Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies as all members of the Cabinet were present.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 6 February 2018, previously circulated.

The minutes of the meeting held on 6 February 2018 were presented.

Resolved:

To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 6 February 2018

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

At the invitation of the Leader, Councillor John Thomson gave an update on the progress made to address the issue of the Salisbury Athletics Track that had been subject to a Notice of Motion at the meeting of Council in February 2018.

Councillor Thomson stated: that there had been a number of constructive meetings between the parties involved in the issue of access; that the school had committed some money to bring the track back into use for training after Easter; that a revised business plan for the track would be produced concerning the long-term future of the track; that the council would provide funding to assist in delivering the plan subject to its agreement for long-term us, and that further funding should be made available to encourage use of the track to ensure its long-term sustainability; and that further discussions to secure the access to club-house were ongoing.

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 William Oulton of Democratic Services by 12.00 noon on Wednesday 21 March 2018. Anyone wishing to ask a question or make a statement should contact the officer named above.

The Leader drew the meeting’s attention to the questions and answers circulated in supplement to the agenda.

In response to a supplementary question from Mrs Spickernell regarding the Environment Agency’s view of the compliance issues at the Everleigh site, and a supplementary question from Mr Gale regarding the accuracy of the visitor information, Councillor Bridget Wayman stated that she would be happy to meet with representatives from the CPRE and the Community Area to discuss the issues.

In response to a supplementary question from Cllr Brian Mathew regarding the importance of maintaining impetus in for the Share Lives scheme, Cllr Jerry Wickham stated that: he was aware that the scheme applied to older people and adults with learning difficulties but that the scheme had been focused on the latter group as that was where the best savings could be achieved; that he was content that officers would progress this without further political input that he would retain oversight; but that he would be happy to work across party lines as necessary to ensure the success of the project.

An update will be provided on the recovery plan for Salisbury city centre.

There will be an opportunity to ask questions

Prior to the start of the meeting, there was a presentation regarding the community recovery plan in Salisbury followed by an opportunity to ask questions.

Under the item, in response to an issues raised by Councillor Gavin Grant, the Leader thanked him for his words of support to the council, staff and the Cabinet, and confirmed that locally organised efforts to promote Salisbury, such as #LoveSalisbury and #SalisburyisOpen, would be promoted on the council’s dedicated page: http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/salisbury  

Report byDr Carlton Brand, CorporateDirector

The Leader presented the report which provided cabinet with the feedback report received from the Local Government Association following the Corporate Peer Challenge that took place in November 2017; and the draft action plan which had been developed to reflect the feedback and recommendations made.

Matters highlighted in the course of the presentation and discussion included: the composition of the team undertaking the review; the methodology of the review; the positive messages arising from the review, and the areas for further action; that the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee would be considering how best to add value to the process of implementing the recommendations and would be reviewing progress in 6 months; how the changes in national planning guidance will impact on the plans to support housing growth; and a recognition that current additional pressures meant that there may be some slippage on the delivery of actions.

Resolved

1.    To note the feedback and recommendations from the Corporate Peer Challenge;

2.    To approve the draft action plan and receive an update on implementation in 2019; and

3.    To note the offer of a follow up visit in two years to help the Council assess the impact of the peer challenge and demonstrate the progress it has made against the areas of improvement and development identified by the peer team.

Report byDr Carlton Brand, CorporateDirector

Councillor Philip Whitehead presented the report which provided an update on performance against the stated aims in the council’s new Business Plan 2017-27. The information provided includes key measures as well as the council’s strategic risk register.

Matters highlighted in the course of the presentation and discussion included: the recent changes to the format of the report; that further work can be done to allow for trends to be analysed; and the local issues that impact on performance such as road maintenance.

In response to a question from Councillor Gavin Grant, Councillor Laura Mayes stated that whilst the powers available to the local authority to address performance in schools was more limited than in previous years, the council was developing a more proactive relationship with academy schools and the regional schools commissioner.

Resolved

To note updates and outturns: against the measures and activities ascribed against the council’s priorities; and to the strategic risk register.

