Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Ernie Clark, Christine Crisp, Stewart Dobson, Russell Hawker, Ruth Hopkinson, Tony Jackson, David Jenkins, Graham Payne and Baroness Scott of Bybrook OBE.

To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the last meeting of Council held on 16October 2018.

The minutes of the Meeting held on 16 October 2018 were presented.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the last Council meeting held on 18 October 2018 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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

The Chairman reminded members of the letter previously circulated from the

Monitoring Officer in relation to declarations of interest in respect of the Budget and Council Tax proposals and determination of the Housing Revenue Account.

Councillor Brian Dalton declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in the Budget in so far as it related to the housing revenue account as he held a garage tenancy with the Council. Councillor Dalton indicated he would withdraw from the meeting when a separate vote would be taken on the housing revenue account details.

Cllrs Christopher Devine and Mathew Dean each declared a non-pecuniary interest as members of Salisbury Library.  

To reecive any announcements through the Chair.

The Chairman made the following announcements:-

Events Attended by the Chairman from Tuesday, 16^th October, 2018 to Monday, 25^th February, 2019:

16^th October, 2018                  Full Council meeting – County Hall, Trowbridge.

16^th October, 2018                  Lord-Lieutenant WRFCA Awards Presentation Ceremony, Devizes Town Hall.

18^th October, 2018                  Achieving Excellence Awards, County Hall.

21^st October, 2018                  The Mayor of Westbury’s Civic Service, All Saints Church, Westbury.

28^th October, 2018                  Royal Wootton Bassett’s Civic Service, St. Bartholomew’s Church, Royal Wootton Bassett.

31^st October, 2018                  Wiltshire Information Sharing Charter Launch Event, County Hall.

4^th November, 2018                Royal British Legion Concert, City Hall, Salisbury.

8^th November, 2018                Jean Moorcroft Wilson’s presentation of the old Marlburian War Poets: Siegfried Sassoon and Charles Hamilton Sorley, Marlborough College.

9^th November, 2018                RBL Field of Remembrance Service, Lydiard Park, Swindon.

10^th November, 2018              Remembrance Service, Imber.

11^th November, 2018              Remembrance Day Servie, MoD Lyneham.

17^th November, 2018              Kick It Out 2018, The County Ground, Swindon.

4^th December, 2018                Lord-Lieutenant’s County of Wiltshire Carol Service, St.

                                                Bartholomew’s Church, Corsham.

6^th December, 2018                Royal Visit of HRH The Duchess of Gloucester to Salisbury Cathedral for the Children’s Society’s 50^th Anniversary Christingle Service.

7^th December, 2018                Staff Carol Service, Monkton Park, Chippenham.

11^th December, 2018              Festive visit to the Royal Wootton Bassett Royal Mail Delivery office.

13^th December, 2018              Staff Carol Service, County Hall.

14^th December, 2018              Royal Visit of HRH The Duchess of Cornwall to the Wiltshire Air Ambulance HQ, Semington.

17th December, 2018             The funeral of former Wiltshire Councillor Bill Moss, All Saint’s Church, West Winterslow, Salisbury.

18^th December, 2018              Staff Carol Service, Bourne Hill, Salisbury.

19^th January, 2019                  Started the “parkrun” at Southwick Country Park.

4th February, 2019                 LGBT Flag Raising Ceremony, County Hall.

17th February, 2019               Wiltshire West Scouts, a Service for Founder’s Day, St. Thomas’Church, Frome Road, Southwick.

Events Attended by the Vice Chairman from Tuesday, 16th October 2018 to Monday, 25th February, 2019:

16^th October, 2018                  Full Council meeting – County Hall, Trowbridge.

14th December, 2018             Royal Visit of HRH The Duchess of Cornwall to Lackham

                                                Campus.

24th January, 2019                 Funeral of former Wiltshire Councillor, Mrs. Osborn at Trowbridge Cemetery Chapel.

22^nd February, 2019                Official Opening of The Vale Community Campus, Wilcot Road, Pewsey.

