Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Howard Greenman, Kathryn MacDermid, Kelvin Nash, Christpoher Newbury, Antonio Piazza, Tom Rounds, Jonathan Seed, Tim Trimble, and Robert Yuill.

To approve as a true and correct record and sign the minutes of the ordinary meeting of Council held on 15 October 2024 and the extraordinary meeting of Council held on 9 January 2025.

The minutes of the ordinary meeting held on 15 October 2024, and of the extraordinary meeting held on 9 January 2025, were presented for consideration.

In a comment on the minutes Cllr Brian Dalton stated he had yet to receive an answer to a matter raised at the October 2024 meeting regarding the Harnham Gyratory.

It was then,

Resolved:

That the minutes of meetings held on 15 October 2024 and 9 January 2025 be approved and signed as true and correct records.

To receive any declarations of disclosable interests or dispensations granted by the Standards Committee or Monitoring Officer.

Cllrs Sam Charleston and Brian Dalton both declared Disclosable Pecuniary Interests in Item 9 - Housing Revenue Account - by virtue of each separately renting a council owned garage.

It was confirmed Cllrs Charleston and Dalton had been granted dispensations in order to remain in the room during discussion of the relevant item, but that they would not participate in debate or vote on the matter.

In relation to Item 13 - Notice of Motion 2025-01: action against the removal of Labour's "Family Farm Tax" - Cllr Iain Wallis declared a non-disclosable interest that he worked for the Department of Environment and Rural Affairs. Cllr Wallis explained that, after consulting with his employer and the Monitoring Officer, he would remain in the room during discussion of the relevant item but not participate in debate or vote on the item.

Also in relation to Item 13 Cllr Edward Kirk declared a non-disclosable interest that he owned non-agricultural business property, and chose to leave the chamber for the entirety of the item. 

To receive any announcements through the Chairman.

Deaths of Former Members

The Chairman paid tribute to the following former members of the Council. She passed on her thoughts to their families and thanked them for their dedicated service to the people of Wiltshire.

Cllr Bill Douglas, who represented Chippenham Hardens and England from 2009 to 2021, passed away on 3 February 2025. He also previously served on North Wiltshire District Council and was a longstanding member of Chippenham Town Council. His funeral would be at 2pm on 6 March at the West Wilts Crematorium.

Cllr Tom James, who represented Trowbridge Adcroft from 2009 to 2013, passed away on 11 February 2025. He was previously a Member on Wiltshire County Council and West Wiltshire District Council, as well as serving as Mayor of Trowbridge Town Council. He was awarded the MBE for services to Local Government. His funeral would be held at 10am on 10 March, also at the West Wilts Crematorium.

Cllr Edward Kirk paid tribute to Cllr James’ advice and service to the community, describing him as a great loss to Trowbridge.

Death of the Former Lieutenant of Wiltshire

The Chairman also paid tribute to Lieutenant General Sir Maurice Johnston KCB, CVO, OBE, who had passed away on 10 November 2024.

Sir Maurice, who had died at the age of 95, was Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire for eight years between 1996 and 2004. He served in the British Army from 1949 to 1982 and was Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff between 1981 and 1982. After retirement from the army, he had an active career in business, as well as supporting various schools and voluntary organisations in Wiltshire.

Chairman’s Engagements

Since the last ordinary business meeting of Council, the Chairman had attended the following engagements:

17 October 2024 – WRFCA Lord-Lieutenant Awards Presentation Evening

9 November 2024 - St Giles’ Church, Imber Service of Remembrance

10 November 2024 - St Thomas’s Church and War Memorial, Salisbury Remembrance Sunday Service 

12 December 2024 - County of Wiltshire Carol Service, St James’ Church, Trowbridge

18 December 2024 - Wiltshire Lieutenancy lunch, Seend

She also highlighted that Peter White, Enforcement Manager at Wiltshire Council, had received the Chief of General’s Staff Commendation for his 30 years’ service with the Wiltshire Army Cadet Force, where he served as Colonel and Commandant.

