Agenda and minutes

All Cabinet members were present.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 12 February 2013.

The minutes of the meeting held on 12 February 2013 were presented.

Resolved:

To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 12 February 2013.

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

The Leader explained that with the meeting scheduled for 16 April cancelled, this would be the last meeting of Cabinet of this Council before the election on 2 May.  The Leader thanked her Cabinet colleagues and all those who had supported the Cabinet in particular Councillors in their roles as backbench members, members of scrutiny and opposition members and also thanked officers.

She considered that such support had contributed to good decision making by the Cabinet which had undoubtedly taken the Council forward and undertaken in accordance with the legislation which governed the Cabinet system.

The Council welcomes contributions from members of the public. This meeting is open to the public, who may ask a question or make a statement. Written notice of questions or statements should be given to Yamina Rhouati of Democratic Services by 12.00 noon on 14 March 2013. Anyone wishing to ask a question or make a statement should contact the officer named above.

Whilst no requests had been received for public participation, the Leader explained that as usual, she would be happy for any members of the public present to participate in the discussion of items on the agenda.

Report by Service Director, Communications

The Leader, presented a report which asked Cabinet to note the events, activities and initiatives which had taken place since the formation of the Legacy Steering Board (LSB) in September 2012, and the programme of forthcoming activities as part of delivering a Legacy for Wiltshire.

The diverse membership of the LSB was noted as were its aims which were to:

-       Boost the local economy

-       Bring communities together

-       Encourage people to keep active and healthy and

-       Support future Olympians and Paralympians

Examples of how these aims would be achieved were outlined.

It was noted that several groups and communities were planning to stage events in 2014 to commemorate the start of the first World War. The Council would be involved in an enabling role to assist with the co-ordination of events. It was further noted that there would also be celebrations to mark the 50^th anniversary of City Hall, Salisbury which was a war memorial.

Resolved:

That the work of the Legacy Steering Board and the key diary dates for events this year be noted.

Reason for Proposal

To ensure that Cabinet are updated on the current activities of the Legacy Steering Board and the forthcoming events and initiatives.

Report by Maggie Rae, Corporate Director

The JSA has been circulated to Cabinet members only and available on request to other members of Council and the public and available electronically with this agenda and on: 

http://www.intelligencenetwork.org.uk/joint-strategic-assessment/

Cabinet will be advised of the views of the Council’s Health Select Committee which will be considering the JSA at its meeting on 14 March.

Cllr Keith Humphries, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Public Protection, presented the Joint Strategic Assessment (JSA) for 2012/13. He gave a presentation on its key points, the changes made since the last one to incorporate feedback and its relationship with other themed JSA’s.

This overarching JSA contained a summary of the main issues for Wiltshire across a range of themes. It documented a needs assessment of strategic issues and priorities for Wiltshire for the next three years.

The JSA had emerged as the assessment tool on which all commissioning decisions for the County were based including a wide range of areas such as health and wellbeing, economy, children and young people, community safety, housing, transport, environment, resilient communities, leisure and culture.

The JSA would provide valuable knowledge about Wiltshire for not only the Council, but also partner organisations to enable evidenced based organisational planning and timely commissioning decisions to build resilient communities for Wiltshire.

Cllr Peter Hutton, Chairman of the Health Select Committee reported that the Committee had at its meeting on 14 March in considering the JSA, was happy to endorse the document and its use in commissioning and strategy.

The Committee had commented that it would like to see a continuation of child poverty being tackled seriously and to include information on active ageing with an emphasis on promoting good health. The Committee also noted and welcomed the influx of 8,000 military personnel to Wiltshire. The Committee would be considering an annual report on the JSA.

Cllr Keith Humphries welcomed the comments of the Health Select Committee which he was happy to take on board, pointing out that it was very much a live and evolving document.

Resolved:

That Cabinet note the production and publication of the Joint Strategic Assessment 2012/13 and supporting documents and endorse its use in commissioning and strategy.

