Agenda and minutes

Nominations will be sought from those present at the meeting.

The outgoing Chairman, Cllr Richard Gamble welcomed everyone to the meeting, which was the first meeting of the new Council following the Unitary elections on 6 May 2021. Cllr Gamble explained that he would be presiding over the election of a new Chairman who would then take the Chair. Cllr Gamble welcomed all new Councillors; thanked officers for their work on the elections and induction and thanked Ian Gibbons, Director of Legal and Governance, who was retiring after 33 years with the Council. The Chairman also welcomed the new Director of Legal and Governance, Perry Holmes.

The Chairman then sought nominations for the position of Chairman of Council for 2021/22.

Cllr Simon Jacobs, seconded by Cllr Paul Oatway QPM, nominated Cllr Stuart Wheeler.

Cllr Ian Thorn, seconded by Cllr Gordon King, nominated Cllr Ruth Hopkinson.

There being no other nominations, a vote was taken and it was

Resolved:

That Cllr Stuart Wheeler be elected Chairman of Wiltshire Council for the year 2021/22.

The chairman subsequently read out and signed the declaration of acceptance of office of Chairman of the Council, witnessed by the Monitoring Officer.

Cllr Stuart Wheeler in the Chair.

Nominations will be sought from those present at the meeting.

The Chairman called for nominations for the position of Vice-Chair of the Council for 2021/222.

Cllr Allison Bucknell, seconded by Cllr Richard Britton, nominated Cllr James Sheppard. There being no other nominations it was

Resolved:

That Cllr James Sheppard be elected Vice-Chairman of Wiltshire Council for the year 2021/22.

The Vice-Chairman subsequently read out and signed the declaration of acceptance of office of Vice-Chairman of the Council witnessed by the Monitoring Officer.

The Chairman thanked the outgoing Chairman and the group leaders also passed on their thanks to the outgoing Chairman. 

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Nick Holder and Cllr Jonathan Seed.

To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the last meeting of Council held on 23 February 2021.

The minutes of the meeting held on 23 February 2021 were presented for consideration and it was

Resolved:

That the minutes of the last Council meeting held on 23 February 2021 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.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Chairman made the following announcements:

a)    Chairman’s Engagements

b)    Acknowledgement of Service - Members

It was noted that at the last council meeting, the meeting acknowledged those councillors who had let it be known they would not be standing for re-election, it had now been confirmed that the following members did not seek re-election:

Ben Anderson, Derek Brown, Christine Crisp, Anna Cuthbert, Stewart Dobson, Bill Douglas, Mary Douglas, Peter Evans, Sue Evans, Nicholas Fogg, Peter Fuller, Richard Gamble, Jose Green, Mollie Groom, Russell Hawker, Mike Hewitt, Hayley Illman, Jim Lynch, Steve Oldrieve, Leo Randall, Fleur de Rhé-Philipe, John Smale, Toby Sturgis, Melody Thompson, John Thomson, John Walsh, Fred Westmoreland and Phillip Whalley.

And the following members were not returned:

Pat Aves, Andrew Bryant, Tony Deane, Christopher Devine, David Halik, Alan Hill, Atiqul Hoque, Chris Hurst and Andy Phillips.

The Chairman paid tribute to their hard work and the contribution they had made to Wiltshire and the communities they represented.

The Chairman also took the opportunity to welcome the 38 new Members of the Council:

Liz Alstrom, Helen Belcher, Nick Botterill, David Bowler, Steve Bucknell, Daniel Cave, Zoe Clewer, Caroline Corbin, Monica Devendran, Nick Errington, Adrian Foster, Mel Jacob, Kathryn MacDermid, Mark McClelland, Charles McGrath, Dominic Muns, Nabil Najjar, Kelvin Nash, Jack Oatley, Andrew Oliver, Bill Parks, Sam Pearce-Kearney, Antonio Piazza, Anthony Pickernell, Nic Puntis, Tamara Reay, Rich Rogers, Paul Sample, Mike Sankey, Martin Smith, Caroline Thomas, Elizabeth Threlfall, Tim Trimble, Mark Verbinnen, David Vigar, Iain Wallis, Derek Walters and Mary Webb.

