Agenda and minutes

            The Mayor reported that Councillor Jenny Millin had sadly died on 1^st February 2012.  The Council held a Minutes Silence in respect of Councillor Jenny Millin.

            Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Rex Barnett, Alan Bishop, Mavis Childs, Michael Dickinson, Ellen Osa, Anthony Peake and Kevin Small.

The Chief Executive reported that56 letters have been received in respect of the budget proposal relating to the Unison centrally funded facility time.

            Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 12^th January 2012, be confirmed and signed.

(Councillor Ray Ballman made a personal declaration of interest in respect of Agenda Item 7 (Council Budget 2012/13) as she was a retired member of Unison.)

(Councillor Fionuala Foley made a personal declaration of interest in respect of Agenda Item 8d (Motion – No. 23 Bus Service) as she was a Council appointed Director of Thamesdown Transport Ltd.)

(Councillor Peter Greenhalgh made a personal declaration of interest in respect of Agenda Item 8d (Motion – No. 23 Bus Service) as he was a Council appointed Director of Thamesdown Transport Ltd.)

(Councillor Jim Grant made a personal declaration of interest in respect of Agenda Item 7 (Council Budget 2012/13) as he was a member of Unison.)

(Councillor Andy Harrison made a personal declaration of interest in respect of Agenda Item 7 (Council Budget 2012/13) as he was a member of Unite.)

(Councillor Richard Hurley made a personal declaration of interest in respect of Agenda Item 7 (Council Budget 2012/13) as he was a member of Unite.)

(Councillor Colin Lovell made a personal declaration of interest in respect of Agenda Item 8d (Motion – No. 23 Bus Service) as he was a Council appointed Director of Thamesdown Transport Ltd.)

(Councillor Brian Mattock made a personal declaration of interest in respect of Agenda Item 7 (Council Budget 2012/13) as he was a Council appointed representative on the Wiltshire Fire Authority.)

(Councillor Stan Pajak made a personal declaration of interest in respect of Agenda Item 7 (Council Budget 2012/12) as he was a member of Unite.)

(Councillor Kevin Parry made a personal declaration of interest in respect of Agenda Item 7 (Council Budget 2012/13) as he was a member of Unite.)

(Councillor Kevin Parry made a personal declaration of interest in respect of Agenda Item 8b (Motion – Sure Start) as his wife was employed as a teacher in Swindon.)

(Councillor David Renard made a personal declaration of interest in respect of Agenda Item 8b (Motion – Sure Start) as he was a School Governer.)

(Councillor Rochelle Russell made a personal declaration of interest in respect of Agenda Item 7 (Council Budget 2012/13) as she was a member of Unison.)

(Councillor Nicky Sewell made a personal declaration of interest in respect of Agenda Item 7 (Council Budget 2012/13) as she was a member of Unison.)

(Councillor Steve Wakefield made a personal declaration of interest in respect of Agenda Item 7 (Council Budget 2012/13) as he was a member of Unison.)

(Councillor Keith Williams made a personal declaration of interest in respect of Agenda Item 8d (Motion – No. 23 Bus Service) as he was a Council appointed Director of Thamesdown Transport Ltd.)

            Mr. Bill Cloughton submitted a written question regarding Parent Governors at Croft School.  A written answer was tabled at the meeting.

            Mr. Brian Cockbill submitted written questions in respect of (i) payments to the Performing Rights Society, (ii) payments to Councillors in respect of television licences, (iii) allotments, and (iv) support for bus services provided by Thamesdown Transport following a recent Cabinet decision.  Written responses were provided in respect of questions (i) to (iii).  The Leader of the Council indicated that a written response would be provided to Mr. Cockbill in response to question (iv).

            Mr. Brian Cockbill asked a supplementary question in respect of the Performing Rights Society payments and the Leader of the Council responded at the meeting.

            Mr. Brian Cockbill asked a supplementary question in respect of allotment waiting lists and the Leader of the Council responded at the meeting.

