Agenda item

Declarations of interest

 

Cllr Dalton declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this item in so far as it related to the setting of garage rents as referred to in the proposals concerning the Housing Revenue Account by virtue of the fact that he held a garage tenancy. Cllr Dalton left the meeting during consideration of that element of the budget.

 

The following Councillors declared personal interests by virtue of their membership of the undermentioned Housing Associations:

 

• Selwood Housing Association - Cllrs Rod Eaton, Graham Payne, Jon Hubbard and Ernie Clark.

 

• Sarsen Housing Association - Cllr Nigel Carter

 

• Westleigh Housing Association - Cllr Allison Bucknell

 

• Jephson Housing Association – Cllr Peter Fuller

 

 

Cllr Tony Trotman declared a personal interest in the leisure review proposals by virtue of his professional capacity.

 

Cllr Richard Beattie declared a personal interest by virtue of his membership of the Visit Wiltshire Partnership.

 

Cllrs Steve Oldrieve and Howard Marshall declared an interest by virtue of their respective wives being employed by the Council.

 

CllrJulie Swabey, declared a personal interest by virtue of being related to an officer of the Council.

 

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Public Participation

 

Mr Kevin Wells on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Calne Leisure Centre sought reassurance over continued funding of the Leisure Centre by the Council to ensure its continued success. Cllr Stuart Wheeler, Cabinet member for Leisure, Sport and Culture confirmed that subject to the budget being approved at this meeting as presented, funding for Calne Leisure Centre would be continued.

 

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The Chairman invited Council to consider the Business Plan and Financial Plan for 2011-15 and to agree the Council’s Budget and the Council Tax levels for 2011-12. He reminded Council that it had a legal obligation to set a budget.

 

The Chairman explained how he intended to manage the debate on the budget item as summarised by the previously circulated paper on the Budget Process.

 

The Chairman drew Councillors’ attention to the various budget papers which had been previously circulated, including the Council’s Business Plan and Financial Plan as revised.  He also referred to the following budget reports as previously considered and recommended by Cabinet as circulated on the:

 

• Capital programme 2011-12 to 2014-2015
• Housing Revenue Account Budget and Rent Setting 2011-12
• Schools Budget Proposals 2011-12
• Fees and Charges 2011-2012
• Council Tax Resolution 2011-2012

 

All as recommended by Cabinet at its meeting on 15 February 2011.

 

• Treasury Management Strategy 2011-12

 

As recommended by Cabinet at its meeting on 25 January 2011.

 

The Chairman also drew attention to the report of the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Select Committee held on 10 February 2011.

 

The Chairman explained the order in which he would invite Councillors to speak on the budget and the time allowed for group leaders and other members of the Council.

 

The Chairman invited Cllr Scott, Leader of the Council to present her budget speech which was circulated at the meeting and attached as Appendix B to these minutes.

 

The Leader explained that in her opinion, the proposed budget for the year ahead was sound, and one which would maintain front line services in better shape than other similar sized councils as well as provide significant investment in the future of Wiltshire.

 

The Leader further emphasised that far reaching changes to the concept of Local Government and its responsibilities were underway, at a time when unprecedented savings were required by the Government’s 4 year plan for Local Government.

 

The intentions of the Council were to continue:

 

·    to provide high quality, low cost, customer focused services

·    to ensure local, open and honest decision-making and

·    to work with our partners to support Wiltshire’s communities.

The Leader moved the recommendations of Cabinet on adoption of the Business Plan, Financial Plan and budget proposals and this was duly seconded by Cllr Thomson, the Deputy Leader.

 

At the Chairman’s invitation, Cllr Jeff Osborn presented the report of the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Select Committee held on 10 February 2011. He considered this was a unique budget and noted there was no proposal to increase Council tax due to Government funding to ensure zero tax increases. He welcomed the proposed capital investments in leisure and the campus projects.

 

Group leaders were then invited to respond to the Leader’s motion or move an amendment to the Leader’s motion.

 

Cllr Jon Hubbard, leader of the Liberal Democrat Group responded to the Leader’s motion and questioned the merit of having a Business Plan and Financial Plan which covered a 4 year period set against a budget for one year. He considered there were so many legislative and other changes affecting Local Government not least of all, the Localism Bill that would need to be addressed which would make it difficult to predict how the Authority would work for the majority of the 4 year period.

 

Cllr Hubbard gave notice that he intended to propose a series of 9 amendments to the budget, details of which were circulated together with the comments of the Interim Chief Finance Officer in his capacity as the S.151 Officer. The Chief Finance Officer stated that the amendments had been reviewed by him in consultation with other statutory officers.  His comments included the risk element of the proposed amendments but also pointed out that overall the proposed amendments when taken together as one amendment, still maintained the robustness of the budget.

 

The Leader acknowledged the right of a political group to propose amendments to the budget.  However, she considered that in the interests of transparency, details of proposed amendments should have been made available earlier for consultation and open to scrutiny as had the Cabinet’s proposals. In the circumstances, she moved that the meeting be adjourned to allow each political group time to consider and form a view on the proposed amendments. On being seconded and put to the vote, it was

 

Resolved:

 

That the meeting be adjourned for a period of at least two hours after which a view to be taken by the Chairman, following consultation with a representative of each political group on whether a further period of adjournment was required.

