Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mitchell and Ruffle.

Councillor Baldwin presented a petition from the Topsham Community Association with approximately 2,400 signatories calling on Exeter City Council and Devon County Council to work together to address, as a matter of urgency, the parking issues in Topsham by creating additional parking spaces and establishing priorities between different users and this was referred to Scrutiny Committee - Economy.

The Lord Mayor announced with sadness the death of Tony Speller, a former City Councillor, who had been a member of Exeter City Council from 1964 to 1975.

On behalf of the Council, the Lord Mayor congratulated Councillor Mottram on his company, Park Gardens, winning first prize in the Ground Control Awards for work on Exeter’s EDF site.

To sign the minutes of the meeting held on 11 December 2012.

The minutes of the meeting of Council held on 13 December 2012 were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

The minutes of the Planning Committee of 14 January 2013 were presented by the Chair, Councillor Bialyk and taken as read.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Planning Committee held on 14 January 2013 be received.

The minutes of the Licensing Committee of 12 February 2013 were presented by the Chair, Councillor Owen and taken as read.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Licensing Committee held on 12 February 2013 be received.

The minutes of the Scrutiny Committee - Community of 15 January 2013 were presented by the Chair, Councillor Shiel and taken as read.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Scrutiny Committee - Community held on 15 January 2013 be received.

The minutes of the Scrutiny Committee - Economy of 17 January 2013 were presented by the Chair, Councillor Crow and taken as read.

The Leader reported a proposed change to the Committee membership, seeking the replacement of Councillor Choules with Councillor Bowkett.

RESOLVED that:-

(1)        the minutes of the meeting of the Scrutiny Committee - Economy held on 17 January 2013 be received; and

(2)        Councillor Bowkett replace Councillor Choules on the Committee.

The minutes of the Scrutiny Committee - Resources of 23 January 2013 were presented by the Chair, Councillor Baldwin and taken as read.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Scrutiny Committee - Resources held on 23 January 2013 be received.

The minutes of the Executive of 22 January 2013 were presented by the Chair, Councillor Edwards and taken as read.

The Leader stated that the convergence with housing association rents had been on-going for a long period and that it was anticipated that convergence would be achieved by 2015/16. Members noted that moves to utilise vacant university student accommodation to benefit suitable applicants on the housing register complemented the Council’s overall strategy for the provision of social housing in the City.

Councillor Hannaford’s appointment in place of Councillor Shiel as the City Council’s representative on the Royal Devon and Exeter Healthcare NHS Trust was agreed.

The following Councillor declared a disclosable pecuniary interest but did not leave the room:-

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Executive held on 22 January 2013 be received and, where appropriate, adopted.

The minutes of the Executive of 5 February 2013 were presented by the Chair, Councillor Edwards and taken as read.

Some Members were opposed to the proposal that, for 2013/14 only, the level of Councillors’ Basic and Special Responsibility Allowances including the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor’s Expenses Allowances should attract a 1% rise. The motion to approve the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel was put to the vote and carried.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Involvement advised that the availability of appropriate properties was key for the Council’s down-sizing accommodation policy to work effectively.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Executive held on 5 February 2013 be received and, where appropriate, adopted.