Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Cllrs Dick Tonge and Baroness Jane Scott OBE who were substituted by Cllr Philip Whitehead and Cllr Laura Mayes for this meeting only.

To confirm and sign as a correct record the minutes of the Cabinet (Capital Assets) Committee meeting held on 15 September 2015.

The minutes of the previous meeting, held on the 15 September 2015, were presented.

Resolved

To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the meeting held

on 15 September 2015.

There were no leaders announcements.

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

There were no declarations of interest.

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. Questions can also be asked by members of the Council. Written notice of questions or statements should be given to Will Oulton of Democratic Services by 12.00 noon on Wednesday 4 November 2015. Anyone wishing to ask a question or make a statement should contact the officer named above.

It was noted that no requests for public participation had been received.

 Report by Carolyn Godfrey, Corporate Director

 Councillor Laura Mayes presented a report which asked the Cabinet to agree the Schools Capital Investment Programme for 2016-2019.

Issues highlighted in the course of the presentation and discussion included:

that the report followed the approval of the School Places Strategy at Cabinet earlier in the day; that the funding had been drawn down from central government and developer contributions; that some funding should come from the possible Army Re-basing programme; the details of the projects, and the works proposed to take place; the timings of projects in accordance with the strategy; the proposals for special needs provision within mainstream settings; the small number of condition related refurbishment schemes;  and how some of the revenue cost can be capitalised as part of the programme.

Resolved

1.     To note the status of March 2014 approved school capital schemes as shown at Appendix A.

2.     To approve the Schools Capital Investment Programme (Basic Need) for 2016-2019 as outlined at Appendix B.

3.     To delegate responsibility to the Director for Children’s Services to progress the work necessary to provide an 18 place Resource Base at Castlemead Primary Academy, as part of the proposed expansion of the school to 2FE, as at Appendix C.

4.     To approve the Schools Capital Investment Programme (Planned Maintenance) totalling £2.5M for 2016/17 as outlined at Appendix D and to agree that a further £2.5M be held pending priorities for 2017/18.

5.     To approve the Schools Refurbishment/Replacement Programme for 2016/17 as outlined at Appendix E.

6.     To authorise the Corporate Director for Children Services to invite and evaluate tenders for the projects described in this report, and, following consultation with the cabinet member, to award the contract for the project (subject to approval of any necessary statutory proposals) and to authorise, in consultation with the Head of Strategic Asset & FM (or the Asset Portfolio Manager (Estates), in accordance with the relevant scheme of sub-delegation (under paragraph 7 of Part 3B of Wiltshire Council’s constitution)), the acquisition of all land (and the completion of any legal documentation) reasonably required in order to facilitate the Schools Capital Investment Programme.

Reason for Decision:

The Council has a statutory duty to provide sufficient high quality school places to meet the demand arising across Wiltshire, whether from demographic or population change, Core Strategy housing development growth and the Army Re-Basing programme. The Cabinet has recently approved the Wiltshire School Places Strategy 2015-2020 and Implementation Plan which clearly identifies the priorities for capital investment in the short, medium and longer term and this proposed Schools Capital Investment Programme will enable the priority works to be progressed. The Council also has Landlord responsibilities for the effective management and maintenance of the schools (for which the Council is responsible) estate and the investment programme will enable urgent and priority repairs and maintenance projects to proceed .

 Report by Carlton Brand, Corporate Director

 Councillor Toby Sturgis presented a report which informed members of the outcome of an assessment of land for inclusion as potential new traveller sites in the Gypsy and Traveller Development Plan Document (DPD) and sought endorsement for the next steps; and to include providing capital budget. In his presentation, Cllr Sturgis recommended that the proposed resolution be amended to include reference to consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance.

Issues highlighted in the course of the presentation and discussion included: that the Gypsy and Traveller DPD follows the adoption of the Core Strategy; that there remains of need for additional sites within the County; and the complexity of resourcing and purchasing the land.

Resolved

That, to help deliver a sound and effective Gypsy and Traveller DPD, authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Development Management, Strategic Housing, Property and Waste in discussion with the Associate Directors of Economic Development and Planning, Finance and Property Services and the Cabinet Member for Finance for the identification and acquisition of land on the open market to deliver the permanent pitch requirement for 2014-2024; and suitable additional emergency stopping places for travellers; and to allocate budget to do so.

Reason for Decision:

There are a number of drivers for pursuing the option to purchase land for allocation in the emerging Gypsy and Traveller DPD. These include:

    (i)          The legal requirement in the Housing Acts for councils to provide for the accommodation needs of Gypsy and Travellers in its area.

   (ii)          The requirement in national planning policy for councils to respond positively to the accommodation needs of travellers, a commitment the Council has also made to the Wiltshire Core Strategy Inspector.

  (iii)          The benefits of reducing unauthorised encampments / developments.

 (iv)          The need to provide a choice in the size, type and location of traveller sites in Wiltshire.

  (v)          The requirement to maintain a five year supply of housing included in national policy.

There were no urgent items.

This is to give further notice in accordance with paragraph 5 (4) and 5 (5) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 of the intention to take the following item in private.

To consider passing the following resolution:

To agree that in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the public from the meeting for the business specified in Item Number 10 because it is likely that if members of the public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in  paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Act and the public interest in withholding the information outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information to the public.

Reason for taking item in private:

Paragraph 3 - information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

Resolved

To agree that in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the public from the meeting for the following items of business because it is likely that if members of the public were present there would disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Act and the public interest in withholding the information outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information to the public.

Reason for taking the item in private:

Paragraph 3 – information relating to the financial information or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

No representations have been received as to why this item should not be held in private.

 Report by Carlton Brand, Corporate Director

The Committee noted the additional information in the context of their discussions earlier on the agenda.