Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Andrew Davis, Jane Davies, Howard Greenman, Dr Mark McClelland, Charles McGrath, Pip Ridout, Tom Rounds, Paul Sample, Tony Trotman, and Robert Yuill.

To approve the minutes of the meeting of Full Council held on 17 May 2022.

The minutes of the meeting held on 17 May 2022 were presented for consideration, and it was,

Resolved:

That the minutes of the last Council meeting held on 17 May 2022 be approved as a true and 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.

To receive any announcements through the Chairman.

The Chairman made the following announcements:

Her late Queen Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

The Chairman thanked everyone for all the tributes and condolences from around the county following the very sad death of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. He commented on Her Late Majesty’s previous visits to Wiltshire which included Salisbury Cathedral during her Diamond Jubilee Celebrations in 2012, most recently visiting DSTL Porton Down in October 2020, and military engagements, including meeting the Royal Welsh Regiment in Tidworth in 2017.

The Council noted that many tributes had been received in books of condolence that were available online at council hubs and libraries. The Chairman also acknowledged the many local events and memorial services that took place to honour and remember Her Majesty, and he thanked the local councils and communities up and down the county for their efforts during this historic time.

Councillor Mary Webb

The Chairman reported the sad passing of Councillor Mary Webb in August 2022. Councillor Webb was a Wiltshire and Salisbury City Councillor, representing St. Paul’s Ward from May 2021 to August 2022, and a longstanding member of the business community in Salisbury.

Mrs Jean Potter, MVO

The Chairman reported the sad death of Mrs Jean Potter which was announced on Thursday, 23rd June, 2022, following a long battle with cancer.

It was noted that Jean joined Wiltshire County Council in 1972 and had a long and successful career with the Council. Jean retired from her position as Assistant Clerk to the Lieutenancy in January, 2017.

Lt-Col Derek Jarvis, DFC

The Chairman reported the sad death of Lt-Col Derek Jarvis, DFC, former Chairman of Wiltshire County Council from 2000-2001, that was announced in July 2022. 

Lady Benson, OBE, DL

The Chairman reported the sad death of Lady Benson, OBE, DL, wife of Sir Christopher Benson of Salisbury, which was announced on 1st August, 2022. Lady Benson was Mayor of Salisbury from 1969 – 1970 and was an Honorary Freeman of the City. Lady Benson was a former Wiltshire County Councillor and was appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant of Wiltshire in 1997.

Councillor Roger Hubbard

The Chairman reported the death of former North Wiltshire District Councillor Roger Hubbard, who sadly passed away on 11 June 2022. He was a Member of the North Wiltshire District Council in the 1980’s and represented Pickwick ward in Corsham.

The Council stood for a minute’s silence to honour the passing of The Queen,  Councillor Mary Webb, and others mentioned above.

The late Queens Birthday Honours List

The Chairman reported on the following Wiltshire residents received honours in the last Birthday honours list.

OBE

Virginia Bennett

Christopher Laurence

Warren Marks

MBE

Angela Burns

Gillian Clarke

Norman Edwards

Susan Wills

BEM

Jayne Begley

Rebekah Hartley

Events Attended by the Chairman, Councillor Stuart Wheeler from Tuesday, 17 May 2022:

·       Wednesday 18May 2022 Chippenham Town Council Mayor’s Investiture, Chippenham Town Hall.

·       Thursday 19 May 2022 Devizes Town Council Mayor Making and Reception, Devizes Town Hall.

·       Saturday 4 June 2022 Platinum Jubilee Service  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

No petitions were received to report to the meeting,

There were no petitions received for the meeting.

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. Statements must relate to a specific agenda item.

Please contact the officer named on the first page of this agenda 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 no later than 5pm on Tuesday 11 October 2022 in order to be guaranteed to receive a written response, or no later than 5pm on Thursday 13 October to receive a verbal response at the meeting.

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 Members prior to the meeting and made available at the meeting and on the Council’s website.

There were no questions submitted or statements made from the public.