Reason for Proposal

To ensure that our strategies and plans are evidence based and that the Joint Strategic Assessment provides this evidence base for all thematic partnerships in Wiltshire.

Report by Dr Carlton Brand, Corporate Director

 The Leader presented a report which asked Cabinet to consider and comment on the Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan as presented.

The Leader referred Cabinet to a report as presented which, subject to the comments at this meeting, would be used as the basis of this Council’s formal response to the Plan.

During the debate, it was agreed to incorporate the following comments into the Council’s response:

·         Safeguarding – Plan to be strengthened in this vital area rather than just the cursory mention under ‘protecting the most vulnerable in society’

·         Area Boards – no mention of how the outcomes set out in the Plan would be achieved bearing in mind their capacity to deliver and resources needed to support them and volunteers. Acknowledgement needed of the important role of Community Area Partnerships.

·         Neighbourhood Teams – noting these worked very well with Area Boards and Town, Parish and City Councils, no reassurance given that they will be protected. To acknowledge the depth of support required to co-ordinate volunteers and provide them with support and training.

·         Licensing – Plan needs to be strengthened in this area. Little understanding shown of how licensing was delivered or the fact the Council was the Licensing Authority. No mention made of the Pub Watch scheme, under age sales and no link with the health agenda.

·         Domestic Abuse – very little mention on such an important and serious issue.

·         Community Safety Partnership – to be strengthened in Plan given it was a statutory body with statutory duties and to keep up the momentum of the excellent work carried out by the Partnership over the last four years and the requirement of the Commissioner to take account of the Community Safety Partnership Plan.

·         Partnership Working – to highlight current successful collaborative working between partner organisations and to build on those successes.

·         Rural Crime – given Wiltshire was a rural County, no mention of rural crime and relevant initiatives such as Farm Watch.

·         Reported Crime – emphasis should be to urge the reporting of crime rather than to reduce the number of reported crime.

Cllr Richard Britton, Chairman of the Police and Crime Panel referred to the report as presented of the Panel dated 1 March which detailed the Panel’s comments and specific recommendations on the Plan.

Whilst agreeing with the thrust of the comments already made, added that the Plan was very broad in its approach with no reference to priorities, timescales for its delivery, key areas for resourcing or making reference to the different crime groups eg vehicle, burglary. This in turn would not enable members of the public, the Council or its partners to monitor or measure its implementation or hold the Commissioner to account.

Cllr Britton was disappointed there had been no engagement by the Commissioner with relevant Cabinet members to achieve collaborative working thus avoiding duplication of work and resources.

Whilst agreeing that the Plan fell short in a number of areas as highlighted, the Leader acknowledged that this was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

Report by Service Directors for Finance and Communities

Cllr John Thomson, Cabinet Member for Adult Care, Communities and Housing, presented a report which sought Cabinet approval for a range of measures to manage the impact of changes to housing benefit as a result of the welfare reform.

The Council’s overriding principle was to build strong and resilient communities which included protecting the most vulnerable in society. It was proposed to make changes to the Discretionary Housing Payments scheme in order to assist vulnerable families where the welfare reform would give rise to exceptional circumstances. This approach would also minimise greater costs for services from the Council.

Cllr Thomson presented a brochure produced by the Council designed to explain the implications of the welfare reform and provide guidance on help available with council tax for those on low incomes.

Resolved that:

1.         Cabinet agree the proposals within the report presented to amend the discretionary housing payments policy (DHP) to deal with the impact of welfare reform, in particular the setting of the criteria and delivery model for DHP and prioritisation of award for the following groups, having first established income and need:

·           those living in significantly adapted dwellings

·           Foster carers

·           Those subject to the benefit cap; and

2.      given the significant uncertainties about the scale of impact of welfare reform and the differences within the scheme that Cabinet agree the £200,000 contingency fund to cope with the impact of welfare reform; and create a separate £100,000 discretionary fund that could be awarded to those in receipt of council tax reduction who face exceptional vulnerable circumstances that could lead to greater local authority costs as they are no longer entitled to discretionary housing payment, and where in exceptional cases a council tax payer should be awarded additional reduction outside the scope of the normal scheme.