            Mr. Tim French asked a question on the increase in the fee charged for a disabled parking blue badge? The Leader of the Council responded at the meeting.

            Mr. Tim French asked a supplementary question regarding whether the increase in fees could be offset by a discount on parking charges for the disabled? The Leader of the Council indicated that a written response would be provided to this question.

            Mr. James Boyd asked whether the Leader of the Council would take action against a member of his group whom local residents felt had made an offensive remark?

            The Leader of the Council responded at the meeting.

            Mr. James Boyd asked a supplementary question querying whether the Leader of the Council felt the comments expressed were offensive.

            The Leader of the Council responded at the meeting.

            Mr. George Boyd referred to an article in Swindon News which he felt misrepresented the views of local residents on Croft School and asked if there would be a right of response?

            The Leader of the Council responded at the meeting but indicated he would view the article and provide a further written response.

            Mr. Frazer Dalglish asked if the Leader of the Council was aware that two individuals of influence on the Council were Directors of the Green Square company?

            The Leader of the Council responded at the meeting.

            (1) The Council considered a report of the Director of Law and Democratic Services concerning the receipt of a petition containing 429 signatures asking for Swindon MPs and Councillors to regularly consult Oakhurst Residents’ Association and other representatives of the local community about developments in the area and take account of their views.

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

            Councillor Russell Holland moved and Councillor Roderick Bluh seconded:

“This Council welcomes the participation and engagement of a wide range of civil societies, sports and leisure groups, faith groups and other stakeholders in the public policy process, and takes due account of views received.

This Council notes Councillors’ duties, as set out in the Constitution both “to represent constituents’ interest to the Council and Swindon Council’s interests to constituents.” (Page 283).

Council also affirms that a Councillor’s authority is derived from, and that he or she is accountable to, the individual electors from that ward and the Councillor is not a delegate of any intermediate body.

Council requests that the Locality Officers maintain up to date lists of all stakeholder groups notified to the Council.

            The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

            (2) The Council considered a report of the Director of Law and Democratic Services concerning the receipt of a petition containing 470 signatures from Swindon residents objecting to the disposal of Pickards Small Field and Kembry Grass Field and their surrounding open spaces in Gorse Hill for any other purpose than designated open space.

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

            Councillor Russell Holland moved and Councillor Roderick Bluh seconded:

“This Council notes that Cabinet has considered this matter thoroughly and that Cabinet’s decision has been scrutinised by the Scrutiny Committee.

This Council further notes that the Planning Committee will consider any planning application on its merits, having regard solely to material planning considerations.”

            Councillor Des Moffatt moved and Councillor Rochelle Russell seconded that the Motion be amended to read:

“This Council notes that Cabinet has considered this matter thoroughly and that Cabinet’s decision has been scrutinised by the Scrutiny Committee but will pause implementation for two months.

This Council further notes that the Planning Committee will consider any planning application on its merits, having regard solely to material planning considerations.”

            The amendment was put to the vote and declared lost

            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 Andy Albinson, Mike Bawden, Andrew Bennett, Roderick Bluh, Mick Bray, Wayne Crabbe, Sinead Darker, Doreen Dart, Mark Edwards, Claire Ellis, Emma Faramarzi, Ray Fisher, Fionuala Foley, Brian Ford, Peter Greenhalgh, Peter Heaton-Jones, Dale Heenan, Janet Heenan, Russell  ...  view the full minutes text for item 109.

            The Council considered a report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and the

Director of Finance setting out recommendations from the Cabinet regarding

(a) the Council’s Revenue Budget for 2012/13 and Beyond, (b) Treasury

Management Strategy Statement 2012/13, (iii) Capital Programme Proposals

2012/13 (iv) Minutes 87 (Budget 2012/13 and Beyond), 88 (Treasury

Management Strategy Statement 2012/13) and 90 (Capital Programme

Proposals 2012/13), and (v) a copy of tabled correspondence with Unison

relating to the proposed reduction in Core Funding for Unison Support. 

