Agenda and minutes

          The Mayor reported that the Council’s Chief Executive, Mr Gavin Jones, was attending his last meeting of the Council prior to taking up a new position as Chief Executive of Essex County Council. The Mayor noted that Mr Jones had served the Council for twelve years, including nine as Chief Executive.

          The Mayor, on behalf of the Council, and supported by Councillors Jim Grant, Stan Pajak and David Renard, on behalf of their respective political groups, thanked Mr Gavin Jones for his service to Swindon Borough Council.

          The Mayor reported that Mr Ian Willcox, Committee and Member Services Manager was attending his last meeting of the Council and would be taking early retirement on 31^st December 2015 following thirty-one years’ service to Swindon Borough Council and it’s predecessors.

          The Mayor on behalf of the Council thanked Mr Ian Willcox for this service to Swindon Borough Council and wished him a happy retirement.

The Mayor thanked all Members for their support for the Remembrance Ceremony held on Sunday 8^th November at the Cenotaph in the Town Centre.

          The Mayor invited Members to attend the County of Wiltshire Carol Service hosted by the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire to be held on Tuesday 8^th December at 7:00pm at Christ Church, Cricklade Street, Swindon.  The Mayor also reminded Members and officers of the forthcoming staff Christmas Carol Service to be held on Friday 18^th December at 12:30pm in the Council Chamber. 

          The Mayor advised Members of the Council’s successful trip to Salzgitter where amongst other issues apprenticeships and young person exchanges were discussed.

          The Mayor advised Members that he and the Leader of the Council had been invited to attend the 10^th Anniversary Diwali Function to be held on Saturday 14^th November.

          Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Paul Baker, Ray Ballman, Wayne Crabbe, Mark Edwards and Dave Wood.

The Chief Executive reported that no communications had been received.

To receive the minutes of the previous meeting held on 24^th September 2015.

          Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 24^th September 2015, be confirmed and signed.

          Mr Martin Wicks submitted written questions regarding the possible parishing of non-parished areas within the Borough of Swindon.  The Cabinet Member for Communities and Strategic Planning tabled written responses.

          Mr Martin Wicks asked supplemental questions regarding (a) the holding of a referendum before the establishment of new parish councils in Swindon, and (b) the financing of services transferred to parished areas. The Cabinet Member for Communities and Strategic Planning responded at the meeting.

          Mrs Frances Bevan submitted a written question regarding the possible leasing of Lydiard House. The Cabinet Member for the Economy, Regeneration and Skills tabled a written response.

                    Mr Graham Carter submitted written questions regarding the possible repayment of Lottery Fund grant money should Lydiard House be leased. The Cabinet Member for the Economy, Regeneration and Skills tabled a written response.

          Mr Graham Carter asked a supplemental question regarding Lottery Fund grants given to Lydiard House. The Cabinet Member for the Economy, Regeneration and Skills responded at the meeting.

          Mr Michael Gray submitted a written question regarding the appointment of consultants to coordinate and assess expressions of interest for the possible leasing of Lydiard House.  The Cabinet Member for the Economy, Regeneration and Skills tabled a written response.

          Mr Michael Gray asked supplemental questions regarding (a) figures provided for the subsidy supporting Lydiard House, and (b) the choice of consultants to oversee expressions of interest for the possible leasing of Lydiard House. The Cabinet Member for the Economy, Regeneration and Skills responded at the meeting.

          Mr Mike Bowden submitted a written question seeking clarification as to the additional benefit that consultants added to the appraisal process of considering the possible leasing of Lydiard House. The Cabinet Member for the Economy, Regeneration and Skills tabled a written response.

          Ms Sarah Finch-Crisp submitted a written question regarding the Council’s research and knowledge of the market in respect of the possible leasing of Lydiard House. The Cabinet Member for the Economy, Regeneration and Skills tabled a written response.

          Ms Sarah Finch-Crisp asked a supplemental question regarding ‘in-house’ expertise for the selection of consultants in respect of Lydiard House.  The Cabinet Member for the Economy, Regeneration and Skills responded at the meeting.

          Mr Colin Davies submitted a written question regarding the future use of the Conference Centre at Lydiard House. The Cabinet Member for the Economy, Regeneration and Skills tabled a written response.

          Mr Mike Bowden, on behalf of Mr Colin Davies, asked supplemental questions regarding (a) alternative plans for the Conference Centre and for making Lydiard House viable financially and (b) a Corporate Governance report produced in 2013. The Cabinet Member for the Economy, Regeneration and Skills responded at the meeting.

