Venue: Rennes Room, Civic Centre, Paris Street, Exeter
Contact: Sharon Sissons, Member Services Officer Telephone 01392 265115 or email sharon.sissons@exeter.gov.uk
No. | Item | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Minutes Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on 2 September 2010 were taken as read, and signed by the Chair as correct. |
|||||||||
Declarations of Interest Councillors are reminded of the need to declare personal and prejudicial interests, including the nature and extent of such interests, in relation to business on the agenda, before any discussion takes place on the item. Councillors requiring clarification should seek the advice of the Monitoring Officer prior to the day of the meeting. Minutes:
Members declared the following personal interests:
|
|||||||||
MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION BY SCRUTINY COMMITTTEE - ECONOMY |
|||||||||
Presentation by David Allen, Exeter University A presentation will be made by David Allen, Deputy Chief Executive of Exeter University on the impact of the proposed Government cuts on the University, its plans and contribution to the local economy as an employer, institution and economic driver. Minutes: Councillor Prowse declared a personal interest as a student landlord.
A presentation was made by David Allen, Deputy Chief Executive of Exeter University about their development plans and the contribution made to the local economy as an employer, as an institution and economic driver. He also spoke about the impact of the spending review on the University and proposals for new graduate contributions. He referred to the University’s proven reputation and provided detailed facts and figures about the two campus sites of Streatham and St Luke’s and student numbers, which in term time made up 12.5% of the city’s population. He emphasised the University’s contribution to the local economy, which delivered £360 million of additional economic benefit in 2009/10, and was likely to rise to nearly £450 million by 2012. There had been a significant capital investment both in the academic facilities and student residences with Phase 1 having cost over £300 million, and Phase 2 should be in excess of £80 million. This was matched by careful management to ensure minimal impact on the environment, and the University’s commitment to reduce 60% of their Co2 emissions by 2050.
The University had been working in partnership with a number of organisations throughout the city and been particularly supportive of the case for Exeter and the City Council in the recent Local Enterprise Partnerships consultation. The University continues together with the City Council to be involved in the development of the Science Park, the growth of the Innovation Centre, as well as the expansion of the medical college and building on a productive relationship with the Met Office.
Members asked the following questions -
|
|||||||||
Impact of Public Sector Spending Cuts To consider the report of the Head of Economy and Tourism –report circulated Minutes: The Head of Economy and Tourism presented a report which briefed Members on issues raised, based on the analysis of the impact of the public sector spending cuts by the South West of England Regional Development Agency.
The Interim Director Economy and Development commented on the need to view the wider picture and address the dependency and inevitable transfer of activity from the public to the private sector. A Member referred to the recent debate over Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEP's) and if closer partnership working with international organisations such as Exeter University might help attract more inward investment. The Head of Economy and Tourism referred to extensive, existing collaborative work, but it was not clear at this stage who would take the LEP lead as Government was looking for private sector leadership.
The Scrutiny Committee – Economy noted the potential impact of cuts in the public sector on the Exeter economy and that they be kept under review; with both key private and public sector employers invited to outline to Scrutiny Committee an assessment of their organisation’s financial “stress” tests, and the level of risk to the Exeter economy.
(Report circulated) |
|||||||||
Portfolio Holders to Present their Reports Councillor Sutton (Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Development and Transport) and Councillor Sheldon (Portfolio Holder for Economy and Tourism) will present their respective reports on the Scrutiny Committee work programme. Additional documents: Minutes: Councillor Prowse declared a personal interest as a Devon County Council Member in relation to a comment on civil parking enforcement.
Councillor Sutton presented the following priorities within the Transport and Sustainable Development Portfolio for the forthcoming year, and covered the following topics:- Long Term Spatial Strategy; the Challenge of Delivering Strategic Sites; Quality of Residential Development; The New Growth Point; Affordable Housing; Single Conversation; Climate Change; Bus Station Site; City Centre Enhancements; Long Term Transportation Strategy; Concessionary Travel; Civil Parking Enforcement; 1- 11 Sidwell Street (formerly Debenhams); Canal Basin and the Livestock Centre.
A copy of the briefing note, together with a brief explanation on each priority was attached as an appendix to the report.
Councillor Sutton gave the following responses to Members’ questions –
A copy of the briefing note, together with a brief explanation on each priority was attached as an appendix to the report.
Councillor Sheldon presented the following priorities within the Economy and Tourism Portfolio for the forthcoming year, and covered the following topics:- Developments - the Bus and Coach Station site, 1 – 11 Sidwell Street ( formerly Debenhams), Canal Basin, and Livestock Centre; Economic Development Strategy - Supporting New Businesses, City Centre Promotion, Science Park, City of Science, Inward Investment, Skills and Workforce Development, and Tourism; Strategic Priorities; Regional Growth Fund; “Re-Localising the Business Rate”; and Local Enterprise Partnership
Councillor Sheldon gave the following responses to Members’ questions –
A copy of the briefing note, together with a brief explanation on each priority was attached as an appendix to the report.
Scrutiny Committee – Economy noted the priorities presented for the Sustainable Development and Transport and Economy and Tourism Portfolios for the forthcoming year.
|
|||||||||
MATTER FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE EXECUTIVE |
|||||||||
A Sustainable Energy Future - A Strategic Partnership with E.On To consider the report of the Interim Director Economy and Development – report circulated Minutes: The Interim Director Economy and Development presented the details of a proposal to enter into an Energy Partnership agreement between the City Council and the energy supplier E.ON. This will enable the City Council to continue their environmental and economic aim to reduce carbon emissions as well as support business growth and long term sustainability, and build on the resolutions agreed by the Council’s Executive in February 2010. The Partnership arrangement will also provide the opportunity to pool the available expertise, resources and financing options within the respective organisations in order to progress the delivery of projects.
