To receive questions from Members of the Council to the relevant Portfolio Holders for this Scrutiny Committee. The Portfolio Holders reporting to this Scrutiny Committee are:-
Councillor Bialyk - Leader
Councillor Morse - Portfolio Holder City Development
Councillor Parkhouse Portfolio Holder Climate and Ecological Crisis
Councillor Wood - Portfolio Holder Leisure Services and Physical Activity
Councillor Wright - Portfolio Holder, Culture and City Centre Strategy
Advance questions from Members relating to the Portfolio Holders above should be notified to the Democratic Services Manager.
Minutes:
In accordance with Standing Order No. 20, the following questions were submitted by Councillor Moore in relation to the Portfolios of Councillors Bialyk, Morse and also Councillor Pearce who attended the meeting. The questions were circulated at the meeting to Members of the Committee. The responses of the Portfolio Holders are set out in italics below: –
QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS UNDER SO20 TO CLLR BIALYK
Questions from Councillor Moore
How advanced is the work undertake by ECL on the scheme to redevelop Mary Arches?
The work was at the Feasibility stage and the Director City Development will be able to provide further detail. A report on the Disposal of various sites would be presented to the forthcoming Executive meeting.
How much did the council pay ECL for this work?
The Director City Development would provide the information to the Leader, but unfortunately it was not yet available. There will be information on an overall cost for this in due course.
Councillor Moore asked a supplementary question, whether the Leader would involve the Ward Councillors in the discussions on the Feasibility work before it was reported to the Executive. The Leader said that Ward Members along with all Members and residents will be consulted in accordance with the Consultation Charter.
How advanced is the feasibility work on the Southgate Liveable Exeter site?
The project was now at Stage 2 Feasibility.
Councillor Moore asked a supplementary question relating to the advanced feasibility stage, which was beyond a vision and concept and asked if Ward Members would be involved in the discussion. The Leader advised that appropriate Ward Members would be contacted for any of the sites in the city.
How much did the council pay ECL and third parties for this work?
The overall picture will be available with a report to the Executive on the disposal of land.
Councillor Moore asked a supplementary question, if the figures would be available after the meeting. The Leader stated they were not currently available.
QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS UNDER SO20 TO CLLR MORSE (Portfolio Holder City Development).
Question from Councillor Moore
In light of the National Audit office report on resilience to flooding https://www.nao.org.uk/reports/resilience-to-flooding/ - will the Portfolio holder ask the Environment Agency for an assessment of the implications of these findings and their impact on Exeter and the development of the local plan?
The City Council has involved the Environment Agency in detailed discussions during the preparation of the Full Draft Exeter Plan. This has included inputs into site appraisal, policy preparation and evidence, while the EA have provided formal responses to the consultations which have been held previously. The EA have also been proactively involved in the work on the Liveable Water Lane Supplementary Planning Document. The City Council would expect responses from the Environment Agency on the consultations for the Full Draft Exeter Plan and the Liveable Water Lane SPD; the EA would draw on appropriate policy, evidence, research and flood modelling as they see fit. The City Council is also working with Devon County Council and South West Water on the preparation of planning policy as other key organisations with responsibilities over flood risk, water supply and waste water treatment.
Councillor Moore asked a supplementary question to have sight of the correspondence. The Portfolio Holder advised it would be available at the end of the Local Plan process.
QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS UNDER SO20 TO CLLR PEARCE (Portfolio Communities & Homelessness Prevention)
Questions from Councillor M Mitchell
.Can the committee be provided with the details of the total income to date on a monthly basis from the Community Lottery since it commenced and the amount of income gained from the lottery by Exeter City Council?
The Community Lottery web site detailed an indicative figure of over £51,000 as the forecast for this year. The figure fluctuated with the buying pattern of tickets. The Portfolio Holder welcomed the income which was generated for good causes in the city.
Councillor Mitchell asked a supplementary question about the target set. The Portfolio Holder advised that they did not set a target, and the indicative figure was if the sales stayed at that level for the rest of the year. The projections were based on the number of ticket sales before launch and the percentage of the population that were likely to take the opportunity to support community groups in this way. Ticket sales were ahead of the target and that data will be reported to the Grants Panel in the spring and then on through the Committee process.
Based upon current predictions how much income will the Lottery in this current financial year contribute to community causes?
The following information was provided:-
As at 31/10/23) there were
· 832 members with 1590 tickets (monthly)
· 95 Good Causes receiving benefit
· Based on this the forecast for the annual contribution to good causes from the lottery is £51,012
A historical monthly breakdown can be provided on the returns to date, from a report that can be downloaded from the dashboard.