Agenda item

The minutes of the Executive of 3 December 2024 were presented by the Leader, Councillor Bialyk, and taken as read.

 

In respect of Minute No. 124 Members’ Allowances 2025/26 the Chair of the Independent Remuneration Panel stated that a review would go ahead next year although devolution may impact this. 

 

Councillor Moore moved and Councillor Mitchell seconded, a recommendation in the following terms:

 

‘That any underspend from Members’ Allowances be given as a one-off grant to Citizen’s Advice to support their transition.’

 

During debate the Leader, Councillors Vizard, Wood and Wright spoke in opposition of the motion making the following points:

 

·         that budgets were reviewed monthly, some had over- and others under-spend;

·         there were other budgetary considerations to be given thought;

·         there were many pressures on budgets;

·         this recommendation would not solve the issue Citizen’s Advice faced; and

·         budget setting was not what was being discussed here.

 

Councillor Mitchell as seconder spoke in support of the motion stating that other authorities contribute to Citizen’s Advice, that it had been clear at the beginning of the year that all allowances would not be spent and that this could be a creative solution.

 

Councillor Moore summed up stating that throughout the year amendments to budgets were requested and reliance on underspends was not good.

 

Following a vote the recommendation was NOT CARRIED.

 

The Leader moved and Councillor Wright seconded the recommendations which following a vote were CARRIED.

 

In respect of Minute No. 125 Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places within the Exeter City Council Area, the Leader moved and Councillor Wright seconded the recommendations and following a vote, were CARRIED unanimously.

 

In respect of Minute No. 127 Overview of General Fund revenue Budget 2024/25 – Quarter 2, the Leader moved and Councillor Wright seconded the recommendations which following a vote were CARRIED.

 

In respect of Minute No. 128 2024/25 General Fund Capital Monitoring Statement – Quarter 2, Councillor Read asked if there was enough money set aside for all urgent repairs to the city wall.  The Leader responded that a new Director had been appointed and would begin their role in the near future and that money wasn’t the only issue but also identifying and engaging appropriate specialists.

 

The Leader moved and Councillor Wright seconded the recommendations which following a vote were CARRIED.

 

In respect of Minute No. 129 2024/25 HRA Budget Monitoring Report – Quarter 2, Councillor Moore asked for an update on the state of the budget for housing repairs.  Councillor Asvachin, Portfolio Holder for Housing, Homelessness Prevention and Customer Services, responded stating that a response would be provided outside the meeting.

 

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

 

In respect of Minute No. 130 Treasury Management 2024/25 Half Year Update, Councillor Read moved an amendment which the Leader accepted, to the recommendations in the following terms:

(2) and make provision for policy revision bi-annually.

 

Councillor Read asked the Leader to ensure that the Council’s account with Barclays was permanently closed. The Leader responded that as this was an operational issue and he would speak to the s151 Officer.

 

The Leader moved and Councillor Wright seconded the recommendations as amended and following a vote were CARRIED.

 

In respect of Minute No. 131 City Point Update, Councillor Harding asked how the Council would be talking to communities. Councillor Palmer asked what support would be provided to independent traders in Paris Street and Councillor Wetenhall asked if the Leader agreed that it would be better to have a stakeholder forum for the area. 

 

In response the Leader stated that there would be no direct support as leases were in place and that it was necessary to engage with large organisations due to the projected cost to develop the area which 5 years ago stood at £350 million and was unlikely to be within the scope of the independent traders.  The Leader also informed Members that officers would make proposals early next year and that those would come to Council at the appropriate time.

 

In respect of Minute No. 132 The Exeter Plan: Publication, Councillor Darling put a question to the Leader in the following terms:-

 

“We know that the Draft National Planning Policy Framework identifies three types of sites for development: green belt, grey belt and brownfield sites. Can the leader explain the difference between these types of sites and the impact this may have in Exeter?”

The Leader responded stating that the updated National Planning Policy Framework was released last Thursday, 12 December. The NPPF referred to different categories of land and Green belt was highly protected land which was defined to prevent urban sprawl by keeping land permanently open. Exeter did not have a green belt. Grey belt was a newly defined type of land which was within a green belt but was of lower environmental quality, for example an area of hardstanding.

As Exeter did not have any green belt, it followed that it also had no grey belt. Brownfield sites were those which have been developed previously by buildings or other development and Government and the emerging Exeter Plan policy prioritised the majority of development on brown field land.

 

Councillor Darling put a second question to the Leader in the following terms:-

 

“The Exeter Plan stipulates that social housing allocation in Exeter will be developing 35% greenfield sites and 15% brownfield sites. Why is this?

The Leader responded that policies in the Exeter Plan had to be based on appropriate evidence and had to be practically deliverable - factors which were tested by an independent examination. The affordable housing policy in the Draft Exeter Plan included a requirement of 35% affordable housing on green field sites and 15% on brown field sites. This reflected evidence in the local housing needs assessment and the viability appraisal.

 

During debate Councillor Jobson spoke against the recommendation due to concern over the impact of the recent changes to the NPPF.

 

During debate Councillor Mitchell spoke making the following points:

 

·         that officers were to be thanked for their work on the Plan;

·         he understood the legal process to follow;

·         that the content had not been scrutinised as requested;

·         no vote of motion had been put with regard to the Plan;

·         process only had been available to Members;

·         Planning Member Working Group had seen the content; and

·         he felt that Members were consultees.

 

During debate Councillor Palmer drew attention to a statement about Supported Living being supported if it did not result in unacceptable harm to amenity and residents. Councillor Palmer raised concern over the possibility that this could breach public sector equalities and should the city not foster good relations with vulnerable people and welcome those with protected characteristics. The Leader in response made the following points:

 

·         that he would follow-up the Supported Living query;

·         targets were important and evidence-based;

·         the Inspector would look for evidence;

·         the Council did not want to be non-compliant;

·         the Plan ensured that policies were in place;

·         homes were required; and

·         the risks were greater if the Plan did not go through.

 

The Leader publicly thanked the Planning Team for their important work.

 

The Leader moved and Councillor Wright seconded the recommendations which following a vote were CARRIED.

 

In respect of Minute No.133 The use of Body Worn Video Cameras, Councillor Moore asked if there would be a review given that the project was a trial. Councillor Parkhouse asked how the data was managed and who would be wearing the cameras. Councillor Wright responded that the project would be reviewed alongside CCTV and that she would seek a clear date. The report contained the CCTV control room Data Policy detailing clear policy for the data.

 

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