          Mr Anthony St John submitted a written question regarding the guiding principles underpinning the current Lydiard review. The Cabinet Member for the Economy, Regeneration and Skills tabled a written response.

          Mr Colin Doubleday asked a public question regarding the transparency of the process on the possible introduction of additional parish councils within the Borough. The Cabinet Member for Communities  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.

(1) To consider Minutes for Confirmation from the Cabinet.

·       Minute 37 (Polling District and Places Review)

·       Minute 39(1) (Updated Contract Standing Orders

·       Minute 40(2) (References from Other Council Bodies – Licensing Committee/Corporate Governance Review Working Group)

(2) To consider a Minute for Confirmation from the Joint Consultative Committee.

·       Minute 4 (Terms of Reference for Meetings of the Joint Consultative Committee)

(1) Councillor Brian Ford moved and Councillor David Renardseconded:

“That Minute 37(a) of the Cabinet (Polling District and Places Review) be confirmed and adopted, subject to Minute 37(a)(vi) being amended to read “That a polling station be located within the WWE polling district and a polling district is created called WWF for the properties within Alexandra Park, provided that if this does not prove possible, then the polling place for the WWE register be moved to the Ellendune Centre.”

The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

(2)Councillor David Renard moved and Councillor Brian Mattockseconded:

“That Minute 39(1) of the Cabinet (Updated Contract Standing Orders) be confirmed and adopted.”

The 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, Oliver Donachie, Toby Elliot, Claire Ellis, Emma Faramarzi, Fionuala Foley, Brian Ford, Mary Friend, John Haines, Dale Heenan, Russell Holland, Richard Hurley, Colin Lovell, Mary Martin, Nick Martin, Cathy Martyn, Brian Mattock, Gemma McCraken, Kevin Parry, Maureen Penny, Garry Perkins, David Renard, Eric Shaw, Tim Swinyard, Caryl Sydney-Smith, Vera Tomlinson Steve Weisinger and Keith Williams.

          Members voting against the motion were Councillors Junab Ali, Steve Allsopp, Abdul Amin, John Ballman, Emma Bushell, Paul Dixon, Stepanie Exell, Jim Grant, Fay Howard, Des Moffatt, Derique Montaut, Teresa Page, Stan Pajak, Jim Robbins, Carol Shelley, Kevin Small, Joe Tray, Chris Watts, Nadine Watts, Peter Watts, Bob Wright and Julie Wright.

(3) Councillor David Renard moved and Councillor Toby Elliottseconded:

“That Minute 40(2) of the Cabinet (References from Other Council Bodies  -Corporate Governance Review) be confirmed and adopted.”

The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

(4) Councillor David Renard moved and Councillor Brian Mattockseconded:

“That Minute 4 of the Joint Consultative Committee (Terms of Reference for Meetings of the Joint Consultative Committee) be confirmed and adopted.”

The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

Councillor Des Moffatt will move and Councillor Chris Watts will second:

This Council:

• Continues to support the UK Broadband Network’s (UKBN) 4G LTE wireless network rollout in the rural areas

• Notes recent statements by the North Swindon MP, Justin Tomlinson that he is in discussions with a commercial broadband provider about installing fibre optic broadband across North Swindon.
• Is concerned that the Cabinet’s continued plans to rollout UK Broadband Network’s 4G LTE network across North Swindon could prohibit interest from commercial broadband providers to install fibre optic broadband.
• Asks the Cabinet to consider removing urban North Swindon from the Council’s Superfast Broadband programme and that a report be brought to Cabinet within 6 months detailing the progress that has been made to attract fibre optic broadband infrastructure to North Swindon.
• Believes that should there be little progress made to bring fibre optic broadband to North Swindon during the next 6 months, there would be grounds for inserting North Swindon back in to UK Broadband Network’s rollout programme if suitable sites can be found for the radio antenna.

          Councillor Des Moffatt moved and Councillor Chris Watts seconded:

“This Council:

·       Continues to support the UK Broadband Network’s (UKBN) 4G LTE wireless network rollout in the rural areas

• Notes recent statements by the North Swindon MP, Justin Tomlinson that he is in discussions with a commercial broadband provider about installing fibre optic broadband across North Swindon.
• Is concerned that the Cabinet’s continued plans to rollout UK Broadband Network’s 4G LTE network across North Swindon could prohibit interest from commercial broadband providers to install fibre optic broadband.
• Asks the Cabinet to consider removing urban North Swindon from the Council’s Superfast Broadband programme and that a report be brought to Cabinet within 6 months detailing the progress that has been made to attract fibre optic broadband infrastructure to North Swindon.
• Believes that should there be little progress made to bring fibre optic broadband to North Swindon during the next 6 months, there would be grounds for inserting North Swindon back in to UK Broadband Network’s rollout programme if suitable sites can be found for the radio antenna.”