New Year Honours

The Chairman announced that a number of Wiltshire residents had received national recognition in her majesty’s new year honours’ list in January.

CBE had been awarded to Katherine Bennett, Senior Vice- President, Airbus in the UK, for services to the Aerospace and Aviation Sectors. (Wiltshire).

OBE had been awarded to David Williams, Leader, Military Systems and Access Theme, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, for services to Defence. (East Grimstead,)

MBEs had been awarded to:

·         Sarah Jane Banks, Westbury, for services to the MOD Disability Network.

·         Stephanie Millward, from Box, for services to Swimming.

·         Susan Thain, from Salisbury, for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

(a)          Petitions Received for Debate

The Chairman reported that two petitions had been submitted for debate at the meeting.  Both petitions related to the ongoing consultation on special schools and Cllr Laura Mayes gave a brief summary of the proposal which was to close the existing facilities at St Nicholas School, Chippenham and Larkrise School, Trowbridge and to open a much improved and expanded special school in Rowde, near Devizes.  The consultation process was due to close on 1 March 2019 and Cllr Mayes encouraged interested individuals to complete the consultation form on line, all responses being taken into account before a final decision was made by Cabinet.

St Nicholas School, Chippenham   Melissa Loveday, Organiser of the petition, which had acquired 7,500 signatures, explained that the objections to the proposal were on account of:-

·           Segregation of special needs children from their local community.

·           The distance of the proposed new facility at Rowde from the Royal United Hospital, Bath, in cases of emergency.

·           Increased travelling for the children from their homes to Rowde

Corinna Davidson, on behalf of the Governors at St Nicholas School, also spoke against the proposal, stating that the children involved were vulnerable and would experience difficulty in settling into a school outside their local community. Such a move would impede their educational and socialising progress.

Group Leaders the commented on the proposal as follows:-

Cllr John Thomson stated that the proposal would be considered by Cabinet on 26 March 2019 and members of the public and interested parties would be welcomed at that meeting. Views and representations submitted would be included in the report to Cabinet.

Cllr Ian Thorn congratulated the petitioners and speakers on the level of interest generated. He requested that points raised during the course of this debate be collated and included in the report to Cabinet so that a meaningful debate could be held before Cabinet arrived at a decision.  

Cllr Christopher Devine acknowledged the degree of opposition to the proposal and hoped that there would be a meaningful engagement with the petitioners.

Cllr Ricky Rogers expressed the hope that centres of excellence would be provided.

The Chairman moved the following Motion, which was seconded by the Vice-Chairman,

“To receive the petition, and that any points raised during the debate be collated and recorded and that a meaningful response is provided as part of the formal consultation.”     

The Chairman then invited comments on debate.

Cllr Jon Hubbard urged that all issues raised should be thoroughly considered and firmly supported those views expressed about travelling considerable distances to just one site.  He felt that what was really required in order to meet the needs of communities was a suitable facility in each community area, ideally attached to an existing school so that children with special needs could be educated mainstream with other children living in the same community.

Other Members expressed similar views to those already made stating that they recognised the strength of feeling by the communities in Chippenham and Trowbridge and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

The Council welcomes contributions from members of the public.

Statements

If you would like to make a statement at this meeting on any item on this agenda, please register to do so at least 10 minutes prior to the meeting. Up to 3 speakers are permitted to speak for up to 3 minutes each on any agenda item. Please contact the officer named above for any further clarification.

Questions

To receive any questions from members of the public  received in accordance with the constitution. Those wishing to ask questions are required to give notice of any such questions in writing to the officer named above (acting on behalf of the Corporate Director) no later than 5pm on 19 February 2019 in order to receive a written response, or 21 February 2019 to receive a verbal response.Please contact the officer named on the first page of this agenda for further advice. Questions may be asked without notice if the Chairman decides that the matter is urgent.

Details of any questions received will be circulated to Councillors prior to the meeting and made available at the meeting and on the Council’s website.

Questions

Public questions had been received from Professor Dave Waltham and Bill Jarvis as detailed in the Supplement together with responses.  A public question was also received from Harriet James as set out in the Supplement and the Chairman stated that a written response would be provided.

