Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Edwards, Laws and Martin.

To sign the minutes of the meeting held on 17 December 2013.

The minutes of the meeting of Council held on 17 December 2013 were taken as read and signed as correct.

The Lord Mayor announced that the Banquet on Saturday 22 March had raised nearly £500. She thanked everyone who had contributed to help make the evening a success.

The minutes of the Planning Committee of 13 January 2014 were presented by the Chair, Councillor Bialyk and taken as read.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Planning Committee held on 13 January 2014 be received.

The minutes of the Special Planning Committee of 20 January 2014 were presented by the Chair, Councillor Bialyk and taken as read.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Special Planning Committee held on 20 January 2014 be received.

The minutes of the Scrutiny Committee - Community of 14 January 2014 were presented by the Chair, Councillor Shiel and taken as read.

In relation to Minute 4 (Reports of Portfolio Holders) and in response to question the Portfolio Holder for Environment, Health and Wellbeing stated that the Council had very limited powers to prevent betting shops from opening. It was hoped that a change in legislation would be brought forward to enable Local Authorities to have more control over the location and the number of betting shops.

In response to a question, the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Customer Access commented that with regards to the issue of begging work was being taken in conjunction with the Anti Social Behaviour Action Team to address this. The Council had a no second night out policy and the Police had doubled patrols on the High Street. There would also be a campaign to promote an Alternative Giving Scheme which would encourage the public to avoid giving money directly to people begging on the street, and instead to divert their money to charities that run programmes to assist homeless people.

In relation to Minute 8 (Minutes of the Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Panel), the Portfolio Holder for Environment, Health and Wellbeing advised that other Authorities in Devon and Cornwall were also having issues with regards to the non-attendance of the Police and Crime Commissioner at their meetings.

 RESOLVED that the minutes of the Scrutiny Committee - Community held on 14 January 2014 be received.

The minutes of the Scrutiny Committee - Economy of 16 January 2014 were presented by the Chair, Councillor Leadbetter and taken as read.

Councillor Brock declared a disclosable pecuniary interest as a trader on Magdalen Road and left the meeting during consideration of the following minute.

In relation to Minute 5 (Reports of Portfolio Holders), and in response to a question the Portfolio Holder for Economy and Culture stated whilst not commenting on any possible planning application by Asda, it would be the intention of the Council to support the Traders on Magdalen Road where possible and practical to do so.

In response to a question, the Portfolio Holder for Economy and Culture commented that the Harbour Revision Order that was submitted in 2008 to the Department of Transport had not been processed. This order would be withdrawn and a fresh look would be taken at to ensure that it met the operational requirements for the Council’s waterways.

In relation to Minute 6 (Parkwood Leisure Management Contract), and in response to a question the Portfolio Holder for Economy and Culture advised that a new heat exchange unit had been ordered for the Pyramids Swimming Pool and it was hoped that this would be received within the next couple of weeks. Users of the facility who were adversely affected by this were being offered free swims at alternative Council facilities.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Scrutiny Committee - Economy held on 16 January 2014 be received.

The minutes of the Scrutiny Committee - Resources of 22 January 2014 were presented by the Chair, Councillor Baldwin and taken as read.

In relation to Minute 4 (Reports of Portfolio Holders),and in response the Portfolio Holder for Enabling Services confirmed that the Corporate Manager Property had now been appointed.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Scrutiny Committee - Resources held on 22 January 2014 be received.

The minutes of the Executive of 21 January 2014 were presented by the Deputy Chair, Councillor Sutton and taken as read.

In respect of Minute 4 (Housing Rents and Service Charges 2014/15) and in response to a question the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Customer Access clarified that the rent increase was necessary to facilitate rent convergence.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Executive held on 21 January 2014 be received. and, where appropriate, adopted.

The minutes of the Executive of 4 February 2014 were presented by the Deputy Chair, Councillor Sutton and taken as read.

In respect of Minute 16 (Future Working of Scrutiny), Members discussed the issues and merits of a cross party working group to look into the future of Scrutiny. Some Members raised concerns regarding the need to ensure that the Council had a robust and open scrutiny process.

The Deputy Leader stated that due to timescale and resources that the cross party working group would be established at Annual Council.

With regards to Minute 27 (Tender of Housing Gas Contract) and in response to a question the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Customer Access commented that the Council was looking into and trialling new ways of working.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Executive held on 4 February 2014 be received and, where appropriate, adopted.