The Chairman also thanked all officers, volunteers and candidates who participated in the elections.

c)    Ian Gibbons/Perry Holmes

The Chairman passed on gratitude to the Monitoring Officer, Ian Gibbons, who was retiring after more than 33 years with the council and stated he hoped that Mr Gibbons could enjoy his well earned retirement.

The Chairman then welcomed Perry Holmes to his first meeting as Monitoring Officer.

The Chairman thanked Trowbridge Town Council for allowing Wiltshire Council to use their facilities.

To receive and note the Returning Officer’s return in respect of the Council’s elections held on 6 May 2021.

The Chairman formally thanked the Returning Officer, Terence Herbert, along with all officers, volunteers and candidates who had participated in the particularly challenging set of recent elections.

A report, which could be seen in agenda supplement 1, was presented which gave the detailed results of the Wiltshire Council Elections on the 6 May 2021.

Resolved:

To note the election results from the 6 May 2021 elections, as set out in Agenda Supplement 1.

The Chairman invited public speakers who wished to make a statement on this item to take the floor.

Mr Bill Jarvis, representing Wiltshire Climate Alliance congratulated all Members on being elected. Mr Jarvis stated that he looked forward to all councillors prioritising making the county carbon neutral by 2030. Mr Jarvis felt that there was an urgent and immediate need to develop a robust and measurable programme to deliver change.

The Council welcomes contributions from members of the public, however, to ensure Covid-19 public health guidance is adhered to, physical attendance at this meeting will be limited. Please contact the officer named on this agenda no later than 4pm on 14^th May if you wish to attend this meeting.

Where is it is not possible for you to attend due to reaching the capacity limit, alternative arrangements will be made which may include your question/statement being submitting in writing.

This meeting will be live streamed for all members of the public to watch online.

Statements

Members of the public who wish to submit a statement in relation to an item on this agenda should submit this electronically to the officer named on this agenda no later than 5pm on 14 May 2021. Up to three speakers are allowed for each item.

Each statement must:

·       State whom the statement is from (including if representing another person or organisation);

·       state points clearly, and;

·       be readable aloud in approximately 3 minutes.

Questions

Those wishing to ask questions are required to give notice of any such questions electronically to the officer named on the front of this agenda no later than 5pm on 11 May 2021 in order to be guaranteed of a written response. In order to receive a verbal response, questions must be submitted no later than 5pm on 13 May 2021.

Please contact the officer named on the front 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 members prior to the meeting and made available at the meeting and on the Council’s website; they will be taken as read at the meeting

The Chairman explained that all questions received and the responses provided were published in agenda supplement 1. Questions and statements related to particular agenda items would be taken under those items. Some of the questions received were of a general nature and as the Cabinet were not yet in post these would be taken at the end of the meeting.

To elect a Leader of the Council for the period 2021-25. Nominations will be sought from those present at the meeting.

The Leader will then advice Council on the membership of their Cabinet.

The Chairman called for nominations for the position of Leader of Wiltshire Council for 2021 – 2025.

Cllr Philip Whitehead nominated Cllr Richard Clewer, this was seconded by Cllr Chris Williams.

As there were no further nominations it was

Resolved:

That Cllr Richard Clewer be elected as Leader of Wiltshire Council for 2021 – 2025.

