Agenda and minutes

            Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mark Edwards, Andy Harrison and Nicky Sewell.

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

The Chief Executive reported that a letter has been received from the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Transportregarding its Policy Document “Signalling the Way”.

To receive the minutes of  previous meetings held on 22^nd and 29^th September 2011.

            Resolved – That the minutes of the meetings held on 22nd and 29^th   September 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.

Councillor Brian Mattock made a Personal Declaration of interest in respect of Agenda Item 8 (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 8 (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 8 (Swindon Housing Vote – Offer Document) as she was a Council representative on the Shadow Housing Board.)

See explanatory note below.

            Mr. Martin Wicks asked a question regarding the Swindon Housing Vote and the interest rates payable on Housing debt under the opt-in and opt-out options.

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

            Mr. Martin Wicks asked a supplementary question regarding whether the advice given as part of the Housing Vote reflected the current reduced interest rates available?

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

            Mr. Martin Wicks asked if the Leader of the Council would lobby Government on the amount of money payable to them in the event of a no vote?

            The Leader of the Council responded at the meeting.

            Mr John Brownley asked the Cabinet Member for One Swindon, Communities and Housing if he would reallocate monies in East Walcot from within the Walcot Regeneration funding given the items set out in the petition before Members?

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

            Mr. Tim French asked the Leader of the Council if he was aware of the poor state of repair of the car park used in association with the Remembrance Service Ceremony?

            The Leader of the Council responded at the meeting.

To consider Minutes for Confirmation (Minutes 52 and 54 of the Cabinet together with related reports.

(1) CouncillorBrian Mattock moved and Councillor Roderick Bluh seconded:

“That Minute 52 of the Cabinet (Support Strategies for the Provision of Care Homes in Swindon) be confirmed and adopted.”

            The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

(2) CouncillorRoderick Bluh moved and Councillor Jim Grant seconded:

“That Minute 54 of the Cabinet (References from Other Council Bodies – Corporate Governance Review Working Group) 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 relating to the use of Regeneration Monies in Walcot, Swindon.

            The Council considered a report of the Director of Law and Democratic Services concerning the receipt of a petition containing 486 signatures from Walcot residents supporting the specific use of £17,000 of Regeneration money in Walcot, Swindon.

            The Council noted the comments of Ms Sue Stephens, on behalf of the petitioners, who introduced the petition and commented on the way in which the Council could most appropriately respond to the concerns raised.

Councillor Russell Holland moved and Councillor Garry Perkins seconded:

That this Council:

(1)  Thanks the petitioner for her work in bringing this matter to the Council’s attention; and

(2) Requests officers to prepare a report for the Cabinet on 14^th December 2011, on this matter having full regard to the petitioner’s request, and for the Cabinet to make the final determination. 

            The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

 CouncillorRussell Holland moved and Councillor Roderick Bluh seconded:

That the Council:

(1) Notes the results of the Stage One Tenant Consultation;

(2) Agrees to the issuing of the Stage Two Notice to tenants and leaseholders on the question of the transfer of the Council’s Housing Stock to Swindon Housing Association Limited;

(3) Agrees to ballot all secure and introductory tenants; and

(4) Notes the ballot timetable;

And, in the event of a “yes” ballot result:

            (1) Authorises the Chief Executive to:

(a) Serve notice on the affected secure and introductory tenants and leaseholders noting the Council’s intention to proceed with the proposed Housing Stock Transfer to Swindon Housing Association Limited;

(b) Appoint an Officer to take a lead for the Council on transfer negotiations with Swindon Housing Association Limited;

(c) Seek the Secretary of State’s consent to the Council’s Housing Stock transfer to Swindon Housing Association Limited;

(d) Appoint, in consultation with the relevant officers, the necessary consultant teams to advise the Council and the Shadow Housing Board during the Housing Stock Transfer process;

(e) Exercise the exemption under paragraph 3.5 of the Council Standing Orders relating to Contracts to enable the award of single service contracts for the procurement of specialist consultants, where necessary, owing to the restricted timescale to complete Housing Stock Transfer.

            (2) Agrees that a report be submitted to the Council on 23^rd February 2012 alongside the Council’s Budget papers to recommend the use of the capital receipt generated from the transfer of the Council’s Housing Stock.