To receive a report from the Chief Executive

The Chairman invited Councillor Richard Clewer, Leader of the Council, to introduce a report providing an update on progress and actions taken in response to the climate emergency. 

The Leader explained that the council has made significant progress in responding to the climate emergency. Delivery plans have been published setting out how the Council will deliver its objectives as detailed in the Carbon Neutral Council Plan 2022-2024 and Climate Strategy Delivery Plan for Wiltshire 2022-2024. He commented in detail on the seven delivery themes for Transport, Housing and the Built Environment, Natural Environment, Energy, Green Economy, Waste and Carbon Neutral Council.

Councillor Graham Wright, Chairman of the Climate Emergency Task Group, reported that the Task Group welcomed the council’s commitment to give an update every six months on progress toward tackling climate change. He spoke about the progress being made, the need for continued focus on the issues, discussions about the various delivery themes by the Task Group, and welcomed the opportunity to review the next report in May 2023 prior to consideration by Cabinet. He also recognised and appreciated the amount of work undertaken so far, particularly by the Climate Team headed up by Ariane Crampton, Head of the Climate Programme, and others across the whole council.

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

Group Leaders were then invited to comment on the report.

Councillor Ian Thorn, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, thanked officers, in particular the Head of Climate Programme, Ariane Crampton and her team for their role in progressing the Council’s response to the climate emergency. He also thanked the Climate Emergency Task Group for their contribution and welcomed the report from Councillor Wright as Chairman of the Task Group, acknowledging the role of scrutiny in the process. In addition, Councillor Thorn thanked Councillor Clewer for his leadership on climate emergency as part of his Cabinet portfolio. He welcomed the report which he felt contained a lot of detail and oversight. He commented on the enormous opportunity for the Council to influence the objectives of the Local Plan and national policy in relation to issues connected with the climate emergency. Other comments made included opposition to fracking, the opportunities to improve the delivery of waste management and continued development of partnerships and engagement with statutory partners, the third sector and private sector to ensure opportunities the Council were creating though its own response plans were transmitted across the whole county.

Councillor Ernie Clark, Leader of the Independent Group, and Councillor Ricky Rogers, Leader of the Labour Group, also welcomed the report from the Leader and endorsed the comments and work of the Task Group set out by Councillor Wright.

The item was then opened for general debate with issues raised including:

·       A need to include information on electric vehicles in future climate emergency proposals, for instance the Co Car Scheme, potential for electric bikes and proposals for more cycle lanes;

·       Requests for Planning Policy to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43.

To receive a report from the Chief Executive

The Chairman invited Councillor Richard Clewer, Leader of the Council, to introduce a report which provided an update on the current and planned actions taken to support residents, businesses and staff in the Wiltshire community. 

The Leader explained that the Council was aware of the pressures many people are facing on the cost of living crisis, and the real potential for these to grow over the autumn and winter period. He welcomed the additional support announced by the government in the mini-budget and through the Energy Price Guarantee for residents and the Energy Bill Relief Scheme for businesses, together with proposed longer-term market reforms. Assurances were provided that it was the Cabinet’s and officers’ priority to make sure Wiltshire is prepared for the further significant challenges expected during the coming months. He then outlined a number of actions being undertaken by the Council, as further detailed in the report. He moved that the Council note the update, which was seconded by Councillor Laura Mayes.

Group Leaders were then invited to comment on the report.

Councillor Ian Thorn, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, welcomed describing the situation as a crisis and commented on the challenges being faced by residents who would not normally engage with support streams, and hard to reach groups that would also not normally engage with the council. He also raised the impact on small businesses, public buildings providing warm spaces for residents, the impact of the mini-budget and food banks.

Councillor Ricky Rogers, Leader of the Labour Group, noted that residents generally did not approach the Council for support during times of hardship, and a public campaign would be welcomed to provide information about how the Council could offer support.

