Agenda item

  Report by Laurie Bell, Associate Director – Communities and Communications

Public Participation

Questions were received from Councillors Mark Connolly in respect of campus proposals for Tidworth and David Jenkins  in respect of campus proposals for Westbury and member of the public Mr Jonathon Brown (presented by Mr Jim Lynch) in respect of campus proposals for Bradford on Avon.

A copy of the questions and responses provided by Councillor Seed are attached to the signed copy of the minutes and available online with these minutes. Supplementary questions were also raised by Councillor Jenkins and Mr Lynch to which Councillor Seed replied.

   Councillor Jonathan Seed presented a report which updated Cabinet and provided a position statement on the delivery of the Council’s community campus programme. It was noted that the campus programme is one of the first of its kind in the country.

The campus programme is intrinsic to delivering the council’s vision to create stronger and more resilient communities and to provide more accessible services that reflect local needs. The report outlined the progress made in each of the seven approved campuses - Calne, Corsham, Cricklade, Melksham, Pewsey, Salisbury and Tisbury. It also provided cabinet with the current position and an indicative timeline for the completion of these campuses.

Cabinet approval was sought for the provision of a community campus in Malmesbury. Initial plans were likely to include a multi-purpose community space tailored to local needs, a kitchen area, improved office space and hot desk and office facilities, located in Cotswold House. It was anticipated that all the approved campuses would be delivered by the end of 2017.

In other community areas, it was suggested that the delivery of a campus be reviewed and aligned to other key factors including future development, economic development schemes, army basing and community needs and, where appropriate a community hub model could be implemented. It was therefore anticipated that some communities might bring forward smaller scale community hub proposals, approved by their area board, for consideration by cabinet on a case by case basis.

Those present acknowledged that the campus programme was an extremely positive and ambitious one especially when set against the financial challenges faced by this council and the public sector generally. Councillor Jon Hubbard expressed some concern that the campus programme might be slipping from the original programme to provide a campus for every community area. He was also concerned that communities and COBs were working extremely hard on proposals which he feared might not come to fruition.

Councillor Seed emphasised that even in the present economic climate, the campus programme was always projected as a 15 year programme.  The council had already approved more than £74 million out of a £120 million budget estimate for the programme.

It was noted that the current estimated forecasts for the build costs for the seven campuses would be £76.857 million; this included the proposals for Malmesbury presented to this meeting for approval.

It was noted that whilst this funding did not cover the cost for any further campuses at this stage, a community could bring forward proposals for a campus development or the creation of a community hub for cabinet to consider on a case by case basis. The council would also continue to support local communities and would be appointing community engagement roles to work with the local area boards and COBs to identify and maximise opportunities to strengthen the local communities.

Following questions being raised on the second phase of the campus programme, Councillor Seed emphasised that COBs could continue to bring proposals forward which would be assessed and be progressed at a pace  that communities, partners and the council could develop. Issues such as viability, community need, cost and current service provision would be taken into account.

Councillor Linda Packard, Chairman of Chippenham Area Board conveyed the views of the area board from its meeting held on 10 November. The members requested to be appraised at the earliest opportunity of the implications for the Chippenham Campus proposal of being re-designated as part of a development/regeneration programme. They wanted to know exactly what this meant. The members also wanted to know how and when a budget requirement would be determined, where future funding would come from and the time scale within which commencement/completion of a campus for Chippenham was envisaged.

On being asked, Councillor Fleur de Rhé-Philipe explained that it would be sensible to integrate development proposals for Chippenham either economic regeneration or campus with regard to the Chippenham masterplan. It was noted that arrangements were in hand for senior officers to meet with Councillor Packard to assist in resolving the area board’s concerns.

On further questioning about how the campus programme would be developed, Councillor Seed emphasised that COBs could still bring forward proposals which could be considered with a view to commissioning feasibility studies. He explained that in some areas, proposals had not come forward.

Maggie Rae, Corporate Director explained the purpose of the report presented was to provide an update on where we were and provide a realistic expectation of the second phase of the programme. She noted that further resources would be required and this would be addressed as part of the budget setting process.

In the ensuing discussion, Councillor Seed responded to points raised by members and COB representatives. 

Resolved:

1.    Cabinet notes the progress made in each of the seven approved campuses - Calne, Corsham, Cricklade, Melksham, Pewsey, Salisbury and Tisbury - and notes the indicative timeline for the completion of these campuses.

2.    Cabinet approve the delivery of the first phase of a community campus in Malmesbury.

3.    That Cabinet notes the update regarding the other community areas and the situation regarding future campus development and, where appropriate, community hubs.

4.    That Cabinet notes the initial learning to deliver a successful campus and approve the proposed way forward for developing the role and responsibilities of the community operations boards (COBs) and the provision of the appropriate community engagement support.

5.    That Cabinet notes that work to progress future governance models for fully operational campuses is underway and proposed options will be tabled at a future meeting for consideration.

Reason for decision:

To update cabinet and provide a position statement on the delivery of the

council’s community campus programme.