Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Rennes Room, Civic Centre, Paris Street, Exeter

Contact: Sarah Selway, Democratic Services Manager (Committees)  Telephone 01392 265275 or email  sarah.selway@exeter.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

73.

Declarations of Interest

Councillors are reminded of the need to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests that relate to business on the agenda and which have not already been included in the register of interests, before any discussion takes place on the item. Unless the interest is sensitive, you must also disclose the nature of the interest. In accordance with the Council's Code of Conduct, you must then leave the room and must not participate in any further discussion of the item.  Councillors requiring clarification should seek the advice of the Monitoring Officer prior to the day of the meeting.

 

 

Decision:

No declarations of disclosable pecuniary interest were made.

 

Minutes:

No declarations of disclosable pecuniary interest were made.

 

74.

Leisure Complex and Bus Station Programme Board - Minutes 28 June 2016 pdf icon PDF 86 KB

To receive the minutes of the Leisure Complex and Bus Station Programme Board held on 28 June 2016.

 

Decision:

Agreed

 

 

That the minutes of the Leisure Complex and Bus Station Programme Board meeting held on 28 June 2016 be received and, where appropriate, adopted.

 

Reason for Decision:

 

As set out in the minutes.

 

Minutes:

The minutes of the Leisure Complex and Bus Station Programme Board meeting held on 28 June 2016 were submitted.

 

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Leisure Complex and Bus Station Programme Board meeting held on 28 June 2016 be received and, where appropriate, adopted.

 

 

75.

Annual Scrutiny Report 2015/16 pdf icon PDF 79 KB

To consider the report of the Corporate Manager Democratic and Civic Support.

Additional documents:

Decision:

Agreed

 

 

That the Annual Scrutiny Report 2015/2016 is approved.

Reason for Decision:

 

As set out in the report.

 

 

Minutes:

The report of the Corporate Manager Democratic and Civic Support was submitted which provided an annual update as to the Scrutiny work achieved during the Municipal Year 2015/16.

 

The Corporate Manager Democratic and Civic Support advised Members that all three Scrutiny Committees had welcomed the report and the work undertaken on the Member led scrutiny function in the Council.

 

People Scrutiny Committee – 2 June 2016, Place Scrutiny Committee – 9 June 2016 and Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee - 29 June 2016 had all considered this report and comments of the Members were noted.

 

RESOLVED that the Annual Scrutiny Report 2015/2016 be approved.

 

76.

Devolution for the Heart of the South West pdf icon PDF 195 KB

To consider the report of the Chief Executive & Growth Director.

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

Agreed

 

 

That it is recommended Council approve:-

 

(1)          it agrees in principle to sign up to the creation of a combined authority for the Heart of the South West, subject to:

 

a)    Exeter and the wider growth area being recognised as a fundamental contributor to improving productivity and this being given due prominence in any proposed devolution proposal or deal;

 

b)    the inclusion of appropriate, place-based decision making arrangements that reflect sub-regional geographies (i.e. the Greater Exeter area), with powers and flexibilities to agree and oversee, for example, the programmes addressing productivity and economic development, including investment in skills and business development;

 

c)    any governance review, consultation on that review and resulting scheme of governance making explicit reference to the principle of subsidiarity and double devolution and that review, consultation and scheme not reviewing, or advocating the review of, the organisation of local authorities in the Heart of the South West area i.e. participating local authorities’ electoral arrangements, governance arrangements, their constitution and membership, and structural and boundary arrangements;

 

d)    The Leader of the Council participating in any meetings or negotiations, including meetings with Government members and officials, that relate to devolution and/or the creation of a combined authority.

 

(2)          that giving this in principle agreement it notes that it does not commit the Council to entering into a devolution deal or becoming a member of a Heart of the South West Combined Authority. This would be subject to future debate and agreement by the Council and subject to negotiations with Government.

 

Reason for Decision:

 

As set out in the report.

 

Minutes:

The report of the Chief Executive & Growth Director was submitted to update Members on progress with devolution discussions and to seek approval to sign up to the principle only of creating a combined authority for the Heart of the South West. 

 

The Chief Executive & Growth Director advised that, in February of this year, Members had supported the themes in the prospectus for working towards securing a devolution deal for the Heart of the South West. The time line was to work towards a deal being announced in the autumn statement which would focus on transport and economic growth for the South West. 