            Councillor Mark Edwards moved and Councillor Roderick Bluh seconded:

(1) That the Revenue Budget for 2012/13, as detailed in Minute 87 of the Cabinet, be confirmed and adopted.

(2) That the Treasury Management Strategy 2012/13, as detailed in Minute 88 of the Cabinet, be confirmed and adopted.

(3) That the Capital Programme 2012/13, as detailed in Minute 90 of the Cabinet, be confirmed and adopted.

            The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

(Councillor Ray Ballman made a personal declaration of interest in respect of this item as she was a retired member of Unison.)

(Councillor Jim Grant made a personal declaration of interest in respect of this item as he was a member of Unison.)

(Councillor Fionuala Foley made a personal declaration of interest in respect of this item as she was a Council appointed Director of Thamesdown Transport Ltd.)

(Councillor Peter Greenhalgh  made a personal declaration of interest in respect of this item as he was a Council appointed Director of Thamesdown Transport Ltd.)

 (Councillor Andy Harrison made a personal declaration of interest in respect

 of this item as he was a member of Unite.)

(Councillor Richard Hurley made a personal declaration of interest in respect of this item as he was a member of Unite.)

(Councillor Colin Lovell made a personal declaration of interest in respect of this item as he was a Council appointed Director of Thamesdown Transport Ltd.)

(Councillor Brian Mattock made a personal declaration of interest in respect of this item as he was a Council appointed representative on the Wiltshire Fire Authority.)

(Councillor Stan Pajak made a personal declaration of interest in respect of this item as he was a member of Unite.)

(Councillor Keith Williams made a personal declaration of interest in respect of this item as he was a Council appointed Director of Thamesdown Transport Ltd.)

(Councillor Kevin Parry made a personal declaration of interest in respect of this item as he was a member of Unite.)

(Councillor Rochelle Russell made a personal declaration of interest in respect of this item as she was a member of Unison.)

(Councillor Nicky Sewell made a personal declaration of interest in respect of this item as she was a Member of Unison.)

(Councillor Steve Wakefield made a personal declaration of interest in respect of this item as he was a Member of Unison.)

            The Council considered a joint report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and the Director of Finance concerning the amount of Council Tax for each Valuation Band for dwellings in each part of the Borough for 2012/13, and related matters including legal advice.

Councillor Mark Edwards moved and Councillor Roderick Bluh seconded and the Council agreed:

            “(1) That it be recorded that the advice of the Director of Law and Democratic Services’ has been taken into account when setting the level of Council Tax for 2012/13.

            (2) That it be noted that the Council’s Revenue Budget is as agreed by the Council on 23^rd February 2012 (Minute 110 refers).

            (3) That the following amounts be calculated by the Council in accordance with Sections 32 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992:-

Whole of the Council’s Area – In accordance with Section 84 of the Local Government Finance Act 2003 the Council’s Tax Base for 2012/13 is 73,149.0 in total with a breakdown by parish as set out in Appendix 1 to these minutes.

            (4) That the following amounts be calculated by the Council in accordance with Sections 32 to 36 of the Local Government Act 1992:-

(a)       Borough / Parish Gross Expenditure £463,058,801 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(2) of the 1992 Act.

(b)       Income £379,275,455 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(3) of the Act.

(c)       Borough/Parish Net Expenditure £83,783,346 being the amount by which the aggregate at 4(a) above exceeds the aggregate at 4(b) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 31A(4) of the Act, as its Council Tax requirement for the year.

(d)       Basic Amount of Tax (including Average Parish Precepts) £1,172.72 being the amount at 4(c) above, less the amount at 4(d) above, all divided by the amount at 3 above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 31B of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year. In accordance with Schedule 5 of the Localism Act 2011, this sum is not considered to be excessive.

(e)       Special Items £3,108,784 being the aggregate of Special Expenses and Parish Precepts and collectively known as special items and referred to in Section 34(1) of the Act.

(f)        Basic Amount of Tax (Unparished Area) £1,130.22 being the amount at 4(d) above less the result given by dividing the amount at 4(e) above by the amount at 3, calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 34(2) of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which no special item relates.