Since the last ordinary business meeting of Council, the Vice-Chairman had attended the following engagements:

10 November 2024 - St Andrew’s Church, Chippenham Remembrance Sunday Service

17 January 2025 - Royal visit by Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal to West Wiltshire Youth Sailing Association, Westbury to celebrate the handover of the lake and new clubhouse

Honours

The Chairman announced that a number of Wiltshire residents had received national recognition in the recent New Year’s Honours List and congratulated those who had been honoured.

DCVO           

Dame Sarah Troughton, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire - for exceptional services to Wiltshire

CBE  

Dr Peter Thompson, Chief Executive Officer, National Physical Laboratory - for services to UK science and technology 

OBE  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

a)   To receive presentation of any petitions submitted for the meeting

b)   To receive an update on any petitions received by the council since the last meeting.

A report was received which gave Council details of the threepetitions received for the period since the last Council meeting.

On the proposal of the Chairman, seconded by Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of the Council, it was,

Resolved:

That Council notes the update on petitions

The Council welcomes contributions from members of the public.

Statements

If you would like to make a statement at this meeting on any item on this agenda, please register to do so at least 10 minutes prior to the meeting. Members of the public are encouraged to register to speak earlier.

Up to 3 speakers are permitted to speak for up to 3 minutes each on any agenda item. Statements must be relevant to the agenda item.

Questions

To receive any questions from members of the public received in accordance with the constitution. No person or organisation may submit more than two questions to the meeting. No question may be sub-divided into more than two related parts.

Those wishing to ask questions are required to give notice of any such questions in writing to the officer named above (acting on behalf of the Proper Officer) no later than 5pm on 18 February 2025 in order to be guaranteed of a written response. Questions submitted no later than 5pm on 20 February 2025 may receive a verbal response. Questions may be asked without notice if the Chairman decides that the matter is urgent.

Details of any questions received will be circulated to Members prior to the meeting and made available at the meeting and on the Council’s website.

Please contact the officer named on the first page of this agenda for further advice.

The procedure for public speaking at the meeting was noted.

Details of the questions submitted by the public and the responses to them were set out in the agenda supplement.

A supplementary question was asked by Annabelle Sanderson regarding question P25-08 about the A350 project and whether the timeline for the works was being met.

Cllr Nick Holder, Cabinet Member for Highways, Street Scene and Flooding, responded by outlining a timeline of the preparatory work that had taken place. He explained that the business case for the A350 Phase 4 (5) dualling scheme had been submitted in early 2024, and a contractor from Marshfield had been identified. Approval for the full business case for the project by central government had to be delayed due to the general election in July. The next Secretary of State for Transport commissioned a review after the election, which had led to the abandonment of the Stonehenge Tunnel project, but that confirmed the A350 Phase 4 (5) dualling scheme would go ahead.

Colin Gale, Chairman of Rushall Parish Council, asked a supplementary question in relation to question P25-11 regarding the condition of the headwall in the ditch at the crossroads between Devizes Road and Church Lane in Rushall. He also asked a supplementary question to P25-12, he asked about whether Wiltshire Council would commit to complete excavation of the ditch at Rushall Bridge before next winter.

Cllr Nick Holder reported that he had raised the issues with Wiltshire Council’s Director of Highways and Assets, who would be able to provide technical responses to Mr Gale about how the issues would be resolved.

Cllr Paul Oatway QPM, the unitary member representing Rushall thanked the Cabinet Member and Director for their help with the issues raised by Mr Gale.

To receive a report from the Chief Executive and the S.151 Officer.

The Chairman invited Cllr Nick Botterill, Cabinet Member for Finance, Development Management, and Strategic Planning, to present a report on the Treasury Management Strategy Statement for 2025/26.