 

The Leader stated that the proposals to be considered were for a Combined Authority and that it was important that there was an Exeter Sub Region to ensure the economic growth of the city and the adjoining authorities. The Combined Authority would enable the South West to have one stronger voice to ensure funding from central government particular in the areas of transport and economic development.

 

The Chief Executive & Growth Director clarified that the Combined Authority would be asking for powers from Central Government to better deal primarily with transport and economic development for the South West. The recommendation did not commit the Council to entering into a devolution deal or becoming a member of a Heart of the South West Combined Authority. Any deal would be subject to future debate and agreement by the Council and subject to negotiations with Government.

 

A Member commented that it was important that the transport links within the South West were improved and it was hoped that any deal would help to secure funding for this.

 

Members were circulated with a revised recommendation.

 

RECOMMENDED to Council that:-

 

(1)          it agrees in principle to sign up to the creation of a combined authority for the Heart of the South West, subject to:

 

a)    Exeter and the wider growth area being recognised as a fundamental contributor to improving productivity and this being given due prominence in any proposed devolution proposal or deal;

 

b)    the inclusion of appropriate, place-based decision making arrangements that reflect sub-regional geographies (i.e. the Greater Exeter area), with powers and flexibilities to agree and oversee, for example, the programmes addressing productivity and economic development, including investment in skills and business development;

 

c)    any governance review, consultation on that review and resulting scheme of governance making explicit reference to the principle of subsidiarity and double devolution and that review, consultation and scheme not reviewing, or advocating the review of, the organisation of local authorities in the Heart of the South West area i.e. participating local authorities’ electoral arrangements, governance arrangements, their constitution and membership, and structural and boundary arrangements;

 

d)    The Leader of the Council participating in any meetings or negotiations, including meetings with Government members and officials, that relate to devolution and/or the creation of a combined authority.

 

(2)          that giving this in principle agreement it notes that it does not commit the Council to entering into a devolution deal  ...  view the full minutes text for item 76.

77.

Environmental Health and Licensing Statutory Service Plan pdf icon PDF 185 KB

To consider the report of the Assistant Director Environment.

 

Place Scrutiny Committee considered the report at its meeting on 9 June 2016 and its comments will be reported.

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

Agreed

 

 

That it is recommended Council approve:-

 

(1)          the Statutory Service Plan 2016/17; and

 

(2)          the Assistant Director Environment be authorised to change the Statutory Service Plan in the light of centrally issued guidance and/or to meet operational needs.

 

Reason for Decision:

 

As set out in the report.

 

Minutes:

The report of the Assistant Director Environment was submitted which sought approval for the adoption of the Environmental Health and Licensing Statutory Service Plan 2016/17 (Appendix I). The Statutory Service Plan sets out the Council’s regulatory function in respect of food safety, health and safety, licensing, Environmental Permitting and other statutory functions over the forthcoming year.

 

Place Scrutiny Committee considered the report at its meeting on 9 June 2016 and its comments were reported.

 

RECOMMENDED to Council that:-

 

(1)          the Statutory Service Plan 2016/17, be approved ; and

 

(2)          the Assistant Director Environment be authorised to change the Statutory Service Plan in the light of centrally issued guidance and/or to meet operational needs.

 

78.

Capital Monitoring 2015/16 and Revised Capital Programme for 2016/17 and Future Years pdf icon PDF 173 KB

To consider the report of the Assistant Director Finance.

 

Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee considered the report at its meeting on 27 June 2016 and its comments will be reported.

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

Agreed

 

 

That it is recommended Council approves:-

 

(1)         overall financial position for the 2015/16 annual capital programme; and

 

(2)        amendments and further funding request to the Council’s annual capital programme for 2016/17.

 

Reason for Decision:

 

As set out in the report.

 

 

Minutes:

The report of the Assistant Director Finance was submitted to update Members on the overall financial performance of the Council for the 2015/16 financial year, in respect of the annual capital programme and to seek approval of the 2016/17 revised capital programme, including commitments carried forward from 2015/16.