(g)       Basic Amount of Tax (Special and Parished Areas)the amounts shown in Appendix 2 of the report, being the amounts given by adding to the amount at 4(f) above, the amounts of the special items relating  ...  view the full minutes text for item 111.

            The Council considered (a) a report of the Cabinet Member for One Swindon, Communities and Housing and the Director of Housing, Leisure Libraries and Culture concerning the proposed Housing Revenue Account rents, service charges and support charges for the Financial Year 2012/13, (b) Minute 91 of the Cabinet, and (c) the views of the Housing Advisory Forum as considered by the Cabinet at its meeting 15^th February 2012.

Councillor Brian Mattock moved and Councillor Mark Edwards seconded that: 

·          The proposed average rent for Housing Revenue Account (HRA) dwellings for 2012/13 of £75.06 per week (52 week basis), which is an increase of 7.89%, be approved in accordance with the Government’s Rent Restructuring Policy. This will be an average increase of £5.24 per week.

·         The proposed review of the grounds maintenance of communal areas around flats and bungalows during 2012/13, which may result in the introduction of an additional service charge in 2013/14, be endorsed.

·         The housing related support charges for 2012/13 and service charges for 2012/13, as outlined in Appendix 3 of the joint report of the Cabinet Member for One Swindon, Communities and Housing, and the Director of Housing, Leisure, Libraries and Culture, be approved.

·         Leaseholder service charges set for 2012/13 as shown in Appendix 4 of the joint report, be approved.

·         Based on the proposals set out within the joint report the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) proposed budget for 2012/13, as shown in Appendix 6 to the joint report, be approved and that the HRA Repairs Budget and Funding be approved as shown in Appendix 7 to the joint report.

·         Rents charged on General Fund properties be increased by an average increase of 7.15% and the rents and charges for the David Murray John Apartments, as shown in Appendix 8 to the joint report, be approved.

·         Rents charged for plots at the Hay Lane Residential Gypsy Site be increased by £3.00 per week to £45.00 per week (52 week basis) and the rents for workpens, as shown in Appendix 8 to the joint report, be approved.

·         The homelessness contribution, as outlined in Appendix 8 to the joint report, be approved.

Councillor Des Moffatt moved and Councillor Steve Allsopp seconded that:

The proposed Housing Reveue Account Budget be amended as follows:

·         Page 186, Item 1: S&M General 2012/13 be increased by £300,000 to £5,982,950 and Item 2 S&M Special, be increased by £100,000 to £5,412,810.

·         Page 186, Item 8: Capital Charges be reduced £400,000 to £10,689,778.

·         Housing Services be instructed to employ directly a suitably qualified strategic finance officer to take advantage of the improved financial control of housing services for the advantage of those in housing need.

The amendment was put to the vote and declared lost.

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

            Councillor Nick Martin moved and Councillor Kevin Parry seconded:

“This Council welcomes the decision by the Administration to end the streetlight switch off trial scheme.

This Council believes that this decision is a reflection of the Administration's willingness to listen to and engage with ward members and the general public.

This Council requests that the Cabinet Member for Council Transformation, Sustainability, Strategic Planning and Transport note the success of making the traffic lights at Mannington roundabout only operate part time and develop a programme to convert other traffic lights at similar junctions.

This programme should be presented to Cabinet within 6 months.”

            The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

            Councillor Rochelle Russell moved and Councillor Andrew Bennett seconded:

"This Council notes the School Admission Arrangements and Mainstream Home to School Transport Policy agreed by Cabinet in February 2011. Included within this agreed policy was the withdrawal of the ability of parents who are appealing the Council's school transport decision for their child, to address in person the all-councillor appeals sub-committee who will review their child's case. Parents in future would only be able to communicate with the sub-committee through their submitted written reports. This policy is set to be introduced in September this year.

