Agenda item

Councillor Brimble (Portfolio Holder Place) Councillor Bialyk (Portfolio Holder Health and Wellbeing, Communities & Sport) Councillor Denham (Portfolio Holder City Transformation, Energy and Transport), Councillor D Gottschalk (Portfolio Holder City Development), and Councillor R Sutton (Portfolio Holder Economy and Culture) to present year end updates for 2016/17.

Councillors Brimble, Denham, Gottschalk, Bialyk and Sutton presented the following updates on priorities for Place, City Transformation Energy & Transport, City Development, Health and Wellbeing, Communities & Sport and Economy and Culture respectively for 2016/17.

Place

The Portfolio Holder for Place reported the following updates:-

·         An external Recycling Advisor had been appointed for a four month contract for low recycling areas. The engagement work was expected to commence mid-summer 2017;

·         Anti-social behaviour such as graffiti issues were being addressed and there was the pending implementation of the PSPO and work with other Local Authorities to improve CCTV surveillance into the city;

·         Following the Service Managers retirement, the Parks and open spaces work was moving forward.

In response to Members’ questions, the Portfolio Holder for Place responded as follows:-

·         Further details of the Recycling Advisor appointment and where the post holder would be working would be confirmed with of the Cleansing and Fleet Manager. A written response would be provided to take issues forward;

·         He would meet with Councillors Mitchell and Owen and representatives of the St James Ward and Victoria Street concerning recycling issues. Other issues should be reported to the cleansing team;

·         The use of seagull-proof bags would be the most efficient means of managing waste to stop its spread and demonstrate that Exeter was an innovative city. He would also view a video of the St James area regarding refuse bags left out by students which had attracted seagulls;

·         Exeter University would contribute to the budget to pay for sea-gull proof bags and he stated the importance of remaining fair to all residents. He recommended that Councillors monitor their Wards and contact him.

A Member commented that the door step food waste collection would assist with improving the recycling issues once it had been implemented.

Health and Wellbeing, Communities & Sport

The Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing, Communities & Sport reported the following updates:-

·         The implementation plan was being finalised;

·         St Sidwells Point and bus station developments were ongoing and it was expected that this complex would become the heart of the city. There would be a need to bring Wonford and Riverside centres up to date;

·         The new director would lead on aspiring Exeter to become the most active city in Devon and promote a positive impact on Health and Wellbeing;

·         The bus station tenders were over expectation, which led to an extraordinary Council meeting being held. Questions would be taken to Members’ Briefings and a revised budget would be taken to Council. All information would be provided to Members at the appropriate time;

·         There were three potential options to move forward - make no changes, spend the budget amount or to revise the budget. The options would be brought to Members to ensure a transparent process.

In response to a Members’ question, the Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing, Communities & Sport responded that the Sports England bid update outcome was expected to be completed in June and would be confirmed by Exeter City Futures.

City Transformation, Energy & Transport

The Portfolio Holder for City Transformation, Energy and Transport provided a brief overview of her portfolio and in response to Members’ questions, responded as follows:-

·         There was no available data at present on the progress of Co Cycles, but information would be provided when known. The scheme was very popular, but it was noted that the bikes couldn’t be charged at the Civic Centre. It would also be beneficial to make the bikes more available to staff;

·         There had been continuous improvements made to cycle routes which the pavement and cycle path quality had improved;

·         Co-Cycle could be invited to the September Scrutiny meeting.

City Development

The Portfolio Holder for City Development reported the following updates:-

·         The Government targets for time taken to determine applications were at an acceptable level;

·         The Development team were now running at full employment level.

In response to Members’ questions, the Portfolio Holder for City Development responded:-

·         Though he was new to the Portfolio, he would provide a written response concerning the development of the new St James Neighbourhood Plan;

·         Under the CIL Regulation, student accommodation money could be used on other areas of the community;

·         He would be speaking to the City Development Manager to ensure that there were improved communications to ensure clarity concerning student accommodation.

Economy and Culture

The Portfolio Holder for Economy and Culture referred Members to her priority list, but no questions were raised by Members.

The Place Scrutiny Committee noted the reports of the Portfolio Holders.