 

Members were advised that the capital expenditure amounted to £15,085,951, and the actual expenditure during 2015/16 represented 63.51% of the revised capital programme.  The sum of £8.923 million had been identified and would need to be carried forward to be spent in future years. The Assistant Director Finance also drew attention to a future funding request of £50,000 to purchase a new server and associated oracle licenses, which was a requirement to upgrade the financial system.  This cost of the server would be shared with the other local authority Strata partners at Teignbridge and East Devon District Councils.

 

The Assistant Director Finance brought Members’ attention to the schemes to be deferred to 2016/17 and beyond and that officers had been working to identify the details of a revised programme for schemes in 2016/17and this would be reported back to Members in the autumn.

 

Members raised concerns regarding the number of schemes that were to be deferred and noted that officers would be addressing this issue and reporting back to Members.

 

In response to a Member, the Assistant Director Public Realm clarified that the repair to the Canal Bank at the M5 had been delayed due to the requirement to find an engineering solution to the problem.

 

Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee considered the report at its meeting on 29 June 2016 and its comments were reported.

 

RECOMMENDED that Council notes and approves the:-

 

(1)        overall financial position for the 2015/16 annual capital programme; and

 

(2)        amendments and further funding request to the Council’s annual capital programme for 2016/17.

 

79.

Overview of Revenue Budget 2015/16 pdf icon PDF 275 KB

To consider the report of the Assistant Director Finance.

 

Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee considered the report at its meeting on 27 June 2016 and its comments will be reported.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report of the Assistant Director Finance was submitted to advise Members of the overall financial position of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and General Fund Revenue Budgets for the 2015/16 financial year and to seek approval for the General Fund working balance, HRA working balance, a number of supplementary budgets and the creation of new earmarked reserves.

 

The Assistant Director Finance advised that there was an underspend on the General Fund due to additional income generated, this income was not included in the budget as it could not be relied upon. There was also an underspend on the HRA elating to the Repairs and Maintenance Programme with a saving in respect of resolving damp ingress following lower tender prices and a lower level of remedial repairs than had been originally anticipated.  

 

Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee considered the report at its meeting on 29 June 2016 and its comments were reported.

 

RECOMMENDED that Council:-

 

(1)        approves the net transfer of £198,695 from Earmarked Reserves as detailed in paragraph 8.3.6;

 

(2)        approves the supplementary budgets of £1,457,409 as detailed in paragraph 8.3.8;

 

(3)        notes the Earmarked Reserves at 31 March 2016;

 

(4)        notes the Council Tax account and collection rate;

 

(5)        notes the outstanding sundry debt, aged debt analysis and debt write-off figures;

 

(6)        notes the creditor payments performance;

 

(7)        by taking into account the overall financial position of the Council, approves the General Fund working balance at 31 March 2016 at £5,516,722; and

 

(8)        approves the Housing Revenue Account working balance at 31 March 2016 at £7,068,670 and approves the Council Own Build working balance at £169,004.

 

80.

Treasury Management 2015/16 pdf icon PDF 337 KB

To consider the report of the Assistant Director Finance.

 

Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee considered the report at its meeting on 27 June 2016 and its comments will be reported.

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

Agreed

 

 

That it is recommended Council approve the Treasury Management report for the 2015/16 financial year.

Reason for Decision:

 

It is a statutory requirement for the Council to publish regular reports on Treasury Management to Council.  This includes an annual Treasury Management Strategy and half yearly report and a year-end report as a minimum.

 

Minutes:

The report of the Assistant Director Finance was submitted reporting on the current Treasury Management performance for the 2015/16 financial year and the position regarding investments and borrowings at 31 March 2016.  The report was a statutory requirement and was for information only with no key decisions required.

 

The Assistant Director Finance confirmed that the historic investment with Iceland’s Glitnir Bank had been put forward into an auction on the Foreign Exchange and converted from euros at a more favourable rate than had been anticipated. The Council had received £397,000 back from the outstanding investment and in excess of the £2m originally invested in total.

 

In response to a Member, the Assistant Director Finance clarified the position with the investment in the Local Authority Property Fund, the type of markets invested in and confirmed a strong approach to stewardship and ethics.

 

Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee considered the report at its meeting on 29 June 2016 and its comments were reported.

 

RECOMMENDED that Council approves the Treasury Management report for the 2015/16 financial year.

