Agenda and minutes

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

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 11^th September 2013.

Resolved –That the minutes of the meeting held on 11^th September 2013 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The following questions were asked in accordance with Standing Order 28 –

Questioner

Mr Brian Cockbill, Stratton St Margaret, Swindon

Questions

MrCockbill asked a series of questions concerning -
(a) attendance by Council officers or Members at a seminar on “Care of Elderly People” held in Swindon on 18^th October 2013 and whether a report on this event would be made to the Council?

(b) the process and procedure adopted for responding to reported road and footpath problems by the Council’s Streetsmart team and Swindon Commercial Services Ltd (SCS) its contactor and whether the process would change when SCS returned to the Council’s direct control?

(c) the availability of information on potential traffic flows on Slade Drive, Oxford Road and Covingham Drive, Stratton St Margaret,  arising from the combined effect of proposed developments in South Marston, East Swindon Development and Redlands Airfield sites?

Response

The Chair thanked Mr Cockbill for his questions and comments and advised that a response had been prepared and circulated at the meeting.

The Chair and Councillor Richard Hurley, Cabinet Member for, Public Protection, Housing and Streetsmart responded at the meeting to the questions and comments. The Chair advised that he would arrange for Mr Cockbill to receive a fuller written response to his questions referred to in (a) and (b) above.

Mr Cockbill asked a supplementary question concerning the decision of the Council not to pass funding to parish councils to offset the impact of changes in Council Tax Base calculations and whether the Council would be passporting funding for 2014/15. The Chair thanked Mr Cockbill for his question and responded at the meeting.

Mr Cockbill asked supplementary questions seeking clarity on the response to his question referred to in (b) above. The Chair noted Mr Cockbill’s further questions and comments and advised that detail would be included within the proposed written response.

Questioner

Mr Tim French, Cassan Road, Swindon.

Question

Mr French asked a question seeking clarity on the nature of the business undertaken by D.W. Dunn Ltd. the company owned by Swindon Commercial Services Ltd.

Response

The Chair thanked Mr French for his question and responded at the meeting.

            The Cabinet Member for the Economy, Regeneration and Culture, the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Sustainability, the Cabinet Member for Finance, the Board Director, Commissioning, the Board Director, Service Delivery and the Board Director, Resources submitted a joint report concerning the implementation of the Swindon Economic Strategy (Minute 93 of the Council 2012/13 refers) and setting out proposals that sought to help existing businesses thrive within Swindon whilst maximising the opportunity to attract new firms to the Borough all the time increasing the number of jobs.

            Councillor Gary Perkins, Cabinet Member for the Economy, Regeneration and Culture, referred to how the Council’s Economic Strategy aimed to support and grow the Swindon economy and explained how the measures highlighted in the report could be used to support the delivery of the Strategy to the benefit of Swindon businesses and its economy generally. Such measures would make Swindon attractive to businesses encouraging new companies to relocate to Swindon and existing companies to stay and grow. 

            Councillor Dale Heenan, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Sustainability, referred to the measures highlighted in the report and how each of these, in an innovative “Swindon” way, could support existing businesses and encourage new enterprises.

            Councillor Jim Grant, Leader of the Opposition, advised that his Group was broadly in support of the support highlighted in the report. He asked for clarification of the procedure associated with Local Development Orders particularly in a case where the result of development might have a potential negative affect on local residents. He raised a concern over whether the use of Retained Business Rates to attract new companies might cause disquiet to existing businesses that had not had the same opportunity to access the incentive. He asked whether the Council had consulted the business community on the proposals.

            Councillor Heenan explained the role of the Planning Committee in approving the criteria for Local Development Orders and that there were specific criteria governing what development was permitted in a Local Development Order area. He believed there were significant safeguards to prevent residents being adversely affected. He agreed to arrange for Councillor Grant to receive a copy of the relevant criteria.

            Councillor Perkins advised on the consultation that had already taken place with local businesses. He explained that it was intended that an innovative approach would be taken to the use of Retained Business Rates in order that this would have benefits for as many businesses as possible, including those already in Swindon. In terms of new businesses the aim was to take a tactical approach to encourage the type of enterprises that Swindon wished to see to strengthen and grow the local economy for the future.