            (3) Authorises the Chief Executive to apply to the Secretary of State for consent under Section 25 of the Local Government Act 1988 for the making available of financial assistance not exceeding £1.75million by way of grant and loan to Swindon Housing Association Limited, the loan to be repaid as part of the capital receipt to the Council from Swindon Housing Association Limited arising from the transfer of the Council’s Housing Stock in the event of final Government approval to the transfer, the precise amounts of the grant and loan to be determined by the Director of Finance.

Or, in the event of a “no” ballot result:

Authorises the Director of Finance to arrange to borrow an amount to cover the self-financing payment (circa £145.5m) to be paid to Central Government on or before the 26^th March 2012.

            The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

(Councillor Brian Mattock made a Personal Declaration of interest in respect of this item as he was a Council representative on the Shadow Housing Board.)

(Councillor David Renard made a Personal Declaration of interest in respect of this item as he was a Council representative on the Shadow Housing Board.)

(Councillor Mavis Childs made a Personal Declaration of interest in respect of this item as she was a Council representative on the Shadow Housing Board.)

Councillor Jim Grant will move and Councillor Des Moffatt will second that:

“This Council notes the administration’s 2012/13 budget proposal, which has budgeted £11.5m to pay off the interest payments for the Council’s £80m debt, an increase of £1.5m from this year’s interest payments.

Furthermore, this Council notes that when the current administration took control of the Council, this Council was a net-investor of £6m- money that could have been spent on priority projects.

This Council recognises the need to explain why it has substantially increased its overall debt in recent years and also recognises the need to establish a credible long-term plan on how it will significantly reduce its current borrowing levels.    

Therefore, this Council requests the Lead Member for Finance to bring a report to Cabinet detailing how the Council  is intending to reduce its existing debt levels and how the Council can reduce the revenue impact of the Council’s existing debts in the short-term, in order to alleviate next year’s £11.5m interest payment costs”

Councillor Jim Grant moved and Councillor Des Moffatt seconded:

“This Council notes the administration’s 2012/13 budget proposal, which has budgeted £11.5m to pay off the interest payments for the Council’s £80m debt, an increase of £1.5m from this year’s interest payments.

Furthermore, this Council notes that when the current administration took control of the Council, this Council was a net-investor of £6m - money that could have been spent on priority projects.

This Council recognises the need to explain why it has substantially increased its overall debt in recent years and also recognises the need to establish a credible long-term plan on how it will significantly reduce its current borrowing levels.    

Therefore, this Council requests the Lead Member for Finance to bring a report to Cabinet detailing how the Council is intending to reduce its existing debt levels and how the Council can reduce the revenue impact of the Council’s existing debts in the short-term, in order to alleviate next year’s £11.5m interest payment costs.”

            Councillor Nick Martin moved and Councillor Emma Faramarzi seconded that the Motion be amended to read:

“This Council welcomes the opening of the Adult Respite Care Centre, the latest successful capital programme to benefit the vulnerable people of Swindon.  This Council also welcomes the improved performance and exam results from Swindon’s schools, 15 of which have been built or refurbished since 2004.

This Council reaffirms its commitment to continuing investment based on appropriate spending on new schools, new care facilities new play areas, new libraries and new roads to benefit residents and prevent a return to the stagnation of the late 1990s.

Therefore this Council:

a. Recognises the current and previous former Leader for their sound handling of the local authority’s finances since 2003, and for delivering so many improvements to the Borough.

b.  Urges the Cabinet Member for Finance to continue these sensible policies in preparing the 2012/13 Capital Programme.”

            The Amendment was put to the vote and declared carried.

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

Councillor Mark Dempsey will move and Councillor Joe Tray will second:

“This Council notes the recent data that shows that national youth unemployment is at its highest since records began in 1992.

This Council regrettably notes that youth unemployment in Swindon is the second highest in the South West region, and is deeply concerned that the cuts to the Connexions service and scrapping of the Future Jobs Fund, as well as the scrapping of the EMA and the trebling of tuition fees, will make this problem even worse.

