Agenda and minutes

            Apologies for absence were received from Councillors  Junab Ali, Steve Allsopp, Paul Baker, Mike Bawden,  Doreen Dart, Mark Dempsey, Mark Edwards, Ray Fisher, Fionuala Foley, Peter Greenhalgh, Peter Heaton-Jones,

Dale Heenan, Mary Martin, Jenny Millin, Ellen Osa, Stan Pajak, Anthony Peake, Rochelle Russell, Kevin Small and Joe Tray.

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.

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.

Councillor Brian Mattock made a Personal Declaration of interest in respect of Agenda Item 6 (Swindon Housing Vote – Offer Document) as he was a Council representative on the Shadow Housing Board.)

Councillor David Renard made a Personal Declaration of interest in respect of Agenda Item 6 (Swindon Housing Vote – Offer Document) as he was a Council representative on the Shadow Housing Board.)

Councillor Mavis Childs made a Personal Declaration of interest in respect of Agenda Item 6 (Swindon Housing Vote – Offer Document) as she was a Council representative on the Shadow Housing Board.)

Councillor Andy Harrsion made a Personal Declaration of interest in respect of Agenda Item 6 (Swindon Housing Vote – Offer Document) as he was a Council representative on the Shadow Housing Board.)

See explanatory note below.

            Mr. Barrie Thompson submitted written questions relating to observing Swindon Council Tenant meetings on the Swindon Housing Vote. 

            The Cabinet Member for One Swindon, Communities and Housing submitted a written response.

            Mr. Barrie Thompson asked for contact details for the Residents Engagement Group and Impendent Tenant Advisor and further to final paragraph of the written answer, he asked for clarification as to whether it referred to himself of a Age UK representative.

            The Cabinet Member for One Swindon, Communities and Housing responded at the meeting.

            Mr. Chris Watts asked if the deal with Broadband UK was signed would this mean that the Council’s current technology would be superseded by technology to be installed by Broadband UK?

            The Cabinet Member for Council Transformation, Sustainability, Strategic Planning and Transport indicated that he would provide a written response.

            Mr. Chris Watts asked about the use of microwave links at the Children Centres and whether any deal with Broadband UK would make this equipment obsolete?

            The Cabinet Member for Council Transformation, Sustainability, Strategic Planning and Transport indicated that he would provide a written response.

            Mr. Tim French asked why Swindon Borough Council was making good staff redundant under the current restructuring process.

            The Leader of the Council responded at the meeting.

There are no Minutes for Confirmation (the Cabinet Minute relating to the   Swindon Housing Vote - Offer Document will be considered as part of agenda item No. 7).

            There weree no Minutes for Confirmation as Minute 38 of the Cabinet (Swindon Housing Vote - Offer Document) would be considered as part of Agenda Item No. 7.

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

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

A copy of the report and Minute for Confirmation will be circulated under separate cover.

            The Council received (a) Minute 38 of the Cabinet (Swindon Housing Vote – Offer Document)(Minute for Confirmation) and (b) a joint report of the Cabinet Member for One Swindon, Communities and Housing and the Chief Executive setting out the proposed “Offer Document” to be put to housing tenants detailing to options to vote for in the ballot to be held in November/December 2011 on the choice for tenants of either remaining with the Council as landlord under the new “self financing arrangements or of transferring to a new “not for profit” housing association.

            The Cabinet Member for One Swindon, Communities and Housing requested that his comments that he accepted the principle that the majority of funds from any transfer of Council Housing Stock to a not for profit Housing Association being spent in areas where there were significant numbers of former Council houses.

            Councillor Russell Holland moved and Councillor Roderick Bluh seconded:

”That Minute 38 of the Cabinet (Swindon Housing Vote – Offer Document) be confirmed and adopted.

            Councillor Andy Harrison moved and Councillor Nicky Sewell seconded that the Motion be amended to read:

            “That, subject to the confirmation of the Council and to no significant issues arising from the prior consultation with the Residents Engagement Group –

o      The Swindon Housing Vote Offer Document, as set out in Appendix 1 to the joint report, be approved for consultation with Council tenants subject to page 22 of the proposed offer document being amended to read The Council would be able to allocate the remaining £40 million from the sale of its homes to benefit the wider Swindon Community. The Council is committed to allocating the majority of this £40 million for investment within the former council housing communities.

o      The Chief Executive, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for One Swindon, Communities and Housing, the Director Law and Democratic Services and the Director of Finance be authorised to make minor drafting amendments to the Offer Document prior to publication.

With the agreement of the amendment mover and seconder the Amendment was withdrawn.

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

            “That, subject to the confirmation of the Council and to no significant issues arising from the prior consultation with the Residents Engagement Group –

o      The Swindon Housing Vote Offer Document, as set out in Appendix 1 to the joint report, be approved for consultation with Council tenants.

o      The Chief Executive, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for One Swindon, Communities and Housing, the Director Law and Democratic Services and the Director of Finance be authorised to make minor drafting amendments to the Offer Document prior to publication.

o      In the event of a transfer, the Cabinet Member for One Swindon, Communities and Housing will bring a report to Cabinet setting out the options on investing the capital receipt therefrom.

The motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

(Councillor Brian Mattock made a Personal Declaration of interest in respect of this  ...  view the full minutes text for item 60.

There are no Cabinet minutes or Cabinet Member delegated decisions for consideration.

            There were no Cabinet minutes or Cabinet Member delegated decisions for consideration. 

There are no minutes of other Council Bodies for consideration. 

            There were no minutes of other Council Bodies for consideration. 

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.