Cllr Botterill moved the proposals set out in the report, which were seconded by Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of the Council. It was explained that sound treasury management allowed the council to meet its day-to-day obligations by ensuring that borrowing, expenditures and surpluses were managed correctly. This was particularly important given the need to manage financial pressures such as the High Needs Block.

Cllr Botterill highlighted that the last time the council had undertaken significant external borrowing, it had been able to do so at extremely low interest rates. Therefore, he emphasised that was important for any future borrowing to be undertaken at the best possible time, noting current interest rates had risen and were expected to fall less quickly than originally forecast. It was also noted that the report included summaries of capital plans, minimum revenue provision policy and annual investment strategies.

The Chairman then invited comments from group leaders. Cllr Clewer stated the council’s approach to managing and controlling finances was appropriate and effective. He contrasted Wiltshire Council’s approach with many other local authorities that had found themselves in difficulty in part due to issues with borrowing.

Cllr Ian Thorn, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, supported the comments of the Leader of the Council, describing treasury management as the engine room of sound and effective finance.  Cllr Ricky Rogers, Leader of the Labour Group, stated he supported the proposals.

The Chairman then opened the item to wider debate. There being no further comments, it was then,

Resolved:

That Council:

a)    Adopt the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy (paragraph 26 – 28)

b)   Adopt the Prudential and Treasury Indicators (paragraphs 17 – 25, 41 – 47 and Appendix A)

c)    Adopt the Annual Investment Strategy (paragraph 64 onwards).

d)   Delegate to the Corporate Director of Resources (S151 Officer) the authority to vary the amount of borrowing and other long-term liabilities within the Treasury Indicators for the Authorised Limit and the Operational Boundary

e)    Authorise the Corporate Director of Resources (S151 Officer) to agree the restructuring of existing long-term loans where savings are achievable or to enhance the long-term portfolio

f)     Agree that short term cash surpluses and deficits continue to be managed through temporary loans, deposits and money market funds

g)   Agree that any surplus cash balances not required to cover borrowing are placed in the most appropriate specified or non-specified investments, particularly where this is more cost effective than short term deposits; and delegate to the Corporate Director of Resources (S151 Officer) the authority to select such funds

h)   Agree the Investment Policy (paragraph 68)

i)     Agree the Creditworthiness Policy (paragraph 72)

j)     Agree the Loans Policy (appendix F)

In accordance with the constitution there was a recorded vote.

Votes for the motion (86)

Votes against the motion (0)

Votes in abstention (1)

Details of the recorded vote are attached to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

To receive a report from the Chief Executive, Monitoring Officer, and the S.151 Officer:

a)    Budget Addendum (Pages 105 - 108)

b)    Budget 2025/26 and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2025/26-2027/28 Report and Appendices (Pages 109 - 284)

c)    Extract of the minutes of the meeting of Cabinet held on 4 February 2025. (Pages 285 - 288)

d)    Notes from the budget briefings with Trade Union representatives, and representatives of non-domestic ratepayers (Pages 289 - 292)

e)    Report of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee meeting held on 28 January 2025 - consideration of the draft Budget. (Pages 293 - 300)

f)     Proposed amendments to the budget

                      i.        Amendment A - Cllr Jon Hubbard - Free Swimming (Pages 301 - 302)

                    ii.        Amendment B - Cllr Jon Hubbard - Reablement Services (Pages 303 - 304)

g)    Report of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee meeting held on 13 February 2025 - consideration of draft Budget Amendments (to follow)

The Chairman introduced the item and provided details of the reports which had been circulated. She explained the procedures to be followed for consideration of the budget, including debate on any proposed amendments.

She then invited Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of the Council, to present the proposed budget.

Cllr Clewer proposed a motion to adopt the recommendations as set out in the Summons. This was seconded by Cllr Nick Botterill, Cabinet Member for Finance, Development Management, and Strategic Planning.