The item was then opened for general debate with issues raised including:

·       The role and importance of Food Banks across the county and the support offered;

·       Appreciation of the support from the Wellbeing Hub, Area Boards and voluntary organisations to their local communities;

·       Concern from some members about the reduction in funding for lunch clubs and friendship clubs;

·       The work of Fair Share in the supply of products to community interest companies;

·       Impact of cost of living increases across all sections of society and the general increase in need;

·       The challenge in identifying residents needing help;

·       Concern about the reduction in the supply of food;

·       Delays in processing benefit claims and associated impact on food bank usage, and reductions in citizen’s advice funding;

·       Impact of cost of living pressures on the mental health of those delivering services;

·       Other issues including Council tax, challenges for retail tenancies, work with voluntary groups, limiting bureaucracy wherever possible, social housing providers, rural poverty including access to food banks, and other matters.

In response to the debate the Leader agreed on the importance to communicate where the council and others could assist people, and the difficulties in persuading some people to ask for assistance, noting rural poverty as an example. On lunch and friendship clubs he stated the previous system had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44.

To receive a report from the Chief Executive

The Chairman invited Councillor Richard Clewer, the Leader of the Council, to introduce a report providing an update on activity arising from recent community visits and pilots of ongoing community conversation following the visits. 

The Leader explained that as part of Wiltshire Council’s commitment to improving social mobility and tackling inequalities, senior leaders from a range of public sector organisations took part in community visits to Studley Green, Trowbridge and Bemerton Heath, Salisbury, earlier this year, two of the more deprived areas of Wiltshire. The focus was on development of ongoing community conversations for these areas, with the intention of piloting a bold and innovative approach to develop solutions, tailored to the strengths and needs of local areas and then adapting and rolling this out elsewhere in Wiltshire in due course. This would involve working with public health, and operate more effectively and a new way of working to tackle local issues.

The Leader proposed the motion as detailed in the report, and this was seconded by Councillor Ashley O’Neill.

Group Leaders were then invited to comment on the update and report.

Councillor Ian Thorn, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, raised points about how effective the council could be to lead this collaborative work, and on developing capacity to maintain any process moving forward, but considered the intended approach to be positive.

Councillor Ricky Rogers, Leader of the Labour Group, welcomed the dialogue with the local communities. He noted past measures which were not sustained and that future work would be developed with established stakeholders over the longer term.

The item was then opened for general debate with issues raised including:

·       Due to recent boundary changes in the Salisbury area the Bemerton areas was spread across two divisions;

·       The need to work alongside multiple volunteer groups and organisations; 

·       The approach and activity set out in the report was welcomed;

·       The need for visible timescales in order for stakeholders and partners to align finances to activity or projects;

·       The reliance on local volunteers and spreading support across as many communities as possible as the project developed.

In response to the debate the Leader welcomed the comments and emphasised that the Council would be working alongside stakeholders, including volunteer groups, NHS, Police, housing providers and other appropriate organisations for a more joined up approach that was sustainable and focused on a long term vision. He noted the data used was targeted closely, at lower super output areas, not simply unitary administrative level.

Following a vote, it was,

Resolved:

That the Council note the range of activity underway to support the communities and the ongoing opportunities for community activism and tailored support.

To consider a report from the Independent Remuneration Panel 

The Chairman invited Councillor Ashley O’Neill, Cabinet Member with responsibility for governance, to introduce a report seeking Council approval for the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) in relation to the remuneration of any co-opted member of the Audit & Governance Committee.

Councillor O’Neill reported that the IRP is convened under The Local Authorities (Members’ Allowances)(England) Regulations 2003 and they recently undertook a review  of the remuneration for an independent co-opted member for the Audit and Governance Committee and concluded that they should receive remuneration, with a recommendation of £2,000 per annum. This followed a decision by Council on 17 May 2022 to delegate appointment of a co-opted member to the Committee.

Councillor O’Neill proposed the motion as detailed in the report, this was seconded by Councillor Ian Blair-Pilling.

Group Leaders were invited to comment and those present expressed their support for the proposals.

The item was then opened for general debate with issues raised about the independence of potential co-opted members; the role of the Committee; and the potential need for a future review of the Chair’s role. 

Councillor Mark Connolly, Chairman of the Audit & Governance Committee, supported the proposals and welcomed the role of the co-opted member. 

