Issue - meetings

    Report by Corporate Director Alistair Cunningham

Cllr Richard Clewer presented a report recommending a final package of services and assets to transfer to Chippenham Town Council from Wiltshire Council and provided information relating to the financial impact this would have on Wiltshire Council.

Cllr Clewer detailed the final package of the services and assets to be transferred and that all Section 106 monies held or due to Wiltshire Council relating to assets within the Chippenham Town boundary would be transferred to the Town Council.

In response to a question from Cllr Cape about the project meeting its planned timescales for the transfer on 1^st June 2019, Cllr Clewer confirmed that this deadline was achievable, subject to no unforeseen issues arising. 

In response to a question from Cllr Hopkinson about (i) the availability of a published timetable for all the forthcoming service devolution and asset transfer to towns; and (ii) capacity of the Council’s legal team to undertake the additional work generated by the devolution of services and transfer of assets, Cllr Clewer confirmed that (i) a timetable had not been published for the remaining individual town transfers, however, he was anticipating releasing the next few waves shortly; (ii) additional staff had been appointed to the legal team to help with the process.

Cllr Clewer thanked members of Chippenham Town Council for their involvement in securing the transfer of services and assets detailed in the report.

Resolved:

1)    To approve the final list of services and assets listed in the report that will be transferred to Chippenham Town Council.  The inclusion of any open space land is subject to consideration of any objections received following the advertising of the disposal in accordance with statutory obligations.

2)    Note the net revenue impact to the Council and acknowledge that the Service Devolution programme benefits of cost savings and avoidance will be realised on a cumulative basis as the programme progresses and as more Towns/Parishes complete the process.

3)    Delegate the implementation of the transfer of assets and the service delegation to the Growth & Investment Programme Director in consultation with Cabinet Member for Housing, Corporate Services, Arts, Heritage and Tourism.

Reason for Decision:

To complete the transfer of the package of assets and services to Chippenham Town Council.