a. The Chairman will move that Council receives and notes the minutes of Cabinet and the various Committees of the Council and the Fire Authority as listed in the Minutes Book enclosed separately.
b. The Chairman will refer to Cabinet and each Committee in turn:
i. The Leader, Cabinet members and Chairmen of Committees will be invited to make any important announcements.
ii. Councillors will be given the opportunity to raise questions on points of information or clarification on the minutes presented.
c. Councillors will be given an opportunity to raise general issues relating to Area Boards but not specific local issues.
d. Councillors will be given an opportunity to raise questions on the minutes of the Wiltshire and Swindon Fire Authority.
(Under the Constitution, Councillors wishing to ask a question on the Fire Authority minutes are required to give written notice to the officer named on the front of this agenda (acting on behalf of the Corporate Director) not later than five clear days before the Council meeting – 5pm on 1 July 2013).
Minutes:
The Chairman moved that Council receive and note the following minutes as listed in the separate Minutes Book and this was duly seconded by the Vice- Chairman:
Cabinet 21 May & 18 June 2013
Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee 23 May 2013
Health Select Committee 30 May 2013
Environment Select Committee 11 June 2013
Northern Area Planning Committee 24 April, 29 May & 19 June 2013
Eastern Area Planning Committee 25 April, 30 May & 20 June 2013
Southern Area Planning Committee 18 April & 23 May 2013
Western Area Planning Committee 22 May & 12 June 2013
Audit Committee 18 June 2013
Staffing Policy Committee 22 May 2013
Wiltshire Pension Fund 4 June 2013
Wiltshire and Swindon Fire Authority 30 May 2013
The Chairman then invited questions from councillors on points of information or clarification on the above minutes and gave the Chairmen of those meetings the opportunity to make any important announcements on the work of their respective Committees.
In accordance with paragraph 3 of the Cabinet Procedure Rules at Part 7 of the Constitution, the Leader presented a written record of delegations made by her for inclusion in the Council’s Scheme of Delegation at Part 3A of the Constitution. It was noted that there was no change from the previous delegations but did reflect the new Cabinet members and their responsibilities. Council was therefore asked to note the written record of delegations as presented.
Cabinet – 21 May 2013 – minute no. 37: Swindon and Wiltshire Local Transport Body
Cllr Jeff Osborn enquired as to the membership of the Body. Cllr Fleur de Rhé-Philipe explained that it comprised 2 members of Wiltshire Council (herself and Cllr Toby Sturgis with support from the relevant Portfolio Holder), 2 members of Swindon Borough Council and 1 member of the Local Enterprise Partnership.
Cllr Jon Hubbard asked when the briefing note mentioned in the minute on the outcome of a meeting between officers, Duncan Hames MP and First Great Western would be circulated. The Leader confirmed that this would be circulated very soon as the meeting referred to had just been held last night (8 July).
Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee
Cllr Simon Killane, Chairman of the Management Committee explained that the number of subjects in the Committee’s work programme was extremely challenging. However, he was grateful to officers for their support, in particular, Paul Kelly, Scrutiny Manager and his team.
Cllr Mike Hewitt enquired as to progress with the Budget Scrutiny Task Group. Cllr Killane confirmed that work was in hand to establish the Task Group.
Staffing Policy Committee – 21 May 2013 – minute no. 22: Wiltshire Council Staff Survey
A Councillor enquired as to how the results of the Staff Survey would be communicated to staff also involving the unions. Cllr Allison Bucknell confirmed that a meeting with the unions had been arranged for 10 July. Staff were being informed of the results through the Electric Wire and team briefings.
Staffing Policy Committee – 21 May 2013 – minute no. 23 (2): additional meeting of Committee
A query was raised as to ‘urgent staffing matter’ that would be the subject of an additional meeting of the Committee arranged for 26 June 2013. Cllr Allison Bucknell confirmed that the meeting had not in fact taken place and that she could not go into detail in open session as it related to exempt information.
Wiltshire Pension Fund Committee – 4 June 2013 – minute no. 29: LGPS 2014 Reforms Update
Cllr Tony Deane, Chairman of the Committee drew Council’s attention to this minute which highlighted proposals contained within the Reform Update and invited members to refer any comments they had on the matter to him.
Strategic Planning Committee
Cllr Andrew Davis, Chairman of the Committee reminded members that the meeting scheduled for 17 July had been postponed until 30 July 2013.
Standards Committee
Cllr Julian Johnson, Chairman of the Committee reminded members that the Committee was scheduled for tomorrow (10 July 2013).
No questions were raised on the minutes of the Wiltshire and Swindon Fire Authority.
Resolved:
(a) That the minutes of the above mentioned minutes be received and noted.
(b) That the revised Part 3A of the Constitution – Delegation of Executive Functions as presented by the Leader, be received and noted.