In response to the debate Councillor O’Neill noted the importance of any co-opted member to be completely independent.

Following a vote, it was,

Resolved:

That the remuneration for the independent co-opted member of the Audit & Governance Committee should be £2,000 per annum.

In accordance with the Constitution there was a recorded vote.

For:              77

Against:        0

Abstentions: 2

Full details are attached to the minutes.

To receive a report from the Monitoring Officer

The Chairman invited Councillor Ashley O’Neill, Cabinet Member with responsibility for governance, to introduce a report seeking Council approval for the appointment of an Independent Person.

Councillor O’Neill reported that the Council is required under the Localism Act 2011 to appoint at least one Independent Person (IP) whose views must be sought and taken into account before the Council makes a decision on an allegation it has decided to investigate in respect of Code of Conduct complaints. It was noted that three IP’s were appointed in May 2021 and following a change in circumstances a vacancy arose at the end of June 2022. A recruitment process was undertaken by the Standards Committee and the Council were being asked to confirm the recommended IP appointment.

Councillor O’Neill proposed the motion as detailed in the report, and this was seconded by Councillor Paul Oatway QPM.

Group Leaders were then invited to comment. Support was expressed for the report, and a comment about the details of the recommended candidate.

The item was opened for general debate. Thanks was offered to the IP who was standing down, Damian Kearney, and the robust interview process for the new appointment noted.

Following a vote, it was then,

Resolved:

That Full Council appoint Mr John McAllister as an Independent Person. 

In accordance with the Constitution there was a recorded vote.

For:              72

Against:        2

Abstentions: 3

Full details are attached to the minutes.

To consider the Final Recommendations of the Electoral Review Committee.

Councillor Ian Blair-Pilling, Chairman of the Electoral Review Committee, introduced the recommendations and set out the process which had been followed during the 2021/22 Community Governance Review (CGR).

Councillor Blair-Pilling set out the background to the Final Recommendations of the Committee, detailing the legal criteria the council must follow, and in particular the multiple public consultations and engagements with local councils which had taken place to refine the recommendations. It was noted that some of the recommendations, if approved, would required the consent of the Local Governance Boundary Commission for England to enact.

Councillor Blair-Pilling referred throughout to details and reasoning for changes as set out in the Final Recommendations document attached to the Summons. During his various comments for the item he thanked officers and the Committee for their hard work developing proposals.

The Chairman agreed that each recommendation would be discussed and voted on separately.

Recommendation 1 - Charlton St Peter & Wilsford

This was a proposal to group two parishes under a single council. This was supported by the parishes involved, Charlton St Peter and Wilsford, as they already operated as a single entity and the recommendation was to formally confirm this arrangement.

The Chairman then invited comments from Group Leaders.

Councillor Richard Clewer, Leader of the Council, stated he was happy to support the recommendation. Councillor Gavin Grant, on behalf of the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, supported the recommendation. Councillor Ian McLennan, on behalf of the Leader of the Labour Group, also supported the proposal.

The item was then debated. During debate the local Division Member, Councillor Paul Oatway QPM, noted his support for the grouping of the two parishes.

At the conclusion of debate, with no further comments from the Committee Chairman, and following a vote, the recommendation was supported.

Recommendations 2-7 – Calne Without and surrounding parishes

Councillor Blair-Pilling set out the background to these interrelated recommendations at length. A petition had been received in 2019 from hundreds of residents of Calne Without requesting establishment of a new parish at Derry Hill & Studley. Following a review, the Council had determined at its meeting in September 2020 that a broader review encompassing all surrounding parishes was needed.

Councillor Blair-Pilling set out the existing set up of parishes in the area, the requests that had been received from many of them, and the very detailed examination the Committee had undertaken, looking at each in accordance with the statutory criteria of community identity and interests and effective and convenient local governance. The Committee had amended its proposals several times in response to representations made in consultations, and Councillor Blair-Pilling noted all the parish councils of the Calne Community Area expressed support for the latest proposals.

