Agenda and minutes

          The Worshipful The Mayor reported the recent death of Doctor Peter Crouch, Vice-Chair of The Council’s Health and Wellbeing Board and invited the Chamber to stand and join him in observing a Minutes Silence as a sign of respect.

          Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Wayne Crabbe and Vera Tomlinson.

The Chief Executive reported that no communications had been received.

          Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 14^th July, 2016, 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 Mary Martin made a personal declaration in respect of Agenda Item 7 (Motion – Sprinkler Systems in Schools) in her capacity as a Governor of the Great Western Academy.

          Mr Tony Hillier asked aif the Council would consider delaying, for one year, any decision regarding the creation of additional Parish Councils within the Borough. The Cabinet Member for Communities responded at the meeting.

          Mr Hillier asked the Leader of the Council if he would add his congratulations to those given in praise of the work of the organisers of the recent Great Western Hospital fete.  The Leader of the Council responded at the meeting.

          Mr Brian Cockbill asked a question regarding the public’s perception of Swindon in the light of recent poor publicity about the Town and also about rumours of the sale of buildings in the town centre.  The Leader of the Council responded at the meeting.

          Mr Cockbill asked a further question about Council policies as a contributory factor to the poor perception of the town’s image. The Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness responded at the meeting.

          Ms Helen Jackson asked a public question regarding Council support for the future provision of the Dial A  Ride Service. The Cabinet Member for Sustainability, Highways and Transport responded at the meeting.

          Ms Jackson asked a supplementary question on the same topic which the Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness also responded to at the meeting.

(In accordance with the Code of Conduct Councillor Bob Wright made a personal declaration in respect of this item (in relation Mr Hillier’s second question) as he was a Health and Safety Advisor to the Great Western Hospital.)

To consider Minutes for Confirmation from the Licensing Committee.

·       Minute 17 (Introduction of an Animal Welfare Charter for Swindon)

·       Minute 18 (Cumulative Impact Policy for the Broad Green Area, Swindon)

          (1) Councillor John Haines moved and Councillor Nick Martin seconded that Minute 17 of the Licensing Committee (Animal Welfare Charter for Swindon) be confirmed and adopted.

          The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

          (2) Councillor John Haines moved and Councillor Nick Martin seconded that Minute 18 of the Licensing Committee (Cumulative Impact Policy for the Broad Green Area, Swindon) be confirmed and adopted.

          The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

To consider a petition received in accordance with the Council’s Petition Scheme.

The Council considered a report of the Director of Law and Democratic Services concerning the receipt of a petition containing 3,645 signatures (with an online version of the petition with the same wording containing 384 signature) calling on Swindon Borough Council not to cut funding it provides to the Dial A Ride service (now or in the future).

In accordance with the Council’s Petitions Scheme Mr Paul Newton-Smith, on behalf of the petitioners, introduced the petition.

Councillor Dale Heenan moved and Councillor Derique Montaut seconded:

“This Council:

·       Notes the Save Swindon’s Dial a Ride Petition, which has obtained more than 4000 signatures.

·       Expresses regret that the Dial a Ride contract had to be cut due to required Council Budget Reductions.

·       Supports Cabinet’s view that there be no further funding reductions to Swindon Dial a Ride.

·       Notes that the Cabinet Member for Sustainably, Highways, and Transport has met with the Lead Petition Organiser where they discussed new income stream options, which could be used to mitigate the effects of Dial a Ride’s cut in funding.

·       Requests the Cabinet Member for Sustainability, Highways, and Transport:

(a) bring a report to Cabinet detailing the different options the Council has to create new income streams for Dial a Ride to mitigate the effects of the organisation’s funding cut; and

(b) set up a cross-party Cabinet Member advisory group to monitor and review the Swindon Dial a Ride contract and ensure the aims of this motion are achieved.”

          The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

Councillor Tim Swinyard will move:

“This Council notes with grave concern the planning application by Taylor Wimpey to build in view of St Mary's Church and Lydiard House within the area of Wiltshire Council.

This Council requests that the Cabinet Member responsible for Lydiard write to the relevant Wiltshire Council planning committee expressing this Council’s unequivocal objection to such a development.”

Councillor Tim Swinyard moved and Councillor Matthew Courtliff seconded:

“This Council notes with grave concern the planning application by Taylor Wimpey to build in view of St Mary's Church and Lydiard House within the area of Wiltshire Council.