The Interim Director responded as follows to Members’ queries:
The Scrutiny Committee – Economy welcomed and supported the proposal and recommended approval of the following action by the Executive that :-
(1) Exeter City Council enter into an Energy Partnership agreement with E.ON and East Devon District Council;
(2) the Exeter and East Devon New Growth Point Board function as the governance structure for assessing performance and managing the Partnership;
(3) the Partnership will seek to engage Devon County Council in taking forward the work programme;
(4) the New Growth Point Projects Director act as the principal lead for the Partnership; and (5) a review of progress on both the working of the Partnership and the Energy Strategy be made quarterly.
(Report circulated)
|
|||||||||
MATTER FOR CONSIDERATION BY SCRUTINY COMMITTTEE - ECONOMY |
|||||||||
Festivals Review 2010 To consider the report of the Head of Economy and Tourism - report circulated Minutes: Councillors Mrs S Brock, Ruffle and Spackman declared personal interests as individual stallholders at Exeter Respect 2010.
The Head of Economy and Tourism presented a review and report back on the performance of the festivals portfolio, including the Autumn Festival 2009, Animated Exeter, Vibraphonic and the Summer Festival 2010. He summarised the main characteristics of each of the festivals, as well as providing a detailed breakdown of the marketing analysis and financial implications. Funding support for events remained a challenging issue, although they continued to explore smaller funding opportunities and alternative ways of working with a number of venues in the city. He responded to a Member comment about increasing the scope for sponsorship, stating that the challenge was particularly great in the current economic climate. Sponsorship levels had dwindled in recent years from a high of over £80,000 to just £16,000, despite the hard work and effort of the marketing team. The reduction in sponsorship had meant a reduced ability to take more risk on cutting edge or more expensive familiar performers. There were still opportunities to cross subsidise events, but the capacity for tickets sales had changed.
The Head of Economy and Tourism also replied to a Member about housekeeping in relation to the stocks of marketing literature and brochures displayed in hotels and establishments around the county, stating that where possible his staff directed enquiries to the web site, but demand for brochures remained high. A distribution service refreshed and ultimately collected any out of date brochures as well as providing individual feedback to adjust future stock levels to minimise wastage.
Scrutiny Committee – Economy noted the report.
(Report circulated)
|
|||||||||
Capital Programme Monitoring To consider the joint report of the Projects and Business Manager and Head of Operational Services and Transport – report circulated Additional documents: Minutes: The Interim Director of Economy and Development presented a report which advised Members of the latest position with regard to the 2010/11 capital programme for the Economy and Development Directorate. This report also included a summary of the position at the end of September 2010, together with an appendix which contained a complete list of capital projects. The Interim Director highlighted a number of schemes and responded to a Member comment on the deferral of funding for enhancement work at Central Station due to the mounting pressures on the County Council’s capital programme.
Scrutiny Committee – Economy noted the report.
(Report circulated)
|
|||||||||
Economy Scrutiny Stewardship to September 2010 To consider the report of the Head of Treasury Services – report circulated Additional documents: Minutes: The Interim Director Economy and Development presented a report which advised Members of any forecast variations to the budget, based on the first six months of the financial year 2010/11. This highlighted any differences by management unit to the outturn forecast for the first six months of the financial year up to 30 September 2010, compared with the approved annual budget. During this period the total of the variances for overall net expenditure for this Committee would decrease by £265,170 and included supplementary budgets of £21,610. The Interim Director referred to the Archaeological Field Unit, which had worked hard to address their significant deficit. Planning had a reduced income from development applications in part due to the economic downturn and general lack of construction taking place. A Member referred to the City Council’s relatively low planning fee for major developments and if that might be remedied in the future. The Interim Director referred to current debate and hoped that there might be more flexibility or discretion in the future. He responded to enquiries on bus shelter maintenance and would pursue the accuracy of anticipated energy savings in respect of street lighting, although this might be in relation to a number of private streets, but he would make enquiries and update Members if necessary.
Scrutiny Committee – Economy noted the report.
(Report circulated)
|
|||||||||
Risk Management Minutes: The Interim Director Economy and Development presented a report which identified the risks relating to the areas within the remit of this Committee, and of the actions proposed and taken to mitigate the risks concerned. He highlighted the significant new risks identified in the latest review.
Scrutiny Committee – Economy :-
(1) noted the report and risks relating to its areas, and
(2) supported ongoing monitoring of its own areas to ensure that the risk register remains current and risk assessments are valid, that proposed mitigating action are taken by the agreed target dates.
(Report circulated)
|
|||||||||
Half Year Results of Performance Monitoring 2010/11 To consider the report of the Interim Director Economy and Development - report circulated Additional documents:
Minutes: The Interim Director Economy and Development reported the half year figures for those statutory and local performance indicators that relate to services provided by the Economy and Development Directorate. The national and local indicators were attached as an appendix to the report and included details of any variance from targets and remedial action taken.
Scrutiny Committee – Economy noted that the report.
(Report circulated)
|
|||||||||
Property Voids and Debts To consider the report of the Acting Head of Estates Services – report circulated Minutes:
|