Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence received.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 16 December 2014.

The minutes of the meeting held on 16 December 2014 were presented.

Resolved:

To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 16 December 2014.

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

The Leader stated that she had no formal announcements other than to state that there had been a successful meeting of Council where the Wiltshire Core Strategy was adopted.

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 15 January 2015.  Anyone wishing to ask a question or make a statement should contact the officer named above.

(A)           Mr Michael Sprules

The Leader referred to the statement and question from Mr Sprules, as previously circulated, in respect of antisocial behaviour at the back of Westinghouse Sports Ground, Chippenham to which a written response would be given.

In response to a supplementary question, Councillor Toby Sturgis stated that whilst he would consider a proposal for more consultation, he was concerned that, whatever approach was taken, an unsustainable precedent should not be set.  The Leader added that there would be further discussion when they next met with Mr Sprules.

(B)           Mr Andrew Hall

Mr Hall addressed Cabinet on the the Digital Corsham Phase 1a, minute no. 144 refers.

         Report by Dr Carlton Brand, Corporate Director.

Councillor Fleur de Rhé-Philipe presented a report which sought approval to support the unique opportunity that LEADER could provide for a localised and community-led approach to economic development valued at over £11 million in total.

In the course of the presentation and the discussion, the issues discussed

included: that Wiltshire had previously benefitted from two LEADER schemes; that 4 groups had put in bids for the next round of funding; the implications for Wiltshire Council being the accountable body for these schemes; the timetable for the programme; arrangements for accessing the European funding; the local nature of the groups; and how schemes could share management resources to reduce the amount spent on administrative costs.

The Leader requested that, in addition to the recommendations in the report, Cabinet should agree to address the issue regarding the status of the Cotswold area which affected some areas in Wiltshire.

Resolved:

That Cabinet delegate authority to the Associate Director, Economic Development & Planning, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economy Development, Skills and Strategic Transportto:

(i)              Make final decision to negotiate and agree (or not) to any Funding Agreements offered by Defra in relation to LEADER programme 2015 – 2020.

(ii)             Direct officers and resources towards the effective functioning of an Accountable Body for the LEADER programme.

(iii)            Undertake the required actions to ensure that appropriate resource is in place to manage the LEADER programme moving forwards.

(iv)           Approve the bankrolling of £1.1 million M&A costs of the LEADER programmes.

(v)            Continue to work to ensure that areas, currently linked to other schemes, such as the Cotswold scheme, are not prejudiced by any delays in those schemes.

Reason for Decision:

The Council recognises the unique opportunity that the LEADER programme can provide for a localised and community-led approach to economic development. LEADER programmes are performed by committees of local people, and the approach empowers people to act directly in the economic interests of their localities.

The LEADER approach aligns closely with a number of desired outcomes and the ambitions of the Council’s Business Plan, such as ensuring Wiltshire has a thriving and growing local economy and building on the work of the Military Civilian Integration Partnership.

The projected benefits of the next LEADER programme from 2015 - 2020 include:

·       Over 300 jobs to be created

·       246 individual projects

·       Benefits to business supply chains supporting over 400 businesses

·       The entire area of Wiltshire – outside of major towns – having LEADER programme coverage

 Report by Maggie Rae, Corporate Director.

Councillor Keith Humphries presented a report which recommended to Cabinet how carers support should be changed in light of the requirements of the Care Act, to be implemented in April 2015.

In the course of the presentation and the discussion, the issues discussed included: the importance of supporting carers who play a vital role in the community; that many carers were not necessarily known to the Council; that

support could be given by providing an enhanced website portal for carers, and seeking to improve the assessment criteria to provide support earlier to certain groups of carers; that whilst the scheme should save money for the Council, there were currently no plans to charge for services; that work would be undertaken to see how Area Boards could support the changes, with appropriate support; and that some work was being undertaken to see what the specific impacts were for young carers.

Resolved that Cabinet:

1.          Agree to developing low level early intervention services for carers.

2.          Agree to consultation with carers and Area Boards about what type of services should be available in communities across Wiltshire.

3.          Agree to approach Area Boards with the purpose of appointing a Carers Champion in each area to work with around consulting Carers and developing carers support options for their community.

4.          Agree to the development of a tiered approach to deliver a proportionate assessment and the inclusion of a “one off” payments or support (amount and type of support to be determined following consultation with carers) to meet an immediate need prior to any offer of longer term support.

5.          Agree to further work to promote the current GP accreditation scheme, which could be developed to allow GPs broader scope for giving Carers access to crisis support

6.          Ensure existing prevention services are included in the information and advice portal.

Reason for Decision:

Supporting carers early will help them to carry on in their caring role for longer and reduce the demand and costs across the health and social care system.  Provision of early support will mean resources are directed towards supporting carers, rather than resources to establish eligibility, whilst ensuring that Wilshire Council meets the Care Act duty to prevent, reduce and delay needs for care and support.