 

MEETING ADJOURNED

 

Note: The meeting adjourned at 11.50am.

 

MEETING RECONVENED

 

Note:  The meeting reconvened at 2.00pm.

 

 

 AMENDMENTS

 

Cllr Jon Hubbard proposed 9 amendments which were taken individually as detailed below and seconded by Cllr Peter Colmer:

 

Amendment 1
The introduction of a charging scheme for car parking permits for council premises.

‘£0.175m to be raised annually through the introduction of a progressive charging scheme for council employees to park at council premises. This scheme, similar to the one successfully introduced at the RUH in Bath, would see employees paying a small charge, the amount of which is directly linked to their salary, for the privilege of parking their cars at council premises.

Many people see it as hypocritical of this council to be providing over 1400 free parking spaces to staff, highly paid senior officers and councillors whilst at the same time massively increasing the cost to the residents of Wiltshire to park in their towns and villages.

In year one of this scheme £0.100m of the revenue gained would be invested in promoting and providing alternative staff transport schemes, such as encouraging car sharing, investment in providing adequate facilities for cycle storage and the availability of subsidised cycle safety equipment.

This amendment would provide a net increase in revenue to the council of £0.075m’.

 

Cllr John Noeken as Cabinet member for Resources responded to the amendment and in so doing referred to proposals for an alternative staff transport scheme and that all of the four hubs provided facilities to encourage cycling. He also explained that the amendment proposed would require a change to the contracts of employment for staff and that priority was being given to dealing with pay harmonisation. Cllr Noeken added that whilst the amendment was a commendable thought, it was not possible to take it forward at this point in time.

 

The Chairman gave other Group Leaders the opportunity of responding to amendment No. 1 before opening the debate to other members of the Council.

 

On being put to the vote, Amendment No. 1 was LOST and a recorded vote having been requested by the requisite number of Councillors, the voting was recorded as follows:

 

For Amendment No. 1 (22)

 

Cllrs Desna Allen, Rosemary Brown, Trevor Carbin, Chris Caswill, Peter Colmer, Paul Darby, Bill Douglas, Peggy Dow, Malcolm Hewson, Jon Hubbard, David Jenkins, Simon Killane, John Knight, Howard Marshall, Steve Oldrieve, Helen Osborn, Jeff Osborn, Mark Packard, Stephen Petty, Judy Rooke, Ian West and Graham Wright.

 

Against Amendment No. 1 (58)

 

Cllrs Richard Beattie, Chuck Berry, John Brady, Richard Britton, Liz Bryant, Allison Bucknell, Richard Clewer, Chris Cochrane, Linda Conley, Mark Connolly, Christine Crisp, Andrew Davis, Peter Davis, Fleur de Rhe Philipe, Tony Deane, Peter Doyle, Rod Eaton, Nick Fogg, Peter Fuller, Richard Gamble, Jose Green, Mark Griffiths, Mollie Groom, Lionel Grundy, Robert Hall, Mike Hewitt, Alan Hill, Charles Howard, Chris Humphries, Julian Johnson, Jerry Kunkler, Jacqui Lay, Alan Macrae, Laura Mayes, Ian McLennan, Jemima Milton, Bill Moss, John Noeken, Sheila Parker, Graham Payne, Leo Randall, Pip Ridout, Bill Roberts, Ricky Rogers, Jane Scott, Jonathon Seed, John Smale, Carole Soden, Toby Sturgis, Julie Swabey, John Thomson, Dick Tonge, Tony Trotman, Bridget Wayman, Fred Westmoreland, Stuart Wheeler, Roy While and Chris Williams.

 

Abstentions Amendment No. 1 (5)

 

Cllrs Jane Burton, Nigel Carter, Ernie Clark, Michael Cuthbert-Murray and Francis Morland.

 

Cllr Jon Hubbard proposed the following amendment No. 2 which was seconded by Cllr Peter Colmer:

 

Amendment 2
Fixing Wiltshire’s Broken Road Network

‘An additional £0.500m investment in Highways revenue for 2011/12 allowing for vital County-wide repairs to road infrastructure. Pothole, kerb and pavement repair removes potential deterrents to walking and cycling, and improves motor vehicle efficiency.

To be funded through drawing on the list of savings identified at the head of’ (the report presented by the Liberal Democrat group).

Cllr Dick Tonge, Cabinet member for Highways and Transport responded to the amendment and on seeking clarification on exactly where this would be funded from was advised it was proposed to fund this from savings from the Policy and Communications budget.

 

The Chairman gave other Group Leaders the opportunity of responding to the amendment before opening the debate to other members of the Council.

