Education Funding Council For England (HEFCE), which shows that 7 wards in Swindon are identified as in the lowest quintile in the country for Higher Education participation.

This Council resolves to ask Cabinet to:

·       Reaffirm its commitment to establishing a University for Swindon. 

·       Build on its Higher Education Strategy and establish a detailed plan and business proposal for a University for Swindon – including a Higher Education Centre as a starting point for a full University. 

·       Ensure a Higher Education Centre is the number one priority in the next application for funds for Swindon through the Local Enterprise Partnership and the Higher Education Funding Council For England. 

·       Accelerate discussions with Government, neighbouring Universities, and Further Education Colleges in Swindon to realise additional funding and support for this plan.”

Councillor Mark Dempsey moved and Councillor Jim Robbins seconded:

“This Council:

·       Recognises that a University for Swindon is vital to unlock the talents of local people and drive economic regeneration. 

·       Recognises a University is also vital to attracting businesses to Swindon and enabling existing businesses to recruit the skilled workers they need. 

·       Notes Swindon is the only major town out of 59 in England and Wales without a university, and Swindon is among the worst 10% of local authorities in England for participation in HE at 18. 

·       Notes the most recent research by the Higher Education Funding Council For England (HEFCE), which shows that 7 wards in Swindon are identified as in the lowest quintile in the country for Higher Education participation.

This Council resolves to ask Cabinet to:

·       Reaffirm its commitment to establishing a University for Swindon. 

·       Build on its Higher Education Strategy and establish a detailed plan and business proposal for a University for Swindon – including a Higher Education Centre as a starting point for a full University. 

·       Ensure a Higher Education Centre is the number one priority in the next application for funds for Swindon through the Local Enterprise Partnership and the Higher Education Funding Council For England. 

·       Accelerate discussions with Government, neighbouring Universities, and Further Education Colleges in Swindon to realise additional funding and support for this plan.”

          Councillor Mary Martin moved and Councillor Oliver Donachie seconded that the Motion be amended to read:

“This Council:

·       Recognises that a University for Swindon could be important to unlock the talents of local people and drive economic regeneration.

·       Recognises a University may be useful in attracting businesses to Swindon and enabling existing businesses to recruit the skilled workers they need.

·       Notes Swindon is the only major town out of 59 in England and Wales without a university, and Swindon is among the worst 10% of local authorities in England for participation in Higher Education at 18.

·       Notes the most recent research by the Higher Education Funding Council For England (HEFCE), which shows that 7 wards in Swindon are identified as in the lowest quintile in the country for Higher Education participation.

This Council notes that the previous Labour Government ran a competition for new universities, but failed to provide any funding in support of them.

Council invites the Economy and Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Committee to work with the Cabinet Member for the Economy, Regeneration, and Skills to develop all options to secure tertiary education in the Borough.”

          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.

Councillor Jim Grant will move:

“This Council:

• Supports the rights of recognised religious groups to have a place of worship inside the borough

• Notes the efforts of the Swindon Hindu Temple Trust to provide a Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre in Swindon

• Supports the principle of the Swindon Hindu Temple Trust building a Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre in the borough

This Council requests the Cabinet Member for the Economy, Regeneration, and Skills and Chief Executive of the Council to work with the Swindon Hindu Temple Trust in identifying a suitable site in the borough for a Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre and to bring a report to Cabinet on the matter.”

          At the request of the Mover and Seconder and with the agreement of the Council this Motion was withdrawn.

Councillor Bob Wright will move:

“This Council recognises the concerns of motorists that drive through and pedestrians that use the Shared Space crossing at Regents Circus about the safety of the crossing and is also concerned that the confusion over the right of way of the crossing on such a busy road will lead to accidents in the near future.

This Council also recognises the recent concerns of traders on Commercial Road who have urged the Council to take action to deal with the speed of vehicles and parking on the road. This Council notes that in the Town Centre Masterplan it is proposed that two-way traffic is re-established with short stay on-street parking through a series a lay-bys.

This council believes it should address residents safety concerns by installing a traditional traffic light crossing on the Regent Circus shared space crossing and request the Cabinet Member for Highways bring a report to Cabinet detailing a scheme so that would bring about this new crossing and to detail how the Council can more quickly realise its Masterplan ambitions for Commercial Road.”

          Councillor Bob Wright moved and Councillor Derique Montaut seconded:

“This Council recognises the concerns of motorists that drive through and pedestrians that use the “Shared Space” crossing at Regents Circus about the safety of the crossing and is also concerned that the confusion over the right of way of the crossing on such a busy road will lead to accidents in the near future.

This Council also recognises the recent concerns of traders on Commercial Road who have urged the Council to take action to deal with the speed of vehicles and parking on the road. This Council notes that in the Town Centre Master Plan it is proposed that two-way traffic is re-established with short stay on-street parking through a series a lay-bys.

This Council believes it should address residents safety concerns by installing a traditional traffic light crossing on the Regent Circus shared space crossing and request the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Sustainability and Transport bring a report to Cabinet detailing a scheme that would bring about this new crossing and to detail how the Council can more quickly realise its Master Plan ambitions for Commercial Road.”

          At the request of the mover and seconder and with the agreement of the Council the Motion was amended to read:

“This Council recognises the concerns of motorists that drive through and pedestrians that use the “Shared Space” crossing at Regents Circus about the safety of the crossing and is also concerned that the confusion over the right of way of the crossing on such a busy road will lead to accidents in the near future.

This Council also recognises the recent concerns of traders on Commercial Road who have urged the Council to take action to deal with the speed of vehicles and parking on the road. This Council notes that in the Town Centre Master Plan it is proposed that two-way traffic is re-established with short stay on-street parking through a series a lay-bys.

This Council believes it should address residents safety concerns by installing a traditional traffic light crossing on the Regent Circus shared space crossing and request the Cabinet Member for Highways bring a report to Cabinet detailing a scheme so that would bring about this new crossing and to detail how the Council can more quickly realise its Master Plan ambitions for Commercial Road.”

          Councillor Dale Heenan moved and Councillor Toby Elliott seconded that the Motion be amended to read:

“This Council:

- Welcomes the planning permission for Regent Circus, which prominently included the shared surface crossing, that was unanimously approved in October 2010 by the all-party Planning Committee for this key regeneration site.

- notes that all Councillors and residents want to see a safe crossing at Regent Circus, and notes the comments made by some residents in the last couple of months about the new crossing at Regent’s Circus.

- recognises that there were road traffic incidents involving pedestrians at this junction before the shared space changes were introduced.

- welcomes the independent  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57.

          The Council considered (a) the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 10^th September 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, 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 Steve Allsopp, Cindy Matthews and Bob Wright.

          Councillor Steve Allsopp asked a supplementary question regarding employer contributions to National Insurance and Pensions for employees. The cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care responded at the meeting.

          Councillor Bob Wright asked a supplementary question regarding consultation for blind or visually impaired users of the shared crossing scheme at Regent Circus.  The Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Sustainability and Transport indicated that he would provide a written response to the question.

          Councillor Bob Wright asked a supplementary question regarding support for the shared crossing scheme given the above average figures reported. The Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Sustainability and Transport responded at the meeting.

          Councillor Bob Wright asked a Supplementary question regarding accident figures highlighted in the fifteenth joint report in 2013. The Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Sustainability and Transport responded at the meeting.