Decisions

Agreed

RECOMMENDED that Council approve the revision of the Treasury Management Strategy.

Reason for Decision:

As set out in the report.

Agreed

RECOMMENDED that Council approve a budget of up to £30,000 for the project to be completed.

Reason for Decision:

As set out in the report.

Agreed

RESOLVED that Members:-

(1)  Approve the proposed amendments to the Joint Committee’s list of functions; and

(2)  Note the updated budget position for 2019/20.

Reason for Decision:

As set out in the report.

Agreed

RECOMMENDED that Council approve the following changes to Exeter City Council's constitution with effect from the 16 October 2019:-

In relation to the Executive Council to agree:

(1)  The deletion of the Exeter convention requiring the Leader to allocate a seat on the Executive to a member from each political group;

(2)  That the opposition group leaders shall not be required to give notice under Standing Order 44 to speak on any item on the Executive Agenda;

In relation to the Council's Scrutiny arrangements, Council to agree:

(3)  The reduction to the number of scrutiny committees from three in number to two to be known as Strategic Scrutiny Committee and Customer Focus Scrutiny Committee;

(4)  To agree the terms of reference for these two Scrutiny Committees as set out in the appendix attached to the  report presented to the meeting;

(5)  To increase the membership of both scrutiny committees from 10 to 14 members;

(6)  For the avoidance of doubt, members of the Executive may not serve on either the Scrutiny Committees or the Scrutiny Programme Board;

(7)  To set up a Scrutiny Programme Board (“SPB”) to be made up of one member appointed by the Leader together with the Chairs and Deputy Chairs of each of the two Scrutiny Committees;

(8)  To agree the terms of reference for the Scrutiny Programme Board as set out in the appendix to the report;

(9)  To cease the current practice of pre-scrutinising reports destined for the Executive;

In relation to enhancing public participation at Council meetings, Council agrees that

(10)   To encourage public participation in city council meetings by agreeing public questions at Council meetings, the Executive and Scrutiny Committees as set out in the terms of reference attached In the Appendix to this report;

(11)   For the avoidance of doubt members of the public may not ask questions at Annual Council or special meetings;

(12)   The Monitoring officer be authorised to amend Exeter City Council's constitution to give effect to these recommendations.

In relation to Members allowances as a result of these changes, following consideration from the Independent Remuneration Panel, the Council agrees:

(13)   A new allowance be payable to Opposition Group Leaders as follows:-

·         A Group of two to receive an allowance equivalent to 20% of the basic allowance;

·         A Group of between three and five to receive an allowance equivalent to 50% of the basic allowance; and

·         A Group of six or more, to receive an allowance equivalent to 60% of the basic allowance;

(14)   The Leader of the largest political group will be appointed as the Leader of the Council;

(15)   The Deputy Chairs of the two Scrutiny Committees and of the Planning Committee, to receive a Special Responsibility Allowance equivalent to 50% of the basic allowance;

(16)   To note that if all of the posts eligible for the payment of a Special Responsibility Allowance (SRA) were paid to individuals, then this would amount to a total of 23 SRAs, considered as good practice, being payable, which is above the 50% threshold. A review of the SRA and the operation of the new governance system, to be undertaken in September 2020, and include interviews with a cross-section of councillors and SRA recipients;

(17)   To welcome the adoption of the parental leave scheme;

(18)   That as a consequence of the above, to agree a budget of up to £14,000 for the additional responsibility allowances created as a result of these changes;

In the event that recommendations above are agreed, that Council agrees;

(19)   The appointment of 14 members to each of the two Scrutiny Committees;

(20)   The appointment of the Chair and Deputy Chair for the Strategic Scrutiny Committee;

(21)   The Appointment of the Chair and Deputy Chair for the Customer Focus Scrutiny Committee;

(22)   The appointment of Members to the Scrutiny Programme Board; and

(23)   The appointment of the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Scrutiny Programme Board.

Reason for Decision:

As set out in the report.

Agreed

RECOMMENDED that Council approve:-

(1)  The revision of the annual capital programme to reflect the reported variations detailed in paragraph 9.1 and Appendix 1 of the report presented to the meeting; and

(2)  The additional budget request detailed in paragraph 9.7 of the report.

Reason for Decision:

As set out in the report.

Agreed

RESOLVED that:-

(1)  The Executive notes the content of the Annual Health and Safety report; and

(2)  The Chief Executive & Growth Director and the Leader of the Council be named as the joint owners of the report.

Reason for Decision:

As set out in the report.

Agreed

RECOMMENDED that Council:-

(1)  Note the sites referred to in the report together with the timescales for delivery and the costs to complete each of the schemes;

(2)  To approve a budget totalling £18million to deliver the sites detailed in this Report, which will deliver 100 new homes into the Housing Revenue Account (HRA); and

(3)  To note that approval of future years’ development activity will be via an Annual Council House Building Development Plan and the annual capital programme budget report.

Reason for Decision:

As set out in the report.

Agreed

RECOMMENDED that Council approve:-

(1)  The adoption of Option 4 (weekly kerbside-sort recycling collection, incorporating glass and food waste collection, with three weekly rubbish collection) and associated investment in the Materials Reclamations Facility; and

(2)  To implement the chosen service Option 4, Council approve budgets of:-

·         £200,000 is set aside from General Fund revenue reserves to provide the project management and assistance with roll out;

·         A capital budget of £2,105,000 is provided for the improved recycling containers; and

·         A capital budget of £1,500,000 to enhance the MRF.

Reason for Decision:

As set out in the report.

Agreed

RECOMMENDED that Council approve:-

(1)  The HRA forecast financial position for 2019/20 financial year;

(2)  The revision of the HRA Capital Programme to reflect the reported variations detailed in Appendix 4 of the report presented to the meeting; and

(3)  The HRA Budget recognise the importance of re-planting trees and an allocation for tree planting be included in the budget.

Reason for Decision:

As set out in the report.

Agreed

RECOMMENDED that Council:-

(1)  Adopt the proposals as set out at paragraphs 8.4 – 8.13 of the report presented to the meeting, for implementation from a revised register of electors to be published on 1 December 2019;

(2)  Formally publish its final report on the Review of Parliamentary Polling Districts and Places within the Exeter Constituency by 1 November 2019, as required by the Representation of the People Act 1983 (RPA 1983); and

(3)  Complete a further review by 31 January 2025, as required by the RPA1983; or as necessary, in relation to the 2018 Review of Parliamentary Constituencies.

Reason for Decision:

As set out in the report.

Agreed

RECOMMENDED that Council approve:-

(1)  The General Fund forecast financial position for the 2019/20 financial year;

(2)  The supplementary budgets of £493,930 and budget virements as detailed in paragraph 9.10 of the report presented to the meeting;

(3)  The outstanding Sundry Debt position as at June 2019;

(4)  The creditors’ payments performance;

(5)  Consideration to be made in relation to paragraph 9.7 of the report, subject to consultation with Human Resources and the Trade Union; and

(6)   To remove the shop attached to the Guildhall in relation to paragraph 9.5 of the report.

Reason for Decision:

As set out in the report.