Reasons for Decision:

The current corporate performance framework compiles measures used to monitor progress in service areas against planned objectives that relate to the goals laid out in Wiltshire Council’s current Business Plan 2017-27.

The strategic risk register captures and monitors significant risks facing the council: in relation to significant in-service risks facing individual areas, in managing its business across the authority generally and in assuring our preparedness should a national risk event occur.

 Reportby Dr Carlton Brand, CorporateDirector

 Councillor John Thomson presented the report which set out proposals to adopt a more commercial approach – in line with the council’s 10 year Business Plan - to generate income through third party advertising opportunities.

Councillor Stuart Wheeler, as chairman of the Scrutiny Task Group, presented their recommendations and highlighted the need for flexibility when contracts were awarded to allow for them to be brought back inhouse as appropriate more easily. In response, Councillor Thomson stated that he was happy to incorporate this more explicitly in proposals to Cabinet.

Matters highlighted in the course of the presentation and discussion included: how best to promote local businesses and charities as appropriate through the application of the policy; the lessons to be learnt from other councils; and the opportunities for working with local parish and town partners in the promotion of devolved land for advertising.

Resolved

1.     To approve the policy for third party advertising, noting that the draft policy has been shaped and developed by an Overview and Scrutiny Third Party Advertising Task Group to ensure that it reflects the vision, priorities and values of the council (Appendix 1).

2.     To thank the Task Group for their work; and to note, in reference to recommendation 6 b) from the Task Group, the potential advantages of being able to bring the function inhouse when appropriate without significant complication or delay (through an appropriate contract).

3.     To approve the procurement of an external provider to secure third party advertising, on behalf of the council:

a.     Third party advertising income is a new venture for the council and to secure the income commercial expertise, specialist skills and capacity is required that the council does not currently have.   

b.     There is also the requirement to deliver the income generation targets in the budget timelines for 2018/19 (circa: £150,000).

c.     The specification to contract an appropriate provider will require careful consideration to ensure that it can capitalise on the opportunities available and adhere to the vision, priorities and values of the council.

Reasons for Decision:

Wiltshire Council has to become more business-like and find opportunities to generate additional income.

£25 million of savings have to be found in 2018/19 and the communities and communications department has a target to generate an additional £1.2 million, of which, £150,000 has been aligned to advertising and better utilisation of space in the council’s community campuses and hubs.

The council has a substantial asset base; including buildings, livery, street scene facilities such as lampposts, roundabouts and digital channels. These assets provide an opportunity to reach a wide range of audiences through third party advertising and as an outcome generate additional revenue income.

Reportby AlistairCunningham, Corporate Director

Councillor Bridget Wayman presented the report which advised Cabinet of a new significant funding opportunity for major road scheme funding, and to seek views on the need to establish associated regional governance.

Matters highlighted in the course of the presentation and discussion included: the views of the council in relation to the inclusion of certain roads in the network; the additional funding that could be accessed; the need to set up a sub-national transport body to enable the region to speak with one voice on strategic transport planning; that other local authorities such as Gloucestershire should be involved; and that a further report could be made to Cabinet in 3 months time.

Resolved

1.    Note the contents of this report.

2.    Delegate responsibility to the Director of Highways and Transport in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Waste to enter into discussions with neighbouring authorities in the South West, to establish:

a)    the level of individual and collective support for establishing a Sub-National Transport Body (or Bodies) and

b)   the geography over which that Body or Bodies are most likely to be most effectively defined.

3.    Note the additional potential financial implications arising as a result of this opportunity, which will require more detailed discussion as the Council’s position is further developed.

Reasons for Decision:

To ensure that the Council is best placed to take advantage of this significant

funding opportunity.

 Reportby AlistairCunningham, Corporate Director

 The Leader presented the report which sought authorisation for the submission of the full application to European Structural and Investment Fund (ESIF) with £500k match funding provided by borrowing from the Public Works Loan Board.

Resolved

To approve borrowing £500k from the Public Works Loan Board to match against £500k secured through European Structural and Investment Fund (ESIF) to refurbish an extension at the Old Fire Station Enterprise Centre in Salisbury enabling the previously approved business case to progress to delivery.

