Agenda item

The minutes of the Executive of 8 February 2022 (with the exception of minute number 20 which had been considered at the Extraordinary Council meeting immediately preceding this meeting) were presented by the Leader, Councillor Bialyk, and taken as read.   

In respect of Minute No. 19 (Organisational Change Programme: One Exeter), the Leader moved and Councillor Wright seconded the recommendations and following a vote, the recommendations were carried.

In respect of Minute No. 21 (Capital Strategy 2022-23), the Leader, referring to a question raised by a Member at the Executive on 8 February 2022 in respect of community asset transfer, undertook to ensure that a response was provided.

The Leader moved and Councillor Wright seconded the recommendation and following a vote, the recommendation was carried.

In respect of Minute No. 22 (The Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities (Incorporating the Annual Statement of Minimum Revenue Provision)), the Leader moved and Councillor Wright seconded the recommendations and following a vote, the recommendations were carried unanimously.

In respect of Minute No. 23 (Treasury Management Strategy Report 2022/23), the Leader moved and Councillor Wright seconded the recommendation and following a vote, the recommendation was carried.

In respect of Minute No. 24 (Wonford Health and Well Being Centre Feasibility     Proposal), a Member requested clarification on part of a response she had received from the Leader to her question at Executive on 8 February 2022 in respect of the carbon impact of demolition and construction in bringing forward the proposal. The Leader asked that this request be put to him in writing.

The Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Physical Activity welcomed the proposal for the Health and Wellbeing Centre which would be of great benefit to the local community.

The Leader moved and Councillor Wright seconded the recommendations and following a vote, the recommendations were carried.

In respect of Minute No. 25 (Exeter Local Plan: Issues Consultation Summary Report), the Portfolio Holder for City Development, in response to a Member’s question, confirmed that the new Local Plan would help support the Council’s approach, through Exeter City Living and its own house building programme, to help achieve carbon reduction and neutrality targets within Net Zero Exeter 2030 ambitions.

In respect of Minute No. 26 (Annual Pay Policy Statement 2022/23), the Leader moved and Councillor Wright seconded the recommendations and following a vote, the recommendations were carried unanimously.

In respect of Minute No. 27 (Gender Pay Gap Report), the Leader moved and Councillor Wright seconded the recommendations and following a vote, the recommendations were carried unanimously. 

In respect of Minute No. 28 (Review of the Council’s Contaminated Land Strategy), the Leader moved and Councillor Wright seconded the recommendation and following a vote, the recommendation was carried unanimously.

In respect of Minute No. 29 (Proposed Variation of the Public Spaces Protection Order), the Portfolio Holder for Transformation and Environment stated that, since the introduction of the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), issues around homelessness, the street attached and anti-social behaviour remained significant. There had been 12 homeless related deaths since the PSPO had been introduced and it was estimated that there were approximately 500 individuals in the city who were extremely vulnerable. The life expectancy for homeless men and women was estimated at 45 and 43 years respectively.

In response to a Member’s query on recording and monitoring the use of the PSPO on those with no fixed abode, the Portfolio Holder for Transformation and Environment confirmed that this was a Police role and that liaison took place with the City Council on this matter.

During discussion the following points were made:-

·         anti-social behaviour such as aggressive begging, illegal encampments, urinating in doorways and abandoned bedding had a detrimental impact on the quality of life of the city;

·         businesses had contacted the Council seeking sufficient resources to enforce the PSPO;

·         there was a distinction between people sleeping rough and those who were street attached;

·         particular areas of the city centre could be intimidating to the public and discourage them from coming to the city centre, especially during the evening and at night time;

·         age profiles were maintained for younger persons identified as homeless/living on the street to ensure that they were not already affected; and

·         it was important to maintain a balance between respecting the human rights of those with complex needs whilst not compromising the safety and enjoyment of the city for the wider public.

The Leader moved and Councillor Wright seconded the recommendations and following a vote, the recommendations were carried.

In respect of Minute No. 30 (Authorisation of Legal Services Officers to attend the Magistrates’ and County Courts and Changes to the Scheme of Delegation for Legal Services), the Leader moved and Councillor Wright seconded the recommendation and following a vote, the recommendation was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Executive held on 8 February 2022 be received and, where appropriate, adopted.