Agenda and minutes

          The Mayor advised Council that he had received correspondence from (a) the Duke of Gloucester thanking the Council for hosting the Swindon Battle of Britain Celebration and (b) the Lord Lieutenant and High Sheriff of Wiltshire thanking the Council for hosting events including the Radnor Street Commemoration Ceremony.

          The Mayor updated Council on the recent successful visit to the Borough of the Salzgitter Mayor and expressed his gratitude to Councillor Kevin Small for the work undertaken by him in respect of the visit.

          Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Paul Baker and John Haines.

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

The Chief Executive reported that no communications had been received.

          Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 23^rd July, 2015, 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.  No declarations were made.

In accordance with the Code of Conduct Councillors Steve Allsopp, Dale Heenan, Colin Lovell and Nick Martin made personal declarations of interest in respect of Agenda Item 7 (Council Petition Scheme) in their capacity as non-executive Council appointed Directors on the Thamesdown Transport Limited Board.

          Mr Richard Cummings submitted written questions in respect of problems being experienced by residents of Redlands due to noisy skydiving aeroplanes.  The Leader of the Council tabled a written answer.

          Mr Richard Cummings asked a supplemental question seeking Council assistance in facilitating meetings with the aeroplane operators.  The Leader of the Council responded at the meeting.

          Mr Stephen Thompson submitted written questions regarding (a) whether the Council intended to create more parishes within the Borough, and (b) the Council’s intentions regarding the creation of an elected Mayor.  The Leader of the Council responded at the meeting.

          Mr Stephen Thompson asked  a supplemental question regarding consultation and the possible use of a referendum in respect of these issues.  The Leader of the Council responded at the meeting.

          Mr Tim French asked a Public Question in respect of works at the Brunel Car Park and the effect on users of disabled parking bays.  The Cabinet Member for the Economy, Regeneration and Skills responded at the meeting.

To consider a Minute for Confirmation from the Cabinet.

·       Minute 24 (The Vision for Swindon)                              .

Councillor David Renard moved and Councillor Brian Mattock seconded:

“That Minute 24(1) of the Cabinet (The Vision for Swindon) be confirmed and adopted.”

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

“This Council resolves to:

i)      Instigate a public consultation on its Vision for Swindon and accompanying priorities and pledges, to enable Swindon residents to have the chance to contribute to this document and then it will be brought back to Full Council for final determination

ii)     Consult on a vision statement and 30 pledges with the following wording:

Vision Statement

“Over the next 15 years Swindon will meet the challenges it faces as a fast growing town in 21^st century Britain and Swindon residents will benefit from this continued growth. 

Swindon residents will have the affordable and private housing necessary to meet their needs and aspirations with infrastructure in place to cope with this housing and population growth; they will live in a town whose reputation will have improved as a result of the cultural transformation that will have taken place over this period; good quality jobs will be available to them as a result of the significant inward investment both from the private and public sector; our young people will be part of a much improved education system with more people having degree level qualifications and their vulnerable neighbours and family members will be protected from the challenges they face in 21^st Century Britain.

In short, the people of Swindon will be healthier, happier, kinder, wiser and more prosperous over the next 15 years.”

30 Pledges

By 2030 Swindon residents will live in: 

1.    Improve Infrastructure and housing to support a growing, low-carbon economy

i)      A low carbon town, with multiple renewable energy schemes having been developed and lead jointly by the Council and the private sector.

ii)     A place with the Thamesdown Drive Extension Road built, helping to alleviate the traffic problems on our roads in the north and west of the Borough.

iii)   A Borough planning to create a Swindon Ring Road. Swindon Council will work with Wiltshire Council and other authorities to safeguard a route for a J16 to A419 Bypass Road.

iv)   A cycle-friendly town with more people using this as part of their daily commute. This will be done by linking up Swindon’s existing cycle networks, particularly with stronger links through the Town Centre, as well as ensuring new communities also have convenient cycle access in and around the town.

v)     An area that has stronger highway linkages to the east of the Borough where the Eastern Villages are due, including at the Commonhead roundabout in the South and the White Hart Roundabout to the west of the villages.

vi)   A Borough meeting its affordable housing needs with at least 5000 affordable rented housing units having been built in the borough since 2015. These homes will be part of mixed areas and will be funded from developer’s contributions, HRA monies, institutional investors as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.

The Council considered a report of the Director of Law and Democratic Services concerning the receipt of six petitions, comprising similar wording, containing over 1,500 signatures asking for the re-instatement of the No. 20 Bus Service.

The Council received the comments of Mr Andrew Pederson, on behalf of the petitioners, introducing the petitions and debated the way in which the Council could most appropriately respond to the concerns raised.

Councillor Dale Heenan moved and Councillor Russell Holland seconded:

“This Council notes:

- The petitions and records its thanks to the petition organisers along with those who have signed the petitions.

