Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the Cabinet meetings held on 9 and 21 July 2015.

The minutes of the meetings held on 7 and 21 July 2015 were presented.

Resolved:

To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the meetings held on 7 and 21 July 2015.

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

There were no declarations of interest from any Cabinet Members.

Cllr Wayman, presenting a report to the meeting, declared an interest in that she was a Director of Selwood Housing Association.

A)   The Big Walk

The Leader thanked officers and Cllr Jon Hubbard for organising the Big Walk which raised money for Hope for Tomorrow and the Young Melksham charities.

B)   Enterprise Zones

The Leader stated that she would be making an in principle decision, on behalf of the authority, to propose enterprise zones that should be considered as part of the Government’s initiative, announced in July, to all the retention of business rates in those zones for 25 years. The Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership had been working with both local authorities on their bids. The proposed zones for Wiltshire are: Porton Sceince Park, Castledown, Salisbury Hospital and Corsham. A report on this matter will be considered by Cabinet at a later date.

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 10 September 2015. 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 circulated in the supplementary papers from Trowbridge Town Council, and from Patrick Kinnersly

The Leader invited Cllr Bob Brice, from Trowbridge Town Council, to present  questions on behalf of Trowbridge Town Council. Cllr Stuart Wheeler, in his capacity as Chair of the Community Governance Review Working Group, responded that the review was still ongoing; that the major elements of the review would be subject to public consultation events, where interested parties and members of the public would be able to put their views; that a progress report would be presented to full Council on 29 September; and that a full report with the Working Party’s recommendations would be presented to full Council on 24 November for determination.

It was noted that as Patrick Kinnersly, who had asked questions on behalf of the White Horse Alliance, was not present he would be sent a copy of the responses.

In response to a question from Cllr Steve Oldrieve, Cllr Toby Sturgis stated that following discussions with partners, there had not been an appetite to establish a formal Energy Efficiency Board, but that he would respond in writing to Cllr Oldrieve with regard to progress.

In response to a question from Cllr Jon Hubbard, Cllr Philip Whitehead confirmed that Community Days would no longer be supported, to enable resources to be reprioritised, and that the Parish Stewards system would be reintroduced from the 1 April 2016. The Leader asked that, in the future, all Parish Council briefings should be automatically sent through to Wiltshire Councillors as a means of keeping them informed.

Report by Maggie Rae, Corporate Director

Councillor Dick Tonge presented a report which provided a quarter one update on outturns against the measures and activities compiled and reported on the council’s website through the Citizens’ Dashboard, as well as latest outturns on the council’s strategic risk register. The report also contained, as an appendix, a briefing for Cabinet on the recent Ofsted inspection of Wiltshire Council services for children in need of help and protection, children looked after and care leavers.

Resolved

1)    To note the updates and outturns against the measures and activities ascribed against the council’s key outcomes.

2)    To note the updates and outturns to the strategic risk register.

Reason for Decision:

This framework compiles and monitors outturns in relation to the outcomes laid out in the Business Plan, distilled from individual services’ delivery plans. In doing so, it captures the main focus of activities of the council against each outcome.

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.

Report by Carolyn Godfrey, Corporate Director

Councillor Dick Tonge presented a report which advised members of the revenue budgetmonitoring position asat theend of period 4 (end of July 2015)for thefinancial year 2015/2016 with suggestedactions as appropriate.

Cllr Toby Sturgis proposed, subsequently agreed by Cllr Tonge, that the recommendation that proposed the closure of EverleighHouseholdRecycling Centre, as outlined in the report, be removed. He stated that this was due an ongoing review regarding changes to the Household Recycling Centres.

In response to a question raised by Cllr Jon Hubbard, Michael Hudson – Associate Director for Finance, stated that at the end of the year, the council would reallocate s106 funds from schemes that had already received sufficient funding from other sources. This process had happened earlier this year, and confirmed that no schemes, for which s106 money had previously been allocated, had not progressed due to this process. He would, however, be happy to provide a list of the schemes so reviewed.