This Council requests the Chief Executive to prepare a report to Cabinet on development of a new Council economic strategy for Swindon, in partnership with the Local Enterprise Partnership.  This strategy should be founded upon growing the green economy by placing Swindon at the heart of the hydrogen highway; and bringing new businesses and jobs to Swindon by encouraging new inward investment.

This Council also requests the Leader of the Council to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer urging him to establish a plan for growth in order to create greater demand in the economy, which in turn will create more jobs nationally and for Swindon”

Councillor Mark Dempsey moved and Councillor Joe Tray seconded that:

“This Council notes the recent data that shows that national youth unemployment is at its highest since records began in 1992.

This Council regrettably notes that youth unemployment in Swindon is the second highest in the South West region, and is deeply concerned that the cuts to the Connexions service and scrapping of the Future Jobs Fund, as well as the scrapping of the EMA and the trebling of tuition fees, will make this problem even worse.

This Council requests the Chief Executive to prepare a report to Cabinet on development of a new Council economic strategy for Swindon, in partnership with the Local Enterprise Partnership.  This strategy should be founded upon growing the green economy by placing Swindon at the heart of the hydrogen highway; and bringing new businesses and jobs to Swindon by encouraging new inward investment.

This Council also requests the Leader of the Council to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer urging him to establish a plan for growth in order to create greater demand in the economy, which in turn will create more jobs nationally and for Swindon.”

      The Motion was put to the vote and declared lost.

 (Councillor Michael Dickinson made a personal and prejudicial declaration of interest in respect of this item as he was an employee of New College Swindon and took no part in the discussion.) 

Councillor Jenny Millin will move and Councillor Steve Allsopp will second that:

“This Council notes the expected £5.483m worth of cost pressures on its Adult Social Care services in the 2012/13 year as a result of increasing service demand.

This Council further notes that unless the funding system of Adult Social Care is reformed and more government funding made available, there will be a funding crisis in Adult Social Care services in future years as a result of the increasing demand.

The Labour Group doesn’t believe cuts to Supporting People programmes, domiciliary care and care for those with learning disabilities, all of which support vulnerable people and enable them to live more independently, is the right way to address demand now or in the future.

This Council welcomes the recommendations from the Dilnot report, which has outlined an affordable and sustainable settlement for the government, local authorities and Adult Social Care users to financially address future social care demand”   

This Council requests its Leader to write to the Health Secretary requesting that the Government implements the recommendations of the Dilnot report”

Councillor Jenny Millin moved and Councillor Steve Allsopp  seconded:

“This Council notes the expected £5.483m worth of cost pressures on its Adult Social Care services in the 2012/13 year as a result of increasing service demand.

This Council further notes that unless the funding system of Adult Social Care is reformed and more government funding made available, there will be a funding crisis in Adult Social Care services in future years as a result of the increasing demand.

The Labour Group doesn’t believe cuts to Supporting People programmes, domiciliary care and care for those with learning disabilities, all of which support vulnerable people and enable them to live more independently, is the right way to address demand now or in the future.

This Council welcomes the recommendations from the Dilnot report, which has outlined an affordable and sustainable settlement for the government, local authorities and Adult Social Care users to financially address future social care demand”   

This Council requests its Leader to write to the Health Secretary requesting that the Government implements the recommendations of the Dilnot report.”

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

“This Council notes the expected £5.483m worth of cost pressures on its Adult Social Care Services in the 2012/13 year as a result of increasing service demand.

This Council further notes that unless the funding system of Adult Social Care is reformed there will be a funding crisis in Adult Social Care services in future years as a result of the increasing demand.

This Council welcomes the recommendations from the Dilnot report, which has outlined an affordable and sustainable settlement for Government, Local Authorities and Adult Social Care users to financially address future social care demand.

This Council urges the cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and the Leader of the Council to continue working with Central Government and other Local Authorities to look scrupulously and meticulously at the fine detail of the Dilnot recommendations and to update Cabinet and Council once details are announced by Government.”

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

Councillor Claire Ellis will move and Councillor David Wren will second:

“This Council recognises the achievement of the people of Swindon in increasing recycling from 13% eight years ago to 50% today. However, we call upon all households in Swindon to recycle all the materials possible in their recycling boxes and sacks and thus further reduce the recyclable waste placed in wheelie bins. Our challenge is can we increase recycling to over 60% and thus do more for the planet and save landfill tax payments.