Recommendation 2 – Calne Town

This was a proposal to move two areas of existing development and an area of current development from Calne Without to Calne Town, and amend the unitary boundaries accordingly for two of them, as set out in the report.

Councillor Richard Clewer, Leader of the Council,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

To consider the following proposed changes to the constitution.

The Council considered the following proposed changes to the Constitution:

To receive a report from the Monitoring Officer

The Chairman invited Councillor Ashley O’Neill, Cabinet Member with responsibility for governance to move and introduce the recommendation of the Standards Committee to adopt a new Protocol 6: Complaints Procedure of the Council’s Constitution. This was seconded by Councillor Nick Botterill.

Councillor O’Neill explained that the Housing Ombudsman had made changes to their complaints handing code, and the Standards Committee was proposing changes to ensure compliance with that code, and further updates to the procedure to improve clarity. The changes had also been received by the Housing Board.

The Chairman then invited Group Leaders to comment on the report, and they offered support to the proposal.

The item was then opened for general debate. A comment was received about use of the term customer to describe those interacting with the council.

The Cabinet Member having no further comments, and following a vote, it was then,

Resolved:

That Council agrees to adopt the amended Protocol 6 – Complaints Procedure as attached at Appendix 2, within the Constitution.

In accordance with the Constitution there was a recorded vote

For:                        66

Against:                  0

Abstentions:            2

Full details are attached to the minutes.

To consider a report from the Director, Public Health.

The Chairman invited Councillor Ashley O’Neill, Cabinet Member with responsibility for governance, to move and introduce the proposal seeking Council approval for the local authority function of Channel to be included within Wiltshire Council’s Constitution as required in the annual Home Office Channel Assurance Statement. This was seconded by Councillor Nick Botterill.

It was explained that Channel was part of the Prevent duty in respect of radicalisation and terrorism, being a multi-agency programme to safeguard provide support to those individuals at risk of radicalisation. The Constitution Focus Group and Standards Committee reviewed the best method of incorporating the duty, and had ensured there was reference to member oversight.

The Chairman then invited Group Leaders to comment on the report.

The item was then opened for general debate, where no comments were received.

The Cabinet Member having no further comments, and following a vote, it was then,

Resolved:

That Council agrees to Channel’s inclusion in the framework of Wiltshire Council’s Constitution within Part 3B: Responsibilities for Functions as set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

In accordance with the Constitution there was a recorded vote

For:                        67

Against:                  0

Abstentions:            0

Full details are attached to the minutes.

To consider a report from the Monitoring Officer regarding a recommendation from the Standards Committee.

The Chairman invited Councillor Paul Oatway QPM, Chairman of the Standards Committee, to move and introduce the recommendations of his Committee that the Council adopt a new Members Code of Conduct and accompanying Guidance within the Constitution. This was seconded by Councillor Ruth Hopkinson.

Councillor Oatway explained the process by which the proposed Code had been developed, with a cross-party working group of the Standards Committee examining the new LGA Model Code and making adjustments where the group considered appropriate. He thanked Councillor Hopkinson, Chairman of the Standards Assessment Sub-Committee, for chairing the working group to review the LGA Code and make proposals. Views had been sought by Group Leaders and the Constitution Focus Group on several occasions as the revised Code was developed. All had noted the very limited sanctions available under the current legislation for Code of Conduct complaints against elected members, which he regretted. However, he commended the proposed new Code as being easy to digest, easy to read, and a workable and transparent document, which he hoped would also be adopted by town and parish councils in Wiltshire.

The Chairman then invited Gordon Ball, Co-opted Non-voting Member of the Standards Committee, and a participant in the working group and a parish councillor, to make a statement. Mr Ball echoed the concerns about limited sanctions, but was fully in support of the proposed new Code and encouraged the Council to support the proposals.

The Chairman then invited Group Leaders to comment on the report. Councillor Richard Clewer, Leader of the Council, and Councillor Ian Thorn, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, offered their support for the proposals.

The item was then opened for general debate, where Councillors expressed differing views towards the proposed Code.

