Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Cllr Stuart Wheeler.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the Cabinet meetings held on 15 May 2014 and 20 May 2014.

The minutes of the meeting held on 15 and 20 May 2014 were presented.

Resolved:

To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the meetings held on 15 and 20 May 2014. 

The Leader reminded the meeting that Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Cornwall would be formally opening County Hall on Monday 23 June which would include a tour of the building, meeting staff and members. The Duchess would unveil a plaque in the Atrium to commemorate this special occasion.

No declarations of interest were made.

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 Wednesday 11 June 2014. Anyone wishing to ask a question or make a statement should contact the officer named above.

The Leader explained that as usual at meetings of Cabinet, she would be more than happy to hear from any member of the public present on any of the items on this agenda.

The Leader referred to submissions received in respect of the item on Improvements at M4 Junction 16 minute no. 68 refers.

Report by Maggie Rae, Corporate Director

Councillor Keith Humphries presented a report which gave Cabinet an update on the progress of the Wiltshire dementia strategy consultation process which took place between 20 February and 19 May 2014.

The strategy would provide the strategic direction for Wiltshire Council and NHS Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) in supporting people with dementia and their carers and families from the point that people noticed concerns about their memory through to end of life care. It included a commissioning action plan for 2014/2015 which detailed the commitments and actions that would be delivered in order to achieve the objectives and priorities identified. It was noted that three quarters of the initiatives in the Strategy were now a statutory responsibility under the Care Act 2014. 

Details of the consultation feedback were presented.  All responses would be

formally analysed and the draft strategy would be reviewed and amended as

required. It would then proceed through the relevant governance channels in

order to be formally agreed by this Council and NHS Wiltshire Clinical

Commissioning Group. The Wiltshire Dementia Delivery Board would be

responsible for overseeing the implementation and review of the strategy.

Councillor Jon Hubbard drew attention to the fact that this Council was investing twice as much as NHS Wiltshire into supporting people with dementia, their carers and families.  He suggested that a briefing note should be prepared for members which would explain the measures the Council was funding or supporting in this area of dementia care.

Corporate Director, Maggie Rae explained that a proportion of the nearly £15 million this Council spent on dementia care was invested in the voluntary sector through grant funding. A lot of the services provided by the voluntary sector in this area were made possible by the Council’s funding. Scrutiny involvement was sought in looking how best to provide advanced dementia care. 

Resolved:

That Cabinet note the consultation process and initial draft responses on the basis that following formal analysis these would be used to review and amend the Wiltshire Dementia Strategy.

Reason for decision:

To update Cabinet on the progress of the Wiltshire dementia strategy consultation process.

Councillor Dick Tonge presented the annual treasury management report for the financial year ended 31 March 2014.

Cllr Tonge guided members through the report and answered members’ questions.

Resolved that Cabinet note:

a)    Prudential Indicators, Treasury Indicators and other treasury management strategies set for 2013-14 against actual positions resulting from actions within the year as detailed in Appendix A of the report presented; and

b)   investments during the year in the context of the Annual Investment Strategy as detailed in Appendix B of the report presented.

Reason for decision:

This report is required by the Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities and the CIPFA Code of Practice for Treasury Management in the Public Services.

Councillor Dick Tonge presented a report which advised of the final unaudited revenue outturn position as at 31 March 2014 for the financial year 2013/2014.  The year end position stood at an underspend of £0.397 million.

Councillor Roy While updated Cabinet on the work of the Budget Task Group which he chaired.

The report explained that the housing revenue account was reporting an underspend of £2.667 million, primarily caused by the rescheduling of repairs and maintenance. Councillor Jon Hubbard asked if this meant that repairs were not being carried out to the detriment of tenants. Councillor Humphries explained that a lot of work was being undertaken in this area. It was also agreed that a meeting be arranged between Councillors Humphries and Hubbard and relevant officers to update Councillor Hubbard.

The Leader wished to place on record her and Cabinet’s thanks to Managers for their careful budgeting especially over the last two quarters to come under budget despite considerable pressures.

Resolved

That Cabinet note the report showing an outturn underspend of £0.397 million, and appropriate transfers to General Fund and Earmarked reserves at set out in Sections 18-24 of the report.

Reason for decision:

That Cabinet approve the final outturn for 2013/2014.

