Agenda and minutes

            The Worshipful The Mayor advised the Council that he had, on behalf of the Council, written to the Japanese Embassy and Honda UK expressing his sympathy to the Japanese people for their loss following the recent earthquake and tsunami.

            The Council held two Minutes Silence in respect of Ms. Sian O’Callaghan and an unidentified person who had recently been murdered in Swindon, Mr. Sandy Martin a local media figure and reporter who had recently died and for all the victims of the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

            Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Andy Albinson, Steve Allsopp, Paul Baker, Mavis Childs, Sinead Darker, Melanie Duff, Brian Ford, Peter Heaton-Jones, John Short, Glenn Smith and David Wren. 

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

The Deputy Chief Executive reported that no communications had been received.

To receive the minutes of the previous meeting held on 17^th February 2011.

            Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 17^th February 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 Chair reminded Members of the need to declare any known interests in any matters to be considered at the meeting.  Councillors Jim Grant, Jenny Millin, Stan Pajak and Steve Wakefield made Personal declarations of interest in respect of Agenda Item No. 6 as they were members of Unison.

See explanatory note below.

Ms. Karla Bradford (Unison) asked the Leader of the Council the following questions, (a) Is the Leader of the Council confident in the legal advise the Council received in respect of the use of fragmented TUPE arrangements for the Homecare staff is correct and that there is no a significant risk of legal action?, (b) Can the Leader of the Council confirm whether the Homecare contract has been signed yet? and (c) Will the Leader of the Council agree to a suspension of any contract  in order to allow for an all party working group, with union representation to be established to consider available options?

The Leader of the Council responded at the meeting and advised that in respect of questions (a) a written answer would be provided, (b) no contract has yet been signed, and (c) this would be answered as part of the upcoming debate on Agenda Item 6(b).

            Mr. Geoff Hardy asked (a) whether Homecare service users had been asked for their views regarding the outsourcing of the Homecare Service, (b) why he received the same letter from the Leader of the Council regarding service provision as did other members of the public when Councillor Bluh had indicated he would provide a personal response, (c) whether Councillor Edwards would take him up on his offer to visit his home to meet his disabled son, and (d) what assurances users would receive regarding Homecare Services if they were outsourced?

            Councillor Peter Mallinson, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care responded at the meeting.  He advised all homecare users to contact their service provider if they had special requirements.  Councillor Roderick Bluh, Leader of the Council, responded at the meeting. 

            Mr. Geoff Hardy asked the following supplemental question, Councillor Peter Mallinson has said that he was not involved in the process of gathering information on the Homecare Service, why then has he been criticising the service provided in the media?

            Councillor Roderick Bluh responded at the meeting.

            Mr. Tim French thanked the Mayor and the Council for including Ms. Sian O’Callaghan and Mr. Sandy Martin in their remembrance at the beginning of the meeting.

(a) To receive a petition containing 10,500 signatures regarding the Council’s Homecare provision received in accordance with the Council’s Petition Scheme; and

(b) To discuss the transfer of the Homecare Service away from in-house provision and to consider the petition received by the Council on this issue.

(1)  The Council considered a report of the Director of Law and Democratic Services concerning the receipt of a petition containing in the region of 10,500 signatures from Swindon residents supporting the retention of the Council’s Homecare Service In-house.

            The Council received the comments of Mrs. Anne Marie Black, on behalf of petitioners.

            Councillor Roderick Bluh moved and Councillor Councillor Derique Montaut seconded:

“This Council notes the petition and the comments of the petition organiser.  This Council resolves to debate the issues regarding the provision of domiciliary care under any motions that are tabled under the next item (Agenda Item 6(b)).”

            The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

(2) Councillor Derique Montaut moved and Councillor Jim Grant seconded:

“This Council notes the concern of the Swindon public, as expressed by the receipt of a petition containing in the region of 10,500 signatures, supporting the Council’s in-house Homecare service and calling for it to not be transferred to the private sector.

This Council therefore requests the Section 151 Officer to present a report to Cabinet on the financial implications of outsourcing the Council’s Homecare service, or of retaining the service within the Council and identifying savings elsewhere in the Council’s budget. 

Until such a report is considered by Cabinet, this Council requests the Director of Adult Social Care to consider suspending the implementation of any contract terminations for its Homecare staff.”

Councillor Roderick Bluh moved and Councillor Garry Perkins seconded that the Motion be amended to read:

“This Council notes the budget approved on 17th February, the lack of any amendments proposed to the budget by either of the opposition groups, and the Administration’s commitment to a zero percent increase in Council Tax for 2011/12.

This Council notes the Administration’s commitment to secure quality services and value for money, a pledge that will be achieved through the 2011/12 Budget and proposed changes it contains.  The changes to the provision of domiciliary care service are part of this pledge.

Therefore, this Council reaffirms its commitment to the Budget approved on 17th February 2011.”

            The amendment was put the vote and declared carried.

Councillor Andy Harrison moved and Councillor Stan Pajak seconded that the motion be amended to read:

“This Council notes the concern of the Swindon public, as expressed by the receipt of a petition containing in the region of 10,500 signatures, supporting the Council’s in-house Homecare service and calling for it to not be transferred to the private sector.

This Council therefore requests the Section 151 Officer to present a report to Cabinet on the financial implications of outsourcing the Council’s Homecare service, or of retaining the service within the Council and identifying savings elsewhere in the Council’s budget. 

This Council places great importance on the transparency of its decision making and in ensuring that it’s decisions are based on Members receiving factually correct information.

That Members of this Council are apprehensive that the various contradictory information that has been submitted to Members in the matter of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 127.