Cllr Clewer stated that the finances of Wiltshire Council were in good shape, despite a challenging backdrop caused by issues such as the Covid-19 pandemic and war in Ukraine. He thanked Wiltshire Council’s officers, Overview and Scrutiny committees, his Cabinet and group for their hard work over the past four years. He stated that the administration had delivered in numerous areas, including improving service delivery, decreasing fly tipping, reducing potholes, keeping all of Wiltshire’s libraries open and cutting emissions. He stated that the budget would only require an increase of 4.5 percent in council tax when most other authorities were raising funds by the maximum 4.99 percent.

Cllr Clewer contrasted the financial position of Wiltshire Council with other authorities he stated were being forced to sell assets or seek extraordinary financial support to balance their budgets. However, Cllr Clewer underlined his disappointment with some aspects of central government policy towards Wiltshire. These included a reduction in grant funding of £6.2 million, an 84 percent increase in Wiltshire’s housebuilding targets, insufficient funding for the High Needs Block, and rejection from the priority stream for the creation of strategic authorities as requested at the meeting on 9 January 2025.

Cllr Clewer criticised the lack of any proposed amendments to the budget at the meeting, though argued the cumulative value of previous proposed amendments in other years would have reduced the council’s budgetary reserves.

The Chairman then invited Cllr Graham Wright, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee, to comment on the proposed budget and present the report of the meeting of the committee held on 28 January 2025. Cllr Wright also presented the report from the meeting on 13 February 2025 held to discuss budget amendment proposals.

Cllr Wright explained that both meetings had included questions and comments designed to explore the impact and implications of any budget proposals or amendments. He thanked the three select committees for discussing aspects of the budget related to their remits, and for the scrutiny undertaken by the Financial Planning Task Group, and commended his report to Full Council.

The Chairman then invited group leaders to comment on the proposed budget.

Cllr Ian Thorn, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, stated that it was important that people did not pay additional tax unless it was absolutely necessary.  He also took the opportunity to thank the council’s officers for the role that they played in financial management, stressing the importance of public service.

He argued that amendments put forward by the Liberal Democrat Group in previous years  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

To receive a report from the Director of Assets and the S.151 Officer.

The Chairman invited Cllr Phil Alford, Cabinet Member for Housing, Strategic Assets, and Asset Transfer, to present a report recommending that Council approve the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) business plan, budget, and associated housing funding decisions.

Cllr Alford proposed a motion to approve the recommendations set out in the report, which was seconded by Cllr Laura Mayes, Deputy Leader of the Council. Details were provided about the capital programme, including the proposed 2.7 percent social dwelling rent increase. Cllr Alford reported that a number of recent changes in government policy had been reflected in the new business plan, including a reduction in the level of discount available to tenants who wanted to take advantage of the Right to Buy scheme. He also highlighted that the maintenance budget had increased by £2.49 million and that the business plan had delivered 208 homes in a previous phase, 173 in the current phase and had a further 40 in development. There were an additional 533 in the pipeline, so the council was on track to deliver its overall target of 1,000 new homes.

The Chairman then invited comments from group leaders.

Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of the Council, emphasised that it was important for the council to engage closely with central government on council housing and reported that there would be a further meeting on the subject the following week.

Cllr Ian Thorn, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, welcomed the report. He asked what had impacted delivery of the original target and why it was felt that it would not impact future delivery.

Cllr Jon Hubbard, on behalf of the Independent Group welcomed a recent report made to Cabinet about the HRA.

Cllr Ricky Rogers, Leader of the Labour Group, welcomed the proposals and stressed the importance of ensuring that contractors had sufficient capacity to deliver the housing targets.

The Chairman then opened the item to general debate.

During the debate a number of points were made, and the report was broadly accepted. The additional funding that the government were investing in affordable housing was welcomed. It was also noted that many housing associations and developers had downgraded their housebuilding targets to ensure that their debt ratios were complaint.

A comment was made expressing disappointment that the period to deliver the 1,000 council homes had been extended from 10 to 17 years. It was suggested that there might be a financial advantage in purchasing houses from developers using Section 106 funding. It was also stated that it would be a positive step if Stone Circle showed a similar level of transparency about their finances to the HRA.

