Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Keith Humphries, Cabinet member for Public Health and Protection Services.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 24 July 2012.

The minutes of the last meeting held on 24 July 2012 were presented.

Resolved:

To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 24 July 2012.

To receive and note the minutes of the Capital Assets Committee held on 24 July 2012.

The minutes of the Cabinet Capital Assets Committee held on 24 July 2012 were received and noted.

To receive any declarations of pecuniary or non-pecuniary interests or dispensations granted by the Standards Committee.

No announcements were made.

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. Written notice of questions or statements should be given to Yamina Rhouati of Democratic Services by 12.00 noon on Thursday 6 September 2012. Anyone wishing to ask a question or make a statement should contact the officer named above.

The Leader of the Council presented a report which acknowledged and assessed the impact of the celebratory events held in Wiltshire during 2012.

It was noted that over 225,000 people - half the population of Wiltshire - turned out to welcome The Queen when she visited Salisbury in May and to see the Olympic Torch when it was carried through sixteen towns, villages and Salisbury City in May and July. It was also noted that Wiltshire was the only County to have the Torch visit on two separate occasions, and that combined with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, 2012 had presented an opportunity to bring communities together, to showcase what the County had to offer in front of the national and worldwide media, and to provide a boost to the local economy.

A DVD was presented which showed highlights of these events and how well received they had been which would be made available to Area Boards on request.

Whilst the economic impact on the County as a result of the celebrations had yet to be fully assessed and realised, it was anticipated that the £290,000 spent by the Council had more than been justified.

The Leader explained that the emphasis now was to keep the momentum and  legacy going in our communities, the Council and the economy. In this regard, it was proposed to establish a Legacy Steering Board to be chaired by the Leader and although the membership was yet to be agreed, would include relevant Cabinet members and officers and representatives from appropriate partner organisations. The Board would be supported by a delivery group, chaired by Laurie Bell to ensure delivery and evaluation of the ongoing legacy work.

The Leader paid tribute to and thanked all staff; the large number of staff who assisted at the events to ensure they were a success, but also to staff who ensured business as usual in delivering services to the residents of Wiltshire. The Leader also thanked the partner organisations involved. 

Councillors commented on how successful and well managed the events had been and also thanked staff for their efforts and hard work. A comment was made that any legacy work should involve the whole County and not just the town, villages and city where the celebrations took place and this was confirmed by the Leader.

Resolved:

That Cabinet:

a)    acknowledges the events and the impact of these events in 2012 and the return on the Council’s investment and

b)      approves the proposal to set up a Legacy Steering Board and delivery group, membership to be agreed by the Leader, to ensure that the investment continues in future years.

Reason for Decision:

It is vital that the impact and outcomes delivered this year become part of an ongoing legacy that continues to strengthen and bring our local communities together and boost the local economy.

Cllr Lionel Grundy, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services presented a report on the outcome of the consultation on adult education in Wiltshire, and invited the Cabinet to determine the future role of Wiltshire Council in the provision of this service.

This followed the Cabinet decision dated 17 January 2012 which included the disposal of Urchfont Manor (as part of the transformation programme) and noted that future adult education service provision would be determined by Cabinet following consultation. Cabinet was therefore asked to consider the results of the consultation exercise undertaken. Details of the consultation arrangements which included Area Boards were presented.

Informal adult education was a non-statutory service and therefore, the Council was able to decide the extent of its involvement in the planning and provision of the service and balance it against the financial pressures on the Council particularly in its provision of statutory services.

The available options were explained as presented in the report. An earlier version of the report was considered by the Children’s Services Select Committee on 26 July 2012. The Committee had recommended the adoption of options 2 and 3 as presented in the report; namely:

·         to facilitate the provision of informal adult education at a local level;

·         to co-ordinate and promote informal adult learning opportunities offered across the County.

It was noted that the level of response to the public consultation indicated that     the provision of adult education was of concern to many people in Wiltshire who wished to be able to access provision reasonably near their homes and for a reasonable price. Responses from outside of Wiltshire mainly related to a desire for continued residential education as provided by Urchfont Manor College.