 

On being put to the vote, Amendment No. 2 was LOST and a recorded vote having been requested by the requisite number of Councillors, the voting was recorded as follows:

 

For Amendment No. 2 (28)

 

Cllrs Desna Allen, Rosemary Brown, Trevor Carbin, Chris Caswill, Ernie Clark, Peter Colmer, Michael Cuthbert-Murray, Paul Darby, Bill Douglas, Peggy Dow, Nick Fogg, Malcolm Hewson, Jon Hubbard, David Jenkins, Simon Killane, John Knight, Howard Marshall, Ian McLennan,  Francis Morland, Steve Oldrieve, Helen Osborn, Jeff Osborn, Mark Packard, Stephen Petty, Ricky Rogers, Judy Rooke, Ian West and Graham Wright.

 

Against Amendment No. 2 (57)

 

Cllrs Richard Beattie, Chuck Berry, John Brady, Richard Britton, Liz Bryant, Allison Bucknell, Jane Burton, Nigel Carter, Richard Clewer, Chris Cochrane, Linda Conley, Mark Connolly, Christine Crisp, Andrew Davis, Peter Davis, Fleur de Rhe Philipe, Tony Deane, Peter Doyle, Rod Eaton, Peter Fuller, Richard Gamble, Jose Green, Mark Griffiths, Mollie Groom, Lionel Grundy, Robert Hall, Mike Hewitt, Alan Hill, Charles Howard, Chris Humphries, Julian Johnson, Jerry Kunkler, Jacqui Lay, Alan Macrae, Laura Mayes, Jemima Milton, Bill Moss, John Noeken, Sheila Parker, Graham Payne, Leo Randall, Pip Ridout, Bill Roberts, Jane Scott, Jonathon Seed, John Smale, Carole Soden, Toby Sturgis, Julie Swabey, John Thomson, Dick Tonge, Tony Trotman, Bridget Wayman, Fred Westmoreland, Stuart Wheeler, Roy While and Chris Williams.

Cllr Jon Hubbard proposed the following amendment No. 3 which was seconded by Cllr Peter Colmer.

 

Amendment 3
Investing in Wiltshire Road Network Infrastructure

‘£0.500m investment in Highways capital; allowing £5.00m for major resurfacing and improvement works. Prevents vehicle damage and improves efficiency, reducing vehicular carbon emissions

To be funded through drawing on the list of savings identified at the head of’ (the report presented by the Liberal Democrat group identified at the meeting as being funded from the Policy and Communications budget).

 

The Leader of the Council questioned the targeting of the Policy and Communications budget as a means of funding the proposed amendments. She explained that the Policy and Communications budget was to provide for internal and external communications with its primary role to communicate with the public and allow for public engagement. She emphasised that it was not therefore a designated resource for the administration.

 

The Chairman gave other Group Leaders the opportunity of responding to the amendment before opening the debate to other members of the Council.

 

On being put to the vote, Amendment No. 3 was LOST and a recorded vote having been requested by the requisite number of Councillors, the voting was recorded as follows:

 

For Amendment No. 3 (25)

 

Cllrs Desna Allen, Rosemary Brown, Trevor Carbin, Chris Caswill, Ernie Clark, Peter Colmer, Paul Darby, Bill Douglas, Peggy Dow, Nick Fogg, Malcolm Hewson, Jon Hubbard, David Jenkins, Simon Killane, John Knight, Howard Marshall, Francis Morland, Steve Oldrieve, Helen Osborn, Jeff Osborn, Mark Packard, Stephen Petty, Judy Rooke, Ian West and Graham Wright.

 

Against Amendment No. 3 (60)

 

Cllrs Richard Beattie, Chuck Berry, John Brady, Richard Britton, Liz Bryant, Allison Bucknell, Jane Burton, Nigel Carter, Richard Clewer, Chris Cochrane, Linda Conley, Mark Connolly, Christine Crisp, Michael Cuthbert-Murray, Andrew Davis, Peter Davis, Fleur de Rhe Philipe, Tony Deane, Peter Doyle, Rod Eaton, Peter Fuller, Richard Gamble, Jose Green, Mark Griffiths, Mollie Groom, Lionel Grundy, Robert Hall, Mike Hewitt, Alan Hill, Charles Howard, Chris Humphries, Julian Johnson, Jerry Kunkler, Jacqui Lay, Alan Macrae, Laura Mayes, Ian McLennan, Jemima Milton, Bill Moss, John Noeken, Sheila Parker, Graham Payne, Leo Randall, Pip Ridout, Bill Roberts, Ricky Rogers, Jane Scott, Jonathon Seed, John Smale, Carole Soden, Toby Sturgis, Julie Swabey, John Thomson, Dick Tonge, Tony Trotman, Bridget Wayman, Fred Westmoreland, Stuart Wheeler, Roy While and Chris Williams.

 

 

Cllr Jon Hubbard proposed the following amendment No. 4 which was seconded by Cllr Peter Colmer:

 

Amendment 4
Working towards a Healthier  Wiltshire for All

‘£0.561m annually to re-introduce Free Swimming for under-16s and over-65s; As part of the  Olympic preparations, and to meet Wiltshire Area Board commitments in the 2014 Leading by Example initiative. This investment emphasises the importance of health in a good quality of life in Wiltshire.

To be funded through drawing on the list of savings identified at the head of’ (the report presented by the Liberal Democrat group).