 Report by Dr Carlton Brand, Corporate Director.

Councillor Toby Sturgis presented a report which sought approval fora revised Local Development Scheme (LDS)for Wiltshire to ensure it was up to date and set out the Council’s priorities for development plan preparation for Wiltshire.

It was noted that having an up-to-date LDS was a statutory responsibility of the Council and was used to set out a clear timetable for the preparation of planning policy in Wiltshire that would provide certainty to local communities, investors, infrastructure providers and stakeholders.

Resolved that Cabinet:

(i)       Approvesthe Local Development Schemeasset out at Appendix1 to the report.

(ii)      Authorisesthe Associate DirectorforEconomic Development and Planning, inconsultationwith the CabinetMember, to makeminor amendmentsto theLocal Development Schemein the interestsofclarityandaccuracybefore publishing it on the Council’s website.

(iii)      Delegates authority to the Associate DirectorforEconomic Development and Planning, inconsultationwith the Associate Director for Finance and CabinetMembers for ‘Strategic Planning, Development Management, Strategic Housing, Property and Waste’ and ‘Finance’ to undertake subsequent reviews and updates to the LDS with any significant modifications being referred to Cabinet as appropriate.

Reason for Decision:

Wiltshire Council is required to prepare and keep up to date a Local Development Scheme in line with the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended).  Revisions to the Local Development Scheme (January 2014) are required in order to ensure it is up to date following receipt of the Inspector’s Report into the examination of the Wiltshire Core Strategy. Delegated authority will allow future updates to the LDS to be undertaken in a more expedient and effective manner.

The Leader approved consideration of the above item of urgent business which needed to be determined prior to the next scheduled meeting of Cabinet.

Councillor Fleur de Rhé-Philipe presented a report  which provided an update on progress on the project to deliver Porton Science Park following discussions with the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership (SWLEP), and sought delegated authority for the Associate Director of Economic Development and Planning, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to enter into a Growing Places Infrastructure Funding Agreement with the SWLEP, and undertake the necessary procurement process to enable the delivery of the first phase of the project.

In the course of the presentation and the discussion, the issues discussed included: the funding that would be required; the timetable for the project; the potential impact on the economy; and how the concerns of the community could be dealt with by making swift progress.

Resolved:

To delegate authority to the Associate Director of Economic Development and Planning in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to enter into a Growing Places Infrastructure Funding Agreement with the SWLEP, and undertake the necessary procurement process to enable the delivery of the first phase of the project.

Reason for Decision:

The proposal would expedite delivery of the Porton Science Park, safeguarding over 100 high value jobs housed by the current Tetricus Facility and delivering 2,000 high value jobs over the course of the next ten years.

 Report by Dr Carlton Brand, Corporate Director.

Mr Andrew Hall in addressing Cabinet on this item, offered his company’s  support  to achieve the vision, especially if it could bring the Mansion House back into use; that conversations were underway, and he would like to see this shared aspiration reach a final conclusion.

The Leader thanked him for his contribution to the debate

Councillor Fleur de Rhé-Philipe and Councillor Toby Sturgis, presented a report which sought to update Cabinet on developments relating to Digital Corsham phase 1a.

In the course of the presentation and the discussion, the issues discussed included: the reasons for rescinding the previous decision in the interests of the local economy; the centrality of the Mansion House to this project; how the Cabinet might review future progress ; when the Council may hear about the success of the bid for funding; the importance of keeping various parties informed of progress.

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  minute number 106 below because it was 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).

No representations had been received as to why this item should not be taken in private.

Councillor Fleur de Rhé-Philipe and Councillor Toby Sturgis, presented a report which asked Cabinet to decide whether it wished to maintain the sale process in respect of the Corsham Mansion House and Library as set out in the Cabinet Capital Asset Committee resolution of 14 September 2011.

Following consideration of the information contained in both the Part I and Part II reports, it was;

Resolved:

(i)              That the contents of the report that relate to Digital Corsham Phase 1a are noted.

(ii)            To rescind the resolution of the Cabinet Capital Assets Committee dated 14 September 2011 and that the Mansion House and Library at Pickwick Road, Corsham be withdrawn from sale.

Reasons for Decision:

(i)              Corsham is integral to the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership’s strategic Economic Plan and the centre for one of its four high value growth sectors – digital / cyber and information and communication technology.

(ii)             Phase 1a focuses on the provision of a physical space at the centre of Corsham that will initially represent the “front door” to the digital society.  It will provide incubation space for start-up businesses and SMEs with a digital outlook; teaching space to provide higher-education courses relating to the digital industry. It will also provide collaboration space where industry, academia, institutions, the public sector and the general public can come together to share ideas and engage with the digital society test bed.

(iii)            The Mansion House and Library is situated at the centre of Corsham and may appropriately be considered for this type of development and a sale at this time may lose the Council the opportunity to ensure that the land and buildings, if suitable, can be used for this purpose.