Agenda and minutes

            Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mark Edwards, Emma Faramarzi, Brian Ford and Dale Heenan.  

            The Mayor (Councillor Rex Barnett) called upon the Councillors to elect a qualified person to be Mayor of the Borough for the Municipal Year, 2011/12.

            Councillor Derique Montaut moved and Councillor Kevin Small seconded and the Council unanimously agreed that Councillor Ray Ballman be Mayor of the Borough for the ensuing Municipal Year. (Councillors Roderick Bluh, Jim Grant and Stan Pajak offered their support and congratulations to the Mayor, on behalf of their political groups.)

            Councillor Ray Ballman made and signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

(The Worshipful the Mayor (Councillor Ray Ballman) in the Chair.)

The Mayor (Councillor Ray Ballman) thanked the Council for her election to the post of Mayor of the Borough.

            Councillor David Renard moved and Councillor Mike Bawden seconded and the Council agreed that Councillor Rex Barnett be thanked for his year of service as Mayor of the Borough. (Councillors Roderick Bluh, Jim Grant and Stan Pajak thanked the retiring Mayor on behalf of their political groups.)

            Councillor Rex Barnett thanked Members and Officers for their support over the preceding year in assisting him with carrying out his duties and informed Members of the highlights of his Mayoral Year and charities he had supported.

            The Mayor called upon the Councillors to elect a qualified person to be Deputy Mayor of the Borough for the Municipal Year, 2011/12.

            Councillor Nick Martin moved and Councillor Michael Dickinson seconded and the Council agreed that Councillor Mick Bray be Deputy Mayor of the Borough for the ensuing Municipal Year. (Councillors Roderick Bluh, Jim Grant and Stan Pajak offered their congratulations to the Deputy Mayor on behalf of their respective parties.)

            The Deputy Mayor (Councillor Mick Bray) thanked Council for his election to the post of Deputy Mayor of the Borough.

The Director of Law and Democratic Services reported the return of Councillors elected on 5^th May 2011, to fill vacancies occasioned by the retirement of Councillors under the provisions of the Local Government Act 1972 namely:- 

WARD                        NAME OF COUNCILLOR ELECTED

Abbey Meads            Peter Stoddart (Conservative)

Central                        Derique Joseph Montaut (Labour)

Covingham                Emma Louise Faramarzi (Conservative)
and Nythe                   

Dorcan                       Andrew Albinson (Conservative)

Eastcott                      Nicola Emma Sewell (Liberal Democrat)

Freshbrook                Michael James Dickinson (Conservative)

and Grange Park   

Gorse Hill and      John Ballman (Labour)

Pinehurst       

Haydon Wick             Claire Ann Ellis (Conservative)

Highworth                   Alan John Bishop (Conservative)

Moredon                     Jennifer Millin (Labour)

Old Town                    Fionuala Mary Foley (Conservative)

and Lawn

Parks                          Fay Howard (Labour)

Penhill                         Paul John Baker (Labour)

Shaw and                   Garry John Perkins (Conservative)

Nine Elms                 

St. Margaret               Russell Stephen Holland (Conservative)

St. Philip                     Joseph William Tray (Labour)

Toothill and                Stephen Wakefield (Labour)

Westlea

Walcot                        Ellen Osa (Labour)

Western                      Des Moffatt (Labour)

Wroughton                 Wayne Lawrence Crabbe (Conservative)
and Chiseldon      

The Mayor, on behalf of the Council, thanked those Councillors who had retired from Council service.

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.

To receive the minutes of the previous meeting held on 14^th April 2011.

            Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 14^th April 2011, be confirmed and signed.

Members are reminded that at the start of the meeting they should declare any known interests in any matter to be considered, and also during the meeting if it becomes apparent that they have an interest in the matters being discussed.

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

Councillor Michael Dickinson made a personal and prejudicial declaration of interest in respect of Agenda Item No. 9 (Adult Learning Plan) as he was employed by New College, Swindon.) 

Councillor Jim Grant made a personal and prejudicial declaration of interest in respect of Agenda Item No. 14, as he was employed by the Wiltshire Police Authority.) 

Councillor Kevin Small made a personal and prejudicial declaration of interest in respect of Agenda Item No. 14, as he was a Member of the Wiltshire and Swindon Local Government Pension Fund.) 

Councillor Joe Tray made a personal and prejudicial declaration of interest in respect of Agenda Item No. 14, as he was employed by the Wiltshire and Swindon Fire and Rescue Service.) 

See explanatory note below.

            Mr. Tim French asked a Public Question seeking clarification on the future of the Mechanics Institute and Lacarno buildings.

            Councillor Garry Perkins replied that Mr. French and the residents of Swindon would be kept informed as developments occurred.