This was identified at the meeting as being funded from the ICT budget by withdrawing the use of smart phones across the Council with an exception for staff who were required to work late or mainly worked off site.

 

Cllr Stuart Wheeler, Cabinet member for Leisure, Sport and Culture explained that free swimming had been a Government funded scheme. Unfortunately, when considered against other Council priorities and the financial pressures on the Council, continuation of the scheme could not be funded by the Council following withdrawal of Government funding. Officers were however looking to develop healthier for all proposals which would include provision for access to leisure centres and swimming pools for the most vulnerable.

 

The Chairman gave other Group Leaders the opportunity of responding to the amendment before opening the debate to other members of the Council.

 

On being put to the vote, amendment No. 4 was LOST and a recorded vote having been requested by the requisite number of Councillors, the voting was recorded as follows:

 

For Amendment No. 4 (27)

 

Cllrs Desna Allen, Rosemary Brown, Trevor Carbin, Chris Caswill, Ernie Clark, Peter Colmer, Paul Darby, Bill Douglas, Peggy Dow, Malcolm Hewson, Jon Hubbard, David Jenkins, Simon Killane, John Knight, Howard Marshall, Ian McLennan, Francis Morland, Steve Oldrieve, Helen Osborn, Jeff Osborn, Mark Packard, Stephen Petty, Ricky Rogers, Judy Rooke, Paul Sample, Ian West and Graham Wright.

 

Against Amendment No. 4 (59)

 

Cllrs Richard Beattie, Chuck Berry, John Brady, Richard Britton, Liz Bryant, Allison Bucknell, Jane Burton, Nigel Carter, Richard Clewer, Chris Cochrane, Linda Conley, Mark Connolly, Christine Crisp, Michael Cuthbert-Murray, Andrew Davis, Peter Davis, Fleur de Rhe Philipe, Tony Deane, Peter Doyle, Rod Eaton, Nick Fogg, Peter Fuller, Richard Gamble, Jose Green, Mark Griffiths, Mollie Groom, Lionel Grundy, Robert Hall, Mike Hewitt, Alan Hill, Charles Howard, Chris Humphries, Julian Johnson, Jerry Kunkler, Jacqui Lay, Alan Macrae, Laura Mayes, Jemima Milton, Bill Moss, John Noeken, Sheila Parker, Graham Payne, Leo Randall, Pip Ridout, Bill Roberts, Jane Scott, Jonathon Seed, John Smale, Carole Soden, Toby Sturgis, Julie Swabey, John Thomson, Dick Tonge, Tony Trotman, Bridget Wayman, Fred Westmoreland, Stuart Wheeler, Roy While and Chris Williams.

 

Abstention Amendment No. 4 (1)

 

Cllr George Jeans

 

Cllr Jon Hubbard proposed the following amendment No. 5 which was seconded by Cllr Peter Colmer.

 

Amendment 5
Supporting Economic Growth and Helping Prevent Youth Unemployment in Wiltshire

‘£0.250m investment in 2011/12 to support employers to increase the number of Apprentices in Wiltshire. This is an investment in future growth and young people in Wiltshire. Enabling small and medium business to train apprentices without taking on the burden of additional training fees.

To be funded through drawing on the list of savings identified at the head of’ (the report presented by the Liberal Democrat group).

This was identified at the meeting as being funded from the Policy and Communications budget.

Cllr John Brady as Cabinet member for Economic Development, Planning and Housing commented that he had explained this at the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Select Committee. The intention was to use the proposed budget to fund various skills programmes with partner agencies. Funding would be made available by the Government for apprenticeships.

 

The Chairman gave other Group Leaders the opportunity of responding to the amendment before opening the debate to other members of the Council. Cllr Jeff Osborn commented that 1 in 5 16-24 year olds were now out of work and should the amendment be lost, he hoped that work could be undertaken with Cllr Brady to provide assistance to this particular category.

 

On being put to the vote, amendment No. 5 was LOST and a recorded vote having been requested by the requisite number of Councillors, the voting was recorded as follows:

 

For Amendment No. 5 (26)

 

Cllrs Desna Allen, Rosemary Brown, Trevor Carbin, Chris Caswill, Ernie Clark, Peter Colmer, Paul Darby, Bill Douglas, Peggy Dow, Malcolm Hewson, Jon Hubbard, George Jeans, David Jenkins, Simon Killane, John Knight, Howard Marshall, Francis Morland, Steve Oldrieve, Helen Osborn, Jeff Osborn, Mark Packard, Stephen Petty, Judy Rooke, Paul Sample, Ian West and Graham Wright.

