Agenda and minutes

Venue: Guildhall, High Street, Exeter

Contact: Sarah Selway, Democratic Services Manager (Committees)  Telephone 01392 265275 or email  sarah.selway@exeter.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

13.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Ashwood, Denham, Gottschalk, Morris, Newby, Packham and Thompson.

 

 

14.

Joan Morrish and Ron Crabb

Minutes:

The Council stood and observed a minute’s silence in memory of former City Councillor Joan Morrish and former Mace Sergeant Ron Crabb.

 

Joan Morris had recently passed away having faithfully served the City of Exeter both as a Devon County Councillor for 10 years and an Exeter City Councillor for 21 years. She was Leader of the Liberal Group on the Council and served on the cross-party group that won unitary status for Exeter in 2010 only to have the decision later reversed. 

 

Ron Crabb sadly passed away yesterday after a short battle with cancer. Ron only retired from being a Mace Sergeant a year ago, after 21 years of loyal service to the City, and at the remarkable age of 86.  This was after previous careers as a Royal Marine, Prison Officer, and professional football referee.  A few months ago the City Council bestowed the honour of Freedom of the City on Ron a true recognition not only of his varied career but also for the many different city wide organisations he was involved in, from his beloved Royal Marine’s Association, to the local Scouts and Air Cadets.

 

The Leader and Members reflected on the outstanding qualities Joan Morrish had brought to the role of Member and to her total commitment and dedication to Exeter and its citizens.

 

The Leader and Members acknowledged the great qualities of Ron and what he had given to the Council as a Mace Sergeant and to the City with his work in the community.

 

Member’s thoughts were with the both families at this difficult time.

 

 

15.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 117 KB

To sign the minutes of the Extraordinary and Ordinary Meetings held on 20 February 2018.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting and the Ordinary Meeting of Council held on 20 February 2018 were moved by the Leader, seconded by Councillor Sutton, taken as read and signed as correct.

 

 

 

16.

Official Communications

Minutes:

The Lord Mayor congratulated staff of the Exeter Corn Exchange who were joint winners in the Arts category of The Exeter Living awards together, with the City Council’s Lost Weekend Festival which had won the Event category.

 

On behalf of the Council, the Lord Mayor recorded her appreciation for the invaluable contribution of Councillors Ashwood, Baldwin, Brimble and Morris who were standing down at the forthcoming Local Elections and wished them the best for their future.

 

The Lord Mayor congratulated Councillors Denham, Morse and Sutton, with the support of the Heavitree Running Club, on setting the standard for all, in successfully completing the ”Couch to 5k” running programme.

 

The Lord Mayor also congratulated all those involved in the Carnival of Animals arranged to celebrate the 150th birthday of RAMM.

 

 

 

17.

Planning Committee - 12 February 2018 pdf icon PDF 375 KB

Minutes:

The minutes of the Planning Committee of 12 February 2018 were presented by the Deputy Chair, Councillor Lyons, and taken as read.

 

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Planning Committee held on 12 February 2018 be received.

 

 

18.

Planning Committee - 19 March 2018 pdf icon PDF 399 KB

Minutes:

The minutes of the Planning Committee of 19 March 2018 were presented by the Chair, Councillor Sutton, and taken as read.

 

The Chair confirmed that these minutes had been agreed as a true record and signed at the Planning Committee on 23 April 2018.

 

In respect of Minute 115 (Planning Application No.17/1640/FUL – Exeter Royal Academy for Deaf Education, 50 Topsham Road) and in response to a Member, the Corporate Manager Democratic & Civic Support clarified that the decision had been taken in accordance with the appropriate procedures.

 

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Planning Committee held on 19 March 2018 be received.

 

19.

Licensing Committee - 27 March 2018 pdf icon PDF 118 KB

Minutes:

The minutes of the Licensing Committee of 27 March 2018 were presented by the Chair, Councillor Owen, and taken as read.

 

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Licensing Committee held on 27 March 2018 be received.

 

 

 

20.

People Scrutiny Committee - 12 March 2018 pdf icon PDF 595 KB

Minutes:

The minutes of the People Scrutiny Committee of 12 March 2018 were presented by the Chair, Councillor Wardle, and taken as read.

 

RESOLVED that the minutes of the People Scrutiny Committee held on 12 March 2018 be received.

 

 

 

21.

Place Scrutiny Committee - 8 March 2018 pdf icon PDF 704 KB

Minutes:

The minutes of the Place Scrutiny Committee of 8 March 2018 were presented by the Chair, Councillor Sills, and taken as read.

 

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Place Scrutiny Committee held on 8 March 2018 be received.

 

 

22.

Corporate Service Scrutiny Committee - 22 March 2018 pdf icon PDF 343 KB

Minutes:

The minutes of the Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee of 22 March 2018 were presented by the Chair, Councillor Sheldon, and taken as read.

 

In respect of Minute 14 (Overview of Revenue Budget 2017/18) and in response to a Member, the Leader stated that the £100,000 payment made to Stagecoach was for the surrender of the lease to facilitate the re-development of the Bus Station.

 

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee held on 22 March 2018 be received.

 

 

23.

