Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 10 March 2011 were taken as read, and signed by the Chair as correct.

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.

The following personal (and *prejudicial) interests were declared:-

To receive questions from Members of the Council to appropriate Portfolio Holders.

The Chair advised that a letter from a member of the public had been passed to her, detailing a number of complex issues relating to vessels at the canal and VAT payments, which do not fall within this Scrutiny Committee’s terms of reference. A copy of the letter would be passed to the Chair of Scrutiny Resources to take any appropriate action.  She would also ensure that a full and appropriate response was made to the letter.

A Member advised that he had seen a copy of the letter and suggested it would be helpful to have clarification of the processes that can be used by those who feel they have a grievance. The Director outlined the City Council’s formal complaints procedure.

Councillor R Sutton (Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Transport and Development) and Councillor R Denham (Portfolio Holder for Economy and Tourism) will present a report on the priorities for the forthcoming year in light of the Committee’s work programme.

Councillor Bialyk declared a personal interest as a member of the Exeter Bus and Coach Station Social Club.

Councillor Mrs Thompson declared a personal and prejudicial interest in relation to being a landowner in the Monkerton Master Plan area and took no part in any discussion on that subject.

Councillor Prowse declared an interest as a Member of Devon County Council.

Councillor Morris declared an interest as a member of the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW)

Councillor Payne declared an interest as an employee of Exeter College.

Councillor Sutton presented the following priorities within the Sustainable Development and Transport Portfolio for 2011/12. A copy of the briefing note, together with a brief explanation on each priority will be attached as an appendix to these minutes.

The following responses were given to Members’ questions: -

• the feasibility study will look at a number of options for the redevelopment of the Bus and Coach Station site, and although the bus terminal would have a central presence, it was not clear where that would be. The concern about ensuring the design and location would be in a place that people wanted to use was noted. The Director added that many features including safety and Highway concern, as well as the bus operator’s requirements for passenger movements and bus maintenance would be fed into the design process.

• plans for the enhancement of Cowick Street were now being drawn up in detail, with work due to commence towards the end of the calendar year.

• the Director stated that the CIL was a national initiative, with the rate dependent on house values, but every effort would be made to bring forward a common charging schedule.  Some of the revenue would be used to improve local infrastructure including rail and road, for the benefit of Exeter residents as well as those visiting the city for work and leisure. The infrastructure offset will be captured by the CIL, with no additional burden for house buyers or those renting.

·         although the Harbour Revision Authority had not made its final report, no changes in navigation on the Exeter Canal were anticipated. 

·         officers would be asked to look into the individual patronage and revenue derived from off street parking. (The Chair suggested a Working Party might be convened to look at this in more depth.)

·         a response would be made to a Member’s enquiry about the formal appeals procedure in relation to a particular instance of parking enforcement.

• the positive comments on improvements to the entrance to Gandy Street were welcomed. 

Councillor Denham presented the following priorities within the Economy and Tourism Portfolio for 2011/12. A copy of the briefing note, together with a brief explanation on each priority was attached as an appendix to these minutes..

The following responses were given to Members’ questions and comments:-

• the increase in youth unemployment and decline of local apprenticeships were still areas of concern, but the Council would look to take advantage of any employment and training opportunities  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

To consider the report of the Director Economy and Development – report circulated

Councillor Mrs Thompson declared a personal and prejudicial interest due to business arrangements with Eagle One, and took no part in the discussion.

The Director Economy and Development outlined the proposal and decision by the

(Report circulated)

To consider the report of the Director Economy and Development – report circulated

The Director Economy and Development made a presentation and also submitted a report, ‘A City Centre Vision for a Green Capital’ to consider whether to adopt the document for engagement with key stakeholders. It had been commissioned to provide a development context for the City Centre Transportation Strategy and other potential studies and projects in the city centre and formed the basis of a vision for any future city centre Action Area Plan.  A total of 17 principles were also listed for future guidance, with the aim of creating a flexible framework for the growth of the city centre over the next 20 to 30 years.