 

Against Amendment No. 5 (58)

 

Cllrs Richard Beattie, Chuck Berry, John Brady, Richard Britton, Liz Bryant, Allison Bucknell, Richard Clewer, Chris Cochrane, Linda Conley, Mark Connolly, Christine Crisp, Andrew Davis, Peter Davis, Fleur de Rhe Philipe, Tony Deane, Peter Doyle, Rod Eaton, Nick Fogg, Peter Fuller, Richard Gamble, Jose Green, Mark Griffiths, Mollie Groom, Lionel Grundy, Robert Hall, Mike Hewitt, Alan Hill, Charles Howard, Chris Humphries, Julian Johnson, Jerry Kunkler, Jacqui Lay, Alan Macrae, Laura Mayes, Ian McLennan, Jemima Milton, Bill Moss, John Noeken, Sheila Parker, Graham Payne, Leo Randall, Pip Ridout, Bill Roberts, Ricky Rogers, Jane Scott, Jonathon Seed, John Smale, Carole Soden, Toby Sturgis, Julie Swabey, John Thomson, Dick Tonge, Tony Trotman, Bridget Wayman, Fred Westmoreland, Stuart Wheeler, Roy While and Chris Williams.

 

Abstentions Amendment No. 5 (2)

 

Cllrs Jane Burton and Nigel Carter.

 

Cllr Jon Hubbard proposed the following amendment No. 6 which was seconded by Cllr Peter Colmer.

 

Amendment 6
Keeping Wiltshire Safe

‘£0.125 million investment in Special Constables for 2011/12; providing the investment necessary to support 100 new Special Constables, a value-for-money method of maintaining strong police presence in Wiltshire through offering 100% Council-tax relief inducement for Specials for one year.

To be funded through drawing on the list of savings identified at the head of’ (the report presented by the Liberal Democrat group).

The Leader reported that adoption of this amendment would result in financial implications for the Police in funding the cost of additional uniforms and other incidental costs. She would not be supporting the amendment given that there had been no prior consultation with the Police on such a proposal. Cllr Carole Soden, Vice-Chairman of the Police Authority agreed that this was not something the Council should impose on the Police.

 

The Chairman gave other Group Leaders the opportunity of responding to the amendment before opening the debate to other members of the Council.

 

On being put to the vote, amendment No. 6 was LOST and a recorded vote having been requested by the requisite number of Councillors, the voting was recorded as follows:

                       

For Amendment No. 6 (22)

 

Cllrs Desna Allen, Rosemary Brown, Trevor Carbin, Chris Caswill, Peter Colmer, Peggy Dow, Malcolm Hewson, Jon Hubbard, George Jeans, David Jenkins, Simon Killane, John Knight, Howard Marshall, Steve Oldrieve, Helen Osborn, Jeff Osborn, Mark Packard, Stephen Petty, Judy Rooke, Paul Sample, Ian West and Graham Wright.

 

Against Amendment No. 6 (62)

 

Cllrs Richard Beattie, Chuck Berry, John Brady, Richard Britton, Liz Bryant, Allison Bucknell, Jane Burton, Nigel Carter, Ernie Clark, Richard Clewer, Chris Cochrane, Linda Conley, Mark Connolly, Christine Crisp, Michael Cuthbert-Murray, Andrew Davis, Peter Davis, Fleur de Rhe Philipe, Tony Deane, Peter Doyle, Nick Fogg, Peter Fuller, Richard Gamble, Jose Green, Mark Griffiths, Mollie Groom, Lionel Grundy, Robert Hall, Mike Hewitt, Alan Hill, Charles Howard, Chris Humphries, Geoge Jeans, Julian Johnson, Jerry Kunkler, Jacqui Lay, Alan Macrae, Laura Mayes, Ian McLennan, Jemima Milton, Bill Moss, John Noeken, Sheila Parker, Graham Payne, Leo Randall, Pip Ridout, Bill Roberts, Ricky Rogers, Jane Scott, Jonathon Seed, John Smale, Carole Soden, Toby Sturgis, Julie Swabey, John Thomson, Dick Tonge, Tony Trotman, Bridget Wayman, Fred Westmorland, Stuart Wheeler, Roy While and Chris Williams.

 

Abstention Amendment No. 6 (1)

 

Cllr Francis Morland

 

 

Cllr Jon Hubbard proposed the following amendment No. 7 which was seconded by Cllr Peter Colmer.

 

 

 

Amendment 7
Protecting our Youth Service

‘Reverse the proposed new cuts of £0.225m across the Youth Service. The work undertaken by our Youth Service helps reduce the levels of perceived and actual anti-social behaviour by young people in our communities. The cost benefits of this are obvious and this improves the opportunities for our young people in these difficult times. This will particularly benefit vulnerable and disadvantaged young people across the county.

To be funded through drawing on the list of savings identified at the head of’ (the report presented by the Liberal Democrat group)

 

Cllr Grundy, Cabinet member for Children’s Services confirmed there were no proposals to cut frontline services in this area. At his request, Cllr Clewer, Portfolio Holder for Youth and Skills updated Council on initiatives concerning youth service provision.

 

The Chairman gave other Group Leaders the opportunity of responding to the amendment before opening the debate to other members of the Council.

 

On being put to the vote, amendment No. 7 was LOST and a recorded vote having been requested by the requisite number of Councillors, the voting was recorded as follows:

 

For Amendment No. 7 (23)

 

Cllrs Desna Allen, Rosemary Brown, Trevor Carbin, Chris Caswill, Peter Colmer, Peggy Dow, Malcolm Hewson, Jon Hubbard, David Jenkins, Simon Killane, John Knight, Howard Marshall, Ian McLennan, Francis Morland, Steve Oldrieve, Helen Osborn, Jeff Osborn, Mark Packard, Stephen Petty, Ricky Rogers, Judy Rooke, Paul Sample, and Ian West.