- That Thamesdown Transport has been running the Service 20 bus as a commercial service since 2013 when the £240,000 annual s106 subsidy from developers and the NHS ended.

- That Thamesdown Transport reported a trading loss of £400,000 in 2014/15 and the decision to end the Service 20 Bus was its commercial decision.

- That the national concessionary fares schemes was introduced in 2008, and bus companies receive only 54% of the full ticket fare for carrying concessionary passengers.

- That Cabinet considered this matter in detail at the June and September 2015 meetings.

This Council asks:

1) The Leader of the Council to write to the two local MPs with a summary of the Members’ debate, and request that:

a) The existing concessionary travel scheme needs reform to include dial-a-ride type services, and proper funding to allow sustainable bus services to continue, and

b) That where concessionary bus passes are replaced with mobility vouchers that the local authority is reimbursed for the full cost.

2) That Cabinet continue working with ward members, parish councils, bus companies and alternative community transport providers affected by the Service 20 change to develop sustainable proposals that will assist people with mobility difficulties have access to transport to meet their needs, and encourage social inclusion.

3) That the Highways and Streetsmart Overview and Scrutiny Committee be invited to undertake a review of Council bus subsidies and recommend a sustainable "social need" bus policy.”

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

“This Council thanks the petitioners for their petition and for drawing to the Council’s attention the strong strength of feeling for halving the number 20 bus service.

Council asks Cabinet to reconsider not subsidising the number 20 bus service and requests the Cabinet Member for Transport to bring a report to Cabinet outlining the options for how the Council can retain the number 20 bus service.”

          The Amendment was put to the vote and declared lost.

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

(In accordance with the Code of Conduct Councillors Steve Allsopp, Dale Heenan, Colin Lovell and Nick Martin made personal declarations of interest in respect of this item in their capacity as Council appointed non-executive Directors on the Thamesdown Transport Limited Board.)

Jim Robbins will move and Emma Bushell will second:

“This Council:

• Expresses its sympathies with the millions of refugees currently suffering and fleeing from persecution in the Middle East
• Recognises the excellent work currently being done by local refugee support services, particularly by the Harbour Project to help refugees who arrive in the country and the Swindon-Calais Solidarity group who have had an overwhelming response from local residents keen to help refugees
• Requests the Chief Executive to urgently investigate the feasibility of accommodating Syrian refugee families in the Borough; to increase Council funding for local refugee support services to help these refugee families; and to support a bid for Swindon to obtain City of Sanctuary status
• Requests the Leader of the Council to lobby the government to engage more effectively with this problem by working constructively with European partners to deal with the refugees currently in Europe and address the underlying international development problems at the source of the refugee crisis.”

Councillor Jim Robbins moved and Councillor Emma Bushell seconded:

“This Council:

·     Expresses its sympathies with the millions of refugees currently suffering and fleeing from persecution in the Middle East.

·     Recognises the excellent work currently being done by local refugee support services, particularly by the Harbour Project to help refugees who arrive in the country and the Swindon-Calais Solidarity group who have had an overwhelming response from local residents keen to help refugees.

·     Requests the Chief Executive to urgently investigate the feasibility of accommodating Syrian refugee families in the Borough; to increase Council funding for local refugee support services to help these refugee families; and to support a bid for Swindon to obtain City of Sanctuary status.

          Requests the Leader of the Council to lobby the government to engage more effectively with this problem by working constructively with European partners to deal with the refugees currently in Europe and address the underlying international development problems at the source of the refugee crisis.”

          In accordance with Standing Order 9(1) the Motion stood deferred to Cabinet without discussion.

          The Council considered (a) the minutes of the meetings of the Cabinet held on 15^th July and 9^th September 2015, 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, Paul Dixon, Steph Exell, Jim Grant, Carol Shelley and Bob Wright.

          Councillor Steve Allsopp asked a supplementary question regarding the Government’s recent announcement on Right to Buy.  The Cabinet Member for Housing and Public Safety indicated that a written response would be provided.

          Councillor Steve Allsopp asked a supplemental question in respect of the report referred to in the Cabinet Member’s written answer.  The Cabinet Member for Sustainability and Transport responded at the meeting.

          Councillor Steph Exell asked a supplemental question regarding responsibilities for hedge maintenance.  The Cabinet Member for Streetsmart indicated that a written response would be provided following receipt of information from Councillor Exell.

          Councillor Steph Exell asked a supplementary question regarding Public Liability Insurance. The Cabinet Member for Communities and Planning responded at the meeting.

          Councillor Jim Grant asked a supplemental question regarding employment figures for the distribution sector. The Cabinet Member for the Economy, Regeneration and Skills responded at the meeting.

          Councillor Bob Wright asked a supplemental question regarding projected costs for works to Station Road. The Cabinet Member Sustainability and Transport responded at the meeting.