This Council requests that the Cabinet Member for Streetsmart and Parks report to Cabinet in the next six months on the steps the Council will take in order to increase recycling rates."

Councillor Claire Ellis will move and Councillor David Wren will second:

“This Council recognises the achievement of the people of Swindon in increasing recycling from 13% eight years ago to 50% today. However, we call upon all households in Swindon to recycle all the materials possible in their recycling boxes and sacks and thus further reduce the recyclable waste placed in wheelie bins. Our challenge is can we increase recycling to over 60% and thus do more for the planet and save landfill tax payments.

This Council requests that the Cabinet Member for Streetsmart and Parks report to Cabinet in the next six months on the steps the Council will take in order to increase recycling rates."

            The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

Councillor Russell Holland will move:

This Council welcomes the opening the adult respite care centre, the latest successful capital programme to benefit the vulnerable people of Swindon.  This Council also welcomes the improved performance and exam results from Swindon’s schools, 15 of which have been built or refurbished since 2004.

This Council reaffirms its commitment to continuing investment based on appropriate spending on new schools, new care facilities new play areas, new libraries and new roads to benefit residents and prevent a return to the stagnation of the late 1990s.

Therefore this Council:

1. Recognises the current and previous former Leader for their sound handling of the local authority’s finances since 2003, and for delivering so many improvements to the Borough.
2. Urges the Cabinet Member for Finance to continue these sensible policies in preparing the 2012/13 Capital Programme.

            This item was considered as part of Minute 72. 

Councillor Dave Wood will move:

This Council notes:

- That in September 2010 the coalition government laid down new regulations that allowed local authorities to choose to whether to require Small Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) to require planning permission.

- That this replaced a planning-heavy system, which only stood for 5 months, that allowed HMOs to be controlled regardless of need for that control and thereby created the potential of permanently damaging communities by encouraging permanent splitting of family homes into flats.

- That where a local authority has evidence of problems caused by density of HMO populations they can apply to the Secretary of State to require Small HMO planning permission to be required within specific neighbourhoods

This Council further notes:.

- That Eastcott ward has the highest proportion of known HMOs of any ward in Swindon by a large margin.

- That the Town Centre Cluster has been, and continues to, gather data on the damage caused by over-concentration of HMOs within Eastcott ward as one of its priorities.

- That in the most extreme cases of HMO over-concentration, specifically the Crombey Street area, that the character of the neighbourhood has changed beyond all recognition and that the evidence suggests that this neighbourhood does not 'Like Where It Lives' for this reason.

- That the creeping over-concentration in the remainder of Eastcott ward led to the Cluster Plan developed with residents to highlight controlling of HMOs as one of its top four priorities for positive change in the area

This Council believes:

- That HMOs are useful to the local economy and are important for young people and that many HMOs are well-managed, well-maintained and well-behaved

- That a wide spread of HMOs within 2 miles of the centre of Swindon, across at least six municipal wards, is desirable and causes very few problems

- That over-concentration of HMOs leads to intense parking problems, common inappropriate presentation of waste, a neighbourhood culture where noise nuisance and poor maintenance of houses is tolerated and to a change of character of a neighbourhood

- That where this change of neighbourhood falls directly next to key Town Centre Regeneration sites like Regent Circus that this has a negative impact on the long-term success of those scheme as fewer people would wish to visit that area

This Council resolves:

- To use evidence collated by the Central Cluster to apply to the Secretary of State under Section 4 of the regulations - and before the Council Budget 2012/3 is set - to require planning permission for Small HMOs within Eastcott ward.

- To accept the Cluster Plan calling for the present number of HMOs in Eastcott Ward to be maintained at its present level or less

Councillor Dave Wood moved and Councillor Stan Pajak seconded:

“This Council notes:

- That in September 2010 the coalition government laid down new regulations that allowed local authorities to choose to whether to require Small Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) to require planning permission.