            Resolved – (1) That the Board Director, Commissioning, in consultation with Forward Swindon Ltd (FSL), and the FSL Shareholder Commissioning Panel, be authorised to discuss with the local business community how the package of measures detailed in the joint report could best be utilised to retain existing businesses and attract new employers to Swindon and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and the Board Director, Resources submitted a joint report setting out (a) the current forecast outturn position of the Council's Revenue Budget as at the end of August 2013, (b) issues impacting on the Council’s finances including (i) Departmental and service summaries and emerging issues, (ii) the procurement of GRANTfinder software, (iii) funding of Bus Service 47 and the Local Bus Strategy, and (iv) virements, and (c) the current position of the Housing Revenue Account and Dedicated Schools Grant.

The Chair welcomed the current projected out-turn position and expressed his thanks to the Board Director, the Finance team and his Cabinet colleagues for their hard work surrounding the management of the “in-year” Budget during very challenging times.

            Resolved – (1) That the current projected Revenue Budget Outturn for 2013/14, as set out in Table 1 and Appendices 1 and 2 of the joint report, be noted.

(2) That the Revenue Budget virements, as set out in Appendix 3 to the joint report, be approved.

            (3) That the use of £8,835 from corporate underspends to fund the cost of subscribing to the GRANTfinder software, be approved.

            (4) That the annual equivalent payments of £5,000 to West Berkshire Council and £9,000 to Wiltshire Council in order to maintain bus services to Bishopstone and Wanborough following the planned removal of Bus Service 47, be approved.

            The reasons for the decision and alternative options are as set out in the report to the meeting.

            The Leader of the Council, the Cabinet Member for Finance, the Cabinet Member for Public Protection, Housing and Streetsmart (Delivery),  the Cabinet Member for Highways, Strategic Transport and Leisure and the Board Director, Resources submitted a joint report concerning the progress of the implementation of the Council’s Corporate Strategy and Change Programmes (Minute 67 of the Council 2012/13 refers) and setting out (a) outline proposals for consultation, related to the first and last of the corporate priorities, with the overall intention of securing the best possible outcomes for residents at the lowest possible cost to Council Taxpayers and (b) a Joint Statement of Intent between the Council, One Swindon partners, and the Government’s Public Service Transformation Network. 

            The Chair referred to the progress made by the Council in implementing its Corporate Strategy priorities and the delivery of its associated change programmes. He referred particularly to the Council’s priority of “Consistently make the best use of all available resources”. He highlighted the service pressures and the financial challenges the Council faced and the ways in which it had responded. He explained the background to proposed consultation on proposed changes to service provision that aimed to deliver outcomes desired by residents at an affordable cost to Council Tax payers.

            The Chair drew attention to the proposed “Joint Statement of Intent” between the Council, One Swindon partners, and the Government’s Public Service Transformation Network. He referred to the support of the Government and the One Swindon Board for this innovative approach and the reputation that Swindon had gained nationally for successful partnership working. He explained how the Statement set out the objective, focus, milestones, and resources secured for One Swindon for the rest of 2013/14 and beyond. 

            Councillor Richard Hurley, Cabinet Member for Public Protection, Housing and Streetsmart (Delivery) referred to the proposed changes to Streetsmart services in particular to the green waste collection service. He explained that the aim of the changes was to improve the service offered to residents whilst at the same time seeking to achieve savings. He advised that the proposed changes would be subject to public consultation and the Council would listen to the feedback it received. However, the Council was facing significant financial challenges and savings would need to be identified from Council services. He emphasised that the proposed changes would not affect the current “Blue Bag Service” available to residents.

            Councillor Russell Holland, Cabinet Member for Finance, referred to the well-known pressures on public finances through demographic changes and reductions in Government funding. These were challenging times and difficult decisions would need to be made by the Council. However, as a result of careful stewardship, Swindon was in a much better position to face those challenges than many other local authorities.

            Councillor Jim Grant, Leader of the Opposition, asked whether the Cabinet was confident that its proposed changes to the green waste system would not simply lead to more waste going into residents’ refuse bins and therefore to landfill, creating the risk of the changes resulting  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55.

            The Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Sustainability and the Board Director, Commissioning submitted a joint report concerning the Council’s future energy objectives and its potential role in the development and delivery of energy projects in Swindon.