Public Participation

·         Right Revd. Dr Andrew Rumsey, Bishop of Ramsbury spoke in support the Motion regarding Safe Passage Our Turn Campaign (Item No 12a refers).

·         Alison Craig, of Salisbury Community Energy and Rachel Berger, Chair of Climate Friendly Bradford on Avon spoke in support of the Motion  regarding Acknowledging a Climate Emergency and Proposing the Way Forward (Item No 12b refers).

Report by Alistair Cunningham, Corporate Director.

At the invitation of the Chairman, the Cabinet Member for Finance, Cllr

Philip Whitehead, presented a report which sought approval for the Prudential

and Treasury Indicators for the next three years, together with the Treasury Management Strategy for 2019/2020.

Cllr Whitehead explained that the strategy had been thoroughly examined by the Financial Planning Task Group, Overview & Scrutiny Management Committee and Cabinet and that the level of borrowing was well below the limits permitted.

Councillor Philip Whitehead proposed, duly seconded by Cllr Laura Mayes, that the recommendations in the report be adopted.

Group Leaders then commented on the proposals as follows:

Cllr John Thomson considered that the proposed Strategy was very positive and transparent.  He also drew attention to the amount of capital investment proposed.

Cllr Ian Thorn considered that overall the report was a very helpful document.

Cllr Christopher Devine referred to the operational boundary which was a key management tool for in-year monitoring.  He considered that borrowing should not be beyond the level which could be afforded to be paid back and suggested that the Audit Committee be requested to examine this.

Cllr Ricky Rogers supported the proposals.

The Chairman then invited comments in debate.

Cllr Jon Hubbard requested a breakdown of the HRA (excluding borrowing) as set out in paragraph 26 of the report and Cllr Whitehead promised to provide an answer.

The Motion was then put to the vote.

Resolved:

That Council:

a)            Adopt the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy (paragraph 32 – 34);

b)           Adopt the Prudential and Treasury Indicators (paragraphs 24 – 31, 40 – 49 and Appendix A);

c)            Adopt the Annual Investment Strategy (paragraph 77 onwards), including the ratification of the adjustment of the minimum requirement for high credit quality, the limits for certain counterparties and the ability to invest in the CCLA property fund;

d)           Delegate to the Director of Finance and Procurement the authority to vary the amount of borrowing and other long-term liabilities within the Treasury Indicators for the Authorised Limit and the Operational Boundary;

e)            Authorise the Director of Finance and Procurement to agree the restructuring of existing long-term loans where savings are achievable or to enhance the long-term portfolio;

f)             Agree that short term cash surpluses and deficits continue to be managed through temporary loans and deposits;

g)           Agree that any surplus cash balances not required to cover borrowing are placed in authorised money-market funds, particularly where this is more cost effective than short term deposits and delegate to the Interim Director of Finance and Procurement the authority to select such funds.

Admin Note: A record of the vote is appended to these minutes.

8a) Leader's Budget Speech

8b) Proposed Amendments to the Budget from Cllr Gavin Grant.

8c) The reports of the Special Overview and Scrutiny Management

Committee held on 31 January and 12 February 2019.

8d) Relevant extract of the minutes of Cabinet held on 5 February 2019.

8e) Local Government Act 2003 Section 25 Report

8f) Financial Plan 2018/19. Report by the Corporate Directors can be accessed at this link: Budget Papers

 The Chairman explained the various documents that had been circulated in connection with Council’s consideration of this item.

She then called upon Cllr John Thomson, Deputy Leader, to present the budget.  He explained that there had been a collective and collaborative approach to preparing the Budget and thanked the valuable work undertaken by the Financial Planning Task Group, the Overview & Scrutiny Management Committee and the officers in drawing up the proposals.  The three main factors in preparing the Budget were:

·         Supporting the local economy.