Audit and Governance Committee - 14 March 2018 pdf icon PDF 116 KB

Minutes:

The minutes of the Audit and Governance Committee of 14 March 2018 were presented by the Chair, Councillor Vizard, and taken as read.

 

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Audit and Governance Committee held on 14 March 2018 be received.

 

 

 

24.

Executive - 13 March 2018 pdf icon PDF 153 KB

Minutes:

The minutes of the Executive of 13 March 2018 were presented by the Deputy Leader, Councillor Sutton, and taken as read.

 

In respect of Minute 37 (Community Grants and Community Builders Update) and in response to a Member, the Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing, Communities and Sport clarified that the grants review would ensure that the process was aligned to the Council’s priorities and that Members had input into the grants that were awarded.

 

In respect of Minute 40 (Lord Mayoralty), the Leader stated that Councillor Lyons would be nominated as the Deputy Lord Mayor for 2018/19 Municipal Year.

 

RESOLVED that the minutes of Executive held on 13 March 2018 be received and, where appropriate, adopted.

 

 

25.

Executive - 10 April 2018 pdf icon PDF 178 KB

Minutes:

The minutes of the Executive of 10 April 2018 were presented by the Leader, Councillor Edwards, and taken as read.

 

In respect of Minute No.49 (Neighbourhood Portion of Community Infra-Structure Levy/ Grants Roots Grants Recommendations March 2018) the Leader clarified that the grants recommended in principle were conditional to matched funding being achieved.

 

RESOLVED that the minutes of Executive held on 10 April 2018 be received and, where appropriate, adopted.

 

 

26.

Notice of Motion by Councillor Musgrave under Standing Order No. 6.

Exeter City Council notes:-

1)     according to recent research, eight million metric tonnes of plastic waste ends up in the world’s oceans each year, endangering marine life; 

 

2)     there is also a growing understanding of the risks posed to human health by toxic chemicals present in plastics;

 

3)     the Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimates that by 2050 the weight of plastic in the oceans will exceed that of fish.

Exeter City Council resolves to:-

1)    make Exeter City Council a ‘single-use-plastic-free’ authority by the end of 2018,   including an end to the purchase and procurement of SUPs through the ECC supply chain;

2)    end the sale and provision of SUP products, such as bottles, cups, cutlery and drinking straws, in council buildings;

3)    investigate the possibility of requiring pop-up food and drink vendors at council events to avoid SUPs as a condition of their contract;

4)    work with tenants and operators in commercial properties owned by Exeter City Council to support the phasing out of SUP cups, bottles, cutlery and straws and  re-usable and affordable food containers are available for sale in public markets;

5)    work with festivals organisers to create policy in which single-use ‘disposable’ plastic cups are replaced at all city festivals with reusable or deposit scheme cups. Ensuring this ultimately becomes a condition for obtaining a licence for large scale events.

 

Minutes:

Councillor Musgrave moved his motion.

 

He commented that he was aware there was wide cross party support for the campaign to end the use of single use plastics (SUP) which were polluting the ocean, causing toxins in food and killing marine wildlife. He moved his motion in the following terms confirming the following alteration to the proposed resolution

 

1)     ‘phase out the use of single use plastics (SUPs) by ECC and its suppliers by the end of 2018, and ensure that any SUPs still in use because of existing contracts or necessity have a definite end date for their use’.

 

Exeter City Council notes:-

1)     according to recent research, eight million metric tonnes of plastic waste ends up in the world’s oceans each year, endangering marine life; 

 

2)     there is also a growing understanding of the risks posed to human health by toxic chemicals present in plastics;

 

3)     the Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimates that by 2050 the weight of plastic in the oceans will exceed that of fish.

Exeter City Council resolves to:-

1)    phase out the use of single use plastics (SUPs) by ECC and its suppliers by the end of 2018, and ensure that any SUPs still in use because of existing contracts or necessity have a definite end date for their use;

2)    end the sale and provision of SUP products, such as bottles, cups, cutlery and drinking straws, in council buildings;

3)    investigate the possibility of requiring pop-up food and drink vendors at council events to avoid SUPs as a condition of their contract;

4)    work with tenants and operators in commercial properties owned by Exeter City Council to support the phasing out of SUP cups, bottles, cutlery and straws and  re-usable and affordable food containers are available for sale in public markets;

5)    work with festivals organisers to create policy in which single-use ‘disposable’ plastic cups are replaced at all city festivals with reusable or deposit scheme cups. Ensuring this ultimately becomes a condition for obtaining a licence for large scale events.

Councillor Mitchell seconded the motion as altered.

 

The Portfolio Holder for Support Services commented that Exeter City Council was already doing a lot towards improving the environment with its renewable energy programme and the work undertaken by the materials reclamation centre (MRF). He welcomed the cross party support for this motion.

 

The Leader stated that protecting the environment was a key priority for the Council. It had invested in a comprehensive renewable energy programme with solar panels on its buildings and the installation of LED lights in the city council offices and car parks. From 2005 to 2015/16 Exeter had experienced a 44% reduction in CO2 emissions, which was the highest reduction in the Country. He supported the motion.

 

Members fully supported the motion to phase out the use of SUP’s at the council and encouraged the businesses and residents of Exeter to do the same.

 

The Notice of Motion was put to the vote and carried unanimously.