To receive questions from Members of the Council to the relevant Portfolio Holders for this Scrutiny Committee. The Portfolio Holders reporting to this Scrutiny Committee are:
Councillor Bialyk - Leader
Councillor Allcock - Portfolio Holder City Development
Councillor Vizard - Portfolio Holder Climate and Ecological Change and Communities
Councillor Wood - Portfolio Holder Leisure Services and Physical Activity
Councillor Wright - Portfolio Holder, Culture and City Centre Strategy
Councillor Foale - Portfolio Holder Arts, Culture and Tourism
Advance questions from Members relating to the Portfolio Holders above should be notified to Democratic Services.
Minutes:
Question from Councillor Wetenhall:
Regarding Exeter City Council's decision to sell off the Grace Road Field, in order to enable the development of an energy plant on the site.
The developers of the energy plant that this field is being sold for, say that they have researched 14 other sites where they might have located the plant and that the Grace Road site was the only suitable site. Can [ the leader / portfolio holder] confirm that the Council has no information about these other sites and if that is true, has therefore accepted the assertion of the developer without any supporting evidence?
Response from the Leader
Exeter Energy Ltd is a private commercial company, the roll-out of the DHN and the location of the energy centre is their commercial decision. Exeter Energy undertook their own due diligence in choosing the most suitable site available for their energy centre, the City Council were not involved in that decision making process. Exeter Energy approached the City Council Estates team once Grace Road Field was their preferred option. The planning application is supported by a note which sets out other sites they have considered.
Supplementary Question and Response
Does the Leader not think the Council has a duty to ensure that this was the only possible site? The Leader responded stating that the estates team had been in discussion with the developer and that the Planning Committee would look at the application when it came before them.
Questions from Councillor Moore:
Question
Exeter will be hosting the Women's Rugby World Cup in 2025 and we will welcome the teams and the supporters to the city. Please can the portfolio holder explain the travel plan arrangements for matches?
Response from the Leader
Exeter Rugby Club were hosting the women’s world cup and the City Council was working closely with them to support the delivery of, what would be a marvellous event and opportunity in Exeter. A travel plan would be discussed with the relevant authorities and the club, and I am confident, as before a sensible and workable plan would be agreed at the appropriate time.
Supplementary Question and Response
Do women or others have to make other travel arrangements as the No. 77 bus only runs for men’s games? The Leader responded stating that the bus was run by Exeter Rugby Club but that the safety of women and girls was important and he would mention this to the Chair of the rugby club.
Question
Please can you provide an update on work to develop the flood safety/egress strategy for the Haven Banks area?
Response from the Leader
The two levels of Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (levels 1 and 2) required for the Exeter Plan have been published with the Exeter Plan as part of its evidence base. These documents were available on the Exeter Plan website. Further work was ongoing to consider in more detail the potential safe access and egress route for the Water Lane area. The Environment Agency and Devon County Council have been involved in these pieces of work. The infrastructure evidence for the Exeter Plan also identified the need for a future safe access and egress route for Water Lane.
Supplementary Question and Response
Will the developer be required to contribute? The Leader asked the Director to provide an answer. The Strategic Director for Place responded that the developer would be required to contribute.
Questions from Councillor Moore for Councillor Wood:
Question
The Wellbeing Exeter Contract signed in the Members information bulletin [1] is reported £2.9m. This does not seem to align with the committee report's recommendations that were approved: Report - Community Grants Programme 202526 FINAL.pdf [8.10].
Please can you explain why the report and the contract value differs?
Response
£2.9 million stated in the Councillor Bulletin, is the projected maximum contract value including for the core and enhanced model identified through the procurement process and covers 3 years 9 months. Community Grants Programme report covers only 3 years however the programme requires that there would be external funding secured to support delivery.
Supplementary Question and Response
What was the value of the Sport England contribution? Councillor Wood responded that the figure requested was in both reports and should further detail be required the councillor should contact the Strategic Director for People and Communities.
Question
Please can you also confirm if this is a two-year rolling report as suggested in the paper or a fixed term contract?
Response
The programme had a 9-month contract with the option for three additional years.
Supplementary Question and Response
Can you clarify the financial situation agreed in the report as it is complex? Councillor Wood responded in agreement that it was complex but that the work of the programme as had been recognised for its good work and invested in. Further detail could be requested from the Strategic Director for People and Communities if desired.