·         Safeguarding jobs

·         Sustainability

Furthermore, he reminded the meeting that Government funding had been systematically reduced since 2010 but this had been ameliorated by the transforming of services, not least by the embracing of new technology.  He stressed the need to protect the most vulnerable, which was becoming an increasing problem. 

The Chairman then called upon Cllr Philip Whitehead, Cabinet Member for Finance, to present and move the Financial Plan 2019/20.  He explained that the Budget was in a stable position at present and that the Council was in a good position to set a strong Financial Plan for the year ahead.  This would be the last time Council would be asked to approve a budget for one year as next year Council would be asked to consider setting a revenue budget for three years and a capital strategy for a period of ten years.  It was pointed out that during the next financial year the Council was likely to spend almost £332 million on the services it provided and was aligned to the Council’s priorities, namely growing the economy, strong communities, protecting those who were most vulnerable, and working with partners as an innovative and effective council. Cllr Whitehead reported that the Council’s spend amounted to about £1million a day. He reported that the budget proposals had been considered by the Overview & Scrutiny Management Committee.  He was always open to new ideas to save finances and encouraged any fully costed proposals to be sent to him for consideration. 

Cllr Whitehead thereupon proposed that the recommendations as set out in the report be adopted, this being seconded by Cllr Pip Ridout.

Cllr Graham Wright, Chairman of the Overview & Scrutiny Management Committee, presented the reports of his Committee dated 31January and 12 February 2019.  He drew attention to the following conclusions of the Committee:-

·         To note the Financial Plan Update 2019/20 and to refer the comments of the Committee and the report of the Financial Planning Task Group to Cabinet and Full Council for consideration on 5 and 26 February respectively.

·         To welcome the Executive’s early and positive engagement with the Financial Planning Task Group in the budget development process.

• To recommend that future annual budget reports and councillor budget briefings describe the development process that all budget proposals must go through in order to be considered robust. 

·         To continue to support the Financial Planning Task Group’s focus on supporting the development of robust council budgets.

Cllr Ian Thorn, as Chairman of the Financial Planning Task Group thanked  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

Report by Alistair Cunningham, Corporate Director.

Cllr Philip Whitehead, Cabinet Member for Finance, presented a report which set out the Capital Strategy for 2019/2020 and also the Capital Programme for 2019/2020 with future years projected to 2023/2024.

He explained that the Capital Strategy was a new annual requirement which had to be authorised by Full Council.  The report had been endorsed by Cabinet at its meeting on 5 February 2019.

Cllr Whitehead further explained that the purpose of the Capital Strategy was to clearly set out the priorities and framework within which the Council determined its resourcing priorities for capital investment, decided its level of borrowing, the affordability of the borrowing and set the level of the risk appetite.

Cllr Whitehead thereupon proposed, seconded by Cllr Jerry Wickham, that the

recommendations in the report be adopted.

The Chairman then invited Group Leaders to comment on the proposals all of whom welcomed the report and supported the recommendations.

The Chairman then invited comments in debate.

Cllr Jon Hubbard enquired on development of the Melksham Campus to which Cllr John Thomson reported that the facilities planned for new campuses were being incorporated in health & wellbeing centres.

Cllr Matthew Dean referred to the regeneration of the Maltings in Salisbury and was concerned that there appeared to be no new monies allocated for the final move of the Library. 

Cllr Mark Connolly referred to the Army Basing Programme and considered that  capital investment allocated to this Programme would be  would be insufficient for Tidworth.

Cllr Chuck Berry recommended that details of revenue expected in future years should be included in future reports.

In response, Cllr Whitehead stated that all future investment would not be set out in these reports.  Phase 1 of the Salisbury Vision had been included but it was not possible at present to include Phases 2 & 3.  Regarding the points raised by Cllrs Connolly and Berry he would provide them with responses.

Resolved:

That Council:

a)    Adopt the Capital Strategy 2019/2020;

b)   Approve the Capital Programme 2019/2020-2023/2024

c)  Adopt the non-financial investment indicators (as set out in paragraph 46)

Admin Note: A record of the vote is appended to these minutes.

Report by Alistair Cunningham, Corporate Director.

