Agenda and minutes

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

These were received from Councillor Leadbetter, Phil Atwell and Simon Bowkett.

 

 

2.

Minutes of the meeting held on 19 November 2015 pdf icon PDF 113 KB

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 19 November 2015 be taken as read and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

 

3.

Broadband Provision

Minutes:

Mr Russell, who had attended the previous meeting to ask a question under the Open Forum procedure in respect of broadband, asked the following additional question:-

 

“When can we expect to get an upgrade on our Download speed from its present 2 mbps? Is it 3 months, 6 months or longer before we can expect a decent speed enjoyed, we are informed, by 95% of the population.”

 

He explained that, having recently moved from West Hill into the area, he had been surprised to find that the broad band coverage was very poor.

 

The Chair invited Paul Coles of BT, who had been invited to the meeting to speak generally on broadband provision, to respond.

 

Mr Cole informed the Board of BT operational details in the South West and Exeter, the level of Government and BT investment in the roll out of Broadband across the country and the goals set for both BT itself and Connecting Devon and Somerset to maximise the roll-out. He explained the practical and commercial criteria used for planning the programme, including the size of settlements and location of individual communities in relation to cabinets.

 

He explained BT’s relationship with Connecting Devon and Cornwall who were undertaking the largest roll out in England and with individual developments such as Cranbrook (where BT is delivering Ultrafast broadband in Phases 2, 3 and onwards). As broadband coverage was now a fundamental element of infrastructure provision, a key element was to convince developers of facilitating broadband provision in new homes. There had been difficulties with some developers, but it was hoped this would change given consumer demand for the facility and the fact that an agreement had been reached with the Home Builders Federation to ensure their members were on board. As the criteria for linking communities were complex, he undertook to liaise with Mr Russel direct on the issues raised.

 

Because of the importance for all developers to commit to facilitating broadband provision and to co-operate fully with suppliers it was suggested that planning procedures could help influence housing developers through planning conditions backed by agreed planning policies and that appropriate mechanisms be identified when granting planning permission for housing developments. In this context, it was considered that it would be helpful if BT could also address the Planning Member Working Group.

 

The Chair thanked Mr Coles for attending and Mr Russell for putting his question.

 

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder for City Development liaise with the Assistant Director City Development to further invite Paul Coles or a representative of BT to attend a meeting of the Planning Member Working Group to discuss how the planning process can further encourage developers to ensure that broadband is provided in new dwellings.

 

4.

Modern Day Slavery in Devon

Minutes:

As Superintendent Keith Perkin was not present to speak on Modern Day Slavery, it was hoped that this matter could be considered at a future Board meeting.

 

5.

Youth Service Update

Minutes:

The Head of Youth Services Devon County Council and local Members updated the Board on progress at the individual youth centres:-

 

100 Club Countess Wear

 

The separate staff mutual would operate out of the Club later in the year and other youth services would also be based there.

 

The Beacon

 

A very successful transfer had been achieved with volunteers and all agencies contributing equally to this achievement and with regular contact with Devon Youth Service. Reaching out to local young people remained the biggest challenge and it was hoped that they could be helped through a cross City offer for outreach.

 

Phoenix Club

 

Protracted lease arrangements were near finalisation, funds made available for capital works and further discussions on nature of youth work delivery to be undertaken. The local Member had funded a travel subsidy for some 45 Wonford young people to participate in 100 Club events.

 

 

West Side

Although the YMCA Board would, at a forthcoming meeting, further consider any possible involvement in the Buddle Lane Hall, it was likely that interest would be withdrawn and that the area west of the City of some 33,000 inhabitants, which was once served by three youth centres, would no longer have any. Local Members stressed the long term potential risks for communities in not providing support for young people. Further, vulnerable young people were losing professional and supportive youth workers. It was hoped that the new Community Organiser identified for the Exwick area would help to address and find ways to meet some of the need.