In response to a question raised by Cllr Jon Hubbard, Michael Hudson – Associate Director for Finance, stated that some ICT schemes had been classified as revenue as a way of mitigating the risk of the scheme not coming to fruition and the leaving the money tied up as capital.

Cllr Sturgis stated that additional cost pressures were due to rapid growth in house building, the increase in landfill charges, and the decrease in commodity prices – particularly for paper. It was also noted that, as the economy grew, the amount people consumed and threw away increased.

Cllr Scott stated that education was key for seeking to encourage people to reduce their waste and recycle more.

Resolved

Tonote the outcomeoftheperiod 4(endofJuly)budgetmonitoringand toapprove thefollowing changes to the budgetas part of the current recoveryplan to deliver a balanced budget:

a.  £1.1 milliontransferfromthe General Revenue Fund Reserve toprovideone offsupportfor theprovision of WasteServices in 2015/16.

b.  A review ofadult’s residential care charges torecover costs.

c.  Approve the use of commuted and section 106funds to support the2015/16revenuespend in Highways and Transportas oneoffvirements.

d.  Approve the capitalisation of £0.800million spend in IT asa oneoffvirements

Reason for Decision:

Toinformeffective decision making and ensure a soundfinancial controlenvironment.

Report by Carolyn Godfrey, Corporate Director

Councillor Dick Tonge presented a report which provided a quarterly review of the Treasury Management Strategy. 

Cllr Tonge confirmed that the Council had successfully recovered nearly 98% of the money invested in Icelandic banks.

Cllr Tonge also stated that more money had been invested, than previously planned across the quarter, due to the timing of income and cashflow.

Resolved

Tonote that the contents of this report are in line with the Treasury Management Strategy.

Reason for Decision:

To give members an opportunity to consider the performance of the Council in the period to the end of the quarter against the parameters set out in the approved Treasury Management Strategy for 2015-16.

 Report by Maggie Rae, Corporate Director

 Councillor Jonathon Seed presented a report which recommended that Cabinet agree to the formation of a WOS that would deliver council house repairs and improvements and management, and other works which would deliver the council greater efficiencies and more cohesive services.  

The Leader invited Cllr Bridget Wayman, Lead Member for rapid scrutiny, to present a report, circulated as a supplementary paper. Cllr Wayman expressed her concern that Scrutiny Members had not been involved earlier in the process, and expressed the wish that they should continue to be involved in this process in the future.

Cllr Wayman went on to highlight some of the issues in the Rapid Scrutiny report, namely: that using only one, large contractor could exclude smaller, local contractors; that use of ICT was critical to the success of the programme; that tenants should continue to be involved in the process; the recommendation that apprenticeships be encouraged in the contract; the impact of the length of tenancies on the costs of the project and energy efficiency;  and a recommendation that the existing contract be extended to enable to new arrangements to be in place before the transfer. Cllr Wayman also declared an interest in that she was a Director of Selwood Housing Association.

Cllr Seed thanked Cllr Wayman for her report, and stated that quality and efficacy were the chief concerns for tenants, not who or how the service was delivered. He welcomed the input of Scrutiny and welcomed further input.

The Leader stated that, in her view, anything the Council procured should include a consideration of how apprenticeships could be promoted.

Cllr Mayes asked that reference be made as to how opportunities for looked after children were promoted within the scheme.

Cllr Seed stated that he would consider, with the advice of officers, how best to address these issues.

Cllr Hubbard stated that he was broadly supportive of the proposal; and asked if HRAs had been consulted to seek their views and  to learn from their experience. Cllr Seed stated that he, and officers, had visited a number of HRAs and local authorities to consider how the model worked and had discussed options with local housing providers. In response to a further question from Cllr Hubbard, Cllr Seed confirmed that the WOS would employ its own staff, and that the Council would procure a company to manage the WOS on its behalf.