The Chairman invited Cllr Philip Whitehead, Cabinet member for Finance, to present the report which detailed the various calculations in the prescribed format to enable Council to approve the council tax requirement for 2019/20.

Cllr Whitehead proposed, duly seconded by Cllr Richard Britton, that the

recommendations in the report be adopted.

There being no further debate the meeting;

Resolved:

That the Council approves the resolutions as set out within Appendix A of the report.

1.    It be noted that on 11 December 2018 the Council calculated:

(a)  the Council Tax Base 2019/2020 for the whole Wiltshire Council area as 186,013.00 [Item T in the formula in Section 31B(3) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended (the "Act")] and,

(b)  for dwellings in those parts of its area to which a Parish precept relates as in the attached Appendix.

2.    Calculate that the Council Tax requirement for the Council’s own purposes for 2019/2020 (excluding precepts) is £270,996,759.

3.    That the following amounts be calculated for the year 2019/2020 in accordance with Sections 31 to 36 of the Act:

(a) £852,038,751 (Gross Revenue Expenditure including transfers to reserves, parish precepts and any collection fund

deficit) being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(2) of

the Act taking into account all precepts issued to it by Parish Councils).

(b) £573,784,806 (Gross Revenue Income including transfers from reserves, General Government Grants and any

collection fund surplus) being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out

in Section 31A(3) of the Act.

(c) £278,253,945 (Net Revenue Expenditure including parish precepts) being the amount by which the aggregate at 3(a) above

exceeds the aggregate at 3(b) above, calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 31A(4) of the Act as its

Council Tax requirement for the year. (Item R in the formula in Section 31A(4) of the Act).

(d) £1,573.54 (Wiltshire Council band D tax plus average Town & Parish Councils Band D Council Tax) being the amount

at 3(c) above (Item R), all divided by Item T (2 above), calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section

31B(1) of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year (including Parish precepts), as shown below:

(e) £21,702,097.02 (Aggregate of Town & Parish Council Precepts) being the aggregate amount of all special items (Parish

Precepts) referred to in Section 34(1) of the Act (as per the attached Appendix C).

(f) £1,456.87 (band D Council Tax for Wiltshire Council purposes only) being the amount at 3(d) above less the result given

by dividing the amount at 3(e) above by Item T (2 above), calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section

34(2) of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which no

Parish precept relates, as shown below:

Admin  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

To consider the Pay Policy Statement as recommended by the Staffing Policy Committee at its meeting on 9 January 2018.

Report by Terence Herbert, Corporate Director, and relevant extract of the minutes of the Staffing Policy Committee are attached.

The Chairman invited Cllr Richard Clewer, Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, to present the updated pay policy statement for 2019/20 which applied to all non-schools employees of Wiltshire Council, except for centrally employed teachers who are covered by the teachers’ pay policy.

Cllr Richard Clewer proposed, duly seconded by the Chairman, that the

recommendations in the report be adopted.

There being no further debate, the meeting;

Resolved:

To approve the updated Pay Policy Statement set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

Admin Note: A record of the vote is appended to these minutes.

To consider the following notices of motions:

The meeting considered the following Motions.

The motion from Councillors Ruth Hopkinson and Jon Hubbard is attached along with an officer briefing note.

In the absence of Cllr Ruth Hopkinson, Cllr Sarah Gibson proposed the Motion which was seconded by Cllr Jon Hubbard. In moving the Motion, Cllr Gibson stressed the importance of helping to support these vulnerable children, noting that the campaign was government funded and there would be no costs falling to the Council.

Cllr Laura Mayes, Cabinet Member for Children, Education & Skills, welcomed the Motion but stressed the need for more foster carers and more Wiltshire families to foster Wiltshire children.  She proposed that this be added to the Motion and this was seconded by Cllr John Thomson.  Cllr Gibson and Cllr Hubbard supported this amendment and agreed to include it the original Motion.

Public Participation

Shelley Rawlings and Becky Thomas both spoke in support of the Motion.

