Agenda item

The minutes of the Executive of 9 April 2024 were presented by the Leader, Councillor Bialyk, and taken as read.

In respect of Minute No. 46 (Overview of General Fund Revenue Budget 2023/24 – Quarter 3), the Leader moved and Councillor Wright seconded the recommendation and, following a vote, the recommendation was carried.

In respect of Minute No. 47 (2023/24 General Fund Capital Monitoring Statement – Quarter 3), Councillor remarked that the Capital Budget was behind schedule in terms of delivery, which she warned could result in a substantial underspend; she asked the Leader if additional capacity was being built to address this. The Leader replied that the Director Finance had explained to the Executive Committee the reasons why there had been any rolling forward and what the current situation was; he further advised that he would have to seek the Director’s advice on the next steps to take.

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

In respect of Minute No. 48 (2023/24 HRA Budget Monitoring Report – Quarter 3), the Leader moved and Councillor Wright seconded the recommendations and, following a vote, the recommendations were carried.

In respect of Minute No. 49 (The Household Support Fund – Scheme 5), the Leader moved and Councillor Wright seconded the recommendation and, following a vote, the recommendation was carried.

In respect of Minute No. 50 (Climate Adaptation Strategy for Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly), Councillor Parkhouse praised the strategy and remarked that it was the first of its kind in the region.

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

In respect of Minute No. 51 (Council Health and Safety At Work Policy), the Leader moved and Councillor Wright seconded the recommendation and, following a vote, the recommendation was carried unanimously.

In respect of Minute No. 53 (Council Health and Safety At Work Policy), Councillor Mitchell remarked that this was a new approach for Exeter City Council and asked when this would be reviewed. The Leader replied that a review would take place at the appropriate time, adding that he was reluctant to commit to a time schedule at this stage. Hie did, however, confirm that any review would be brought to the Executive and then to Full Council.

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

In respect of Minute No. 54 (Exeter Plan: Full Draft Consultation Reporting), Councillor Vizard stressed the importance of good public consultation and asked the Leader for any comments on how the process had been received so far. The Leader highlighted:-

·         the complex approach to consultation; and

·         how some other authorities should have consulted too.

Members made the following comments:-

·         it was important for all Members to be engaged;

·         a detailed schedule of Member engagement was essential; and

·         dates of the Exeter Plan workshop must be announced as soon as possible.

The Leader stressed the importance of the Planning Member Working Group meetings and clarified that:-

·         this was a resident-led consultation;

·         while it was important to hold discussions with the relevant people, Members would not be rewriting the Exeter Plan; and

·         Exeter needed both an urban design and a mix of accommodation types.

Councillor R Williams praised the work of the planning officers and urged all Councillors to attend Planning Member Working Group meetings.

In respect of Minute No. 55 (Wonford Community Wellbeing Hub), Councillor Asvachin welcomed the report and urged officers to find £7m as soon towards the project. Councillor Denning offered wholehearted support for the recommendations and welcomed the fact that residents of St Loyes as well as Wonford would have their own community hub, adding that the project would help people in the community. Councillor Moore welcomed the fact that the scheme was moving forward; however, she felt that the report should include a recommendation with a preferred option by the community.

The Leader explained that:-

·         this was a high-priority project;

·         if Exeter City Council could bring the project forward, it would; and

·         it was essential to engage with the community in any governance structure.

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

In respect of Minute No. 56 (Live And Move Sport England Place Partner 2025-2028), Councillor Harvey asked why, if tending an allotment was considered a physical activity, allotment fees were being put up. The Leader replied that allotment charges had been discussed at great length, that the increases would be phased over two years and that, in the main, allotment holders were satisfied.

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

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Executive held on 9 April 2024 be received and, where appropriate, adopted.