Cllr Clewer signed the acceptance of office, thanked everyone for the appointment and thanked his predecessor, Cllr Philip Whitehead. The Leader then announced Cabinet appointees as follows:

·       Cllr Laura Mayes – Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children's Services, Education and Skills

·       Cllr Nick Botterill – Cabinet Member for Development Control, Strategic Planning and Climate Change

·       Cllr Pauline Church - Cabinet Member for Finance & Procurement, Commissioning, IT, Digital and Commercialisation

·       Cllr Dr Mark McClelland - Cabinet Member for Transport, Waste, Street Scene and Flooding

·       Cllr Jane Davies - Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, SEND, Transition and Inclusion

·       Cllr Phil Alford - Cabinet Member for Housing, Strategic Assets and Asset Transfer

·       Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling - Cabinet Member for Leisure, Libraries, Governance, Facilities Management and Operational Assets

·       Cllr Simon Jacobs - Cabinet Member for Public Health, Public Protection, Licensing, Staffing, Communities and Area Boards

The Leader then announced Portfolio Holders as follows:

·       Cllr Nabil Najjar - Portfolio Holder for Arts, Heritage and Tourism

·       Cllr Peter Hutton - Portfolio Holder for Safeguarding

·       Cllr Dominic Muns - Portfolio Holder for Education

·       Cllr Tamara Reay - Portfolio Holder for Climate Change

·       Cllr Kevin Daley - Portfolio Holder for Transport

·       Cllr Suzanne Wickham - Portfolio Holder for SEND and Inclusion

·       Cllr Nick Holder - Portfolio Holder for Adults

·       Cllr Robert Yuill - Portfolio Holder for Housing

·       Cllr Sven Hocking - Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Libraries

·       Cllr Allison Bucknell - Portfolio Holder for Area Boards

The Leader emphasised a few priorities for his term including:

·       The state of highstreets emerging from the pandemic

·       Delivery of the climate change strategy and

·       Housing and the Local Plan

The Chairman announced that agenda items 10a, 10b and 10c would all be taken together and that the proposals could be seen in agenda supplement 2.

Cllr Clewer as Leader of the Council proposed the appointment motions as detailed in agenda supplement 2. This was seconded by the Deputy Leader, Cllr Laura Mayes.

The Chairman then invited the public registered to speak on this item to address the meeting.

Mr Andrew Nicholson spoke regarding the standards of public life. Mr Nicholson requested increased transparency over matters such as voting records, register of interests and gifts and hospitality received.

The Chairman thanked Mr Nicholson.

As this item was for note there was no debate on this item. The Leader’s motion was put to the vote and it was

Resolved:

a)    To note the report and the legal requirements.

b)    To re-appoint the following committees with the terms of reference as set out in the Constitution:-

Appeals Committee

Area Planning Committees: Eastern, Northern, Southern and

Western

Audit and Governance Committee

Children’s Select Committee

Electoral Review Committee

Environment Select Committee

Health Select Committee

Health and Wellbeing Board

Investment Sub Committee

Licensing Committee

Officer Appointments

Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee

Wiltshire Pension Fund Committee

Police and Crime Panel

Staffing Policy Committee

Standards Committee

Strategic Planning Committee

c)    To re-appoint those Area Boards, constituted as area committees under item 10a Appendix 1 of the report presented and within the Constitution, to comprise the Unitary Councillors for that area.

d)    To approve a scheme of committee places which sets out the number of seats available to members of the Council and to political groups as 10a (Appendix 3)

e)    To appoint councillors to serve on those committees in accordance with the agreed scheme of allocations.

f)     To appoint substitute members (to a maximum of four per group) to the committees referred to above, as detailed in the agenda supplement, with the addition of Cllr Graham Wright to the Electoral Review Committee.

g)    To appoint those councillors representing electoral divisions to their respective area boards as set out 10b Appendix 1.

h)    To note that Council has previously delegated the appointment of co-opted members of the Standards Committee, to the Committee.

i)      To appoint the following persons as Independent Persons each for a four year term from May 2021:

·       Tony Drew

·       Damian Kearney

·       Patricia Bunch

j)     To reappoint the following non-elected members to the Children’s Select Committee:-

k)    To re-appoint the following co-opted members to the Wiltshire Pension Fund Committee:

A report on petitions received since the last meeting of council.