Cllr Philip Whalley, Portfolio Holder, Education & Skills, in supporting the Motion expressed his hope that faith groups would come forward and offer their help.

The Group Leaders all fully supported the Motion. 

The Chairman then invited comments in debate.

Cllr Mary Champion stated that there was an urgent need for foster carers who would be willing to look after children in cases of emergency, especially overnight.  Other Members all spoke in support of the Motion.

Reference was made to the plight of vulnerable children from affected regions (including Europe) and the hope that Wiltshire Council could seek to achieve a target of taking 10 at-risk refugee children each year for the next ten years directly from affected regions including Europe.   Cllrs Gibson and Hubbard warmly supported this suggestion and agreed to include it in their Motion.

During debate there was unanimous support for this, whereupon it was

Resolved:

That Wiltshire Council builds on its achievements in caring for vulnerable unaccompanied asylum seeking and refugee children by supporting the Safe Passage ‘Our Turn’ campaign, recognising the historical legacy of the Kindertransport; and pledges to welcomedirectly from affected regions (including Europe) a target of 10 at-risk refugee children per year for the next 10 years taking into consideration Wiltshire Council’s foster carer capacity to meet the need, as part of a fully funded government vulnerable children’s resettlement scheme. Furthermore, that officers should work with the government to examine the detail of how this scheme should operate, and work with local campaigners and faith groups to highlight the need for more Wiltshire Council foster carers in the county.

Admin Note: A record of the vote is appended to these minutes.

The motion from Councillors Dr Brian Mathew and Cllr Gavin Grant is attached.

Cllr Brian Matthew proposed the Motion which was seconded by Cllr Gavin Grant. In moving the Motion, Cllr Matthew drew attention to extreme climate conditions which had been developing in more recent years and referred to severe flooding in parts of Australia where 300,000 cattle had perished. He considered it of vital importance that action be taken immediately to investigate and implement ways of stemming carbon dioxide emissions. Failure to do so would have a profound effect on the planet in the near future. He stated that about 31 million people were living in areas where there was already a climate emergency.  

Cllr Jerry Wickham, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Public Health & Public Protection stated that having discussed this with Cllr Matthew and others, including an expert on climate change and after careful consideration could not support this Motion.  Although he had great sympathy for the sentiments behind the Motion, he did not think that it would be feasible to achieve a carbon neutral Wiltshire by 2030, bearing in mind that the Council had no means of ensuring that other bodies worked to secure such a goal.  He commended the Motion following this item.        

Public Participation

A question had been submitted from Bill Jarvis, as detailed in the Supplement together with a written response from Cllr Jerry Wickham.  Mr Jarvis suggested that the climate emergency was worsening and that both Motions under consideration at this meeting should be merged and acted upon.

A question had also been submitted from Professor David Waltham as detailed in the Supplement together with a written response from Cllr Jerry Wickham.   Professor Waltham urged Members to accept that there was a climate emergency.

The Chairman then invited comments in debate.

Cllr John Thomson acknowledged that there had been much change in thinking about climate change and the need to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. He felt that there was a need for the Council to focus on what it could do, this being more of a challenge than an emergency.

During discussion a number of Members stated their support for the Motion. Cllr Ricky Rogers drew attention to the vast amount of waste created in construction material packaging which was either burnt or sent to landfill.

Cllr Alan Hill suggested that the most effective action to combat climate change needed to be undertaken nationally and internationally.  Aspirations needed to be realistic and achievable.  By way of example, he suggested that cardboard be used in place of polystyrene for packaging.

Cllr Toby Sturgis noted that the Motion pledged to make the County of Wiltshire carbon neutral by 2030 but he did not consider that this would be achievable.  There was a section in Wiltshire’s Core Strategy about climate change and considered that Wiltshire was a leading local authority in the use of renewable energy and reducing carbon emissions. He gave as an example the introduction of LED lighting.    

Cllr Philip Whitehead considered that it was important that a Motion would be achievable; there was little  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12b)

The motion from Councillors Philip Whitehead and Jerry Wickham is attached.