Comments in opposition to the Code included noting the intentions of the Coalition government in 2010 when it set up the existing regime under the Localism Act 2011, which initially had included abolishing codes of conduct but serious misconduct being subject to criminal sanction, though adoption of a Code was included in the final version. Wiltshire Council adopted a light touch code as proposed by the then Department for Communities and Local Government. Comments were made that the proposed new Code added in elements which had been removed for good reason.

Concerns were raised about reintroduction of some elements within the proposed Code, such as in relation to respect, bullying, direct impact on wellbeing, or bringing authority into disrepute which although desirable in theory could be highly subjective and open up decision makers to trivial and petty complaints, as had occurred in the past.

Other comments in opposition included that there was very little poor behaviour by elected members, and the new Code was disproportionate, and it should be remembered that elected members also had enhanced protections on freedom of speech.

Other members raised concern that the new Code could lead to increased costs of administration, that Codes of Conduct did not meaningfully change member behaviour, that many parish councillors did not support  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49c)

To consider the attached motion from Councillors Richard Clewer and Laura Mayes.

On invitation of the Chairman, the Leader of the Council, Councillor Richard Clewer, proposed the following  Motion, which was seconded by Councillor Laura Mayes:

‘Wiltshire Council therefore resolves to:

1)    Work with the Government to ensure that it delivers the much-appreciated support to the residents of Wiltshire as quickly as possible.

2)    Proactively identify those most in need of support in Wiltshire and ensure that they access all the Government support they are eligible for.

3)    Identify local opportunities in Wiltshire for energy generation subject to the consultation on the local plan to help increase the supply of energy to further aid the long-term lowering of prices, support the Government’s aim of domestic energy security and create local jobs.’

The Chairman moved that the Council debate the motion, which was seconded by the Vice-Chairman.

Group Leaders were then invited to comment on the motion.

Councillor Ian Thorn, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group raised a query about the preamble to the motion which had been included within the agenda papers, to which he had pre-submitted potential amendments as set out in Supplement 1. Following advice from the Monitoring Officer the Chairman confirmed that the Leader had only moved, at the meeting, the three resolution elements as set out above, including a slight addition on the third part to include reference to the Local Plan. Accordingly, the preamble text would not form part of the motion. It was confirmed, therefore, that if the motion were approved, it would not include any element of that preamble text.

Councillor Thorn welcomed the help and support from the Government for Wiltshire residents, however, he still had a number of concerns about the wording of the Motion as currently set out, and damage that was also being done by the government.

Following a point of order from Councillor Philip Whitehead on speaking to the motion on the table, Councillor Thorn then moved an amendment to the motion, seconded by Councillor Grant, with additional text, as follows:

‘Wiltshire Council therefore resolves to:

1)    Work with the Government to ensure that it delivers the much-appreciated support to the residents of Wiltshire as quickly as possible. Wiltshire Council commits to working with landlords to ensure that the energy bill discount reaches those residents whose energy costs are included with their rents.

2)    Proactively identify those most in need of support in Wiltshire and ensure that they access all the Government support they are eligible for.  Wiltshire Council undertakes to communicate comprehensively with residents and to support individuals with the processes for means tested and disability benefits where appropriate. Wiltshire Council, via its Area Boards, undertakes to play its critical role in coordinating efforts within and between local communities, ensuring that no parishes are left out of benefiting from the efforts to provide warm spaces and food for those residents that need them.

3)    Identify local opportunities in Wiltshire for energy generation subject to the consultation on the local plan to help increase the supply of energy, particularly renewable  ...  view the full minutes text for item 50.

To receive a report from the Monitoring Officer

The Council considered a report from the Monitoring Officer, Perry Holmes, detailing requests from Councillors Charles McGrath and Pip Ridout for an extension of office beyond the six-month period of non-attendance for medical reasons.

Group Leaders expressed their support for the proposals. During a short debate several comments were received wishing both members well, and suggesting a letter be sent expressing the Council’s best wishes.

