Issue - meetings

Report by Carlton Brand – Corporate Director is attached.

The following members of the public addressed Cabinet on this item:

Mrs E A Chettleburgh, Mr Allan Bosley – Chairman of Corsham COB,

The Reverend Canon Thomas Woodhouse.   

Cllr Stuart Wheeler, Cabinet member for Campus Development and Culture presented a report which included the business cases associated with the campus proposals for the community areas of Corsham, Melksham and Salisbury.

Cabinet approval was sought to deliver these proposals using previously allocated funds within the capital programme funded in the current Business Plan. The report also updated Cabinet on progress being made to date on the development of campus proposals across Wiltshire and sought confirmation of Cabinet’s views on the direction of the next phase of proposals.

Details of the working proposals for the Corsham, Melksham and Salisbury campuses were presented which included an outline of the facilities and services that would be provided.

The Leader explained that on becoming a unitary authority it was evident that Council assets across the County including leisure facilities were suffering from a lack of investment. The Council was investing to ensure communities had access to good leisure facilities for both enjoyment and improved health. Such investment would also provide much needed employment and business opportunities.  The Leader also emphasised that the Council was working very closely with communities to ensure provision matched what the community actually wanted.

Cllr Wheeler explained the campus scheme which was in accordance with the Campus and Operational Delivery Programme as previously authorised by Cabinet at its meeting on 15 February 2011. He guided Cabinet through the list of proposed facilities for the three campuses.  He paid tribute to the inspirational amount of volunteer help and communities coming together and the work of the Shadow Community Operation Boards (Shadow COBs).

Cllr Wheeler responded to questions including questions from members of the public. He thanked Mark Stone and his team for all their hard work in the campus project.

Resolved:

That Cabinet:

a)              approve the financial resources required to develop the proposals set out in section 22 of this report and further detailed in appendices A, B and C;

b)              approve the statement in section 27 of this report regarding the provision of licensed catering facilities within campus developments;

c)              Expand the capacity to develop campus proposals by supporting the establishment of Shadow Community Operation Boards, subject to Area Board approval, in the four remaining community areas within Wiltshire where this is yet to occur;

d)              confirms Cabinet’s previous decision dated 15 February 2011 that the Campus & Operational Estate Management team continue to work with the Shadow Community Operations Board to develop alternative delivery model proposals for consideration by Cabinet in Spring 2013, building on the conversations already held at a local and national level;

e)              requests the Campus and & Operational Estate Management Team to formally make the required approaches to partners including the Defence Training Centre regarding exploring funding options for Royal Wootton Bassett.