 

81.

Development of an Exeter Playing Pitch Strategy pdf icon PDF 193 KB

To consider the report of the Assistant Director City Development.

 

Decision:

Agreed

 

 

That it is recommended Council delegate the approval of the draft Exeter Playing Pitch Strategy for consultation purposes to the Portfolio Holder for City Development in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Sport and Health and Wellbeing, as set out in Option 2 shown in Appendix 1. A follow up report would be produced at a later date for consideration by Executive to agree the adoption of the strategy.

 

Reason for Decision:

 

The EPPS will set out the high level vision, objectives and actions towards playing pitches within the City. This will provide a framework and give overall direction to our future work in this area. Delegation of the approval to consult on the draft strategy will accelerate the process leading to an earlier adoption.

 

 

Minutes:

The report of the Assistant Director City Development was submitted informing Members of the production of the Exeter Playing Pitch Strategy (EPPS), the steps to its adoption, and seeking Members’ views on the means to accelerate the process of its preparation.

 

Members were advised that the need for an EPPS was urgent in the context of current applications and, in particular, with regard to an appeal on the non –determination of a planning application at Wear Barton which would be heard towards the end of the year. The EPPS would be brought back to Executive for a final decision.

 

RECOMMENDED that Council delegate the approval of the draft Exeter Playing Pitch Strategy for consultation purposes to the Portfolio Holder for City Development in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Sport and Health and Wellbeing and Assistant Director City Development, as set out in Option 2 shown in Appendix 1. A follow up report would be produced at a later date for consideration by Executive to agree the adoption of the strategy.

 

82.

Application for extinguishment of vehicular rights in Paris Street pdf icon PDF 134 KB

To consider the report of the Assistant Director City Development.

 

Decision:

Agreed

 

 

That provided the developer undertake to meet the City Council’s full costs, delegated power is given to the Assistant Director City Development to submit an application (or applications) to the Secretary of State for the extinguishment of rights to use motor vehicles on Paris Street (between Dix’s Field and High Street) under the terms of Section 249 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. The purpose of this application is to improve the amenity of that area in accordance with the scheme set out within the approved outline planning application (reference 15/0791/01) for the redevelopment of the Bus and Coach Station site. That redevelopment scheme includes the formation of a public amenity space on the land.

 

Reason for Decision:

 

The extinguishment of rights under Section 249:

·         Accords with the terms of planning consent ref. 15/0791/01;

·         Preserves these areas of the highway as public highway;

·         The developer is not eligible to apply under this section and can only apply to stop up the highway, in which case it would cease to be public highway.

 

Minutes:

The report of the Assistant Director City Development was submitted recommending that Exeter City Council agree to make an application to the Secretary of State for the extinguishment of the right to use motor vehicles on Paris Street (between Dix’s Field and High Street) under the terms of Section 249 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to facilitate the improvement of the amenity of that area. Whilst the order would be made by the Council an indemnity would be sought from the developer with regards to costs incurred.

 

RESOLVED that, provided the developer undertake to meet the City Council’s full costs, delegated power is given to the Assistant Director City Development to submit an application (or applications) to the Secretary of State for the extinguishment of rights to use motor vehicles on Paris Street (between Dix’s Field and High Street) under the terms of Section 249 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. The purpose of this application is to improve the amenity of that area in accordance with the scheme set out within the approved outline planning application (reference 15/0791/01) for the redevelopment of the Bus and Coach Station site. That redevelopment scheme includes the formation of a public amenity space on the land.

 

(In accordance with Standing Order no.43 Councillors requested that their vote be recorded  - Councillors Bialyk, Bull, Denham, Edwards, Hannaford, Morse and Sutton voted in support of the recommendation, Councillor Leadbetter voted against the recommendation and Councillor Owen abstained from voting).

 

83.

Greater Exeter Strategic Plan pdf icon PDF 209 KB

To consider the report of the Assistant Director City Development.

