Agenda and minutes

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

Councillor Oliver Donachie made a personal and non-prejudicial interest in respect of agenda items that might concern Public Power Solutions, in his capacity as a non-Executive Director of that organisation.

 There were no public questions.

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 27^th April 2015.

Resolved – (1) That the minutes of the meeting held on 27^th April 2015 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

(2) That, with reference to Minute 70(2), it be noted that Councillor Des Moffatt had been appointed as Councillor Mark Dempsey’s replacement on the Committee’s Task Group established to review the Local Resilience Forum’s report on the Averies fire incident.

The Director of Law and Democratic Services submitted a report introducing decisions arising from the Cabinet meeting held on 17 June 2015.

5.         Wichelstowe Joint Venture

Councillor Brian Mattock, Cabinet Member for Adult Health and Social Care, responded to a question put by the Chair regarding the programme for the development of the social housing elements of the joint venture scheme.

Resolved – That Minute 5 of the Cabinet be noted.

6.         Budget Management 2014/15

Councillor Russell Holland, Cabinet Member for Finance, People and Performance, responded to a question put by the Chair on the opportunities for opposition members to influence the budget setting process.

Resolved – That Minute 6 of the Cabinet be noted.

7.         Capital Programme Monitoring Outturn and Treasury Performance 2014/15

Councillor Russell Holland, Cabinet Member for Finance, People and Performance responded to questions put by the Chair and Councillor Des Moffatt regarding the analysis of the Council’s debt and investment position, set out in the Cabinet report, and, in particular, the increase to the net borrowing position.

Resolved – That Minute 7of the Cabinet be noted.

8.         SEQOL – Proposed Contract Amendments

Councillor Brian Mattock, Cabinet Member for Adult Health and Social Care, responded to questions put by the Chair and Councillors Des Moffatt and Stan Pajak on the following matters:

·        The amendment to the Council’s contract with SEQOL and the potential for additional costs being borne by the Council as a result of the proposed transfer of services.

·         The number of staff to be transferred under the proposed contract change and the effect of those transfers on the Pension Fund.

Resolved – That Minute 8 of the Cabinet be noted.

9.         Business Model for Solar Investment

Councillor Dale Heenan, Cabinet Member for Sustainability and Transport, responded to questions and observations put by the Chair and Councillor Des Moffatt, Toby Elliott, Maureen Penny, Chris Watts and Oliver Donachie on the following issues:

·        The investment model, the level of investment contribution and the opportunity for community investment in the solar power projects (including the opportunity for investment by members of the Council).

·         The potential for extending the A419 sound barrier (East) to increase the viability of that location for a solar power production facility.

·         Provision within the terms and conditions of the associated Local Development Order for the eventual reinstatement of PV array sites.

·         The proposed investment model and the security of community investment in the project.

·         The ability of the proposed investment model to respond to, and to effectively compete in, a changing energy retail market.

 Resolved – (1) That Minute 9 of the Cabinet be noted.

(2) That members’ acknowledgement of the high quality of the recent Public Power Services (PPS) presentation on solar power opportunities be recorded.

10.      The Allocation of Bus Services Operators’ Grant

Councillor Dale Heenan, Cabinet Member for Sustainability and Transport, responded to questions put by the Chair on the Council’s Concessionary Travel scheme and the use and allocation of travel mobility vouchers.

Resolved – That Minute 10 of the Cabinet  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Councillor David Renard, the Leader of the Council, attended this first meeting of the Scrutiny Committee in the Municipal Year 2015/16 to report to the Committee on (a) the Council’s performance in 2014/15, particularly in relation to its achievements in delivering against the Administration’s specific priorities and targets, and (b) challenges for 2015/16 and beyond.

Councillor Renard introduced his report, commenting on some of the highlights for the last year, including:

·        Swindon’s continuing successful local economy and, in particular, its increased employment levels.

·        The continuing public sector confidence in Swindon, as exemplified by the private investment in schemes such as the extension to the outlet village, the Regent Circus development, Dorcan and others.

·        The success of the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) in securing £94m in growth deals, the highest allocation per head of population nationally.

·        The opening of the new University Technical College in September 2014 and the opportunities this represents for young people in Swindon.

·        The establishment of two new free schools in the secondary sector.

·        The Council’s excellent School Place Planning strategy, one of most successful nationally  in offering first place, or one of top three, preferences.

·        The significant progress in Road Network investment. 

·        Regeneration as a key priority and the future development of a new Speedway Stadium as well as additional homes.

·        The success of the Moirai refurbishment of the Oasis Leisure Centre and its establishment as a regional, perhaps national, leisure destination.

·        The on-going successful regeneration of Sussex Square, this following on from a significant number of neighbourhood centre regeneration schemes in recent years.

·        The significant achievement of the Council in securing approval of its Local Plan, becoming one of the first major councils in the country to do so.

·        The enhancement of the Radnor Street Cemetery, allowing it to be a centre for the Great War commemorative events.

·        The Council’s support of successful neighbourhood local “clean up” days

·        The positive impact of the relocation of the Swindon Police Point to the civic campus

·        The Council’s successful bid for its first significant new council housing programme in 25 years and the commencement of work on a programme of 100 new affordable homes, attracting £2.5m in grant from the Homes and Communities Agency with the Housing Revenue Account investing a further £16.5 m.

·        The secured future of Swindon’s leisure facilities through their transfer to GLL and Twigmarket, eliminating the previous revenue subsidy and associated maintenance overheads.

·        The fifth consecutive Council Tax freeze and the associated benefit for Swindon residents at a time when household budgets remain under pressure.

·        The opening of the Swindon Advice and Support Centre in Sanford Street to bring together different voluntary and community support groups in a single, accessible, town centre location.

·        The implementation of the Get Active strategy in furtherance of the key strategy of finding ways to support people living independent lives and thereby relieving pressure on health and social welfare budgets in future.

·        The commendable, and on-going, work, under the auspices of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Law and Democratic Services on the results of the 2015/16 Overview and Scrutiny work programme consultation exercise and inviting the Committee to agree a rolling work programme for the Scrutiny Committee for 2015/16, taking into account the issues raised in the Leader of the Council’s presentation to this meeting and the results of the supporting consultation exercise.

Resolved – (1) That, subject to (2) below, the draft work programme 2014/15, tabled at the meeting, be approved.

 (2) That the work programme be amended to include the consideration of a report on the topic of the parishing of the entire borough area. That a suitable date for the consideration of this report be agreed between the Chair and the responsible officer.

(3) That members’ suggestion that the work programme include a review of the implications of a decision that the country withdraws from the European Union (EU) be noted. That the Cabinet Member for the Economy, Regeneration and Skills, be advised of the suggestion, and members’ concerns, and advised that the Committee would wish him to provide an update on this topic area as part of his question and answer session with the Scrutiny Committee on 12^th October 2015. That, at that meeting, the Committee determines whether it would wish to include in its work programme a review of the impacts of such decision to withdraw from the EU and the measures which the Council can take to mitigate those impacts.

(Councillors Stan Pajak and Chris Watts made personal, non-prejudicial declarations of interest in relation to the Committee’s consideration of the possible inclusion in its work programme of issues concerning the outcome of any referendum pertaining to the country’s membership of the EU.)