            Councillor Dale Heenan, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Sustainability, explained the Council’s ambition for Swindon to be at the forefront of the provision of local, affordable and sustainable energy provision. He referred to how the Council had a number of key opportunities to help lead the development of such provision and to reinforce key “low carbon” sectors of Swindon’s economy to the benefit of residents and businesses. He referred to each of the initiatives within the report and highlighted the key role that the Council could play in promoting, enabling, assisting and delivering energy projects and a One Swindon low carbon economy. He commented how the report was closely linked to the earlier report on progressing the Economic Strategy and unlocking Swindon’s economic potential.

            Resolved – (1) That the Council approve the following energy objectives:-

(a)  Swindon Borough Council will lead the development of renewable energy projects that demonstrate clear local economic benefits, and will aim for Swindon to generate sufficient low carbon energy to power all residential properties by 2020, through the actions detailed in paragraphs 3.7 and 3.8 of the joint report;

(b) By 2020, Swindon will be recognised as a UK centre of excellence for hydrogen energy technologies, creating new job opportunities by building on Swindon’s emerging strength in hydrogen energy storage.

            (2) That the Board Director, Resources be authorised to:-

(i) Develop a business model for investment in solar development on Council land that maximises local economic benefit.

            (ii) In consultation with the Leader’s Asset Management Advisory Group, to engage the relevant external expertise to prepare individual business cases for sites which conform with the business model and the design criteria at paragraph 3.12 and where the business case is positive, to submit such schemes to the Cabinet for approval.

            (3) That the Head of Planning, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Sustainability, be authorised to investigate and, if appropriate, progress a Local Development Order that would help to facilitate new renewable and low carbon infrastructure developments.

            (4) That the Swindon Hydrogen Roadmap, as set out in Appendix 1 to the joint report, and the formation of the Swindon Hydrogen Group, which will identify key projects and initiatives by Spring 2014, be approved.

            The reasons for the decision and alternative options are as set out in the report to the meeting.

            The Cabinet Member for Strategic Projects and Transformation, the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive submitted a joint report concerning the progress made in implementing the Council’s previous decision to re-integrate many of the services being provided by Swindon Commercial Services Ltd. (SCS) into the Council and providing an update on the actions to be taken to ensure the continuing success of the company (Minute 4 of the Special Committee refers).

            Councillor Mike Bawden, Cabinet Member for Strategic Projects and Transformation, referred to the background of the Council’s decision in July 2013 to integrate many of the services provided by Swindon Commercial Services Ltd. (SCS) back into the Council’s structure, and to the progress of the actions being undertaken and that needed to be taken to achieve this. He confirmed that the Council was on target to achieve the first phase of re-integration on 1^st November 2013. He commented on the future phases that would be required to secure the future of the company and realise the savings required by the Council. He believed this was challenging but achievable. He expressed his appreciation for the hard work of the officer team from the Council and SCS and to his cross-party Advisory Group in supporting the re-integration and in meeting the 1^st November 2013 timescale.

            The Chair referred to the difficult decisions that the Council had made regarding the future of Swindon Commercial Services and that he wished to record his appreciation to Councillor Bawden and his cross-party Advisory Group for the work they had undertaken in delivering the first phase of the re-integration.

            Resolved – (1) That the continuing progress to re-integrate many of the services being provided by Swindon Commercial Services Ltd. into the Council from 1^st November 2013, including delivery of the anticipated financial benefits from April 2014, be noted.

            (2) That an allocation of up to £25,000 from the Corporate Contingency be approved to cover a range of small-scale one-of costs associated with effecting the transition to the new arrangements as referred to in paragraph 3.2 of the joint report.

            (3) That the objective of maintaining the momentum of the re-integration of Swindon Commercial Services Ltd. into the Council beyond April 2014, to continue streamlining service delivery arrangements while focusing on securing agreed outcomes for residents, be noted and endorsed.

            (4)  That the cross-party Cabinet Member Advisory Group established to monitor the transition of services from Swindon Commercial Services Ltd to Swindon Borough Council continue to meet for the remainder of the current Municipal Year.

            (5) That in respect of the future governance of Swindon Commercial Services Ltd, the proposals outlined in paragraph 3.8 of the joint report be approved and the Council be recommended to appoint three representatives to sit on the Board, two of whom shall come from the majority political group on the Council and one from the Opposition political group.

            (6) That the Director of Law and Democratic Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Strategic Projects  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57.

Appendix 3 = Related Reports – Circulated Separately. This document is also available on the Council’s Website.

