Agenda and minutes

The Lord Mayor welcomed Councillor Mitchell to the meeting after his recent illness.

To sign the minutes of the Extraordinary, Special and Ordinary meetings held on 26 February 2013.

Subject to the inclusion of Councillor Morris in the respective lists of apologies of absence, the minutes of the Extraordinary, Special and Ordinary meetings of Council held on 26 February 2013 were taken as read and signed as correct.

To consider a petition of approximately 2,400 signatories submitted to the Council meeting on 26 February 2013 by Councillor Baldwin from the Topsham Community Association 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.

In accordance with the Council’s Petition Scheme Mrs Hubbick, on behalf of the Topsham Community Association, presented a petition of 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.

She described the unique nature of Topsham and the longstanding difficulties in respect of parking experienced by the residents, traders, tourists and other visitors to the town. The Community Association had organised a public meeting in the Summer of 2012 and a working group had been set up to consider the problems in detail. Rather than putting forward specific suggestions, the group had agreed to request both the City and County Councils to jointly consider solutions to the problems of parking in Topsham.

Councillor Baldwin, who had originally submitted the petition to Council on 26 February 2013, endorsed the views expressed and moved that the County and City Councils jointly meet to address the problems reported. Councillor Sutton, as Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Development and Transport, thanked the Association for the petition and welcomed the significant community interest and participation in bringing the issues to the attention of the local authorities. In seconding the motion, she reported that Devon County Council’s Highways and Traffic Orders Committee, on 18 April 2013, had resolved that a working group of appropriate Members and officers from both the County and City Councils meet to seek solutions to the parking problems in Topsham.

The Leader supported the establishment of a working group and confirmed that he wished to serve on the group.

RESOLVED that the City Council support the establishment of a working group of appropriate Members and officers from both the County and City Councils to seek solutions to the parking problems in Topsham.

The minutes of the Planning Committee of 18 February 2013 were presented by the Chair, Councillor Bialyk and taken as read.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Planning Committee held on 18 February 2013 be received.

The minutes of the Planning Committee of 18 March 2013 were presented by the Chair, Councillor Bialyk and taken as read.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Planning Committee held on 18 March 2013 be received.

The minutes of the Licensing Committee of 26 March 2013 were presented by the Chair, Councillor Owen and taken as read.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Licensing Committee held on 26 March 2013 be received.

The minutes of the Scrutiny Committee - Community of 5 March 2013 were presented by the Chair, Councillor Shiel and taken as read.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Scrutiny Committee - Community held on 5 March 2013 be received.

Councillor Mitchell expressed an interest in respect of Minute 15 as his civil partner managed a retail business.

The minutes of the Scrutiny Committee - Economy of 7 March 2013 were presented by the Chair, Councillor Crow and taken as read.

In relation to Minute 12 (Questions from Members of the Council under Standing Order 20) on the issue of private sector management of some Council car parks and to issues relating to the Council’s Car Parks in general, the Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Development and Transport, reported that the Assistant Director Public Realm had been requested to review car park provision in the City for report to the relevant Scrutiny Committee.

In respect of Minute 15 (City Centre Business Improvement District), the Portfolio Holder for Economy and Tourism confirmed that it would be important for the second BID to be owned and driven by the business community and advised that the Exeter Chamber of Commerce was fully supportive. Details of the BID were being progressed.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Scrutiny Committee - Economy held on 7 March 2013 be received.

The minutes of the Scrutiny Committee - Resources of 20 March 2013 were presented by the Chair, Councillor Baldwin and taken as read.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Scrutiny Committee - Resources held on 20 March 2013 be received.

The minutes of the Standards Committee of 13 March 2013 were presented by the Chair, Councillor DJ Henson and taken as read.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Standards Committee held on 13 March 2013 be received.

The minutes of the Executive of 19 March 2013 were presented by the Chair, Councillor Edwards and taken as read.

In relation to Minute 29 (Extended Opening for Civic Centre-Based Council Services),  the Leader confirmed that the pilot extended opening of the Civic Centre on Thursday evenings had commenced and that a review of the success of this initiative would be reported back to Members after the six month trial period.

In respect of Minute 32 (Empty Homes Enforcement), Members supported the proposed policy recognising that the suggested measures to help bring empty properties back into use including, in exceptional circumstances, purchasing empty properties up to a maximum of £300,000 would help address the problem of limited availability of residential land in the City and the general housing shortage. Officers would deal with this matter sensitively.

The Leader reported that, in respect of Minute 36 (Exeter St. James Forum Neighbourhood Plan) the Plan was second in the country, and the first urban forum to pass independent examination. It was to be studied by Government officials as an exemplar of its kind.

In relation to Minute 37 (Lord Mayoralty), the Lord Mayor congratulated Councillor Rachel Lyons and Councillor Rob Hannaford respectively on their nominations as Lord Mayor Elect and as Deputy Lord Mayor Elect for the 2013/14 Municipal Year.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Executive held on 19 March 2013 be received and, where appropriate, adopted.

The minutes of the Executive of 9 April 2013 were presented by the Chair, Councillor Edwards and taken as read.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Executive held on 9 April 2013 be received and, where appropriate, adopted.