Agenda item

a.    The Chairman will move that Council receives and notes the minutes of Cabinet and the various Committees of the Council and the Fire Authority as listed in the Minutes Book enclosed separately.

b.    The Chairman will refer to Cabinet and each Committee in turn:

                      i.        The Leader, Cabinet members and Chairmen of Committees will be invited to make any important announcements.

                    ii.        Councillors will be given the opportunity to raise questions on points of information or clarification on the minutes presented.

c.    Councillors will be given an opportunity to raise general issues relating to Area Boards but not specific local issues.

d.    Councillors will be given an opportunity to raise questions on the minutes of the Wiltshire and Swindon Fire Authority.

(Under the Constitution, Councillors wishing to ask a question on the  Fire Authority minutes are required to give written notice to the officer named on the front of this agenda (acting on behalf of the Corporate Director) no later than five clear days before the Council meeting – 5pm on 7 May 2013).

The Chairman moved that Council receive and note the following minutes as listed in the separate Minutes Book and this was duly seconded by the Vice- Chairman:

The Chairman then invited questions from councillors on points of information or clarification on the above minutes and gave the Chairmen of those meetings the opportunity to make any important announcements on the work of their respective Committees.

Cabinet 19/03/13 min. no. 25 – discretionary housing payments – Cllr Brian Dalton asked for an update on this issue and details of how many applications had been made to date and how many applicants had been turned down for assistance.

Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee 28/02/13 – min. no. 67 – chairman’s announcements – Cllr Jeff Osborn sought information on the subject matter of the two referrals for potential call-ins which had not been taken forward. It was agreed to provide Cllr Jeff Osborn with a written response.

Children’s Select Committee 28/03/13 – min no. 66 – Pupil performance in public tests and examinations 2012 - Cllr Helena McKeown expressed concern over attainment levels of year 7 children and which schools they were going to. She was also concerned that local school places were being taken up by children from neighbouring counties. Cllr Lay asked Cllr McKeown to provide her with a written question to enable the matter to be considered at the next Children’s Select Committee.

Children’s Select Committee 28/02/13 – min no. 67 - Disabled Children and Adults Pathfinder – Cllr Helena McKeown explained that she came across difficulties in getting an assessment for someone who was severely disabled. She asked how information on how to get an assessment was being provided to GP’s and parents.  Cllr Laura Mayes referred to the DCA Pathfinder report going to Cabinet on 21/5 which she was sure Cllr McKeown would find helfpul. Cllr Lay agreed to raise the matter at the Children’s Select Committee.

Health Select Committee – a tribute was paid to former Cllrs Burton and Colmer, original members of the Select Committee and who had played a vital role on the Committee.

Licensing Committee – Cllr Seed, former Chairman of the Committee thanked Licensing Committee members for all their hard work particularly as there had been several licensing hearings right up until the elections in May.

Wiltshire Police and Crime Panel – Cllr Britton explained that induction material was currently being prepared for new members on the Panel and that the next meeting would be held on 12 June at Monkton Park, Chippenham.

Wiltshire and Swindon Fire Authority – No questions had been received in respect of the minutes of the Fire Authority.