To receive any announcements through the Chair.
Minutes:
(a) Recent Royal Visits
The Chairman announced that in November, His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales visited Sherston at the invitation of the Prince’s Countryside Fund.
His Royal Highness visited business units – Compass Graphic Design Ltd., - Pulse Business Software/Electric Octopus Ltd., - Balcony House Cellars and Sherston Post Office and Stores where he spoke with employers and staff about their respective products.
(b) County of Wiltshire Carol Service
The Chairman explained that at the last meeting in November, she had reminded members of the carol services being held, both the Wiltshire Carol Service on 10 December and the staff carol services held at the hubs.
The Chairman thanked all members who had supported these services.
(c ) New Year Honours List – Wiltshire Recipients
The Chairman was delighted to to announce that a number of Wiltshire residents had received national recognition in the recent New Year Honours list.
A CBE was awarded to
Professor Van Jonathan Gore of Salisbury for services to higher education
An OBE was awarded to
Professor Nigel Leslie Brown, FRSE of Chapmanslade for services to science
Mr. Robin Clark of Calne for charitable services through the Underwood Trust
MBE’s had been awarded to:
Mrs. Susan Veronica Eliot-Cohen, Dl of Marlborough for services to charity and to the community in Ramsbury, Wiltshire
Wiltshire Councillor John Nicholas Fogg of Marlborough for services to the Marlborough International Jazz Festival and to the community in Marlborough, Wiltshire
Mrs. Lesley Gaynor Frazer of Chippenham for services to law and order and criminal justice
British Empire Medals were awarded to:
Mr. Michael John Henry Beck of Salisbury for services in fundraising in Salisbury, Wiltshire
Mrs. Diane Patricia Bell of Chippenham for services to the community in Nettleton, Wiltshire
Mrs. Clare Victoria Cliverd of Chippenham for services to the community in Seagry, North Wiltshire and to young people in Bath, Bristol And Great Somerford
Miss. Florence Anne Devine of Devizes for pastoral services to armed forces personnel
Mrs. Elspeth Ann Gibb of Marlborough for services to the community and to charity in Great Bedwyn, Wiltshire
Council joined with the Chairman in congratulating them all on receiving national recognition, noting in particular that an MBE had been awarded to the Council’s own Cllr Nick Fogg.
(d) Members’ briefing on future provision of youth activities: positive leisure proposals
The Chairman reminded Council that a briefing for all members had been arranged to be held on the rising of this meeting. Cabinet at its meeting on 21 January considered various options for the future provision of youth activities and support and resolved to consult on all four options with local people – young people in particular, staff and other key stakeholders.
As part of this consultation process, members were invited to attend the briefing which would be led by the Cabinet member for Children’s Services, Cllr Laura Mayes and would outline the options being considered for future provision. It was hoped that members would be able to stay on for the briefing.
(e) Wiltshire Olympians
Council wished to place on record their good wishes to the Wiltshire Olympians due to compete in the forthcoming Winter Olympics.
(f) Update on Notice of Motion – Blacklisting Practices
With the Chairman’s consent, the Leader took the opportunity to update Council on the above motion.
At its meeting on 12 November 2013 Council agreed to refer
Cllrs’ Ricky Rogers and Jeff
Osborn’s motion on blacklisting practices to the Leader (and
Cabinet Member) to consider how best to take forward the objectives
of the motion.
Cllr Dick Tonge, Cabinet Member for Finance, Performance,
Risk, Procurement and Welfare Reform, had met with Cllrs Rogers and Jeff Osborn, supported by relevant
officers, and agreed the following steps in response to the
motion:
·
To amend the council’s pre-qualification
questionnaire to require prospective tenderers to provide details of any use of
blacklisting, enabling the council to exclude them from
consideration in the tender process if a satisfactory response is
not provided.
·
To amend the Contract Regulations at Part 11 of the
Constitution to reflect these requirements.
· To draw this to the attention of existing contractors and seek assurances where appropriate.