Members made the following comments:-

• welcome for a very positive document;
• what impact the extension of pedestrianised areas in the city centre might have, particularly if that included the Paris Street/New North Road junction, adjacent to the development of the John Lewis At Home store, which was an arterial route to Crediton. The Director referred to the need to address such challenges, but with the current and predicted footfall of that particular junction, a solution would have to be found.  Some transport modelling would be carried out to understand all the implications including cost.
• support for the Vision, but concern that a predicted growth of 50% of the city’s working and local population should include improvements to the transport infrastructure to facilitate movements both in, and to and from the city, and include rail. The Director agreed that desired transport outputs had to include new railway stations at Newcourt, Monkerton and Marsh Barton, as well as additional services on the existing lines and better rolling stock.  The case for such improvements needs to be continually made to business and the local MP’s.
• an extension of pedestrianised areas to allow further development of the night time economy should allow for more CCTV and good quality downward street lighting and the public engagement exercise should be as wide as possible.
• the consultation should include workshops and public exhibition as well as investigating the possibility of a roving exhibition to community halls for greater access. The Director stated that the consultation would be as wide reaching as possible.
• the reduction of cars within the urban extension of Exeter should be welcomed, but the Member hoped that the outlying areas such as Pinhoe would not be used for additional Park and Ride facilities. The Director advised that city wide Park and Ride had to be part of the transport solution as well as trains and buses.  Other initiatives such as Park and Change (to a bus) were being developed to serve rural areas. The Director advised that every effort was continuing to find suitable locations for any further Park and Ride schemes.

Scrutiny Committee – Economy supported the report and recommended that Executive approve the contents of the City Centre Vision document for the purpose of a public engagement exercise with key stakeholders, and subject to the engagement endorse the use of the document to inform decision  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

To consider the report of the Head of Economy and Tourism – report circulated

The Head of Economy and Tourism presented a report which updated Members on progress towards establishing the proposed Business Improvement District (BID).  It also sought to establish Executive’s confirmation of a “yes” vote in the ballot to support the setting up of the BID. A draft of the Exeter City Centre BID proposal was circulated with the report.

A Member stated that it was clear that the City Council wanted a vote in favour, but he enquired if the tenants of the City Council’s business properties listed in the appendix would be eligible to vote or if a block vote mechanism would be used by the City Council.  The Head of Economy and Tourism advised that a tenant paying business rates would be entitled to a vote.  He also responded to a Member who sought more detail about the ‘purple flag’ status, which was awarded to towns and cites, whose night time economy presented a quality, clean and safe environment.

The Chair thanked officers for their hard work in bringing this project to fruition.

Scrutiny Committee – Economy supported the report and recommended that Executive approve the following:-

(1)        confirm its support for the proposed City Centre Business Improvement District and the priorities and projects as set out in the formal prospectus;

(2)        authorise the Portfolio Holder for Economy and Tourism to cast the City Council’s votes in favour of establishing the BID;

(3)        confirm that in principle the continuation of the City Council’s contribution of £50,000 towards the costs of the City Centre Management function in collaboration with the BID Company, subject to agreement on the final arrangements; and

(4)        that the Head of Treasury Services arrange for provision for funding the BID levies from existing budgets associated with each property liable for the levy.

(Report circulated)

To consider the joint report of the Director of Economy and Development and Head of Economy and Tourism - report circulated

Councillor Payne declared a personal interest as an employee of Exeter College.

The Head of Economy and Tourism provided an overview of the Economic Development Service’s activities during 2010/11, which had contributed to the implementation of the Exeter and Heart of Devon Economic Development Strategy.  The priorities of the Strategy continued to focus on promoting and securing the growth of businesses, a better-trained workforce, helping people into work, bringing forward the availability of employment land and lobbying for investment in transportation and the communications infrastructure.  The Service’s key priorities for supporting growth and recovery together with the key actions planned in 2011/2012 were also set out in the report.