In response to a question from the Leader, Dr Carlton  Brand – Corporate Director, stated that the matter would come back to Cabinet for consideration once the business case had been further developed, and that Scrutiny Members would be involved further in this process.

Resolved

To approve in principle for :-

1. The formation of a Wholly Owned Subsidiary (WOS) to deliver the Council’s (Housing) Responsive Repairs, Voids, and Planned Investment works, works to hostels, Gypsy & Traveller sites, including the client function role.

2. Approve advancing the procurement of  a ‘partnering contractor’ that will manage the delivery of the Council’s housing asset management function and housing maintenance  ...  view the full minutes text for item 102.

Report by Carolyn Godfrey, Corporate Director

Councillor Dick Tonge presented a report which gave the background to the proposal that the Council resigns its position as sole Trustee of the Colonel William Llewellen Palmer Educational Charity (CLPEC) and approaches the Charity Commission to seek the transfer of the Charity from Wiltshire Council to the Bradford on Avon Town Council (BOATC) as sole Trustee. 

Cllr Magnus MacDonald stated that he was pleased to see the proposals come forward.

The Leader concurred with this sentiment, and hoped to it may stimulate debate about further devolution.

Resolved

1.    To give ‘in principle approval’ to the ‘transfer’ of its administration of the Colonel William Llewellen Palmer Educational Charity to Bradford on Avon Town Council.

2.    To delegate authority to the Associate Director, Communities and Communication to seek approval from the Charity Commission and, subject to the Commission’s approval, to progress the transfer to its conclusion.

Reason for Decision:

The transfer of the Charity will meet the aims of the Wiltshire Council Business Plan by removing a non- core Council activity. The transfer will further the aims of the Charity it being managed by an organisation closer to the residents that use it.

  Report by Carolyn Godfrey, Corporate Director

 Councillor Dick Tonge presented a report which proposed changes to council tax discounts on properties that are empty and unfurnished and properties that are undergoing structural alteration or repair and to introduce a levy on properties that are empty and unfurnished for over two years in order to contribute to meeting cost pressures resulting from the Spending Review July 2015.

Issues raised in the course of the presentation and discussion included: that the impact of previous changes made had had no negative effect on council tax collection rates; what the experience of other councils was and what approach they had taken to discounts; what consultation would be required; and how all precepting authorities in the Wiltshire Council area would benefit from this.

Cllr Tonge confirmed, following a question from Cllr Mayes, that the Council did not control the collection rules on NNDR.

Cllr Tonge confirmed, following a question from Cllr Hubbard,  that the 50% levy charged against properties left unfurnished and unoccupied for more than two years, would be in addition to the original council tax bill

Cllr Tonge confirmed, following a question from Cllr Sturgis  that the scheme could not be backdated to apply to properties already empty and, in effect, the clock would start from April 2016; so that any levy on empty properties could not be applied until April 2018.

Resolved

a.      That properties undergoing structural repair are no longer eligible for a discount on council tax (known as a Class D discount, as defined at Appendix A).

b.     That properties that are unfurnished and unoccupied are no longer eligible for a discount on council tax (known as a Class C discount, as defined at Appendix A).

c.      That properties which remain unfurnished and unoccupied for more than two years is charged a levy equating to 50% of the annual council tax due.

d.     That changes are implemented with effect from April 2016, which will enable advance communications and advice to be provided.

Reason for Decision:

The cost pressures on the Council’s budget as a result of the July Spending Review are well known.

It is estimated that by removing the discount on unoccupied properties, properties undergoing structural repair and adding a levy to properties left unoccupied for more than two years will generate an additional income of £2.1 million per annum for the Council and a further £534,000 for towns and parishes, the Police and the Fire and Rescue Authority. The methodology of the council tax base does not allow the Council to make changes to the tax base without them affecting these other bodies.

It will reduce administration costs for the Revenues Service and will bring our policies more in line with neighbouring authorities.

There were no urgent items.