Councillor Jane Scott will provide an overview of her role as Leader of the Council.
Minutes:
Councillor Scott first provided an overview of her role as Leader of the Council.
After the national elections, she had been elected for a four term period to lead a team of nine Councillors, each with a particular responsibility. Councillors Thomson and Sturgis sat on this Cabinet. The Cabinet worked closely with the senior management team.
The Cabinet were focusing on two important issues in the county at present; the budget and the Wiltshire Core Strategy. Wiltshire Council had a clear four year business plan linked to the budget. This was based on the need to make savings and continue to deliver services effectively, especially those to elderly people and to vulnerable children, who were both increasing in the county. Investment would also be made to encourage economic development and high end jobs into the county and to develop high speed broadband.
£40 million savings had been made last year through changes to the back office. This year savings should be in the region of £32 million. The result of this was that council tax could be kept at a 0% increase last year with the same arrangement proposed for this year, if agreed at the budget setting meeting on 28 February. Councillor Scott announced that public budget consultation forums were taking place as below:
Monday 23 January 6.00 pm refreshments for a 6.30 pm start at St John’s Parish Centre, Trowbridge.
Tuesday 24 January 6.00 pm refreshments for a 6.30 pm start at The Corn Exchange, Devizes.
Monday 30 January 6.00pm refreshments for a 7.00 pm start at The Neeld Hall, Chippenham.
Salisbury 31 January 6.30 pm refreshments for a 7.00 pm start at The Guildhall, Salisbury.
Councillor Scott stressed the importance of getting involved in the development of the Wiltshire Core Strategy, because this would form the basis of decision making until 2026. The draft document would return for consultation from 20 February and it was hoped to be in place for the beginning of 2013. Once agreed, neighbourhood plans could move forward.
This overview was followed by a question and answer session which covered the following main points:
· Existing independent local businesses also needed support and had an important role in providing flexible employment opportunities – it was agreed that these businesses offered a different experience and resources would be directed to them as well as larger high end employers. Alistair Cunningham, Service Director for Economy and Enterprise, would be providing support with the Wessex Association of Chambers of Commerce.
· Academy schools and their impact on the Wiltshire Council budget – the council was supportive of national policies and academy schools in Wiltshire were keen to remain close to the Local Education Authority. Support for schools not becoming academies was equally significant.
· Wiltshire Council was running well in the absence of a Chief Executive and the new structure was helping services to work closely together.
· Economic development in villages would be considered in the Core Strategy – creating self sustaining communities was essential and the need to balance conservation and development was achievable.
· A presentation would be made about high speed broadband in the county at area board meetings. £16 million would be invested for 95% of people in Wiltshire to be able to access high speed broadband in the next two years. The challenge would be to fill the areas not attractive to commercial companies. Wiltshire Council was working in conjunction with Swindon and South Gloucestershire and trying to educate the whole of the community to use the service.
· Funding from car parking charges was directed to support the many non commercial bus routes in the county.