Cllr Alford, as mover of the motion, responded to the comments made in debate. He explained that the council had adapted their approach to procuring houses to reflect a significant increase in the cost of building. Once the houses currently in the pipeline had been delivered, they would look adapt their procurement model so that there were a greater number of Section 106 funded acquisitions.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

To receive a report from the Chief Executive and the S.151 Officer.

The Chairman invited Cllr Nick Botterill, Cabinet Member for Finance, Development Management, and Strategic Planning, to present a report on the calculation and setting of council tax for the year 2025/26.

Cllr Botterill moved the proposals set out in the report, which were seconded by Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of the Council.

There were no comments from group leaders, or any further debate.

It was therefore,

Resolved:

1)    It be noted that on 12 December 2024 a Record of Officer Decision was made to approve the Council Tax Base 2025/26 for the whole Wiltshire Council area as 195,453.54 [Item T in the formula in Section 31B(3) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended (the "Act")] and for dwellings in those parts of its area to which a Parish precept relates as in the attached Appendix.

2)    To calculate that the Council Tax requirement for the Council's own purposes for 2025/26 (excluding parish precepts) is £ 368,818,875.44.

3)    That the following amounts be calculated for the year 2025/26 in accordance with Sections 31 to 36 of the Act:

a) £1,226,625,772.64 (Gross Revenue Expenditure including transfers to reserves, parish precepts and any collection fund deficit) being

the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(2) of the Act taking into account all

precepts issued to it by Parish Councils).

b) £663,791,900.00 (Gross Revenue Income including transfers from reserves, General Government Grants and any collection fund

surplus) being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(3) of the Act.

c) £562,833,872.64 (Net Revenue Expenditure including parish precepts) being the amount by which the aggregate at 3(a) above

exceeds the aggregate at 3(b) above, calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 31A(4) of the Act as its Council Tax

requirement for the year. (Item R in the formula in Section 31A(4) of the Act).

d) £2,068.18 (Wiltshire Council band D tax plus average Town & Parish Councils Band D Council Tax) being the amount at 3(c) above

(Item R), all divided by Item T (2 above), calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 31B(1) of the Act, as the amount of its

Council Tax for the year (including Parish precepts), as shown below:

e) 35,413,785.64 (Aggregate of Town & Parish Council Precepts) being the aggregate amount of all special items (Parish Precepts) referred to in Section 34(1) of the Act (as per the attached Appendix C).

f) £1,886.99 (band D Council Tax for Wiltshire Council purposes only) being the amount at 3(d) above less the result given by dividing the amount at 3(e) above by Item T (2 above), calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 34(2) of the Act, as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

To receive a report from the Chief Executive.

The Chairman invited Cllr Ashley O’Neill, Cabinet Member for Governance, IT, Broadband, Digital, and Staffing, to present the report set out in the Summons which provided an update on the pay policy statement for 2025/26.

The proposals set out in the report were moved by Cllr O’Neill and seconded by Cllr Stuart Wheeler, Chairman of the Staffing Policy Committee.

There were no comments from group leaders, or any further debate.

It was therefore,

Resolved:

That Council approve the updated pay policy statement set out in Appendix 1 ready for publication on the Wiltshire Council website.

In accordance with the constitution there was a recorded vote.

Votes for the motion (76)

Votes against the motion (0)

Votes in abstention (0)

Details of the recorded vote are attached to these minutes.

To receive a report from the Corporate Director - Place.

This item was deferred at the beginning of the meeting in order to further consider the plan and points raised by local communities. 

To consider the attached motion from Cllrs Rich Rogers and Bill Parks.

On the invitation of the Chairman, Cllr Rich Rogers proposed the motion as set out in the Summons, which was seconded by Cllr Bill Parks.