To consider Minutes for Confirmation (Minutes 109 and 110 of the Cabinet are attached for Members’ information.  The relevant report are set out in the Background Papers Pack.).

(1) CouncillorPeter Greenhalgh moved and Councillor Roderick Bluh seconded:

“That Minute 109 of the Cabinet Review of Traffic Signals (Junctions and Pedestrian Crossings) be confirmed and adopted.”

The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

(2) Councillor David Renard moved and Councillor Roderick Bluhseconded:

“That Minute 110 of the Cabinet (Adult Learning Plan) be confirmed and adopted.”

            The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

(Councillor Michael Dickinson made a personal and prejudicial declaration of interest in respect of the above item (Minute 110 of the Cabinet) (Adult Learning Plan) as he was employed by New College, Swindon and left the room during the discussion of the item.) 

To note that there are no petitions to be considered under the Council’s Petition Scheme.

            There were no petitions to be considered under the Council’s Petition Scheme. 

            Councillor Roderick Bluh moved and Councillor Jim Grant seconded:

            “(1) That Swindon Council’s Constitution for the Municipal Year 2011/12 be adopted.

            (2) That the Director of Law and Democratic Services be authorised, in consultation with the members of the Corporate Governance Review Working Party where appropriate, to vary the wording and layout of the Constitution and its associated documentation to reflect legislative and procedural changes should this prove necessary for the efficient discharge of Council business during the course of the Municipal Year.” 

            The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

 Councillor Garry Perkins moved and Councillor Claire Ellis seconded:

“That Councillor Roderick Bluh be appointed as Leader of Swindon Borough Council to hold office until the Annual Meeting in May 2012.

Councillor Roderick Bluh thanked the Council for his appointment and tabled details of his Cabinet appointments (attached as Appendix 1).

             Councillor Roderick Bluh moved and Councillor Garry Perkins seconded:

That the number of Members to serve on Swindon Borough Council’s Committees for the Municipal Year 2011/12, be as follows:

Appeals Committee – 16 Members

Appointments Committee – 16 Members

Audit Committee – 7 Members

Footpaths and Rights of Way Committee – 5 Members

Licensing Committee – 15 Members

Planning Committee – 16 Members

Special Committee – 7 Members

Scrutiny Committee – 10 Members

Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee – 10 Members

Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee – 11 Members

Economic, Environmental and Sustainability Overview and Scrutiny Committee – 11 Members

Safer and Stronger Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee – 11 Members

Standards Committee – 5 Members

            The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

            Councillor Roderick Bluh moved and Councillor Garry Perkins seconded:

            (1) That having carried out a review under Section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 the Council continues to apply the political balance provisions under the Act.

            (2) That Committees and other relevant Council Bodies be reminded of their duty to carry out a review under Section 15 of the Local Government Housing Act 1989, as appropriate, and recommends that having carried out that review they continue to apply the political balance provisions.

            (3) That the Council’s waiving of the political balance arrangements on the Great Western Joint Ambulance Trust Overview and Scrutiny Committee be confirmed.

            (4) That Councillors be appointed to serve on the Council’s Committees for the Municipal Year 2011/12, as set out in Appendix 2 to the Minutes.

            (5) That Chairs and Vice-Chairs be appointed to the Council’s Committees for the Municipal Year 2011/12, as set out in the Appendix 2 to the Minutes.

            (6) That the nominations of Councillors serving on Cabinet Advisory Bodies for the Municipal Year 2011/12, as set out in Appendix 2 to the Minutes, be noted.

            (7) That representatives be appointed to serve on Other and Outside Bodies for the Municipal Year 2011/12, be as set out in Appendix 2 to the Minutes. 

(Councillor Jim Grant made a personal and prejudicial declaration of interest in respect of this item as he was employed by the Wiltshire Police Authority.) 

(Councillor Kevin Small made a personal and prejudicial declaration of interest in respect of this item as he was a Member of the Wiltshire and Swindon Local Government Pension Fund.) 

(Councillor Joe Tray made a personal and prejudicial declaration of interest in respect of this item as he was employed by the Wiltshire and Swindon Fire and Rescue Service.) 

Councillor Roderick Bluh moved and Councillor Garry Perkins seconded:

(1) That the Timetable of Meetings for the Municipal Year 2011/12, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report of the Director of Law and Democratic Services be approved.

(2) That the Director of Law and Democratic Services, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, be authorised to vary the dates for meetings of the Council, the Cabinet, Committees and Other Swindon Borough Council bodies should this prove necessary for the efficient discharge of Council business.

            The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried. 

Questions (if any) of which notice has been given by Councillors in accordance with Standing Order 15.

            There were no Standing Order 15 Questions for consideration.