Issue - meetings

To receive the report of the Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services and City Centre, Councillor Wright.

The Deputy Leader, Councillor Wright presented her report as Portfolio Holder for Corporate Service and City Centre drawing attention to the following points:

·         changes had been made in response to audits;

·         EDI had been restructured into HR; and

·         there had been a focus on corporate Health and Safety.

The Deputy Leader responded to Members’ questions making the following points:

·         there was no plan to extend the area covered by the Community Safety team but this could be a possibility in future should funding be available;

·         the sounding board was not yet determined but would be cross-party;

·         Council would approve any constitutional changes;

·         there was no funding available to support St Sidwell’s in providing security but she would be happy to discuss making links with police;

·         the City Centre Strategy was not a planning document;

·         initial data from the councillor, business and community workshops on the City Centre Strategy had been received and public consultation would be next;

·         there would be an action plan and it would be costed;

·         there was no answer available on new legislation with regard to rent auctions but it was of note that the vacancy rate in the city centre was low;

·         she had spoken publicly regarding the diminished prominence in the crime plan of plans to address violence against women and girls;

·         she would speak to officers about how publicity of CCTV monitoring could be more positive;

·         the Cathedral didn’t pay towards CCTV but they did pay the InExeter levy;

·         CCTV was provided for other towns which would be cost neutral;

·         She would enquire of officers if there was a policy on the prevention of sexual harassment and the feasibility of training being made available to councillors as well as staff; and

·         Exeter Canal and Quay Trust had not met due to their last meeting being postponed and it would be for ECQT Board to consider the recommendation.