On the proposal of Cllr Philip Whitehead, which was seconded by Cllr Jerry Wickham,

Resolved:

Wiltshire Council acknowledges the public concern in respect of the environment and global warming and proposes that Wiltshire Council implement the following this year:

To refer to the Leader to consider the establishment of a portfolio holder or cabinet member with responsibility for environmental issues with a remit to:

1.    Agree parameters with Overview and Scrutiny that represent the council impact on the environment and can be accurately reported to council on a regular period, to potentially include

a.    Carbon generation/use by the council.

b.    Energy use year on year by the council.

c.    Reports on the use of vehicles by the council in respect of their environmental impact.

d.    Report on the use of the council’s car share system particularly in respect of methods to increase its use.

e.    Monitor and report on air quality across the county to inform future decision

f.     Monitor and report on any major development and technology used for the management of waste in Wiltshire to report on any local impact.

2.    Investigate and report on the viability of purchasing our power from “Green Suppliers”

3.    Investigate the adoption of building and planning recommendations to allow for electric charging points on new build property to facilitate future use of electric vehicles.

4.    Investigate the potential adoption of renewable energy generation for Council property

5.    Investigate the adoption of building and planning recommendations to allow for sustainable systems to be compulsory on new build property.

6.    Investigate the commercial viability of installing electric car chargers across Wiltshire to encourage and enable the use of electric vehicles in Wiltshire.

7.    To enhance the current air quality strategy and request that any air pollution responsibilities that are passed to Wiltshire Council are fully funded by central government.

8.    Instigate a Green Campaign to support and stimulate the generation of sustainable ideas across Wiltshire

Admin Note: A record of the vote is appended to these minutes.

The motion from Councillors Ricky Rogers and Brian Dalton is attached.

Cllr Ricky Rogers proposed the Motion which was seconded by Cllr Brian Dalton. In moving the Motion, Cllr Rogers confirmed that he was not objecting to the Maltings Development, including the moving of the Library but he considered that ongoing discussions should take place with the Salisbury Area Board so that the residents of Salisbury could be fully involved in the process.  He stressed that the Library was regarded as being of great importance to the residents of Salisbury.  

Cllr Pauline Church, Cabinet Member for Economic Development & South Wiltshire Recovery, stated that the Salisbury Area Board was fully involved in the deliberations and that she fully supported Cllr Rogers’ Motion.  

On the proposal of the Chairman, which was seconded by the Vice-Chairman,

Resolved:

To refer the following Motion submitted by Cllrs Rogers and Dalton to the Leader and Cabinet through Cllr Pauline Church:-

We ask Wiltshire Council in consultation with Salisbury Area Board to conduct a thorough public consultation with Salisbury Residents on the future of Salisbury Library.

Report by Ian Gibbons, Director of Legal and Democratic Services and Monitoring Officer.  

Cllr Richard Clewer, recommended changes to the Constitution in respect of Part 4 and Protocol 1 as set out in Appendices 2 and 3 of the report. The changes were being proposed to ensure that the Council’s Constitution was up to date, clear and effective.

The Chairman then invited comments from the Group Leaders.

Cllr John Thomson, as Deputy Leader of the Conservative Group and Cllr Ian Thorn, as Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group both supported the proposals.

There being no further comments, on the proposal of Cllr Clewer, which was seconded by Cllr Laura Mayes,

Resolved:

That Full Council approve the proposed changes as detailed at Appendix 2 and 3 of the report.

Admin Note: A record of the vote is appended to these minutes.

To consider requests from councillors for extended leave of absence.  

The Chairman drew attention to the report in the Summons requesting permission for extended leave of absence for Cllr David Jenkins due to ill health.

The Chairman moved the recommendation as set out in the report which was seconded by the Vice-Chairman.