Councillor Tonge presented a report which informed Cabinet of the final outturn position of the 2013/2014 Capital Programme, including highlighting budget changes. The report focused on major variations in budget.  Councillor Hubbard asked if slippages of work within the capital programme would result in corresponding savings in the revenue budget to which Councillor Tonge replied.

Resolved that Cabinet note:

a)    The general budget additions for grants and revenue contributions of £4.980 million as per appendix B and to note the final outturn position of the Capital Programme in appendix A.

b)   The total reprogramming of £24.743 million from 2013/2014 to 2014/2015.

Reason for decision:

To inform Cabinet of the position of the 2013/2014 capital programme as at Outturn (31 March 2014), including highlighting of budget change.

Report by Parvis Khansari,  Associate Director – Highways and Transport

The Leader reported receipt of questions from Mrs Charmian Spickernell of the Council for the Protection of Rurual England and comments and observations from Cllr Mollie Groom, Mr John Ingleson of Swindon, Cllr Neville Smith of Lydiard Tregoz Parish Council, details of which were circulated together with responses from Cllr Fleur de Rhé-Philipe.  Cabinet also received a letter from Joyce Holman, Clerk to Wroughton Parish Council a reply to which would be circulated to all Cabinet members.

Councillor Fleur de Rhé-Philipe presented a report which followed from a previous Cabinet decision dated 30 October 2007 in relation to Junction 16 of the M4 motorway, which was to be remodelled to accommodate the Wichelstowe development in Swindon.  It sought authority, not previously granted, to enter into an agreement with other parties to enable remodelling works to proceed.

Councillor Fleur de Rhé-Philipe guided members through the report and responded to queries from members of the Council and members of the public. She confirmed that all correct procedures had been followed.

Resolved:

That Cabinet:

a)    Withdraws its former resolution (WCC Cabinet 30/10/2007) to object to the remodelling of M4 motorway Junction 16, on the basis of the drawings subsequently relied upon by Swindon Borough Council to discharge Condition 99 of planning permission S/02/2000, specifically with regard to non-motorised users.

b)   Authorises the Associate Director for Highways and Transport, in conjunction with the Head of Legal Services, to agree detailed design and negotiate an agreement, or agreements, with Swindon Borough Council and the Highways Agency to facilitate the execution of the remodelling scheme, such agreements to make provision, inter alia, for appropriate maintenance payments towards the additional costs to Wiltshire Council for the ongoing maintenance of the signal controlled junction.

c)    Authorises the Associate Director for Highways and Transport to review existing arrangements with the Highways Agency in relation to the management and maintenance of the traffic control signals at Junction 16.

Reason for decision:

To ensure that Swindon Borough Council can progress the Wichelstowe development, and not be constrained by the occupancy restrictions imposed by Condition 79 of planning permission S/02/2000, as a result of Wiltshire Council’s objection to aspects of the Junction 16 capacity enhancement scheme

  Report by Alistair Cunningham, Associate Director - Economic Development and Planning

  Councillor Toby Sturgis presented a report which requested approval to the de-designation of the Salisbury Conservation Area and would simultaneously authorise the designation of four separate conservation areas, as authorised by the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 for onward recommendation to Council.

The Four Conservation Area Designations and their written appraisals had

been formally consulted on and were therefore in a position to be adopted by

Council. The re-designation would allow four different sub-areas which would recognise the individual qualities which characterise each area.

Resolved:

That Council (21 October 2014 meeting) be recommended to:

approve the de-designation of Salisbury Conservation Area and simultaneously re-designate the same area (with minor boundary amendments) but as four separate conservation areas namely: City of Salisbury, Milford Hill, Old Manor Hospital and Britford – each with its own written and illustrated appraisal.  A map showing the proposed boundary is provided as Appendix 1 to the report presented.

Reason for decision:

The Council has a responsibility to consider the designation of conservation areas under Section 69 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.  Salisbury is already a designated conservation area and re-designation of four subareas namely: the City, Milford Hill, Britford and Old Manor Hospital (Wilton Road). The proposal is to de-designate Salisbury Conservation Area and simultaneously re-designate City of Salisbury, Milford Hill, Old Manor Hospital and Britford. Thereby, the individual qualities which characterise and make each area distinct will be recognised. Each conservation area will be accompanied by an appraisal, which will be a useful

informative document for development control officers as well as the public. The status of the documents would be documents informing the Local Development Framework.

Any other items of business, which the Leader agrees to consider as a matter of urgency.

There were no urgent items.