Agenda and minutes

To sign the minutes of the meeting held on 13 December 2011.

The minutes of the meeting of Council held on 13 December 2011 were taken as read and signed as correct.

In relation to Minute 59 (Executive – 6 December 2011), it was reported that support for the increase in car parking charges at Topsham Quay had been received in the form of phone calls rather than letters.  The Leader of the Council agreed to forward to Councillor Mottram the email reporting the conversations.

The minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee of 5 December 2011 were taken as read.

Members declared the following personal interests:

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on 5 December 2011 be received.

The minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee of 16 January 2012 were taken as read.

Members declared the following personal interests:

In relation to Minute 3 (Red House Planning Application), Councillor Dawson reported that she had suggested a curfew on the visitors to the occupants of the premises not on the occupants themselves.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on 16 January 2012 be received.

The minutes of the meeting of the Special Planning Committee of 30 January 2012 were taken as read.

Members declared the following personal interests:

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Special Planning Committee held on 30 January 2012 be received.

The minutes of the meeting of the Scrutiny Committee - Community of 17 January 2012 were taken as read.

Members declared the following personal (*prejudicial) interests:

In relation to Minute 14 (Community Grants 2011/12) Councillor Baldwin reported that all the grant funding for the Topsham ward had been allocated.

In relation to Minute 15 (Current Incentives for Waste and Recycling), the Portfolio Holder - Environment and Leisure undertook that officers would update the next meeting of Scrutiny Committee – Community on incentive schemes.

In relation to Minute 17 (Additional Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation) Councillor Choules stated that his personal interest related to his own employment by the University and not his wife’s, as stated in the minutes.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Scrutiny Committee - Community held on 17 January 2012 be received.

The minutes of the meeting of the Scrutiny Committee - Economy of 19 January 2012 were taken as read.

Members declared the following personal interests:

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Scrutiny Committee - Economy held on 19 January 2012 be received.

The minutes of the meeting of the Scrutiny Committee - Resources of 25 January 2012 were taken as read.

In response to a question in relation to Minute 9 (Progress Report – RAMM Development Project) the Leader stated that he considered it appropriate that an enquiry into expenditure on the RAMM project should be undertaken once the legal proceedings had been completed.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Scrutiny Committee - Resources held on 25 January 2012 be received.

The minutes of the meeting of the Executive of 24 January 2012 were taken as read.

In relation to Minute 128 (Housing Revenue Account Business Plan 2012-2042) the Leader reported a correction to the second resolution which should read:

“(2) the Council adopts a 50 year maturity loan;”

In relation to Minute 131 (Core Strategy Inspector’s Report and Adoption), members expressed sympathy with the concerns of Alphington residents regarding increased traffic congestion and the adequacy of the social infrastructure.  They hoped that residents would take the opportunity to engage positively with the developers and other stakeholders through the formation of a Neighbourhood Forum.

RESOLVED that, subject to the above amendment, the minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 24 January 2012 be received and, where appropriate, adopted.

The minutes of the meeting of the Executive of 7 February 2012 were taken as read.

In relation to Minute 20 (Bus and Coach Station Area Development Principles) the Leader of the Council gave an assurance that full Council would have the opportunity to debate the Bus and Coach Station development proposals. 

In relation to Minute 21 (Consultation on Strategic Planning Documents: Teignbridge and East Devon) members re-iterated concerns about the significant impact of development proposals on Alphington residents, particularly in terms of traffic generation and infrastructure. Members acknowledged that residents of the development would be significant users of services in the city and emphasised the importance of Teignbridge District Council allocating adequate funding to the area. The Leader encouraged greater resident involvement and undertook to meet with the Leader of Teignbridge Council to convey residents’ concerns.

In response to a question in relation to Minute 26 (Members’ Allowances 2012/13), the Leader confirmed his understanding that eight Exeter City Councillors were currently members of the Local Government Pension Scheme. 

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 7 February 2012 be received and, where appropriate, adopted.

“That, given the length of the housing waiting list, this Council undertakes a fundamental review of the system of prioritising applicants’ circumstances to ensure that those most in need get accommodation and everyone is aware of their realistic chances of obtaining accommodation and where they sit in that prioritisation”

With the consent of the Council, Councillor Mrs Henson withdrew her Notice of Motion proposed under Standing Order 6.

The Lord Mayor thanked Glyn Bellerby, Director Corporate Services and Hazel Ball, Director Community and Environment for their outstanding contribution to the work of the Council over many years and wished them happiness in their retirement.