The Chairman stated that three petitions had been formally received by the Council since the last ordinary meeting of the Council. Details could be seen at page 41 of the agenda.

In response to a question from Cllr Gordon King regarding the procedure followed for the petition to reduce the speed limit from 60mph to 40mph on the A4361, the local Division Member, Cllr Jane Davies, gave assurance that all procedures were followed correctly.

Resolved:

That Council note the report and the petitions received.

The Chairman confirmed that no notices of motion had been received for the meeting.

A report from the Director of HR & OD to follow.

The Chairman invited the Leader to introduce a report on the formal designation of statutory functions following changes to the Council’s leadership structure. The report could be seen in agenda supplement 2.

The Leader proposed the motion as detailed in the report, this was seconded by Cllr Laura Mayes.

Group leaders were invited to comment. Whilst the group leaders had no comment on the report they all took the opportunity to thank the previous Leader, Cllr Philip Whitehead and to welcome Cllr Clewer to the role of Leader.

Resolved:

That Council:

a)    Approve the designation of statutory functions as follows:

                        i.         Returning Officer (RO) and Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) to the Chief Executive.

                      ii.         Head of Paid Service to the Chief Executive

b)     Note the interim designation of the Director of Adult Social Services

(DASS) to the Corporate Director for People who is also Director of Children’s Services (DCS) pending a review of tier 2 senior leadership structure.

c)    Note the designation of the Section 151 Officer to the Corporate Director of Resources pending a review of tier 2 senior leadership structure.

d)    Note that the other designated statutory roles are unchanged as a result of the restructure and remain with existing postholders namely:

i.               Director of Public Health (DPH) with the post of Director of Public Health

ii.             Monitoring Officer with the post of Director of Legal and Governance

e)    Authorise the Monitoring Officer to make any consequential changes to the Constitution arising from the designation of the statutory functions outlined above.

The Chairman introduced a report noting that no urgent executive items had been taken by Cabinet in the last year. The report could be seen at page 43 of the agenda.

The Chairman, seconded by Cllr James Sheppard, proposed the recommendations in the report.

The Chairman invited members of the public registered to speak on this item to take the floor.

Mr Andrew Nicolson had submitted two questions which were published in agenda supplement 1:

·       Question 21-17 regarding the lack of urgent decisions related to the climate emergency, and

·       Question 21-18 regarding the removal of cycle lanes in Salisbury and Chippenham not being on the list.

Written responses would be provided to Mr Nicolson.

Group leaders had no comments on the item.

Resolved:

·       That Council note the report, and that no decisions have been taken by Cabinet using the special urgency provision in the period since the last report.

·       That Council note, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, decisions have been made by Directors under emergency powers, where this has occurred these have been published online in accordance with the Regulations

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

b) Councillors will be given the opportunity to raise questions to the Chairmen of Committees or to the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Authority on the minutes of their meetings, available here.

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

There were no announcements from Cabinet Members or Chairs of Committees.

There were no questions in relation to the minutes of the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Authority.

There were no general issues raised relating to Area Boards.

Councillors were required to give notice of any such question in writing to the officer names on the first page of this agenda no later than 5pm nine clear working days before the meeting – Tuesday 4 May 2021 in order to be guaranteed a written response.

Any question received after 5pm on 4 May 2021 and no later than 5pm four clear working days before the meeting, Tuesday 11 May 2021, may only receive a verbal response at the meeting. Any questions received after this date will be received at the next meeting.

Questions may be asked without notice if the Chairman determines 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.

No questions from Members had been received.

As stated by the Chairman under agenda item 8, Public Participation, general public questions would now be taken.

Melanie Boyle had submitted two questions which were published in agenda supplement 1:

·       Question 21-15 on housing figures and

·       Question 21-16 regarding green grants and those on low incomes.

Ms Boyle was not present at the meeting so written responses would be provided.

There were no further items, so the Chairman concluded the meeting.