The Cabinet Representative will talk about her responsibilities for finance, performance and risk, and as a member of the Sponsoring Group of the Military Civilian Integration Programme. Councillor de Rhé-Philipe will respond to any questions.
Minutes:
Councillor Fleur de Rhé-Philipe gave an overview of the current situation at RAF Lyneham as a member of the Sponsoring Group of the Military Civilian Integration Programme. She made the following points:
· the site’s possible uses were still being considered
· a developer had shown an interest
· a broad plan was being formulated for consideration by the community
· a conference was hoped for
· the abolition of the Regional Spatial Strategy created greater flexibility
· prospects for the use of the area were good
· the housing stock would attract interests and residents
· environmental contaminants needed to be considered
· there was a need to remain positive pending further information.
Councillor de Rhé-Philipe gave an overview of her roles and responsibilities as cabinet member for Finance, Performance and Risk. This included the following:
· budget setting process
· monitoring monthly performance throughout the year
· monitoring of the risk register
· savings had been made because of the unitary process.
Councillor de Rhé-Philipe responded to the following two written questions (responses below):
Given that the area board handbook states at page 42 “the needs of those who cannot access electronic sources of information should be kept in mind” and at page 44 “Wiltshire Council is committed to make sure that no-one is at a disadvantage by not being able to be involved, or through discrimination” what actions has Wiltshire Council and its ‘partners’ taken to ensure, in so far as is practicable, that house/bed bound residents, whether residing at home, a care or nursing home or while temporarily hospitalised with access to electronic sources of information and those without will be involved in and enabled to take part in Council’s and its ‘partners’ involvement structures that less constrained residents would be able so to do, and by what future date will, as far as is practicable, the situation of disadvantage experienced by such group of residents be expected to be nullified within Wiltshire.
The council is working hard to provide information where practicable to all members of the public. Any person who is unable to access area board information online should contact their local community area manager who will arrange for papers to be sent by post. This is a service we currently provide.
How is council able to justify the use of council tax payer’s monies to pay the relatively exorbitantly high fees of consultants as in the case of Peter Fletcher Associates Ltd 2008 ‘accommodation strategy for people with physical and sensory impairment under 65’ commissioned by council’s department for community services on the basis of provision to said consultants of a flawed brief, flawed research (I use the term in its loosest sense) and council’s own data?
The Accommodation Strategy for People with Physical and Sensory Impairments was commissioned in 2008, following a tender process to ensure the Council obtained Best Value. Peter Fletcher Associates, a highly regarded company, was asked to identify the future accommodation needs for this group of people to enable the Council to plan and develop services that were identified as being required. The work involved utilising local and national data, such as the census, Joint Strategic Needs Assessment and other publications as well as undertaking consultation with service providers and customers. Having reviewed all existing services, national evidence and undertaken this consultation, the Strategy identifies the type of accommodation that is required to meet people’s needs and aspirations and includes a table of recommendations. These are being implemented currently and are monitored through the Joint Commissioning Group and Accommodation Board.
The Chairman thanked Councillor de Rhé-Philipe for her attendance.