 

Decision:

Agreed

 

 

That it is recommended Council approve:-

 

(1)        a Strategic Plan be prepared for the development of the Greater Exeter area intended to cover the period up to 2040 and that it be jointly prepared by East Devon, Mid-Devon and Teignbridge District Councils and Exeter City Council with the support of Devon County Council;

 

(2)        a joint budget of £330,000 be established for the current financial year to fund the preparation of the necessary evidence base for the plan on the basis of an equal split of £70,000 per district level authority with Devon County Council also contributing and holding the joint budget;

 

(3)        a budget of £70,000 as Exeter’s share of the joint budget be approved; and

 

(4)        a detailed scope, timetable, terms of reference, governance and staffing arrangements be worked up for a Joint Strategic Plan and reported to Members at their next available meeting.

 

 

Reason for Decision:

 

As set out in the report.

 

Minutes:

The report of the Assistant Director City Development was submitted advising Members of the proposal for a Joint Strategic Plan for the Greater Exeter area which would be prepared in partnership between East Devon District Council, Exeter City Council, Mid Devon District Council and Teignbridge District Council with assistance from Devon County Council. The plan would cover the geographical area of the four partner authorities (excluding the area of Dartmoor National Park) but would be limited in scope to cover strategic issues and strategic allocations within those areas with local issues to be considered through linked local plans prepared by each partner authority for their area.

 

In response to a Member, the Assistant Director City Development clarified that the Greater Exeter Strategic Plan would be a statutory document and be used to support recommendations for planning applications.

 

RECOMMENDED to Council that:-

 

(1)        a Strategic Plan be prepared for the development of the Greater Exeter area intended to cover the period up to 2040 and that it be jointly prepared by East Devon, Mid-Devon and Teignbridge District Councils and Exeter City Council with the support of Devon County Council;

 

(2)        a joint budget of £330,000 be established for the current financial year to fund the preparation of the necessary evidence base for the plan on the basis of an equal split of £70,000 per district level authority with Devon County Council also contributing and holding the joint budget;

 

(3)        a budget of £70,000 as Exeter’s share of the joint budget be approved; and

 

(4)        a detailed scope, timetable, terms of reference, governance and staffing arrangements be worked up for a Joint Strategic Plan and reported to Members at their next available meeting.

 

84.

Exwick and Flowerpot Playing Fields pdf icon PDF 115 KB

To consider the report of the Corporate Manager Property.

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

Agreed

 

 

That:-

 

(1)          the transfer by lease of the Exwick and Flowerpot Playing Fields be approved, along the lines set out in this report; and

 

(2)          the detailed terms be agreed by the Corporate Manager Property in consultation with the Leader and the Portfolio Holder Enabling Services.

 

Reason for Decision:

 

Corporate Plan objective to deliver the Exwick Hub and to secure operational savings on playing field management.

 

Minutes:

The report of the Corporate Manager Property was submitted advising Members of the proposal to transfer by lease, the whole of Exwick and Flowerpot Playing Fields (shown on the circulated plan), including the changing rooms, to Exeter College but with continued use by the community.

 

Members were advised that the proposals were considered by Scrutiny Committee Resources on 16 March 2016 and the Committee was supportive of the proposals.

 

The Leader supported this proposal to work in partnership with Exeter College to improve this well used sports facility.

 

Members welcomed the way forward to ensure that the playing fields were used to their maximum potential to benefit the whole community.

 

RESOLVED that:-

 

(1)          the transfer by lease of the Exwick and Flowerpot Playing Fields be approved, along the lines set out in this report; and

 

(2)          the detailed terms be agreed by the Corporate Manager Property in consultation with the Leader and the Portfolio Holder Enabling Services.

 

85.

Outside Bodies Appointments pdf icon PDF 110 KB

To consider the report of the Corporate Manager Democratic and Civic Support.

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

Agreed

 

 

That it is recommended Council approve:-

 

(1)        appointments be made to those outside bodies as set out in the Appendix with the following amendments;

 

Community Safety Partnership – Also appoint Portfolio Holder for Place

              Devon and Cornwall Food Association - Councillor Wood

Devon Authorities Strategic Waste Committee – Councillor Wood;

 

(2)        the Corporate Manager Democratic and Civic Support be granted delegated authority, in consultation with the Group Leaders, to appoint, when necessary representatives to outside bodies during the course of the Municipal Year; and

 

(3)        the Corporate Manager, Democratic and Civic Support be requested to undertake a review of the membership of those bodies listed in the appendix to this report, and to which the Council appoints representatives, to confirm the continuing appropriateness for the Council to be so represented, and to bring a report to the Executive in due course on his findings.