Reasons for Decision:

Funding for this project has been sought through an initial application to the Growing Places Infrastructure Fund (GPIF) which was not awarded, on the recommendation of the Section 151 officer, advising that funds could be borrowed more cheaply elsewhere.

A subsequent application was made to the European Structural and Investment Fund for an amount of £500k– to be matched by the applicant / partners 50:50 (total project value £1m). This has passed the first stage and has now proceeded to full application.

Cost effective borrowing of £500k from the Public Works Loan Board would match £500k secured through European Structural and Investment Fund (ESIF).

Cabinet approval is sought as Council funding through the Public Works Loan Board is required to realise the business case for the extension of the Old Fire Station Enterprise Centre.

 Reportby AlistairCunningham, Corporate Director

Councillor Toby Sturgis presented the report which sough authorisation to the Director for Housing and Commercial Development, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Spatial Planning, Development Management and Property, to dispose of freehold interest of around 0.59 hectares (1.45 acres) forming part of the land at Middlefields, Hungerdown lane, Chippenham, at Best Value. The meeting’s attention was drawn to the two offers made by Pilgrims’ Friend Society and GreenSquare. Stephen Hammersley, Chief Executive of the Pilgrims’ Friend Society highlighted some of the issues in the submission appended to the report.

In response to a question from Councillor Jerry Wickham, Councillor Sturgis clarified that when considering what constituted ‘best value’ the council could take into account the social and economic benefits of the offer as well as the price.

Resolved

To authorise the Director for Housing and Commercial Development, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Spatial Planning, Development Management and Property to dispose of freehold interest of around 0.59 hectares (1.45 acres) forming part of the land at Middlefields, Hungerdown lane, Chippenham, at Best Value.

Reasons for Decision:

To generate a capital receipt in support of the Council’s capital programme.

 Reportby Dr Carlton Brand, CorporateDirector

 Councillor Jerry Wickham presented the report which outlined the options for recommissioning of the Integrated Community Equipment and Support Services.

Councillor Graham Wright confirmed that the Chair and the Vice-Chair of the Health Select Committee had had a briefing on the matter and had not raised any issues.

The Cabinet also noted that there was additional financial information included in an exempt appendix and concluded that there was no need to discuss the matter further in part ii of the meeting.

Resolved

a)     To agree to the opportunities being explored for a joint commissioning exercise between BaNES, Swindon and Wiltshire STP, of integrated community equipment and support services.

b)    To authorise an exemption to Wiltshire Council’s Integrated Community Equipment and Support Services to enable up to a further 18 months extension of the Medequip contract, that will be applied in a 12 months period, plus the option for a further 6 months.

Reasons for Decision:

1.       The purpose of this paper is to outline the potential of a joint commissioning process between BaNES, Swindon and Wiltshire Sustainability and Transformation Partnership, of integrated community equipment and support services.

2.       This report is seeking for Cabinet to grant a formal exemption to the procurement rules to enable a further 18 months extension of the Medequip contract, that will be applied in a 12 months period, plus the option for a further 6 months, to deliver Wiltshire Council’s Integrated Community Equipment and Support Services.

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 Items Number 16 and 17 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).

Paragraph 4 - information relating to any consultations or negotiations, or contemplated consultations or negotiations, in connection with any labour relations matter arising between the authority and employees of, or office holders under the authority.

Following a question from Councillor Stuart Wheeler, it was confirmed that the report on Outdoor Education had been made exempt from publication for the reasons set out in paragraphs 4 below.

Resolved

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 Items Number 16 and 17 because it is likely that if members of the public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 3  and 4 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).                                                                                                                                                                                

Paragraph 4 - information relating to any consultations or negotiations, or contemplated consultations or negotiations, in connection with any labour relations matter arising between the authority and employees of, or office holders under the authority.

 Reportby Dr Carlton Brand, CorporateDirector

The meeting noted the information in the appendix.

 Reportby Terence Herbert, CorporateDirector

 Councillor Laura Mayes presented the report which advised Cabinet of outcome of the Outdoor Education Review including the recommendations of the Task Group established by the Children’s Select Committee.

Resolved

To approve the recommendations contained in the report presented