With regard to the overall delivery of youth services, the Board had previously called for the development of a youth strategy for Exeter in order to ensure as strong and co-ordinated provision as possible for young people across the City, but this had not been progressed. Consideration was now being given to progressing this proposal which would help redress the loss of youth clubs in Exeter and Kevin Henman referred to initiatives at Leeds and Bristol City Councils which would help inform the commissioning of a similar approach for Exeter.

 

An independent lead was suggested to progress a strategy and advice could be sought from the Regional Youth Work Unit at Taunton who had carried out a similar exercise with partners across Bristol. It was proposed that a working group of Members and officers meet to scope the requirements for the strategy with a sum of £5,000 allocated to engage a consultant and fund the development of the strategy, representing a 50/50 split between the City and County Councils. The County Council had offered to commission the work

 

Councillor Barry Parsons, the Cabinet Member for Performance and Engagement, confirmed that he had volunteered to Chair a group initially if necessary and emphasised his commitment to redressing the balance of youth provision in the City. He felt that the involvement of young people in the consultation process was vital in the development of a strategy as had been the case with the other authorities and that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

Funding Sub Group - Minutes of meeting of 17 December 2015 pdf icon PDF 84 KB

Minutes:

The minutes of the Funding Sub Group of 17 December 2015 were noted.

 

7.

Feedback from Member representation on Multi Agency Groups pdf icon PDF 108 KB

(a)  Exeter Health and Wellbeing Board

 

Minutes of the meetings held on 17 November 2015 and 2 February 2016.

 

(b)  Community Safety Partnership – Executive Group

 

Minutes of the meeting held on 21 October 2015.

 

(c)   Exeter Community Forum – Feedback from Christine Fraser.

 

 

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Exeter Health and Wellbeing Board

 

The Board noted the minutes of the meetings held on 17 November 2015 and 2 February 2016.

 

Councillor Owen reported that, the Health and Wellbeing Board had added “Improving the diet of Exeter citizens” as a fifth priority and that a Task and Finish Group was now bringing forward various initiatives and it was noted that the Wat Tyler House Wellbeing Hub would open in early Spring.

 

Community Safety Partnership

 

The Board noted the minutes of the meeting held on 21 October 2015.

 

Exeter Community Forum

 

The Chair welcomed Christine Fraser who, as Joint Chair of the Exeter Community Forum, reported on progress made by the Forum in developing the draft Community led Strategy including an Action Plan for the next three years. It was a long term process and would also help inform the work of the Council. It would help inform the release of the neighbourhood portion of the Community Infrastructure Levy fund which, it was estimated, equated to approximately £3.75 million over 10 years. Part of the challenge would be to maximise these funds through investment, matched funding and development.

 

A wide-scale community consultation had taken place involving a number of communities of place and a number of city-wide interest groups which have helped to identify:-

 

  • help to areas of unmet need as well as areas affected by new developments;
  • improvement to the environment/green scheme; and
  • help for individual groups such as the elderly and young people.

 

The Forum would also consult the ICE project and Exeter City Futures both of which would help list the aspirations of communities including young people and there had been useful support to involve young people via the Devon Youth Service.

 

The Chair thanked Christine Fraser for the update.

 

8.

Dates of meetings

Board Meetings – at the Civic Centre starting at 5.30pm

 

Thursday 28 April 2016

Thursday 14 July 2016

Thursday 22 September 2016

Thursday 17 November 2016

Thursday 2 February 2017

Thursday 20 April 2017

Thursday13 July 2017

Thursday 21 September 2017

 

Future Business

 

Members are asked to consider topics and themes and whether to have sight of the forward plans of the City Council’s Executive and the County Council’s Cabinet and of Scrutiny Committees.

 

 

Minutes:

The following dates of future Board meetings were noted, all commencing at 5.30pm in the Civic Centre:-

 

Thursday 28 April 2016

Thursday 14 July 2016

Thursday 22 September 2016

Thursday 17 November 2016

Thursday 2 February 2017

Thursday 20 April 2017

Thursday13 July 2017

Thursday 21 September 2017

 

The following matters were suggested as future business with dates identified where possible:-

 

Modern Day Slavery – April

School Exclusion Strategy – April

Exeter BID Update – July

Dementia – July or September