Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Rennes Room, Civic Centre, Paris Street, Exeter. View directions

Contact: Mark Devin, Democratic Services Officer  Telephone 01392 265477 or email  mark.devin@exeter.gov.uk

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Items
No. Item

108.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 607 KB

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 4 October 2022.

 

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 4 October 2022, were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

 

109.

Declarations of Interest

Councillors are reminded of the need to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests that relate to business on the agenda and which have not already been included in the register of interests, before any discussion takes place on the item. Unless the interest is sensitive, you must also disclose the nature of the interest. In accordance with the Council's Code of Conduct, you must then leave the room and must not participate in any further discussion of the item.  Councillors requiring clarification should seek the advice of the Monitoring Officer prior to the day of the meeting.

 

Minutes:

No declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests were made.

 

110.

Questions from the Public Under Standing order No. 19

To receive questions relating to items on the Agenda from members of the public and responses thereto.

 

Details of questions should be notified to the Corporate Manager Democratic and Civic Support by 10.00am at least three working days prior to the meeting. Further information about speaking at a committee can be found here: Speaking at a Committee

 

Minutes:

No questions from members of the public were received.

 

111.

Revisions to Street Naming and Numbering Policy pdf icon PDF 514 KB

To consider the report of the Director City Development.

 

The Customer Focus Scrutiny Committee considered the report at its meeting on 6 October 2022 and its comments will be reported.

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

Agreed:

 

RECOMMENDED that Council approve:-

 

(1)   the revisions to the Council’s Street Naming and Numbering Policy, including the proposed amendments in paragraph 9 of the report, as identified at Customer Focus Scrutiny Committee on 6 October 2022; and

(2)   future revisions to the policy be delegated to the Director with responsibility for Planning and Development in consultation with the Chair of the Planning Committee.

 

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report.

 

 

 

Minutes:

The Executive received the report which sought Member approval to make a number of minor revisions to the Council’s Street Naming and Numbering Policy, which would clarify the Council’s position on Street Naming and Numbering and would ensure effective implementation through the Council’s IT support service – Strata.

 

Reference was made to the report which had been considered by the Customer Focus Scrutiny Committee on 6 October 2022 and led to some further amendments to the policy, which were outlined in the report.

 

RECOMMENDED that Council approve:-

 

(1)   the revisions to the Council’s Street Naming and Numbering Policy, including the proposed amendments in paragraph 9 of the report, as identified at Customer Focus Scrutiny Committee on 6 October 2022; and

(2)   future revisions to the policy be delegated to the Director with responsibility for Planning and Development in consultation with the Chair of the Planning Committee.

 

112.

The Devon Carbon Plan pdf icon PDF 624 KB

To consider the report of the Director Net Zero Exeter & City Management.

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

Agreed:

 

RECOMMENDED that Council:-

 

(1)   note the Devon Carbon Plan;

(2)   reflecton the implications for the City of Exeter’s goal of a Net Zero Exeter 2030, given the Devon Carbon Plan target for Net Zero being 2050, in-line with Government’s goal for the country. Transport being one of the largest sources of carbon emissions for the City and County, the consequences of reductions to Net Zero by 2030 were profound and Members may wish to satisfy themselves that the 2050 goal provided a supportive policy context for the city of Exeter’s Net Zero plans:

(3)   agree to continue working in collaboration with the Devon Climate Emergency Partnership in reducing county carbon emissions;

(4)   agree that Exeter City Council led projects on the implementation of the Devon Carbon Plan be scrutinised by Exeter City Council’s Strategic Scrutiny Committee;

(5)   request that a biannual update be presented to the Strategic Scrutiny Committee on the progress made in delivering the Devon Carbon Plan;

(6)   reflect and discuss the ambition of the Devon Carbon Plan and how it relates to the ambition of a clean growth region;

(7)   request that Devon County Council, identify Exeter as an early innovation zone or test bed for net zero initiatives; and

(8)   request that an all-Member Briefing/Scrutiny be arranged with presentations provided from Devon County Council.

 

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report and amended at the meeting.

 

 

 

Minutes:

The Executive received the report of the recently released Devon Carbon Plan, which had been produced by the Devon Climate Emergency Partnership. The report outlined the work of the Devon Climate Emergency Partnership in researching and producing the Devon Carbon Plan. The report highlighted the two Net Zero target dates of 2030 for Exeter City Council and 2050 for Devon County Council and the impact on achieving the target. The report highlighted that transport was the third largest emitter of carbon emissions in the region and the importance of working with Devon County Council as the transport authority to align the work.