The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, the Leader of the Council and the Director of Law and Democratic Services submitted a joint report concerning recommendations arising from the Corporate Parenting Advisory Board held on 8^th July 2013, and from the Health and Wellbeing Board held on 11^th September 2013.

Councillor Fionuala Foley, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, expressed her support for the recommendations arising from the Advisory Board and drew attention to the important role that all Councillors and all Council staff played as “corporate parents”. She drew attention to the definition of “corporate parent” that appeared in the Corporate Parenting Strategy and what this meant for all involved with the Council. She referred to the “Pledge to Children and Young People in Care” contained within the Strategy and how looked-after children and young people had taken a direct role in drawing up this pledge.

The Chair offered his support for the recommendations and emphasised the Council’s corporate commitment to supporting the Corporate Parenting Strategy and giving its looked after children and young people the best possible start in life.

The Chair expressed his support for the recommendations arising from the Health and Wellbeing Board and explained the background to each of the decisions that the Cabinet was required to make.

Resolved – (1) That, further to Minute 5(2) of the Corporate Parenting Advisory Board, the Corporate Parenting Strategy and the Adoption Statement of Purpose, as attached as Appendix 3 to the joint report, be adopted.

(2) That, further to Minute 20(3) of the Health and Wellbeing Board, and subject to the endorsement of the Governing Body of the Swindon Clinical Commissioning Group, (a) the conditions associated with the transfer of NHS funds to Swindon Borough Council be noted and agreed; and

(b) the proposed spend of £2.753 million of transferred money, as set out in paragraph 3.16 of the joint report of the Acting Director of Public Health and the Head of Commissioning, Children and Adults, be agreed.

(3)  That, further to Minute 21(1) of the Health and Wellbeing Board, and subject to the endorsement of the Governing Body of the Swindon Clinical Commissioning Group, (a) the recommendations set out in Appendix 1 of the Hepatitis B and C Joint Strategic Needs Assessment Bulletin, attached to the report of the Acting Director of Public Health, be noted and approved, and (b) the development of an action plan for the implementation of the recommendations referred to in (a) above, be approved.

(4) That, further to Minute 23(1) of the Health and Wellbeing Board, and subject to (a) the endorsement of the Governing Body of the Swindon Clinical Commissioning Group, and (b) additional information on fast food outlets and planning being included within the strategy, the Healthy Weight Strategy for 2013-2015 be approved.

(5) That, further to Minute 24(1) of the Health and Wellbeing Board, and subject to the endorsement of the Governing Body of the Swindon Clinical Commissioning Group,the Leader of Swindon Borough Council’s intent to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58.

            The Cabinet Member for Finance and the Director of Law and Democratic Services submitted a joint report concerning (a) the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 that required all public bodies to consider how services over the European Union procurement threshold, which they commissioned and /or procured, might improve the economic, social and environmental well-being of the area in which they operated, and (b) proposals for the adoption be the Council of a protocol for administering its responsibilities under the Act, together with required revisions to the Council’s Standing Orders relating to Contracts.

            Councillor Russell Holland, Cabinet Member for Finance, commented on the implications of this new legislation for the Council. The Act would enable the Council to undertake procurement and to give weight to the social value that would be produced. He believed this would potentially enable the Council to take into account issues such as whether a company submitting a bid would directly support the Swindon Economy if that bid was selected, or if it reflected a commitment to a Council priority, such as the training and employment of young people. However, he cautioned that this was new legislation that was yet to be tested in the courts and so its true potential and implications for the Council were yet to become totally clear.

            Resolved – (1) That the Council be recommended to amend Standing Orders relating to Contracts (Section 7 of Part 4 to the Council’s Constitution) to reflect the requirements of the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 as specified in paragraph 3.5 of the joint report, and to authorise the Director of Law and Democratic Services to make the necessary changes to the Council’s Constitution.

            (2) That the Board Director, Commissioning, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, the Director of Law and Democratic Services and relevant Service Heads, be authorised to develop and maintain an appropriate protocol and internal guidance to assist in the procurement process to ensure that Social Value is duly considered in accordance with the requirements of the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012, and to provide a format on the Council’s website for the public to view the Council’s policy with appropriate links to the procurement process pages.

            (3) That the Guidance on the legal requirements of the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 for publication on the Council’s website, and as set out in Appendix 1 to the joint report, be noted and endorsed.

            The reasons for the decision and alternative options are as set out in the report to the meeting.