 

Against Amendment  No. 7 (56)

 

Cllrs Richard Beattie, Chuck Berry, John Brady, Richard Britton, Liz Bryant, Allison Bucknell, Jane Burton, Nigel Carter, Richard Clewer, Chris Cochrane, Linda Conley, Mark Connolly, Christine Crisp, Michael Cuthbert-Murrray, Andrew Davis, Peter Davis, Fleur de Rhe Philipe, Tony Deane, Peter Doyle, Peter Fuller, Richard Gamble, Jose Green, Mark Griffiths, Mollie Groom, Lionel Grundy, Robert Hall, Mike Hewitt, Alan Hill, Charles Howard, Chris Humphries, Julian Johnson, Jerry Kunkler, Jacqui Lay, Alan Macrae, Laura Mayes, Jemima Milton, Bill Moss, John Noeken, Sheila Parker, Leo Randall, Pip Ridout, Bill Roberts, Jane Scott, Jonathon Seed, John Smale, Carole Soden, Toby Sturgis, Julie Swabey, John Thomson, Dick Tonge, Tony Trotman, Bridget Wayman, Fred Westmoreland, Stuart Wheeler, Roy While and Chris Williams.

 

Abstentions Amendment No. 7 (3)

 

Cllrs Ernie Clark, Nick Fogg and George Jeans.

 

 

Cllr Jon Hubbard proposed the following amendment No. 8 which was seconded by Cllr Peter Colmer.

 

Amendment 8
Improving Learning and Teaching in our Schools

‘Reduce the savage proposed cuts in spending on School Improvement through a reduction in the proposed spending on £0.191m. In line with national policy, including the Pupil premium, evidence shows focusing investment on the early years creates savings in the future. This funding allows for extra school advisers, further teacher training, facilitating enhanced learning experiences for young people in the context of total budget reductions.

To be funded through drawing on the list of savings identified at the head of’ (the report presented by the Liberal Democrat group).

 

Cllr Grundy, Cabinet member for Children’s Services confirmed that the proposed budget included provision for investing £4.3 million in 2011-12.  Some of this money would be used to provide a core team of officers to support schools as necessary linking into children’s attainment and early intervention programmes. At his request, Cllr Alan Macrae, Portfolio Holder for Schools explained these initiatives in more detail.

 

The Chairman gave other Group Leaders the opportunity of responding to the amendment before opening the debate to other members of the Council.

 

On being put to the vote, amendment No. 8 was LOST and a recorded vote having been requested by the requisite number of Councillors, the voting was recorded as follows:

 

For Amendment No. 8 (21)

 

Cllrs Desna Allen, Rosemary Brown, Trevor Carbin, Chris Caswill, Peter Colmer, Jon Hubbard, David Jenkins, Simon Killane, John Knight, Howard Marshall, Ian McLennan, Francis Morland, Steve Oldrieve, Helen Osborn, Jeff Osborn, Mark Packard, Stephen Petty, Ricky Rogers, Judy Rooke, Paul Sample, and Ian West.

 

 

 

 

Against Amendment No. 8 (57)

 

Cllrs Richard Beattie, Chuck Berry, John Brady, Richard Britton, Liz Bryant, Allison Bucknell, Jane Burton, Nigel Carter, Richard Clewer, Chris Cochrane, Linda Conley, Mark Connolly, Christine Crisp, Michael Cuthbert-Murrray, Andrew Davis, Peter Davis, Fleur de Rhe Philipe, Tony Deane, Peter Doyle, Peter Fuller, Richard Gamble, Jose Green, Mark Griffiths, Mollie Groom, Lionel Grundy, Robert Hall, Mike Hewitt, Alan Hill, Charles Howard, Chris Humphries, George Jeans, Julian Johnson, Jerry Kunkler, Jacqui Lay, Alan Macrae, Laura Mayes, Jemima Milton, Bill Moss, John Noeken, Sheila Parker, Leo Randall, Pip Ridout, Bill Roberts, Jane Scott, Jonathon Seed, John Smale, Carole Soden, Toby Sturgis, Julie Swabey, John Thomson, Dick Tonge, Tony Trotman, Bridget Wayman, Fred Westmoreland, Stuart Wheeler, Roy While and Chris Williams.

 

 

Cllr Jon Hubbard proposed the following amendment No. 9 and in so doing, paid tribute to the hard work and dedication of officers who worked in this particular area. The amendment was seconded by Cllr Peter Colmer.

 

Amendment 9
Protecting our most Vulnerable Children

‘Whilst there are opportunities for considerable savings on previous expenditure on Children’s Social Care, we feel that the level of cuts proposed will result in a reduced service for the most vulnerable of our young people in care and therefore would reduce these cuts by £0.254m. Investing properly in their futures at an early stage can save considerable amounts in the future.

To be funded through drawing on the list of savings identified at the head of’ (the report presented by the Liberal Democrat group).