The Head of Economy and Tourism responded to comments on the service’s key priorities. He addressed a Member’s concern about the Science Park’s future development, stating that the formal planning regime and the Gateway Policy would ensure compliance with the preferred types of businesses to be located on the park. A Member welcomed the business support delivery model, but enquired how various projects would be protected in the light of reductions in public sector spending. He was advised that, whilst there was the current City Council funded business advice in collaboration with the Innovation Centre, there was also the Government policy to establish a network of over 40,000 business mentors offering practical advice on a voluntary basis.  It was unclear at the moment how the latter would be delivered.

Scrutiny Committee – Economy noted the report and supported the economic development priorities and activities for 2011/ 2012.

(Report circulated)

To consider the report of the Head of Economy and Tourism - report circulated

Councillor Morris declared a personal interest as an employee of Ben Bradshaw, MP.

The Head of Economy and Tourism updated Members on the proposal to establish the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) covering Devon and Somerset. The LEP will grow in influence and importance, but the representation from District Councils remains an issue, and particularly in ensuring that Exeter’s interests are adequately represented at regional and national level. The report also covered an invitation to establish an Enterprise Zone, based around the Exeter and East Devon Growth Point development programme. A substantial incentive was being offered to achieve a step change in regeneration. An expression of interest for Exeter had been submitted, and the outcome would be reported to Members.

Members commented on the lack of District Council representation on the LEP. The Director stated that the City Council had made their disappointment over the lack of political representation and accountability known. In response to a question, the Director stated that Ben Bradshaw had been very involved in these discussions.  Details of the business representative would be known shortly.  An invitation would be extended to Jeremy Filmer-Bennett, Chair of the LEP Steering Group, to attend a future meeting.

Scrutiny Committee – Economy supported the formation of the new Local Enterprise Partnership and proposed setting up of an Enterprise Zone, but wished to record their displeasure at the way Exeter City Council had been excluded from the Heart of the South West LEP process.

(Report circulated)  

To consider the report of the Head of Economy and Tourism – report circulated

The Head of Economy and Tourism presented a report which provided Members with a summary of the summer events programme 2011.

Officers had put together a varied and very different programme, and the outcome would be closely monitored.  The Chair welcomed the wide range of activities and events, and asked how this would feature in future budget programming. The Head of Economy and Tourism confirmed that feedback from events would be acknowledged and added into that process.  He responded to comments on the challenges of staging the forthcoming Midsummer Party on the Quay in the short timescale following the difficult budget setting round.

Scrutiny Committee – Economy Members noted the Summer Events Programme for 2011.

(Report circulated)

To consider the report of the Director Economy and Development – report circulated

The Director Economy and Development presented a report which advised Members of the final position with regard to the 2010/11 capital programme for the Economy and Development Directorate.

Scrutiny Committee –Economy noted the report.

(Report circulated)

To consider the report of the Head of Treasury Services – report circulated

Councillor Choules declared a personal interest as his wife is an employee at the Northcott Theatre.

The Director Economy and Development presented a report detailing the overall financial performance of the Economy and Development Directorate for the 2010/11 financial year ended 31 March 2011.

Scrutiny Committee – Economy noted the report.    

(Report circulated)  

To consider the report of the Director Economy and Development – report circulated

The Director Economy and Development presented a report on the performance at the end of the year on a range of statutory and local performance indicators that relate to services provided by the Economy and Development Directorate.

Scrutiny Committee – Economy noted the report.

(Report circulated)

To consider the report of the Director Economy and Development – report circulated

A Member congratulated all those involved in drawing together the concept, and he asked if the lead officer of the Low Carbon Task Force could be invited to a future meeting.

Scrutiny Committee - Economy noted the following:-

(1)        the signing of the memorandum of understanding between Exeter City Council, Devon County Council, East Devon District Council and E.ON for the purpose of developing, overseeing, influencing and, where appropriate, commissioning projects within a programme which is intended to achieve the ambitious goals of reducing carbon emissions, addressing fuel poverty and stimulating the low carbon economy for the region; and

(2)               that an invitation be extended to the lead officer of the Low Carbon Task Force to attend the next meeting if possible.

(Report circulated)