Cllr Grundy thanked Simon Burke for all his hard work in bringing this complex matter forward

Resolved:

That Cabinet agree:

a)          that the Council adopt the role to facilitate the provision of informal adult education at a local level;

b)          to approve the appointment of a 0.6 full-time equivalent part-time adult education officer to work with local community networks to develop a sustainable locally-based adult education provision including information on, and promotion of, opportunities and

c)          To allocate budget of £32,000 from the revenue savings accrued from the closure of Urchfont Manor College to meet the costs associated with the appointment.

Reason for Decision:

The Council has been a direct provider of informal adult education through Urchfont Manor College until its closure on 3 September 2012.  The Cabinet therefore needs to determine whether the Council should continue to be a direct provider or take another, or no, role in respect of informal adult education.

Report by the Head of Policy, Performance and Corporate Business Management.

Report by Service Director, Finance. 

Cllr John Brady, Cabinet Member for Finance, Performance and Risk presented a report on the Treasury Management Strategy for the first quarter of the year 2012-13.

The Council adopted a Treasury Management Strategy for 2012-13 at its meeting on 28 February 2012, incorporating Prudential Indicators (PrIs), Treasury Management Indicators (Trls) and an Annual Investment Strategy, in accordance with the Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities (the Prudential Code).

This report reviewed management actions in relation to:

a)  the PrIs and Trls originally set for the year and the position at 30 June 2012;

b)other treasury management actions during the period; and

c)the agreed Annual Investment Strategy.

It was noted that in relation to the £12m investment caught up in the collapse of the Icelandic banks, the Council had received interim payments totalling around £8.1m. It was anticipated that the Council would over time, receive 95% of its deposit with Heritable Bank and 100% of its deposit in Landsbanki.

Cllr Brady explained that overall, the report was very positive and gave no cause for concern. He thanked the Treasury team for managing the Council’s finances so well.

Resolved:

That Cabinet note the contents of the report in line with the Treasury Management Strategy.

Reason for Decision:

The report is a requirement of the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy.

Report by the Service Director for Economy and Enterprise.

Report by the Service Director, Economy and Regeneration.

Cllr Toby Sturgis, Cabinet Member for Waste, Property, Environment and Development Control Services presented a report regarding Wiltshire Council involvement in the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Partnership.

Following the Government’s recent White Paper on the environment, the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) was in the process of establishing a national network of Local Nature Partnerships (LNPs).  Cabinet’s agreement was sought for Wiltshire Council to support the recently established Wiltshire and Swindon LNP. It was noted that following application to DEFRA by the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and its success in its bid to secure a £20,000 award and the involvement of a Steering Group which involved the Service Director for Economy and Regeneration, the Partnership received official Government recognition in July 2012.

Details of the proposed structure and membership of the Wiltshire and Swindon LNP, the draft Wiltshire Strategic structure and draft terms of reference for the LNP Board were presented.

The options considered as part of the proposals were detailed in the report presented.

Resolved:

That Cabinet agree to:

a)            receive this update on the emerging Wiltshire and Swindon Local Nature Partnership (LNP);

b)           agree representation of Wiltshire Council on the LNP Board by         Cllr Toby Sturgis;

c)            agree to redirect funding from the Wiltshire Biodiversity Action Plan to the Wiltshire and Swindon LNP;

d)           agree to replacement of the Wiltshire Environmental Alliance by the Wiltshire and Swindon LNP, subject to consensus by the wider Wiltshire Assembly and

e)            support the work of the Wiltshire and Swindon LNP and give due consideration to its advice on environmental matters.

Reason for Decision:

DEFRA has strongly suggested that successful LNPs must have local authorities as part of their core membership in order to influence key strategic decision making.  Wiltshire Council’s input will be critical for the effective operation of the Wiltshire and Swindon LNP.

 Report by the Service Director, Highways and Transport

Report by the Service Director, Finance.