Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Dick Tonge, and from Corporate Director, Dr Carlton Brand.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 14 March 2017, previously circulated.

The minutes of the meeting held on 14 March 2017 were presented.

Resolved

To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 14 March 2017.

To receive and note the minutes of the Capital Assets Committee held on 14 March 2017.

The minutes of the meeting held on 14 March 2017 were presented.

Resolved

To note the minutes of the meeting held on 14 March 2017.

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

As it was the last meeting of the Cabinet before the election, and noting the fact that he would not be seeking re-election, the Leader offered her sincere thanks to Councillor Dick Tonge for all his years of service in local government in Wiltshire. The Leader noted that Councillor Tonge had served as Leader of North Wiltshire District Council and as Cabinet Member at Wiltshire Council. She stated that, in her opinion, he had been the best Cabinet Lead Member for Finance and had done an incredible job for which he would be missed.

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The Council welcomes contributions from members of the public. This meeting is open to the public, who may ask a question or make a statement. Questions may also be asked by members of the Council.  Written notice of questions or statements should be given to Yamina Rhouati of Democratic Services by 12.00 noon on Thursday 6 April 2017. Anyone wishing to ask a question or make a statement should contact the officer named above.

There were no members of the public present nor questions submitted.

Report by Carloyn Godfrey, Corporate Director.

Councillor Jerry Wickham presented the report which sought an endorsement of the Wiltshire End of Life Care Strategy as presented.

In presenting the report, Councillor Wickham highlighted the following matters: that the Strategy had been revised following the version adopted in 2014;  that the intention was to adopt a community approach to end of life care; what the impact of the national Strategy and local priorities on the Strategy was; the partnership approach with the Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group and the role of the voluntary sector; the consultation undertaken with Healthwatch and the recommendation to have an easy-read version of the Strategy; that an implementation plan would be developed; that it was a pity that Strategy had not been considered by the Health Select Committee in time to comment to this Cabinet, noting that it would be considering the Strategy at its meeting in June  to discuss the implementation of the Strategy.

Councillor Gordon King, Vice-Chair of the Health Select Committee, endorsed much of what Councillor Wickham said in highlighting the positive aspects of the Strategy. He also talked about his personal experience and what lessons could be learnt from the experience of others in the communities, with a particular focus on the areas that can be improved including making sure people have information about what happens next at each stage

Councillor Wickham thanked Councillor King for his feedback and looked forward to an opportunity to discuss these matters further.

The Leader stated that she was encouraged to see that the hospices are fully involved as part of the strategy and their role is better recognised. In response to a question from the Leader, Councillor Wickham stated that, whilst the issue of Delayed Transfers of Care was a complex matter, it was recognised within the strategy that delays to discharging someone to enable them to die at home should be a more streamlined matter. Additionally, Councillor Wickham stated that he would continue to monitor this matter.

In response to a matter raised by Councillor John Thomson, the Leader recognised that there was a wider debate, held at a national level, regarding assisting those who wished to hasten their own death.

There being no other matters raised, the meeting;

Resolved

To adopt the End of Life Care Strategy.

Reason for Decision:

To reinforce our commitment to improving and developing end of life care and support services across Wiltshire and to embed the recommendations from the National Palliative and End of Life Care Partnership ambitions framework, which builds on the 2008 Department of Health (DH) Strategy for End of Life Care.

 Report by Dr Carlton Brand, Corporate Director

Councillor Philip Whitehead presented the report which sought approval to award contracts for the A350 Chippenham Phase 3 and M4 Junction 17 Improvement Works.

In presenting the report, Councillor Whitehead highlighted the following issues; that the project was part of a continued programme of works to improve the A350 which was recognised as the main north/south link road in the County; with major businesses like Dyson expanding. it was important to keep this road fit to support local business activity; that the results of the tender process would be discussed in part II of the meeting; the improvements to the major road would also decrease traffic impacts on smaller roads and villages; that the decision today would be subject to final decision to be made by the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Board.

There being no other matters raised, the meeting;

Resolved

To approve the award of contract for the A350 Chippenham Phase 3 and for the M4 Junction 17 Improvement Works following consideration of the information contained in the Part II report

Reason for Decision:

(i)     There is a need for a specialist contracts to be awarded to deliver these two important improvement schemes on the A350.

(ii)    Following a procurement exercise in accordance with the ‘Restricted Procedure’ tenders were submitted and have been assessed in terms of price and quality.

(iii)   The most advantageous tender for the Council, taking into account quality and price, should be accepted in accordance with the procurement procedures. The detailed scoring and financial information is contained in a confidential report to be considered in Part 2 of this meeting.

This is to give further notice in accordance with paragraph 5 (4) and 5 (5) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 of the intention to take the following item in private.

To consider passing the following resolution:

To agree that in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the public from the meeting for the business specified in Item Number 11 because it is likely that if members of the public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in  paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Act and the public interest in withholding the information outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information to the public.

Reason for taking item in private:

Paragraph 3 - information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

To agree that in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the public from the meeting for the following items of business because it is likely that if members of the public were present there would disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Act and the public interest in withholding the information outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information to the public.

Reason for taking the item in private:

Paragraph 3 – information relating to the financial information or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

No representations have been received as to why this item should not be held in private

 Report by Dr Carlton Brand, Corporate Director

Following consideration of the additional information contained in the report exempt from publication, the Cabinet meeting;

Resolved

(i)     The A350 Chippenham Phase 3 contract should be awarded to Contractor 1, Alun Griffiths (Contractor) Ltd, subject to funding approval by the SWLEP Board.

(ii)    The M4 Junction 17 Improvement contract should be awarded to Contractor 1, Alun Griffiths (Contractor) Ltd, subject to funding approval by the SWLEP Board.

(iii)  Cabinet delegates authority to the Corporate Director, to proceed with the award of these contracts, subject to the approval by the SWLEP Board, and as agreed by the Cabinet Capital Assets Committee at its meeting of 13 September 2016 following consultation with the Cabinet member for Highways and Transport, the Cabinet member for Finance and the Associate Directors for Legal and Governance and Finance.

Reason for Decisions:

(i)     There is a need for a specialist contracts to be awarded to deliver these two important improvement schemes on the A350, which will reduce delays and improve safety on this important route.

(ii)    Following a procurement exercise in accordance with the ‘Restricted Procedure’ tenders were submitted and have been assessed in terms of price and quality.

(iii)  The most advantageous tenders for the Council, taking into account quality and price, should be accepted in accordance with the procurement procedures.

(iv)   There are processes in place to monitor the performance of the successful tenderer, and supervise the work of the contractor