 

Reason for Decision:

 

To ensure that the Council is represented on outside bodies.

 

Minutes:

The report of the Corporate Manager Democratic and Civic Support was submitted to appoint Members to serve on outside bodies.

 

The Corporate Manager Democratic and Civic Support advised Members that there were over 50 nominations to outside bodies and one of the recommendations was that a review of the membership of the bodies listed in the appendix to this report be undertaken to confirm the continuing appropriateness for the Council to be so represented. A further report would be brought to Members on the outcome of the review.

 

RECOMMENDED to Council that:-

 

(1)        appointments be made to those outside bodies as set out in the Appendix with the following amendments;

 

              Community Safety Partnership – Also appoint Portfolio Holder for Place

              Devon and Cornwall Food Association - Councillor Wood

              Devon Authorities Strategic Waste Committee – Councillor Wood;

 

(2)        the Corporate Manager Democratic and Civic Support be granted delegated authority, in consultation with the Group Leaders, to appoint, when necessary, representatives to outside bodies during the course of the Municipal Year; and

 

(3)        the Corporate Manager Democratic and Civic Support be requested to undertake a review of the membership of those bodies listed in the appendix to this report, and to which the Council appoints representatives, to confirm the continuing appropriateness for the Council to be so represented, and to bring a report to the Executive in due course on his findings.

 

86.

Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 - Exclusion of Press and Public

RESOLVED that, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of items 16, 17, 18 and 19 on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 2, 3 and 4 of Part I, Schedule 12A of the Act. 

Decision:

Agreed

 

 

That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1,2, 3 and 4 of Part 1, Schedule 12A of the Act. 

 

Minutes:

RESOLVED that under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1,2, 3 and 4 of Part 1, Schedule 12A of the Act. 

 

87.

Help Me with my Financial/Housing problem system - Final Restructure Report for Finance Aspect

To consider the report of the Assistant Director Customer Access.

 

Decision:

Agreed

 

 

That:-

 

(1)          the capturing of the proposed establishment of the immediate and short to medium term needs be noted. With further changes to come in Welfare Reform and Business Rates, there would be a need for the service to remain as agile as possible to reflect the changes in the way the service would be resourced. The structure may therefore need to be reviewed again in 2019; and

 

That it is recommended Council approve:-

 

(2)          the proposed new establishment so that formal implementation can commence; and

 

(3)          an additional budget of £130,000 for 2016/17 as a consequence of the approval of the new establishment.

 

Reason for Decision:

 

As set out in the report.

 

Minutes:

The report of the Assistant Director Customer Access was submitted for the restructure in the Customer Access Directorate, within the finance element of the system. The report had been considered at Executive on 6 October 2015 when permission had been given to proceed through the consultation phase in accordance with Exeter City Council’s Organisational Change Policy.  

 

Members were advised of the changes that had been made to the proposed structure as a result of the feedback received from staff through the consultation process.  

 

Members welcomed the restructure and expressed their thanks for all the work that was undertaken in the Customer Service Centre.      

 

RESOLVED that:-

 

(1)          the capturing of the proposed establishment of the immediate and short to medium term needs be noted. With further changes to come in Welfare Reform and Business Rates;

 

(2)          it be noted that there would be a need for the service to remain as agile as possible to reflect the changes in the way the service would be resourced. The structure may therefore need to be reviewed again in 2019; and

 

RECOMMENDED that Council approves:-

 

(3)          the proposed new establishment so that formal implementation can commence; and

 

(4)          an additional budget of £130,000 for 2016/17 as a consequence of the approval of the new establishment.

 

88.

Restructure of Older Persons' Services for Housing

To consider the report of the Assistant Director Housing.

 

Decision:

Agreed

 

 

That:-

 

(1)        the draft Business Case for the restructure of Exeter City Council’s Older Persons’ Service be approved; and

 

(2)        the consultation framework set out in the draft Business Case, which follows the Council’s Management of Organisational Change Policy, be approved.

 

Reason for Decision:

 

As set out in the report.

 

Minutes:

The report of the Assistant Director Housing was submitted providing a draft business case that sets out proposals for how housing support services would be delivered to tenants living in Exeter City Council’s older persons’ accommodation from April 2017.