- That this replaced a planning-heavy system, which only stood for 5 months, that allowed HMOs to be controlled regardless of need for that control and thereby created the potential of permanently damaging communities by encouraging permanent splitting of family homes into flats.

- That where a local authority has evidence of problems caused by density of HMO populations they can apply to the Secretary of State to require Small HMO planning permission to be required within specific neighbourhoods.

This Council further notes:

- That Eastcott ward has the highest proportion of known HMOs of any ward in Swindon by a large margin.

- That the Town Centre Cluster has been, and continues to, gather data on the damage caused by over-concentration of HMOs within Eastcott ward as one of its priorities.

- That in the most extreme cases of HMO over-concentration, specifically the Crombey Street area, that the character of the neighbourhood has changed beyond all recognition and that the evidence suggests that this neighbourhood does not 'Like Where It Lives' for this reason.

- That the creeping over-concentration in the remainder of Eastcott ward led to the Cluster Plan developed with residents to highlight controlling of HMOs as one of its top four priorities for positive change in the area.

This Council believes:

- That HMOs are useful to the local economy and are important for young people and that many HMOs are well-managed, well-maintained and well-behaved.

- That a wide spread of HMOs within 2 miles of the centre of Swindon, across at least six municipal wards, is desirable and causes very few problems.

- That over-concentration of HMOs leads to intense parking problems, common inappropriate presentation of waste, a neighbourhood culture where noise nuisance and poor maintenance of houses is tolerated and to a change of character of a neighbourhood.

- That where this change of neighbourhood falls directly next to key Town Centre Regeneration sites like Regent Circus that this has a negative impact on the long-term success of those scheme as fewer people would wish to visit that area.

This Council resolves:

- To use evidence collated by the Central Cluster to apply to the Secretary of State under Section 4 of the regulations - and before the Council Budget 2012/3 is set - to require planning permission for Small HMOs within Eastcott ward.

- To accept the Cluster Plan calling for the present number of HMOs in Eastcott Ward to be maintained at its present level or less.”

            The Motion stood deferred to the Planning Committee and Cabinet for consideration without discussion.

Councillor Stan Pajak will move and Councillor Bob Wright will second:

This Council notes:

- That Dog Control Orders replaced Dog By-Laws in 2006.
- That Council decided not to adopt these powers, partly because Council did not want to adopt powers like requiring dogs to be kept on leads.
- That Council can decide to adopt certain powers such as dog fouling but not adopt less desired powers like dogs on leads.
- That estimated costs of enforcing dog fouling, under old ways of working, would have exceeded £100,000 per year.

This Council further notes:
- That dog fouling has been identified as a top priority in many areas of Swindon, including one of the top three priorities in the Town Central NPT.
- That the Stronger Together agenda calls upon Council to find innovative ways to deliver services that the public wants.
- That such a solution could include Civil Enforcement Officers as part of their daily duties and Police Community Support Officers where NPT priorities reflect this.

This Council resolves:
- To request that a report be brought to Cabinet before the 2012/13 Budget setting.
- That the remit of the report should be to find an innovative way to enforce dog fouling aspects of a Dog Control Order in a cost effective way.

Councillor Stan Pajak moved and Councillor Bob Wright seconded:

”This Council notes:

- That Dog Control Orders replaced Dog By-Laws in 2006.

- That Council decided not to adopt these powers, partly because Council did not want to adopt powers like requiring dogs to be kept on leads.

- That Council can decide to adopt certain powers such as dog fouling but not adopt less desired powers like dogs on leads.

- That estimated costs of enforcing dog fouling, under old ways of working, would have exceeded £100,000 per year.

This Council further notes:

- That dog fouling has been identified as a top priority in many areas of Swindon, including one of the top three priorities in the Town Central NPT.

- That the Stronger Together agenda calls upon Council to find innovative ways to deliver services that the public wants.

- That such a solution could include Civil Enforcement Officers as part of their daily duties and Police Community Support Officers where NPT priorities reflect this.

This Council resolves:

- To request that a report be brought to Cabinet before the 2012/13 Budget setting.

- That the remit of the report should be to find an innovative way to enforce dog fouling aspects of a Dog Control Order in a cost effective way.”

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

”This Council notes:

- That Dog Control Orders replaced Dog By-Laws in 2006.