It was then,

Resolved:

1)    That Council approves the requests for the Members listed below for an extension beyond the six-month period of non-attendance on the grounds of ill health:

Councillor Charles McGrath

Councillor Pip Ridout

2)    That such an extension be granted until the end of July 2023, which would allow for any request for a further extension being considered by Council at its meeting in July 2023. In the event of that meeting either being cancelled or postponed, such an extension to remain in place until after the next available meeting of the Council.

To determine any requests from Group Leaders for changes to committee membership in accordance with the allocation of seats to political groups previously approved by the Council.

The Chairman reported on changes in membership of the Health & Wellbeing Board and an appointment by the Local Pension Board which required ratification by the Council. He then invited Group Leaders to request any changes to committees.

Councillor Richard Clewer then proposed a number of changes to committee membership as detailed in the resolution below.

The Chairman moved the proposed membership changes, which was seconded by the Vice-Chairman.

It was then,

Resolved:

1)    That Council approve the changes proposed, as detailed below:

·       Councillor Antonio Piazza to be removed as a member of Western Area Planning Committee, Health Select Committee and Staffing Policy Committee;

·       Councillor Jonathon Seed to be appointed a member of Western Area Planning Committee;

·       Councillor Richard Britton to be appointed as a Substitute on the Strategic Planning Committee;

·       Councillor Jonathon Seed be removed as a member of the Wiltshire Pension Fund Committee;

·       Councillor Pauline Church to be appointed as a member of the Wiltshire Pension Fund Committee;

·       Councillor Tamara Reay to be appointed as a member of the Staffing Policy Committee;

·       Councillor Nabil Najjar to be appointed as a Substitute on Staffing Policy Committee;

·       Councillor Pauline Church to be appointed as a member of the Health Select Committee.

2)    That Council approve the changes to the membership of the  Health and Wellbeing Board set out in the Summons and that these be adopted within the constitution.

3)    To ratify the appointment by the Local Pension Board of Juliet Weimar as a Board member

4)    To note the appointment of Denisa Ahmeti and Louise Williams as independent co-opted members of the Police and Crime Panel.

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

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

There were no announcements.

Members 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 on Tuesday 4 October 2022 in order to be guaranteed a written response.

Any question received after 5pm on 4 October 2022 and no later than 5pm on Tuesday 11 October 2022 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 Members prior to the meeting and made available at the meeting and on the Council’s website.

A total of eight non-operational questions were received from Members, as set out in Supplement 1 of the agenda, together with written responses.

Supplementary questions were received as follows:

Question 22-11 – Ukrainian Refugees – Funding – Councillor Ruth Hopkinson

A supplementary question was asked about ongoing support for Ukrainian refugees. Councillor Botterill confirmed that long term solutions were being considered and all Councillors will be informed of the detail once it is available.

Question 22-14 – Permanent tribute to the late HM Queen Elizabeth II – Councillor Ian Thorn

A supplementary question was asked about plans for further tributes in addition to planting a tree. The Leader explained that the planting of a tree will form part of the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative and supported the call for additional lasting memorials.

Question 22-17 – Fair Tax Campaign and Councils for Fair Tax Declaration – Councillor Trevor Carbin

A supplementary question was asked which reiterated the original question detailed in supplement 1 of the agenda. Councillor Botterill referred to the written response.

Question 22-18 – Local Plan / Future Chippenham – Councillor Clare Cape

There was no supplementary question

Question 22-19 – Birds Marsh Link Road - Councillor Kathryn Macdermid

A supplementary question was asked about being informed sooner about road openings. Councillor Clewer stated there was no formal events for opening of roads.

Question 22-21 – Standards for response times to enquiries – Councillor David Bowler

There was no supplementary question

Question 22-15 – Mini-budget affecting finances – Councillor Ian Thorn

A supplementary question was asked about the impact of the most recent mini-budget on the potential performance and funding of the Council. Councillor Botterill explained that there would be no direct impact on Council finances.

Question 22-16 – Support for retail tenants during the cost of living crisis – Councillor Ian Thorn

A supplementary question was asked about additional support available for retail tenants. The Leader conformed that policies were in place to support council retail tenants.