Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Cllr Jane Davies and Cllr Dr Mark McClelland.

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

The Council welcomes contributions from members of the public.

Please note that as this is an extraordinary meeting of Cabinet only statements and questions relating to items 5 and 6 below will be accepted.

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 Stuart Figini of Democratic Services stuart.figini@wiltshire.gov.uk/  01225 718221 by 12.00 noon on 15 July 2021. Anyone wishing to ask a question or make a statement should contact the officer named above.

Councillor Richard Clewer, Leader of the Council and Cabinet member for MCI, Economic Development, Heritage, Arts, Tourism and Health & Wellbeing reported that a number of questions had been received in relation to the Future Chippenham item and they will be taken at the time the agenda item is considered during the meeting.

Questions were raised by the following Councillors:

·       Cllr Ian Thorn – asked questions about

o   the invitation to tender for Furlong Close on the basis of a two year contract and proposals for the period after the two year contract.  The Leader, Cllr Laura Mayes, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills and officers responded to the question and explained that at this stage it was an unknown, HFT has indicated that the building could continue to be used for a further two years in its current form to line up with the contract. The outcome of the tendering process would be analysed and an award of contract made to the successful bidder.

o   The concerns of residents and family members about future provision at Furlong Close. Officers confirmed that ongoing communication is being undertaken with residents and families about the tendering process, although there was still uncertainty about the future at this stage. 

·       Cllr Sam Pearce-Kearney asked a question about changes to the rail card policy to include disabled young people and asked for assurances that this would be considered further.  Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling confirmed that the recommendations for changes to the rail card were agreed by Full Council on 20 July 2021, although he would meet with Cllr Pearce-Kearney to discuss the matter further.

                 Report of the Chief Executive

Cllr Laura Mayes, Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills presented the report which provided information about current risks in Special Educational Needs and Disability & Inclusion (SEND&I) Service and a request for additional investment in Special Educational Needs and Inclusion to mitigate against the risks.

The Deputy Leader commented on the current and future demand pressure in services relating to SEND&I both nationally and locally. There was a need to ensure that the Council is able to undertake statutory obligations in a way which is both legally compliant and meets the needs of Wiltshire families. If this is not undertaken efficiently and effectively, it can lead to families reporting not having received a supportive service from the council. It can also result in reputational damage through the publication of LA level data in relation to statutory performance and through the OFSTED/CQC inspection framework.

The Deputy Leader highlighted one key issue that needed to be addressed being the capacity within SEND&I. Of significance too is the support needed within the early years sector to support SENCOs within settings to identify and support pre-school aged learners with SEND, leading to effective transitions to school. Efficient place planning is also required to ensure that there is an adequate supply of school places for learners with SEND, including within resource base and enhanced learning support provision.

Cabinet members expressed support for the proposals and noted the previous decisions of Cabinet taking the necessary financial steps via the latent demand reserve to support proposals of this nature.

Cllr Jon Hubbard, Chair of Children’s Select Committee confirmed that he and the Vice-Chair of Children’s Select Committee had received a briefing on 19 July 2021.  Cllr Hubbard reported that there was increasing pressure to meet the challenges and highlighted the impact on school staff, young people, their families and the extended community. The Deputy Leader explained that the additional funding was essential, and the overall strategy is to ensure as many children as possible are in mainstream education.

Cllr Ian Thorn expressed his support for the proposals highlighting that any additional funding was critical. In response to questions about (i) clarification about the use of the Latent Reserve Fund and whether the issue had arisen prior to the pandemic; (ii) Ofsted reports and families seeking redress, and how the Council arrived at this stage.  The Leader and Deputy Leader explained that demand has been building through the system over time, in particular through the early years. The situation is monitored on a regular basis and action taken as necessary. It was noted that the pandemic did have a part to play in a delay of the proposals, and now was the time to address the issues raised in the report.  The Cabinet noted that Wiltshire Councils SEND & I department was one of the best performing departments in the country.