- That Council decided not to adopt these powers, partly because Council did not want to adopt powers like requiring dogs to be kept on leads.

- That Council can decide to adopt certain powers such as dog fouling but not adopt less desired powers like dogs on leads.

- That estimated costs of enforcing dog fouling, under old ways of working, would have exceeded £100,000 per year.

This Council further notes:

- That dog fouling has been identified as a top priority in many areas of Swindon, including one of the top three priorities in the Town Central NPT.

- That the Stronger Together agenda calls upon Council to find innovative ways to deliver services that the public wants.

- That such a solution could include Civil Enforcement Officers as part of their daily duties and Police Community Support Officers where NPT priorities reflect this.

This Council resolves:

To request that a report be brought to Cabinet as soon as is practicable and that the remit of the report should be to find innovative community led solutions to effectively tackle the problem of dog fouling.”

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

            The Council received a report of the Director of Law and Democratic Services updating Members on the final proposals of the Local Government Boundary Commission and subsequently of the new electoral arrangements for the Borough.

            Councillor Roderick Bluh moved and Councillor Garry Perkins seconded:

“(1)  That Council notes the changes made as a result of representations made following the initial recommendations of the Local Government Boundary Commission; and

(2) That Council notes the final recommendations laid before Parliament in relation to the new electoral scheme for Swindon Borough Council.”

            The Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

To consider the appointment of a representative to InSwindon.

            This agenda item was withdrawn. 

The Council considered (a) the minutes of the meetings of the Cabinet held on 22^nd September,11^th and 19^th October and 3^rd November, 2011, (b) decisions taken by Cabinet Members relating to delegated decisions taken under their portfolio responsibilities, and (c) questions to the Cabinet Members regarding their portfolio responsibilities and answers received.

            The Council considered (a) the minutes of the meetings of the Cabinet held on 22^nd September, 11^th and 19^th October and 3^rd November 2011, (b) decisions taken by Cabinet Members relating to delegated decisions taken under their portfolio responsibilities, and (c) questions to the Cabinet Members regarding their portfolio responsibilities and answers received. 

Members have the opportunity to raise questions with the relevant Chair in respect of all other Committee minutes (not reserved to Council for decision), as set out in the Minute Book circulated separately. 

            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 regarding the work of their Committees and other bodies and answers received. 

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

            The Director of Law and Democratic Services reported that Standing Order 15 Questions had been received from Councillors Junab Ali, Steve Allsopp, Paul Baker, Jim Grant, Jenny Millin, Des Moffatt, Ellen Osa,  Rochelle Russell, Steve Wakefield and Bob Wright.

            Councillor Juanb Ali asked the Cabinet Member for One Swindon, Communities and Housing how long the VAT Tax Shelter would be operational?

            The Cabinet Member for One Swindon, Communities and Housing indicated that he would seek clarification on this point and respond to Councillor Ali in writing.

            Councillor Steve Allsopp asked the Cabinet Member for One Swindon, Communities and Housing who would determine who was a fit and proper person to fill casual vacancies on the Shadow Housing Board?

            Cabinet Member for One Swindon, Communities and Housing indicated that he would discuss this issue with Councillor Allsopp outside of the meeting.

            Councillor Rochelle Russell asked the Cabinet Member for One Swindon, Communities and Housing that, in the event of a Housing Transfer, how traditional support offered by the Women’s Refuge would be delivered?

            The Cabinet Member for One Swindon, Communities and Housing indicated that such services would continue to be delivered in the traditional way.

            Councillor Rochelle Russell asked the Cabinet Member for One Swindon, Communities and Housing about the rights of any secured tenants transferring to a Housing Association if there was a yes vote?

             The Cabinet Member for One Swindon, Communities and Housing responded that he had been assured that any secure tenant transferring tenants would not only retain his or her existing rights, but would also receive two additional rights.

            Councillor Bob Wright asked the Cabinet Member for One Swindon, Communities and Housing about the flexibility of allowing free offices above its shops in the David Murray John Tower?

            The Cabinet Member for One Swindon, Communities and Housing indicated that there was room to negotiate with any new Housing Association on this type of issue.