Resolved:

a) That Council approves the request from Cllr David Jenkins for an extension beyond the six-month period of non-attendance on the grounds of ill health.

b) That such an extension be granted until the next meeting of Council on 21 May 2019. In the event of that meeting either being cancelled or postponed, such an extension is to remain in place until the next ordinary meeting of the Council.

c) That following the expiry of this extension, Cllr Jenkins will have six months to attend a meeting of the authority, or act as a representative of the authority on an outside body. If this criteria is not met, or a further extended leave of absence is not agreed, that councillor will thereafter cease to be a member of the authority.

a.     The Chairman will move that Council receives and notes the minutes of Cabinet and the various Committees of the Council as listed in the Minute Book

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 any questions on the minutes of the Wiltshire and Swindon Fire Authority available here.

The Chairman moved that Council receive and note the minutes of Cabinet and Committee meetings, this being seconded by the Vice-Chairman.

Resolved:

To note the minutes of Cabinet and Committee meetings as set out in the Minute Book.

Group Leaders were invited to ask Council to approve changes to committee membership.

Resolved:

To approve the following changes in committee membership:-

·                     Strategic Planning Committee – To remove Cllr Matthew Dean as a substitute, to be replaced by Cllr Stuart Wheeler

·                     Southern Area Planning Committee - To remove Cllr Matthew Dean as a member, to be replaced by Cllr Leo Randall

·                     Overview & Scrutiny Management Committee – To remove Cllr Matthew Dean as a member, to be replaced by Cllr John Smale

·                     Environment Select Committee - To remove Cllr Matthew Dean as a member, to be replaced by Cllr John Smale.

·                     Health Select Committee – To remove Cllr Chuck Berry as a member, to be replaced by Cllr Tom Rounds.

·                     Health Select Committee – To remove Cllr Tom Rounds as a substitute member, to be replaced by Cllr Mike Hewitt.

·                     Wiltshire Pension Fund Committee – To remove Cllr Tom Rounds as a member, to be replaced by Cllr George Jeans.

·                     Wiltshire Pension Fund Committee – To add Cllr Matthew Dean as a substitute member.

·                     Police & Crime Panel – To remove Cllr Brian Mathews as a member, to be replaced by Cllr Nick Murry.

·                     Police & Crime Panel – To add Cllr Matthew Dean as a substitute member.

·                     Health & Wellbeing Board – To remove Cllr Ian Thorn as a member, to be replaced by Cllr Gordon King.

·                     Teachers Advisory Committee – To add Cllr Ricky Rogers as a member.

Please note that Councillors are required to give notice of any such questions in writing to the officer named on the first page of this agenda (acting on behalf of the Corporate Director) not later than 5pm on 19 February 2019. Questions may be asked without notice if the Chairman decides that the matter is urgent.

Details of any questions received will be circulated to Councillors prior to the meeting and made available at the meeting and on the Council’s website.

The Chairman drew attention to questions from Cllrs Ian Thorn and Jon Hubbard and responses provided in the agenda supplement which were taken as read.

Cllr Ian Thorn was invited to ask supplementary questions which were as follows:-

·         Question 19-21 - Cllr Thorn enquired why more potholes were filled in Cornwall than in Wiltshire.  Cllr Bridget Wayman stated that she would send Cllr Thorn a written response.

·         Question 19-22 – Cllr Thorn enquired what funding would be available to develop a Swindon and Wiltshire Rail Strategy. Cllr Wayman stated that she would send Cllr Thorn a written response.

·         Question 19- 24 – Cllr Thorn enquired if the governance arrangements would continue once the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) had become a private limited company.  Cllr Church confirmed that the governance arrangements would remain the same as at present.

·         Question 19-26 – Cllr Thorn enquired if the reduction in Community Engagement Managers would have no effect on the organisation and running of the area boards.  Cllr John Thomson stated that the new Area Board Lead Officer had examined the new structure and confirmed that the same level of service would be provided.

Cllr Jon Hubbard was invited to ask a supplementary question which was as follows:-

·         Question 19-29 – Cllr Hubbard enquired if there was a timeline for the National Health Service to bring the empty properties owned by the NHS at The Lodge, Spa Road, Melksham back into use.  Cllr Richard Clewer was unable to answer the question but stated that he would endeavour to find out and then send Cllr Hubbard a written response.