 

The Leader moved for the following additional recommendation to be included:-

 

·        To request that Devon County Council identify Exeter as an early innovation zone or test bed for net zero initiatives.

 

It was explained that the reason for the additional recommendation was that the 2050 County target for Net Zero was a challenge. Exeter City Council had already been undertaking implementation work with a focus on practical actions and interventions which had highlighted the expertise available in the area on delivering the Net Zero target. If Devon County were to identify Exeter as an Innovation Zone for Net Zero, the expertise available in the City could assist the County 2050 target and also help advance the City Council 2030 target.

 

The Leader confirmed Exeter City Council would continue to work to the established target for Net Zero 2030 and highlighted that the Devon Carbon Plan was Devon County Councils’ plan.

 

Emily Reed, (Climate Emergency Project Manager) from the Devon Climate Emergency Partnership was in attendance and provided a presentation on the Devon Carbon Plan. Particular points raised during the presentation included:-

 

·        The Devon Climate Emergency Partnership was established in 2019, and included a broad range of partners, which included all local authorities in Devon, third sector and private organisations.

 

·        The Partnership had committed to working to reduce carbon emissions to Net Zero by 2050 at the latest, despite some partners having earlier target dates. The Partnership was also working to improve the resilience of Devon’s environment and prepare communities for living in a warmer world.

 

·        The Net Zero task force was formed of 15 specialists and chaired by Patrick Devine-Wright from the University of Exeter to develop the Devon Carbon Plan, which was a strategic county wide plan.

 

·        The Devon Carbon Plan was developed through an open call for evidence with 893 submissions received, a Youth Parliament meeting with 75 representatives from schools across Devon and thematic hearings to bring expertise to address the themes and create the Interim Devon Carbon Plan. Public consultations were also undertaken to form the final plan.

 

·        There were eight objectives outlined in the Devon Carbon Plan, which included minimised energy consumption and phasing out fossil fuels.

 

·        Key themes included changing behaviours and encouraging community engagement, sharing knowledge and skills, accessing finance and additional resources.

 

·        Energy supply options included using less energy, moving to renewable energy and developing a means to capture unavoidable  ...  view the full minutes text for item 112.

113.

Legal Obstacles to Port Marine Safety Code Compliance pdf icon PDF 338 KB

To consider the report of the Director Net Zero Exeter & City Management.

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

Agreed:

 

RECOMMENDED that Council approve:-

 

(1)   that work on obtaining a Harbour Revision Order be commenced to continue the progress towards a Port Marine Safety Code compliance; and

(2)   the allocation of a one-off budget of up to £150,000 to allow for the Harbour Revision Order process and to provide contingency in case of a public enquiry.

 

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report.

 

 

 

 

Minutes:

The Executive received the report on the options for meeting the requirement to obtain appropriate legal powers to achieve a Port Marine Safety Code compliance. The Executive had previously approved measures to work towards compliance with the Department for Transport’s Port Marine Safety Code. To be fully compliant with the Port Marine Safety Code a Harbour Revision Order was required, which would provide the Council with the needed powers to keep water users safe, address hazardous vessels and enable income streams to contribute to the running costs for the harbour team.

 

Particular reference was made to the Port Marine Safety Code, which was an industry standard for managing marine and port facilities which provided control of the waterways and would alleviate potential legal implications to the Council. A recent diesel oil spill incident on the Exeter Ship Canal could have been avoided if the harbour authority held the appropriate powers to issue a special direction order to have the non-compliant vessel leave the port within 28 days.

 

Councillor D. Moore, as an opposition group leader, spoke on this item. She welcomed the work on the Harbour Revision Order and enquired if the Portfolio Holder would make a public statement on the environmental impact of the recent incident to ensure the public were fully aware of the current situation.

 

Councillor Jobson, as an opposition group leader, spoke on this item and supported the report.

 

During the discussion the following points were made:-

 

·        the harbour patrol team covered a large area with limited powers in place to ensure safety compliance. Having the legal powers to act against inappropriate behaviour or vehicles would be appropriate; and

 

·        any potential charges levied in the future  would help with the safe management and maintenance of the canal and estuary for all users, rather than purely for raising revenue.