 

Members were advised that, once the proposals had been considered by Executive, the consultation with the staff and affected tenants would commence.

 

RESOLVED that:-

 

(1)        the draft Business Case for the restructure of Exeter City Council’s Older Persons’ Service be approved; and

 

(2)        the consultation framework set out in the draft Business Case, which follows the Council’s Management of Organisational Change Policy, be approved.

89.

Staffing within Economy & Tourism

To consider the report of the Economy and Tourism Manager.

 

Decision:

Agreed

 

 

That it is recommended Council approve:-

 

(1)        the addition of two new posts to the Council’s establishment with the amendment of two existing posts’ job descriptions and job titles to better reflect the work they undertake;

 

(2)        the re-evaluation of two additional posts and a change in the name of the service area to Growth & Enterprise as a result of the staff consultation;

 

(3)        the extension of the secondment of the Assistant Director Economy’s to Innovation Exeter (located within the University of Exeter) for a further 12 months; and 

 

(4)        an additional budget of up to £60,000 as a consequence of the re-structure.

 

Reason for Decision:

 

As set out in the report.

 

Minutes:

The report of the Economy and Tourism Manager was submitted to update Members on the results of the Economy and Tourism staff consultation in regard to two additional posts being added to the structure and two existing posts being re-evaluated.  

 

RECOMMENDED that Council approves:-

 

(1)        the addition of two new posts to the Council’s establishment with the amendment of two existing posts’ job descriptions and job titles to better reflect the work they undertake;

 

(2)        the re-evaluation of two additional posts and a change in the name of the service area to Growth & Enterprise as a result of the staff consultation;

 

(3)        the extension of the secondment of the Assistant Director Economy’s to Innovation Exeter (located within the University of Exeter) for a further 12 months; and 

 

(4)        an additional budget of up to £60,000 as a consequence of the re-structure.

 

90.

Business Case for Valley Parks Transfer

To consider the report of the Assistant Director Public Realm.

 

Decision:

Agreed

 

 

That:-

 

(1)        the principle of transfer of the lease of land owned or leased by the City Council in Exeter’s Valley Parks, namely Riverside, Ludwell, Mincinglake, Belvedere and Duryard, Barley Valley and Withycombe Way, to Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT) for a period of 30 years, be approved;

 

(2)        the principle of the grant of a development agreement and ground lease for a period of 99 years on any land identified between the Council and the Devon Wildlife Trust as suitable for a Visitor Centre be approved;

 

(3)        the principle of providing a financial contribution of a sum equivalent to five years’ net revenue budget be approved;

           

(4)        the draft business case for the transfer of the City Council’s Valley Parks to Devon Wildlife Trust be approved for consultation with staff and unions in accordance with the Council’s Organisational Change Policy; and

 

(5)        the outcome of the consultation with staff and unions and the final business case be reported to the next meetings of Place Scrutiny Committee and Executive.

 

Reason for Decision:

 

As set out in the report.

 

Minutes:

The report of the Assistant Director Public Realm was submitted to consider the implications for the transfer of the City Council’s Valley Parks to Devon Wildlife Trust.

 

Members supported the proposed way forward which would protect the Valley Parks and aid the enhancement of Suitable Alternative Natural Green Space (SANGS) which was an element of the Habitat Mitigation Strategy.

 

RESOLVED that:-

 

(1)        the principle of transfer of the lease of land owned or leased by the City Council in Exeter’s Valley Parks, namely Riverside, Ludwell, Mincinglake, Belvedere and Duryard, Barley Valley and Withycombe Way, to Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT) for a period of 30 years, be approved;

 

(2)        the principle of the grant of a development agreement and ground lease for a period of 99 years on any land identified between the Council and the Devon Wildlife Trust as suitable for a Visitor Centre be approved;

 

(3)        the principle of providing a financial contribution of a sum equivalent to five years’ net revenue budget be approved;

           

(4)        the draft business case for the transfer of the City Council’s Valley Parks to Devon Wildlife Trust be approved for consultation with staff and unions in accordance with the Council’s Organisational Change Policy; and

 

(5)        the outcome of the consultation with staff and unions and the final business case be reported to the next meetings of Place Scrutiny Committee and Executive.