This Council requests that the Cabinet Member responsible for Lydiard write to the relevant Wiltshire Council planning committee expressing this Council’s unequivocal objection to such a development.”

          The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

Councillor Garry Perkins will move:

“This Council notes

1) A proposed change in government policy that would no longer require new schools to be fitted with sprinkler systems.

2) The advice from professional fire officers that sprinkler systems are a vital tool in reducing the risk to life and property from fires.

3) The enormous damage to children’s education if their school is rendered unusable by a fire.

4) The adverse effect relocating children might have to their educational attainments, which would be contrary to Pledge 17 of the Council’s Vision.

This Council requests

That the Leader of the Council write to the relevant Cabinet Minister and the Borough’s two Members of Parliament: Robert Buckland QC and Justin Tomlinson, urging the retention of the requirement to fit sprinkler systems in new schools.

Councillor Garry Perkins moved and Councillor Joe Tray seconded:

“This Council notes

(1) A proposed change in government policy that would no longer require new schools to be fitted with sprinkler systems.

(2) The advice from professional fire officers that sprinkler systems are a vital tool in reducing the risk to life and property from fires.

(3) The enormous damage to children’s education if their school is rendered unusable by a fire.

(4) The adverse effect relocating children might have to their educational attainments, which would be contrary to Pledge 17 of the Council’s Vision.

This Council requests

That the Leader of the Council write to the relevant Government Minister and the Borough’s two Members of Parliament: Robert Buckland QC and Justin Tomlinson, urging the retention of the requirement to fit sprinkler systems in new schools.”

          The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

(In accordance with the Code of Conduct Councillor Mary Martin made a personal declaration in respect of this item as she was a Governor of the Great Western Academy.)

Councillor Bob Wright will move:

“This Council welcomes the success of former Swindonian Jazmine Carlin in achieving two Olympic Silver Medals at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

Council requests the Leader of the Council to work with the Council’s other political group leaders or their nominated deputies, on how Swindon can properly celebrate Jazz Carlin’s success.”

          With the agreement of the Council Councillor Bob Wright moved and Councillor Gary Sumner seconded the following amended motion:

“This Council welcomes the success of former Swindonian Jazmine Carlin in achieving two Olympic Silver Medals at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

Council requests the Leader of the Council to work with the Council’s other political group leaders or their nominated deputies, on how Swindon can celebrate Jazz Carlin’s success and the performance of all local Olympians and Paralympic athletes.”

          The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

Councillor Des Moffatt will move:

“This Council:

·       Notes the SKIP petition which has obtained 3000 signatories, opposing the waste treatment (burning) plant at Keypoint.

·       Calls on all Swindon Borough Councillors to consider the contribution to CO2 emissions in the borough of all alternative energy scheme.”

          With the agreement of the Council this motion was withdrawn.

To consider appointments to Committees and Other Bodies.

          The Council considered a report of the Director of Law and Democratic services setting out proposed changes to the membership of Committees and Other Bodies.

          Councillor David Renard moved and Councillor Russell Holland seconded:

(1) That Councillor Cathy Martyn replace Councillor Fionuala Foley as a member of the Council’s Adoption Panel of the remainder of the Municipal Year 2016/17.

(2) That Councillor Stephanie Exell replace Councillor Junab Ali as a member of the Council’s Licensing Committee for the remainder of the Municipal Year 2016/17.

(3) That Councillor Brian Ford replace Mr Brian Mattock as the Councillor’s nominated Governor serving on the Great Western Hospital Foundation Trust for period until August 2019.

(4) That the representation for Groups A (Christian Denominations and Other Religions), B (Church of England) and C (Teacher Associations) serving on the Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report of the Director of Law and Democratic Services, be approved for the period until May 2020.

(5) That, further to (4) above, the Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education, following nominations from representative organisations, be authorised to appoint to any interim vacancies during this term of office.

(6) That the Corporate Director, Economy Regeneration and Skills be appointed as a Director of Forward Swindon Limited for a term of office ending in September 2019.”

          The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

          The Council considered (a) the minutes of the meetings of the Cabinet held on 13^th July, 17^th August and 7^th September 2016, 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 no Standing Order 15 Questions had been received.