Cllr Rogers spoke about the important role that farms played in providing food security and stewarding Wiltshire’s countryside. He argued that the government’s changes to restrict full Agricultural Property Relief, to the first million pounds, with a 20 percent rate paid on assets over that amount, showed a lack of understanding about the rural economy. Describing the changes as a blunt instrument to close a tax loophole, Cllr Rogers criticised the changes and asked Council to support his motion to write to government setting out opposition to the government action.

In response to the motion Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of the Council, emphasised that Wiltshire Council worked closely with farms and helped to promote the purchase of local produce through schemes such as the Wiltshire Marque. He also said that he would welcome more direct links with farmers, as much of the communication with government went through the Department for the Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs. Reporting that he had met with the National Farmers’ Union the previous week, he contrasted the council’s approach with that of the government, which he argued did not understand the countryside. He criticised the changes to Agricultural Property Relief, and stated it was important for Wiltshire, as a large rural authority, to inform the government about their impact.

The Chairman then moved that Council debate the motion, which was seconded and approved.

Other group leaders then had the opportunity to comment.

Cllr Ian Thorn, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, supported the motion, describing farmers as the backbone of the community in Wiltshire. In particular, he welcomed measures to gather evidence about the impact of the changes on Wiltshire. He observed that the preamble to the motion referenced Conservative objections but stated that the Liberal Democrats supported the wording of the motion itself.

Cllr Jon Hubbard, speaking on behalf of the Independent Group, stated that he had sympathy for the motion though noted that it was an issue that would be best discussed in parliament.

Cllr Ricky Rogers, Leader of the Labour Group, explained that he supported the idea of gathering evidence about the impact of the changes but could not support the rest of the motion. Although he had sympathy for farmers, he pointed out that other businesses were asked to pay 40 percent inheritance tax above the threshold whereas famers were only being asked to pay 20 percent and had a decade to pay. He argued that Council was not the appropriate place for the issue to be debated.

The Chairman then opened the debate for general discussion.

Numerous comments were made in support of the motion, with some members sharing concerns from residents about the risk of losing their family farms, including one that had been on the same land for hundreds of years. It was highlighted that although many farmers were asset rich, they were  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

To consider the attached motion from Cllrs Jon Hubbard and Ian Thorn.

On the invitation of the Chairman, Cllr Jon Hubbard proposed the motion as set out in the Summons, which was seconded by Cllr Ian Thorn.

Cllr Hubbard explained that under previous arrangements any Member of the council had had the right to attend a Cabinet meeting and ask a question without prior notice. He stated that this procedure had been changed without notice or consultation with Members, requiring them to submit questions in writing in advance. He argued this allowed Cabinet Members to rely upon responses prepared by officers and reduced scrutiny of the Cabinet on matters of immediate concern. In order to make the process manageable, Cllr Hubbard proposed setting a limit of three questions per Member and suggested that the proposed new process was reviewed after a year. He stated that supporting the motion would be a vote for accountability, transparency and scrutiny.

Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of the Council, stated that any Member was still able to attend Cabinet and ask a question about an item on the agenda, without notice, and that it was questions on matters not part of the agenda which required notice to be given. He explained that, under the previous process, significant time was given to matters not part of the formal business of the meeting as a result.  He noted that the Constitution Focus Group had reviewed the Cabinet procedure rules and decided not to recommend any changes to the procedures being at discretion of the Leader. He argued that the most appropriate action would be for the procedure rules to be reconsidered by the Focus Group.

The Chairman noted that Cabinet procedure rules were set out at Part 7 of the Constitution. She proposed referring Cllr Hubbard’s motion to Standards Committee, which was seconded by Cllr Paul Oatway QPM.

It was then,

Resolved:

To refer the motion to the Standards Committee.

To consider the attached motion from Cllrs Edward Kirk and Mike Sankey.

On invitation of the Chairman, Cllr Edward Kirk proposed the motion as set out in the Summons, which was seconded by Cllr Mike Sankey.

