Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies or substitutions.

To confirm and sign as a correct record the minutes of the Cabinet (Capital Assets) Committee meeting held on 23 July 2013.

Resolved:

To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 23 July 2013.

There were no Leader’s announcements.

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

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive an update on Capital Programme expenditure for 2013/2014.

Cllr Tonge, Cabinet Member for Finance, Performance, Risk, Procurement and Welfare Reform introduced the report which detailed changes to the budget made since the 2013/2014 budget was set in February 2013 and reflected the position of the 2013/2014 spend against budget as at period 4 (as at 31 July 2013).

Resolved:

That the Committee

1.     Notes the general budget additions for grants and revenue contributions of £4.922 million as per Appendix B of the report presented and notes the period 4 position of the Capital Programme in appendix A of the report presented

2.     Notes the reprogramming of £23.006 million between 2013/2014 and 2014/2015

Reason for decision

To inform Cabinet of the position of the 2013/2014 capital programme as at period 4 (31 July 2013), including highlighting of budget changes

  Report by Service Director, Highways and Transport to update Cabinet on the success of the bid and to confirm the Committee’s endorsement to the progression of the project and to note the funding arrangements.

Cllr Fleur de Rhé-Philipe, Cabinet member for Economy, Skills and Transport introduced the report which noted the Department of Transport’s award of ‘pinch point’ funding towards the dualling of the A350 north of Chippenham.

The Committee heard that the award had to be spent by December 2014. A question on where the council’s contributions were coming from confirmed that the funds were already in place and had been secured through Section 106 agreements.

Further updates would be provided to the Committee as the scheme progressed.

Resolved:

That the Committee notes the Department of Transport’s award of ‘pinch point’ funding towards the dualling of the A350 north of Chippenham.

Reason for decision

To inform Cabinet of the current position relating to the bid, and give an update on risk and programme.

The Leader noted that a late information report had been circulated, which she had agreed to accept due to the need for a decision to be made before the next meeting. Due to the confidential information contained in the report it would be heard under Part II.

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).

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 following items of business 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 the 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 these items should not be held in private.

Confidential report by Service Director, Economy and Regeneration to update the Committee on the Porton Science Park project.

Cllr Fleur de Rhé-Philipe, Cabinet member for Economy, Skillls and Transport introduced the report which provided an update on the Porton Science Park project.

Resolved:

That the Committee

1.     Confirms its support for the Porton Science Park project, and endorses the approach being taken in delivering the scheme

2.     Delegates to the Director for Economy and Regeneration, in consultation with the Cabinet member for Economy, Skills and Transport, the decision to proceed with procurement

Reason for decision

Developments since the announcement of government funding in October 2012 now warrant an update to Committee.

This item has been approved as urgent business by the Leader of the Council.

A confidential report by Carolyn Godfrey, Corporate Director is attached.

Cllr Richard Gamble, Portfolio Holder for Schools, Skills and Youth, on behalf of Cllr Laura Mayes, Cabinet member for Children’s Services, introduced the report which proposed the purchase of a building as identified in the report presented for the development of post-16 facilities at St Nicholas school, Chippenham.

He confirmed receipt of a £414k grant from the Demographic Growth Capital Fund, noting the time limitations it came with.

Resolved:

That the Committee approve the purchase of the building utilising identified funds to deliver post-16 provision.

Reason for decision

St Nicholas School is full and requires additional space to meet the needs of learners.