Cllr Paul Sample highlighted a concern about affordable property for rent or purchase for SEND teachers and potential recruitment  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42.

                 Report of the Chief Executive

Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for MCI, Economic Development, Heritage, Arts, Tourism and Health & Wellbeing presented the report which provided an update to members on the progress reached on the Future Chippenham programme, seek a decision on the preferred road route for the distributor road, set out in Appendix A and informed Cabinet of the required next steps in the project to ensure appropriate strategies and delegations are in place to ensure smooth and efficient progress.

The Leader outlined the background to the Future Chippenham programme and progress following Cabinet decisions in October 2020 and 29 June 2021 and the subsequent signing of the Grant Determination Agreement (GDA) for Housing Infrastructure Funding (HIF) with Homes England in December 2020. He explained that a separate consultation by Future Chippenham on potential road route options took place between 15January 2021 and 12 March 2021 and a preferred route has been identified. During the consultation important feedback was received and informed the recommended road route option. In addition, it was acknowledged a large representation of responses were received objecting to the scheme on the grounds of quantum, transport issues, climate change and environmental issues.

The Cabinet noted that there is a need for the Future Chippenham programme to respond in an appropriate way to the feedback received during its consultation on the road route options as well as to the Local Planning Authority’s consultation on the Local Plan review and the obligations under the GDA. The benefits of both the funding and the ability to deliver infrastructure led development are clear and remain an important consideration to deliver housing within the county and provide a stimulus for growth and regeneration for communities within Wiltshire.

It was noted that the Council leadership requested further consideration be given to these matters and a programme review and assurance exercise has been conducted and identified some significant risks to the delivery of the whole scheme. The detail was described in the report.

There was an impact on the potential ability for the current whole scheme to be delivered on time and in budget. However, the review has identified an opportunity to develop an alternative approach to deliver a significant and important part of the scheme that meets the principal strategic objectives and benefits for the town centre and residents of Chippenham. In addition, the  alternative approach supports the delivery of a significant housing requirement but with a reduction in the quantum that aligns with the current Local Plan period and leaves the decision on growth beyond that to a future date.

Many Statements and questions were received in relation to this item, copies of which can be found in Supplement 1 at this link to the agenda page for the meeting.

The following members of the public attended the meeting to expand further on their statements and questions:

·       Mel Boyle

·       Helen Stride

·       Steve Perry

·       Tony Wright

The Leader acknowledged that all questions had received a written response which had been published  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43.

Any other items of business, which the Leader agrees to consider as a matter of urgency.

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 9 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 business specified in Item Number 9 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.

                 Report of the Chief Executive

Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for MCI, Economic Development, Heritage, Arts, Tourism and Health & Wellbeing presented Appendix C which summarised the key elements of the proposed land assembly transactions with the various landowners with an interest in the Future Chippenham Programme.

It was noted that in the event of a planning application being submitted and considered in connection with the Future Chippenham Programme, the regulations concerning exempt information do not apply.

Cllr Ian Thorn congratulated the Future Chippenham Team on the work undertaken in connection with the land assembly transactions.  Officers responded to comments from Cllr Thorn on the following – the variability of Terms set out in the report and opportunities to offer a consortium agreement to deliver greater equalisation across the scheme; joint venture delivery partner; and project timescales.  

Resolved:

Agree to enter into contract with landowners to facilitate the road delivery, subject to the Local Plan review, masterplanning, Homes England agreement and the approved scheme, should it proceed substantially on the terms as set out in Appendix C and delegate authority to Director of Housing and Commercial in consultation with the Director of Legal and Governance, to agree any non material amendments to the terms outlined in Appendix C.

Reasons for Decision:

To respond appropriately to feedback from the community to the consultation undertaken by Future Chippenham on the road options and separately by the LPA on the Local Plan review and to continue to meet the terms and conditions of the GDA.