          Councillor Mary Martin moved and Councillor David Renard seconded that the Motion be amended to read:

“This Council:

Continues to support the UK Broadband Network’s (UKBN) 4G LTE wireless network rollout in the rural areas.

Notes recent statements by the North Swindon MP, Justin Tomlinson that he is in discussions with a commercial broadband provider in relation to the possible installation of fibre optic broadband across North Swindon. 

Welcomes competition and notes that the provision of Government's minimum standard of superfast broadband across the Borough to the intervention area is of benefit to residents.

Asks the Cabinet Member for Corporate, Customer and Digital Services to bring a report to Cabinet as a matter of urgency containing the information previously requested by Council, setting out how the Council has considered the potential for use of funds leftover from the Superfast Broadband scheme to enable urban intervention areas to be connected up to fibre optic Broadband, subject to state aid rules.”

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

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

Councillor Jim Robbins will move and Councillor Kevin Small will second:

“This Council:

• Is concerned about the Cabinet Member for Culture’s recent announcement that the Cabinet are looking at transferring Lydiard Park and potentially Swindon’s other country parks to a private company.
• Believes the Council should retain overall control and continue to run its local country parks, including Lydiard Park. Furthermore Council believes that there are ways the Council can generate more income from our country parks without having to transfer them to a private company.
• Requests the suspension of all current actions being taken to explore organisations that can take on the running of Swindon’s country parks and requests that the Cabinet Member for the Economy, Regeneration and Skills brings a report to Cabinet detailing how the Council can generate more income from its country parks in order to mitigate the Council’s future budgetary challenges.”

          Councillor Jim Robbins moved and Councillor Kevin Small seconded:

“This Council:

• Is concerned about the Cabinet Member for Culture’s recent announcement that the Cabinet are looking at transferring Lydiard Park and potentially Swindon’s other country parks to a private company.
• Believes the Council should retain overall control and continue to run its local country parks, including Lydiard Park. Furthermore Council believes that there are ways the Council can generate more income from our country parks without having to transfer them to a private company.
• Requests the suspension of all current actions being taken to explore organisations that can take on the running of Swindon’s country parks and requests that the Cabinet Member for the Economy, Regeneration and Skills brings a report to Cabinet detailing how the Council can generate more income from its country parks in order to mitigate the Council’s future budgetary challenges.”

The Motion was put to the vote and declared lost.

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

“This Council welcomes the Council’s response to the Department for Communities and Local Government outlining its concerns on the Government’s “Pay to Stay” proposals, following discussion at the Housing Advisory Forum meeting on 14^th October 2015.

In addition to the concerns Council raised in its response to the Government’s “Pay to Stay” proposals, Council is strongly concerned about the Government’s breaking of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) ring-fence and the impact the Government’s “Right to Buy” proposals is having on reducing the social and affordable housing stock in Swindon.

This Council believes the HRA ring-fence should be retained and that all “Right to Buy” sales should be matched with the necessary funding to build a true one for one replacement of the housing stock. Council also believes that the Government is currently using its “Pay to Stay” and “Right to Buy” policies as a way to generate income for the Government and as part of its ideological pursuit of depleting the social and affordable housing stock in the country.  

Council requests the Leader of the Council to write to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government expressing the Council’s opposition to the Government’s “Right to Buy” reforms.”

Councillor Bob Wright moved and Councillor Steve Allsopp seconded:

“This Council welcomes the Council’s response to the Department for Communities and Local Government outlining its concerns on the Government’s “Pay to Stay” proposals, following discussion at the Housing Advisory Forum meeting on 14th October 2015.

In addition to the concerns Council raised in its response to the Government’s “Pay to Stay” proposals, Council is strongly concerned about the Government’s breaking of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) ring-fence and the impact the Government’s “Right to Buy” proposals is having on reducing the social and affordable housing stock in Swindon.

This Council believes the HRA ring-fence should be retained and that all “Right to Buy” sales should be matched with the necessary funding to build a true one for one replacement of the housing stock. Council also believes that the Government is currently using its “Pay to Stay” and “Right to Buy” policies as a way to generate income for the Government and as part of its ideological pursuit of depleting the social and affordable housing stock in the country.  

Council requests the Leader of the Council to write to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government expressing the Council’s opposition to the Government’s “Right to Buy” reforms.”

          The Motion was put to the vote and declared lost.

          The Council considered (a) the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 21st October 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 there were no Standing Order 15 questions.