 

Cllr Lionel Grundy, Cabinet member for Children’s Services reported that social services provision was adequately funded and that the service had recently undergone transformation. The last Ofsted inspection had classified the service as ‘good’ although pointed out that the service required increased administrative support which was provided immediately. Cllr Grundy commented that he would not be supporting the amendment as the service was already operating well.

 

Cllr Sheila Parker, Portfolio Holder for Vulnerable children explained that the service was already making savings whilst supporting vulnerable families.

 

The Chairman gave other Group Leaders the opportunity of responding to the amendment before opening the debate to other members of the Council.

 

On being put to the vote, amendment No. 9 was LOST and a recorded vote having been requested by the requisite number of Councillors, the voting was recorded as follows:

 

For Amendment No. 9 (23)

 

Cllrs Desna Allen, Rosemary Brown, Trevor Carbin, Chris Caswill, Peter Colmer, Malcolm Hewson, Jon Hubbard, George Jeans, David Jenkins, Simon Killane, John Knight, Howard Marshall, Ian McLennan, Francis Morland, Steve Oldrieve, Helen Osborn, Jeff Osborn, Mark Packard, Stephen Petty, Ricky Rogers, Judy Rooke, Paul Sample, and Ian West.

 

Against Amendment No. 9 (56)

 

Cllrs Richard Beattie, Chuck Berry, John Brady, Richard Britton, Liz Bryant, Allison Bucknell, Jane Burton, Nigel Carter, Richard Clewer, Chris Cochrane, Linda Conley, Mark Connolly, Christine Crisp, Michael Cuthbert-Murrray, Andrew Davis, Peter Davis, Fleur de Rhe Philipe, Tony Deane, Peter Doyle, Peter Fuller, Richard Gamble, Jose Green, Mark Griffiths, Mollie Groom, Lionel Grundy, Robert Hall, Mike Hewitt, Alan Hill, Charles Howard, Chris Humphries, Julian Johnson, Jerry Kunkler, Jacqui Lay, Alan Macrae, Laura Mayes, Jemima Milton, Bill Moss, John Noeken, Sheila Parker, Leo Randall, Pip Ridout, Bill Roberts, Jane Scott, Jonathon Seed, John Smale, Carole Soden, Toby Sturgis, Julie Swabey, John Thomson, Dick Tonge, Tony Trotman, Bridget Wayman, Fred Westmoreland, Stuart Wheeler, Roy While and Chris Williams.

 

The amendments by the Liberal Democrat group having been LOST, the Chairman invited other Group Leaders to comment on the Leader’s motion or to propose amendments to it.

 

Cllr Nigel Carter commented on the budget proposals referring to the positive and constructive scrutiny of the budget led by Cllr Jeff Osborn. He added a note of caution that the Council should be as proactive as it could in the area of enterprise and economy to ensure the economic viability of the County. He was delighted with efforts being made in energy management but added this area needed sustained investment to ensure the right culture prevailed to maximise impact. He also referred to the self insurance fund in the context of the scale of programme for the hubs.

 

Cllr Ricky Rogers acknowledged it was a difficult year to set the budget. He was opposed to the proposal to join the Local Government Association preferring the £88k membership fee was used towards the reinstatement of free swimming.

 

With no further amendments proposed by the other Group Leaders, other members of the Council were given the opportunity to debate the Leader’s motion and or propose any further amendments.

 

Following a lengthy debate, the Leader of the Council responded to the points raised during debate.

 

Following clarification by the Chairman on what was being proposed, the Leader’s motion was put to the vote and CARRIED by a show of hands. It was therefore

 

Resolved:

 

Business Plan and Financial Plan

(a)       That the Business Plan and linked Financial Plan 2011-15 as presented be adopted and that the Chief Executive be given delegated authority to make any amendments of a minor nature to ensure the Plans are accurate and clearly presented following consultation with the Leader of the Council, the S.151 Officer and the Monitoring Officer.

 

(b)       To approve the investments and savings as set out in sections 5 and 6 respectively of the Financial Plan that provides for a net revenue budget in 2011/12 of £329.847 million.

 

(c)        To set a Wiltshire Council Band D council tax for 2011/12 of £1,222.43 as per section 9 of the Financial Plan which represents a zero percentage increase.

 

(d)       To agree to membership of the Local Government Association for the 2011/12 financial year and pay the fee of £87,982 to the Association from reserves set out in the Financial Plan for this period.

 

Capital Programme

            To approve the Wiltshire Council Capital Programme for 2011/12 to 2014/15 as shown in Appendix A of the report presented.

 

Housing Revenue Account Budget

(a)       To approve the Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2010/11 (revised) and 2011/12 (original) as presented.

 

(b)       To approve the increase for dwelling rents in accordance with the rent restructuring.

(c)        To approve an increase of 4.6% for service charges.

(d)       To approve that there be no increase to garage rents to avoid an adverse effect on void rates.

 

Schools Budget

            To approve the overall Schools Budget of £274.653 million.

Fees and Charges

            To approve the fees and charges as included in the revenue budget proposals for 2011/12.

 

Treasury Management Strategy

(a)       To adopt the Prudential and Treasury Indicators (Appendix A of the report presented).

 

(b)       To adopt the Annual Investment Strategy (Appendix B of the report presented).

 

(c)        To delegate to the Chief Finance Officer the authority to vary the amount of borrowing and other long term liabilities within both the Treasury Indicators for the Authorised Limit and the Operational Boundary.

 

(d)       To Authorise the Chief Finance Officer to agree the restructuring of existing long term loans where savings are achievable or to enhance the long term portfolio.

 

(e)       To agree that short term cash surpluses and deficits continue to be managed through temporary loans and deposits.

 

(f)        To agree that any long term surplus cash balances not required to cover borrowing are placed in authorised money-market funds, particularly where this is more cost effective than short term deposits and delegate to the Chief Finance Officer the authority to select such funds.

 

Council Tax Resolution

a)      That it be noted that at its meeting on 14th December 2010 Cabinet calculated the following amounts for the year 2011-12 in accordance with The Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 made under Section 33(5) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (“the Act”):

 

i)          £179,297.66 being the amount calculated by the Council, in accordance with The Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (Amendment) Regulations 2003, as its council tax base for the year;

 

ii)         Part of the Council's Area (Council Tax Base for each parish)

 

b)      That it be noted the revenue and capital budget proposals for 2011-12 are as approved within these minutes.

 

c)      That the following amounts be now calculated by the Council for the year 2011-12 in accordance with sections 32 to 36 of the Local Government and Finance Act 1992:

 

i)          £880,892,037 (Gross Revenue Expenditure including parish precepts) being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 32(2) (a) to (e) of the Act;

 

            ii)         £543,788,000 (Revenue Income) being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 32(3) (a) to (c) of the Act;

 

iii)        £337,104,037 (Net Revenue Expenditure including parish precepts) being the amount by which the aggregate at ci) above exceeds the aggregate at cii) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 32(4) of the Act, as its budget requirement for the year;

 

            iv)        £105,191,569 (Total of Revenue Support Grant, share of National Non Domestic Rating Pool and Estimated Balance on the Collection Fund to be refunded to council tax payers) being the aggregate of the sums which the Council estimates will be payable for the year into its general fund in respect of redistributed non-domestic rates and revenue support grant and increased by the amount of any sum which the Council estimates will be transferred from its collection fund to its general fund pursuant to the Collection Fund (Community Charges) (England) Directions 1994 under section 98(4) of the Local Government Finance Act 1988;

 

            v)         £1,293.45 (Wiltshire Council Band D tax plus average parish councils Band D Tax) being the amount at ciii) above less the amount at civ) above, all divided by the amount at ai) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with section 33(1) of the Act, as the basic amount of its council tax for the year as shown below:

 

Band A £	Band B £	Band C £	Band D £	Band E £	Band F £	Band G £	Band H £
862.30	1006.02	1149.73	1293.45	1580.88	1868.31	2155.75	2586.90

 

            vi)        £12,733,037 (Aggregate of parish and town council precepts)

                        being the aggregate amount of all special items referred to in section 34(1) of the Act;

 

vii)       £1,222.43 (Band D tax for Wiltshire Council purposes only)

being the amount at cv) above less the result given by dividing the amount at cvi) above by the amount at ai) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 34(2) of the Act, as the basic amount of its council tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which no special item relates as shown below:

 

Band A £	Band B £	Band C £	Band D £	Band E £	Band F £	Band G £	Band H £
814.95	950.78	1086.60	1222.43	1494.08	1765.73	2037.38	2444.86

 

            viii)      Part of the Council's Area (List of each Parish’s Council Band D tax)

 

That the table at Appendix C shows the amounts relating to dwellings in those parts of the Council's area mentioned above divided in each case by the amount at aii) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 34(3) of the Act, as the basic amounts of its council tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which one or more special items relate;

 

d)      That it be noted that for the year 2011-12 the Wiltshire Police Authority has stated the following amounts in precepts issued to the Authority, in accordance with Section 40 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, for each of the categories of dwellings shown below:

 

Band A £	Band B £	Band C £	Band D £	Band E £	Band F £	Band G £	Band H £
105.18	122.71	140.24	157.77	192.83	227.89	262.95	315.54

 

e)      That it be noted that for the year 2011-12 the Wiltshire & Swindon Fire Authority has stated the following amounts in precepts issued to the Authority, in accordance with Section 40 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 and Section 83 of the Local Government Act 2003, for each of the categories of dwellings shown below:

 

Band A £	Band B £	Band C £	Band D £	Band E £	Band F £	Band G £	Band H £
41.59	48.52	55.45	62.38	76.24	90.10	103.97	124.76

 

f)       That, having calculated the aggregate in each case of the amounts at cviii), d) and e) above, the Council, in accordance with section 30(2) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, hereby sets the amounts shown in the table at Appendix C as the amounts of council tax for the year 2011-12 for each of the categories of dwellings shown in the table:-

 

Part of the Council's Area  (List of total tax figures for all bands of property for all parishes within Wiltshire – including Parish, Wiltshire Council, Wiltshire Police Authority and Wiltshire and Swindon Fire Authority elements).