Cllr Chuck Berry made a point of order seeking advice from the Monitoring Officer about whether Members that had been appointed as portfolio holders should be allowed to remain in the chamber and participate in debate. The Monitoring Officer advised that portfolio holders should be allowed to vote and participate in debate as the wording of the motion would impact future appointments and not those that were currently in office.

Cllr Kirk spoke to his motion and raised concerns about the public perception of the procedure for appointing portfolio holders. He was worried that there was a lack of public accountability under the current system whereby the Leader could create a new position and appoint whoever they wanted to the role. As the appointment of new portfolio holders also had financial implications for the council, he argued that there needed to be greater transparency and that this could be introduced by requiring ratification from Council.

The Chairman noted that Part 3C of the Constitution, Delegation of Executive Functions, Paragraph 5.1 outlined the procedure for the creation of additional portfolio holders, and that the usual process for constitutional amendments was to receive a recommendation from the Standards Committee.

She therefore proposed that the motion was referred to Standards Committee for further consideration, which was seconded by Cllr Paul Oatway QPM.

It was then,

Resolved:

To refer the motion to Standards Committee.

To consider the attached motion from Cllrs Philip Whitehead and Simon Jacobs.

On invitation of the Chairman, Cllr Philip Whitehead proposed the motion as set out in the Summons, which was seconded by Cllr Simon Jacobs.

Cllr Whitehead highlighted concerns about the level of protection that Wiltshire Council offered to viable rural business sites threatened with being sold for property development. He reported that he had raised his concerns in 2014, which had led to the inclusion a paragraph in the 2015 Local Plan. However, a recent case saw a commercial site in Urchfont being recommended for replacement by five residential dwellings.

Cllr Matthew Dean raised a point of order, questioning whether the issue needed to be considered through the Local Plan making framework rather than as a separate motion.

The Chairman explained that the matter had been referred to the Director of Planning, Economy, and Regeneration, who was satisfied that the motion would not affect any decisions being made in accordance with the Local Plan. The Monitoring Officer added that he was content that the motion could be bought before Council.

Cllr Nick Botterill, Cabinet Member for Finance, Development Management and Strategic Planning, responded to the motion and expressed support

The Chairman then moved that Council debate the motion, which was seconded and then approved for discussion.

Group leaders then had the opportunity to comment on the motion. Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of the Council, agreed that the wording in the 2015 Core Strategy needed to be more robust and reported that he had worked with Cllr Botterill to ensure that there was greater protection in the draft Local Plan that was currently before an inspector.

Cllr Ian Thorn, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, spoke about the importance of employment in rural areas and supported the motion. Cllr Jon Hubbard, speaking on behalf of the Independent Group, stated that he supported the motion, although was mindful that there might be unintended consequences given that the motion was bought as a result of a specific case. Cllr Ricky Rogers, Leader of the Labour Group, also spoke in support of the motion. He noted that rural employment was already mentioned in the Local Plan, but was happy for it be reinforced.

The Chairman then opened the debate for general discussion.

Comments made in support of the motion were that it would protect employment and deter landlords from selling the premises of viable rural businesses. The value that small businesses had gave to rural communities was emphasised by the Members that spoke. It was also highlighted that one of the proposed measures in the draft Local Transport Plan focussed on enabling access to services, jobs and other destinations within close reach.

Cllr Botterill, as the relevant Cabinet Member, then had the opportunity to respond to the points raised during the debate.

Cllr Whitehead, as mover of the motion, thanked Members for their support. He stated that he had far greater confidence in Core Policy 65 in the draft Local Plan that was currently being considered by the inspector to protect rural business  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

a)    To receive any other appropriate announcements from the Leader, Cabinet Members, or Chairs of Committees.

b)    To receive updates in relation to Council Notices of Motion.

c)    To note that the following Executive decisions were exempted from call-in procedures in accordance with Part 8 of the Constitution:

L-01-25: Submission to the Devolution Priority Programme

FDMSP-04-24: Inter-Authority Agreement with Partnership for South Hampshire

The Chairman referred Council to the updates included in the Summons on previous notices of motion and an update from the Corporate Parenting Panel. She drew attention to details of Cabinet Member decisions which had been exempted from call-in as follows:

L-01-25: Submission to the Devolution Priority Programme

FDMSP-04-24: Inter-Authority Agreement with Partnership for South Hampshire

There were no other announcements from Cabinet Members, or committee chairmen.