 

The Portfolio Holder for Recycling, Waste Management and Waterways thanked the Harbour team for their swift action in containing the pollution from the recent diesel oil spill incident. The report had been taken to the Exeter Harbour Board for information and attaining Harbour Revision Order (HRO) had been supported. Details on issues such as charging would be established as the progress on attaining a HRO moved forward. The main area of concern was on making improvements to safety and port maintenance, and ensuring that the water was clean and safe for all users.

 

In response to a Members’ question, the Director of Net Zero Exeter and City Management and the Harbour Master - Exeter Port Authority explained that a public consultation would be undertaken to establish charging scales. Current payments received from water users were for costs of storing boats away during winter. Details on the resources for the collection of fees were still to be established and would be dependent on what the charges would be and the most effective form of taking payments.

 

RECOMMENDED that Council approve:-

 

(1)   that work on obtaining a Harbour Revision Order be commenced to continue the progress towards a Port Marine  ...  view the full minutes text for item 113.

114.

Exeter Playing Pitch Strategy pdf icon PDF 367 KB

To consider the report of the Director of Culture, Leisure and Tourism.

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

Agreed:

 

RECOMMENDED that Council approve the Exeter Playing Pitch Strategy subject to financial constraints.

 

Reason for Decision: As amended at the meeting.

 

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Minutes:

The Executive received the report on the proposed Exeter Playing Pitch Strategy which outlined both current and future demand for formal sports pitches in Exeter, and provided a framework for resource prioritisation and informed planning decisions. The strategy would be reviewed on an annual basis to monitor the changing sports landscape in Exeter.

 

The Exeter Playing Pitch Strategy provided an important evidence base for the Exeter Local Plan and demonstrated the Council’s commitment to improving playing pitches across the city. The Strategy was being delivered to the methodology outlined from Sport England and independent consultants. The Strategy also provided a framework for partnership working and delivering on the outlined priorities and had been endorsed by Sport England.

 

Particular reference was made to the community sports hub approach and the extensive consultation that had been undertaken with more than 100 sports clubs, who had contributed to the strategy. Future proposals would go to a public consultation and the local steering group partners would work to push priorities forward and implement programmes in the city.

 

The Portfolio Holder for Leisure Services & Physical Activity moved an amendment to the recommendations: -

 

(1)   That the Executive recommends and Council approve the Exeter Playing Pitch Strategy subject to financial constraints.

 

It was explained that the reason for the amendment to the recommendations would provide clarity that the options for discussion were still in draft form and subject to financial constraints, which would mean all proposals would still be subject to planning and appropriate public consultations.

 

Councillor D. Moore, as an opposition group leader, spoke on this item. She welcomed the Strategy and enquired about 3G football turf pitches and associated environmental problems and whether consultants had been advised on alternative options for improvements. She further enquired if special consideration had been given to people with disabilities?

 

In responding, the Active & Healthy People Programme Lead explained that the Football Association was currently researching pitches and trialling the use of different materials over 3G and were liaising with various organisations. Several inclusive clubs had contributed to the strategy and all groups would be welcome to contribute to the Strategy which would be updated on a regular basis.

 

Councillor Jobson, as an opposition group leader, spoke on this item and welcomed the report.

 

Members welcomed the report which provided the means to identify resources and make improvements to playing pitches in the city.

 

The Portfolio Holder for Leisure Services & Physical Activity thanked officers for the work that had been undertaken and noted the playing pitch strategy recognised the investment in community sports hub and that the Exeter Playing Pitch Strategy would be reviewed on an annual basis.

 

Following the discussion, Councillor Parkhouse moved and was seconded by Councillor Wright to amend the recommendations in the report which were voted for and supported unanimously.

 

RECOMMENDED that Council approve the Exeter Playing Pitch Strategy subject to financial constraints.

 

115.

Annual Scrutiny Report 2021-22 pdf icon PDF 342 KB

To consider the report of the Scrutiny Programme Board.

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

Agreed:

 

RECOMMENDED that Council approve the Annual Scrutiny Report 2021- 2022.

 

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report.

 

 

 

 

Minutes:

The Executive received the Annual Scrutiny Report for 2021-22, which provided an annual update of the work of Scrutiny during the 2021-22 municipal year.

 

Particular reference was made to the Scrutiny Procedure Rules in the Council’s constitution which highlighted that the Scrutiny Programme Board would produce an annual scrutiny report to go to Council, having been presented to the Strategic Scrutiny Committee on 29 September 2022 and Customer Focus Scrutiny Committee on 6 October 2022.

 

RECOMMENDED that Council approve the Annual Scrutiny Report 2021- 2022.