Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 11 February 2020.

The minutes of the meeting held on 11 February 2020, were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

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.

No declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests were made.

To receive questions relating to items on the Agenda from members of the public and responses thereto.

Details of questions should be notified to the Corporate Manager Democratic and Civic Support at least three working days prior to the meeting. Further information about speaking at a committee can be found here: Speaking at a Committee

No public questions were received.

To consider the report of the Director (DB).

The Executive received the report on the skills strategy for Exeter, which had been developed following approval by the Executive in November 2018, supporting the delivery of the key objectives for the Council’s Corporate Plan and Vision for Exeter. Members were referred to the report which outlined the priorities and noted that the strategy was evidence based to address the priorities and highlight where more work was required. It was important to ensure that people had the right skills for more highly qualified jobs and that the apprenticeships for young people provided the opportunity to attain important skills for the workplace.

Particular reference was made to Exeter being awarded the City of Apprenticeships status by City and Guilds, based on the Centre for Cities Report and the recognition of the partnership working that contributed to the success of Exeter. Other key priorities included the filling of the harder to fill jobs and the focus on the key employments sectors, as listed in the report.

During the discussion, the following points were raised:-

·         Exeter College and the recent Exeter jobs fair were helping Flybe Apprentice’s, to find alternative employment following the recent redundancies at Exeter Airport;

·         Capturing the information for different types of learners was a challenge, but distance learning opportunities would be addressed;

·         Members were proud of the investment in skills and opportunities for all residents and future generations;

·         Self-employment figures had risen in Exeter, and work was being done to understand the type of work being undertaken by self-employed people;

·         Members would be interested in seeing an increase in the student graduate retention rate for Exeter;

·         The City Apprenticeships status had been awarded to Exeter by City and Guilds, which highlighted Exeter as one of six cities that had bucked the trend in apprenticeship starts following the introduction of the levy, which reflected the recognition of partnership working across the city to support residents achieve employment; and

·         Specific thanks were given to the Skills & Business Manager for the work undertaken and the importance of the strategy.

RECOMMENDED that Council approve:-

(1)  the Skills Strategy for Exeter; and

(2)  the associated action plan to enable the Skills & Business Manager to proceed with the outlined work programme.

To consider the report of the Director (DB).

The Executive received the report on the Port Marine Safety Code, which detailed the required changes that would help ensure Exeter City Council met the Marine Safety Code compliance standard.

Members were referred to the report which outlined the governance arrangements and legal framework required to obtain the compliance with the Port Marine Safety Code. Exeter City Council was responsible for looking after the waterways between the Mill on the Exe and Exmouth and the formation of a constituted Port Authority Harbour Board was a necessary step toward compliance.

Particular reference was made to the appointment of the Harbour Master in 2019, who had undertaken various engagement work with partners and users on the Exe Estuary and Canal. This had helped encourage East Devon District Council and Exmouth Town Council to contribute funds for a harbour patrol vessel. Once in place, one of the early challenges for the Harbour Board would be to explore the legal options to provide enforcement powers to help manage safety within the Port.

During the discussion, it was noted that £1,800 would be earmarked from within existing Waterways budgets to meet any running expenses of the Harbour Board.

RECOMMENDED that Council approve:-

(1)  the amendment of the constitution to setup a politically balanced Harbour Board (Council Committee) comprising of six elected Members and six externally appointed members;

(2)  the Terms of Reference for the Harbour Board as follows:

(a)  To maintain strategic oversight and direction of all aspects of the Harbour operation, including marine safety;

(b)  To be responsible for the development of policies, plans, systems and procedure for safe navigation;

(c)  To ensure that all assessments and reviews are undertaken as required to maintain and improve marine safety;

(d)  to ensure that the harbour authority sees and adopts appropriate powers for the effective enforcement of their regulations, and for the setting of dues at a level which adequately funds the discharge of all their duties;

(e)  To appoint a Designated Person to provide independent assurance directly to the Duty Holder that the Marine Safety management system is working effectively; and

(f)   To investigate the potential for applying for a Harbour Revision Order to empower the Council to take enforcement action on issues such as dangerous use of jet skis through Special Directions and to oversee a review of the Bye-Laws covering the Estuary; and

(3)  the expenditure of £25,000 on a Harbour Patrol vessel following the contributions from East Devon District Council (£15,000) and Exmouth Town Council (£10,000).

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To consider the report of the Director (DB).

The Executive received the report which sought to increase the car parking tariffs from May 2020 and to make minor amendments to improve the regulation of Council car parks, whilst supporting the Council’s goal of a carbon neutral Exeter by 2030. Members were referred to the report which highlighted the changes to the tariffs, which provided both an important income to the Council and was a means to reduce congestion in the city, without causing a detrimental impact on the city centre.

Particular reference was made to the inclusion of offering resident’s with electric vehicles, free annual car parking permits to support the Council’s carbon neutral goal and that the minimum stay duration had been changed to two hours to encourage users to stay longer. Specific mention was made to the overall increase to tariffs of 10p for all rates, compared to the previous year’s tariffs. Members noted that the recommendations listed in the report were designed to deter the use of cars and encourage the use of public transport.

During the discussion, the following points were raised:-

·         The parking tariff changes would support the Council’s key objectives for lowering the carbon footprint and to continue to encourage residents and visitors to use other means of transport to travel into the city;

·         The removal of the one hour parking fee would support the carbon neutral strategy by lowering the number of drivers who repeatedly parked multiple times throughout the day at the same location;

·         There was a difficult balance between generating income for the Council and lowering the carbon footprint by reducing the number of cars;

·         The number of electric vehicle charging points is being extended and would be free to use for owners of electric vehicles; and

·         Each year, 3,800 tons of carbon was emitted which the Council was working to reduce.

RESOLVED that the following be approved:-

(1)  the Car Parking Places Order 2014 be amended as follows:-

(a)  to make car park residential permits free for electric vehicles;

(b)  to raise the minimum tariff in all car parks from 1 hour to 2 hours;

(c)  to increase tariffs for stays between 2 hours and 7 hours in Premium, Zone 1 and Zone 2 car parks by 10p;

(d)  to increase tariffs for all-day stays in Premium car parks by £3.00;

(e)  to increase tariffs in Zone 3 car parks by 50p (for 2 hour stays), £1.00 (for 3 hour stays), £1.50 ( for 4 hour and all day stays) and by £5.00 for coaches (all day)

(2)  a requirement for all vehicles parking within Exeter City Council car parks to have a valid vehicle tax and MOT certificate; and

(3)  the inclusion of the access road into Haven Road 2 and 3 car parks within the Parking Places Order.

To nominate the Lord Mayor Elect and the Deputy Lord Mayor Elect for the 2020/21 Municipal Year.

The Leader proposed, and the Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Portfolio Holder for Climate and Culture seconded, that Councillor Sheldon be nominated as Lord Mayor Elect for the 2020/21 Municipal Council year, and that Councillor Sills be nominated as the Deputy Lord Mayor Elect for the 2020/21 Municipal Year.

RECOMMENDED to Council that Councillor Sheldon be nominated as Lord Mayor Elect for the 2020/21 Municipal Year and that Councillor Sills be nominated as the Deputy Lord Mayor Elect for the 2020/21 Municipal Year.