Reason for Proposal

This report seeks agreement on how the funding is prioritised in Wiltshire to ensure we continue to deliver on our goal of building strong and resilient communities, and protecting the most vulnerable in society, in order that we can also then minimise the administrative impact, raise awareness of the schemes and agreement on the level of discretionary funding for the council tax reduction scheme.

Full details of the reason for proposal can be found on the following link:

http://cms.wiltshire.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=141&MId=6132&Ver=4

(item 9)

Report by the Service Director, Economy and Enterprise and Inspector’s Report.

The Wiltshire and Swindon Aggregate Minerals Site Allocations Local Plan is enclosed separately for Cabinet members, available on request to other members of the Council and members of the public and available electronically with this agenda.

Cllr Fleur de Rhè-Philipe, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Strategic Planning presented a report on the adoption of the Wiltshire and Swindon Aggregate Minerals Site Allocations Local Plan.

Cabinet considered the Inspector’s Report on the examination of the Plan. It was noted that the Inspector’s Report had concluded that subject to the inclusion of a limited number of main modifications, the submitted Plan was ‘sound’ and should be adopted as soon as reasonably practicable. Once adopted, the Plan would form part of the Council’s planning policy framework.

The Plan incorporating the Inspector’s modifications was presented for Cabinet approval for onward recommendation for adoption by the Council.

Cllr de Rhè-Philipe paid tribute to the hard work, dedication and commitment of officers to bring the Plan to this stage.

Resolved:

That the content of the Inspector’s Report on the examination of the Wiltshire and Swindon Aggregate Minerals Site Allocations Local Plan be noted and that

Cabinet recommends to Full Council

That the Wiltshire and Swindon Aggregate Minerals Site Allocations Local Plan incorporating the Inspector’s main modifications be adopted.

Reason for Proposal

To comply with the provisions of the Local Government Act 2000, the Plan must first be approved by Cabinet before it is agreed for adoption by Full Council.

Report by Carolyn Godfrey, Corporate Director

Cllr Lionel Grundy, Cabinet Member, Children’s Services, presented a report

as part of the statutory process for the determination of admission arrangements to maintained schools. Two co-ordinated schemes were proposed, one for primary schools which would include infants and juniors and one for secondary schools. Both schemes were substantially the same as the successful schemes currently operating.

It was noted that 96% of parents had secured their first choice of school and referred to the school admissions appeal system available for those who had not been successful in securing their first choice.

A discussion ensued on the availability of school places following a rise in the birth rate as highlighted in the national media. Cabinet was advised that whilst there was no immediate problem in Wiltshire, the situation would be closely monitored.

Cllr Grundy thanked Debbie Clare, the Council’s Admissions Co-ordinator and her team for managing the school admission arrangements so well. 

Resolved that:

1)        The proposed scheme for the co-ordination of admission to secondary schools for 2014/15 be approved;

2)        The proposed scheme for the co-ordination of admissions to primary schools for 2014-15 be approved;

3)        The proposed admission arrangements for Voluntary Controlled & Community secondary schools for 2014/15 be approved; and

4)        The proposed admission arrangements for Voluntary Controlled & Community primary schools for 2014/15 be approved.

Reason for Proposal

The Local Authority has a statutory duty to have a determined admission policy for 2014/15 in place on or before 15 April 2013.

Report by Service Director, Finance

Cllr John Brady, Cabinet Member for Finance, Performance and Risk, presented the quarterly treasury management report for the period 1 April 2012 to 31 December 2012.

The report reviewed management actions in relation to:

a)the PrIs and Trls originally set for the year and the position at 31 December 2012;

b)other treasury management actions during the period; and

c)the agreed Annual Investment Strategy.

Resolved:

That Cabinet note the contents of the report presented in line with the Treasury Management Strategy.

Reason for Proposal:

This is a requirement of the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy.