SWINDON BOROUGH COUNCIL AGENDA

Recommendations

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Recommendations from the Community Governance Review Council Date: 10 th November 2016 A large proportion of parishes are modest in size – for example, around 4,000 parishes have precepts of £25 or less. However, the Government is aware that increases in these precepts continue to concern local tax payers and is therefore prepared to consider extending referendums to all parishes. We recognise that issues of proportionality, practicality and cost could be raised by such a step, and would welcome views on this.” 3.54 Swindon currently has one parish with an annual precept over £500k and it is likely that the larger proposed new parishes could also raise a precept in excess of £0.5m. However, the Government is very supportive of the creation of new parishes which is demonstrated by it recently passing legislation making it easier for them to be created and therefore it is not expected that above inflation increases in precepts during the early years of new parishes being established would be challenged. The consultation detailed above also recognises that the referendum principles should not apply where there is a transfer of responsibilities down to parish councils as is the case in Swindon. 3.55 Should new legislation be introduced in future that does impact on the proposed strategy to support parishes to take on a greater range and depth of service provision, it is proposed that the Borough Council liaises with Central Government over potential future increases and, if necessary, reviews its transitional funding arrangements to ensure the strategy can be implemented successfully. However, that is not proposed at present and it is proposed that the Council responds to the consultation on this to confirm that it supports the Government’s proposal that should referendum criteria be introduced for parishes in future, it should not apply where there is a transfer in responsibility for services. Business Community 3.56 As well as engaging with residents, the Council is also committed to engage with business representatives, including the Old Town Business and Professional Association, to ensure key businesses in the town understand the context the Borough Council is operating within and the Community Governance Review process that is being undertaken. 3.57 A number of engagement events and meetings have been held to explore how businesses could influence and contribute towards the cost of services provided in commercial shopping areas. Officers will continue to work with InSwindon and the local business community about ways they can augment or replace the Council’s budget contribution and, in the interim, and recognising that the Town Centre is an asset for the whole borough, the Borough Council will continue to pay the cleaning and maintenance costs of the Town Centre. Further information on the subject of this report can be obtained from Stephen Taylor, 01793 463012, staylor@swindon.gov.uk. Page 26
Recommendations from the Community Governance Review Council Date: 10 th November 2016 4. Alternative Options 4.1 Council could choose to decline some or all of the recommendations set out in the Minute from Cabinet. It is not the Council’s practice to decline no 5. Implications, Diversity Impact Assessment and Risk Management Financial and Procurement Implications 5.1 The cost of the Community Governance Review has to date been met using existing resources and budgets with the exception of £15k spent from the Transition Grant to fund a leaflet drop to all households as part of stage 3 of the consultation. Other financial implications are as referred to in the report. 5.2 Should the Community Governance Review result in the whole Borough being parished, it is estimated that at least £3m of new income could be generated from council tax payers to fund important local services should the parishes so decide. 5.3 If agreed, around £3m of one-off funding would be required to establish parish reserves and to fund transitional funding to ease the impact of the proposals on council tax payers. Legal and Human Rights Implications 5.4 Legal and Human Rights implications have been taken fully into account in the preparation of this report. It is considered that the recommendations of the report are compatible with Convention rights. All Other Implications (including Staff, Sustainability, Health, Rural, Crime and Disorder) 5.5 There are no other direct implications associated with this report. Diversity Impact Assessment 5.6 A Diversity Impact Assessment (DIA) has been undertaken on the proposal for parishes to take a larger role in service provision and this is available for inspection from the report author. 5.7 A DIA for the CGR itself has not been undertaken. It should be noted that parish councils are Public Authorities and so subject to the Public Sector Equality Duty. Risk Management 5.8 There are none linked to this report although failure to comply with the statutory procedures would be a legal and reputational risk to the Council. Further information on the subject of this report can be obtained from Stephen Taylor, 01793 463012, staylor@swindon.gov.uk. Page 27
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genuinely reflect community identit
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In view of the small number of peop
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Blunsdon St Andrew Parish Council 3
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Chiseldon Parish Council voted to r
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d) The Parish Council propose that
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3.43 At present Nythe has 7 parish
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further recommended that the number
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3.59 The areas that could be create
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Recommendations to Council 1.8 Cabi
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SCRUTINY COMMITTEE MONDAY, 10 OCTOB
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Schools Forum Membership Update Sch
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Appendix 1 - Schools Forum Membersh
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1972, the public be excluded during
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Fund balances and these will need t
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The correlation between parish boun
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Resolved - (1) That the application
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The Decision Note (report) sets out
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SWINDON BOROUGH COUNCIL AGENDA

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