To receive a report from the Director HR & OD.

The Chairman called upon Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of the Council, to move the recommendations as set out in the report regarding designation of statutory roles to officer posts. This was seconded by Cllr Ashley O’Neill, Cabinet Member for Governance, IT, Broadband, Digital, and Staffing.

There being no comments from group leaders or in debate, it was then,

Resolved:

That Council:

a)    Notes and approves the designation of the statutory role of Director of Adult Services (DASS) to the post of Corporate Director Care and Wellbeing with immediate effect

b)   Notes and approves the designation of statutory role of Director of Children’s Services (DCS) to the post of Corporate Director Children and Education when the postholder takes up the role.

c)    Notes and approves the designation of statutory role of Section 151 to the post of Corporate Director Resources with immediate effect.

d)   Notes that other designated statutory roles are unchanged as a result of the restructure and remain with existing posts:

i.       Head of Paid Service, Returning Officer (RO) and Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) with the post of Chief Executive

ii.     Director of Public Health (DPH) with the post of Director – Public Health

iii.    Monitoring Officer with the post of Director - Legal and Governance

e)    Authorises the Monitoring Officer to make any consequential changes to the Constitution arising from the designation of the statutory function outlined above.

a)    To determine any requests from Group Leaders for changes to committee membership in accordance with the allocation of seats to political groups previously approved by the Council.

b)    To ratify the appointment of the Chairman of the Local Pension Board.

c)    To consider any requests from Members in respect of S.85 of the Local Government Act 1972.

The Chairman moved a motion ratify the appointment of Sean Johns as independent Chairman of the Local Pension Board, which was seconded by Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of the Council.

She then invited group leaders to propose any changes to committee appointments. No changes were proposed by group leaders.

Cllr Jon Hubbard, speaking on behalf of the Independent Group, questioned why there had not been a reallocation of committee places following the recent withdrawal of members from the Conservative Group, who were now sitting as ungrouped. In response, the Monitoring Officer confirmed that there had been no requests from groups to review the allocation of committee places. It was agreed to undertake a recalculation as requested.

It was then,

Resolved:

To ratify the appointment of Sean Johns as independent Chairman of the Local Pension Board.

Members were required to give notice of any questions in writing to the Proper Officer on the first page of this agenda no later than 5pm nine clear working days before the meeting in order to be guaranteed a written response.

Any question received after 5pm on 11 February 2025 and no later than 5pm on 18 February 2025, may only receive a verbal response at the meeting. Any questions received after this date will be received at the next meeting.

Questions may be asked without notice if the Chairman determines the matter is urgent.

Details of any questions received will be circulated to Members prior to the meeting and made available at the meeting and on the Council’s website.

Question 25-01 had been received from Cllr Iain Wallis regarding reopening Northgate Street in Devizes to two-way traffic. A written response was provided in the agenda supplement.

Cllr Wallis asked a supplementary question seeking reassurance that changes to bus services on Northgate Street were not a result of cuts, as claimed by some people, but due to a partial road closure following a fire.

Cllr Tamara Reay, Cabinet Member for Transport and Assets, provided assurances that there had been no cuts to funding for buses. She highlighted that there had been many enhancements to bus services in Devizes, including to the Lay Wood development and Hopton Industrial Estate.

Cllr Paul Sample JP raised that he had submitted a question to the meeting. The Chairman confirmed that as it had been regarding an operational matter in accordance with the constitution a response had been provided by officers.