This Council recognises the reasons why this policy was agreed by Cabinet, including enabling the appeals sub-group to better review the parents case and recognises that the admissions officers would also no longer be able to address in person the sub-committee members. However Appeals Committee members of all political groups have expressed a concern over this policy and see the ability of parents to personally address sub-committee members as vital to showing this Council as open and transparent. It also promotes social justice by allowing those with poorer literacy skills to present relevant information through a process of questions and answers which is of particular importance when parents might not wish to place sensitive information in writing. Indeed a key role of Members at such meetings is to find out pertinent information which parents have not put in their written submission either because of its sensitivity, or because they were unaware of its significance.

This Council therefore requests Cabinet to review this policy, with a view to restoring the ability of parents to personally address the School Transport Appeals Sub-Committee when it reviews their case."

            The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

(Councillor Kevin Parry made a Personal Declaration of interest in respect of this item as his wife was employed as a teacher in Swindon.)

(Councillor David Renard made a personal declaration of interest in respect of this item as he was a School Governor.)

            Councillor Mark Dempsey moved and Councillor Bob Wright seconded:

“This Council welcomes the recommendations in the recent report by the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations on Youth Unemployment, entitled Youth Unemployment: the crisis we cannot afford.

This Council notes that within this report, an area of Swindon was identified as an “unemployment hotspot”- deemed as an area that has more than double the number of young people claiming Jobseekers Allowance than the national average.

Some of the report’s recommendations included:

·         Youth Employment Zones: starting in the youth unemployment hotspots, local organisations should come together and pool resources to get young people into work

·         A new national programme, Job Ready, to work with teenagers to prevent them becoming NEETs. Providing localised education-to-career support for the non-university bound

·         A new mentoring scheme for young people, by young people: where under-25s who have been in work for a year mentor others on their path to employment

This Council believes that while some good things are being done to address Youth Unemployment in Swindon, like the Plan 500 scheme, more has to be done both by the government and the Council. This Council further believes that a clear economic vision is needed to tackle youth unemployment, attract the new business of the future and stimulate new inward investment into the town.

This Council therefore requests the Leader of the Council to write to the Prime Minister urging him to implement the report’s recommendations and requests the Deputy Leader of the Council to bring a report to the Economic Scrutiny Committee detailing all of the projects the Council are currently involved in to get more young people in employment.

This Council also urges the Deputy Leader of the Council in conjunction with the Economic Scrutiny Committee to review how the report’s recommendations can be delivered in Swindon.”

            With the agreement of the mover and seconder the Motion was amended to read:

“This Council welcomes the recommendations in the recent report by the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations on Youth Unemployment, entitled Youth Unemployment: the crisis we cannot afford.

This Council notes that within this report, an area of Swindon was identified as an “unemployment hotspot”- deemed as an area that has more than double the number of young people claiming Jobseekers Allowance than the national average.

Some of the report’s recommendations included:

·         Youth Employment Zones: starting in the youth unemployment hotspots, local organisations should come together and pool resources to get young people into work

·         A new national programme, Job Ready, to work with teenagers to prevent them becoming NEETs. Providing localised education-to-career support for the non-university bound

·         A new mentoring scheme for young people, by young people: where under-25s who have been in work for a year mentor others on their path to employment

This Council requests the Deputy Leader of the Council to bring a report to the Economic, Environmental and Sustainability Overview and Scrutiny Committee detailing all of the projects in which the Council is currently  ...  view the full minutes text for item 115.

            Councillor Roderick Bluh moved and Councillor Nick Martin seconded:

(1)That Councillor Doreen Dart be appointed to replace Councillor Anthony Peake as a member serving on the Footpaths and Rights of Way Committee.

(2)That Councillor Doreen Dart be appointed as Chair of the Footpaths and Rights of Way Committee for the remainder of the Municipal Year, 2011/12.”

            The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

            Councillor Roderick Bluh moved and Councillor Jim Grant seconded:

“That Minute 18(2) of the Standards Committee (The Localism Act 2011) be confirmed and adopted.”

            The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

            There were no Standing Order 15 Questions.