Agenda item

To receive a report from Councillor Bialyk, the Leader of the Council.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Bialyk presented his report drawing attention to the following points:

a)     a provisional finance presentation last evening had been provided by the Strategic Director for Corporate Resources and Head of Service - Finance and the council looked to be in a good position for the next two to three years;

b)     strategic partnerships continued with the Exeter Partnership being collegiate and areas being discussed were set out in the report. He would speak to officers about sharing notes from the meetings with members;

c)     members would hear more in due course about the City of Culture bid;

d)     the council was a partner in the Exeter Civic University Agreement and there was a link to a video in the report. He would speak to the university with regard to circulating the minutes to members;

e)     the matter of moving the site of the Materials Reclamation Facility would come before the Executive in due course;

f)       Senate Court would be the subject of an item at a special council meeting in February;

g)     there were a number of commercial and social asset issues but Laings had progressed. Finance must be considered. The accommodation at Whipton Gardens was first class and the residents he had met were pleased and it was hoped that phase B could be brought forward soon;

h)     Trews Weir was being dealt with;

i)       he would visit the city wall at the City Gate the following day with a team and inspect that and a number of other sites;

j)       contractors had been engaged at Clifton Hill which would bring forward affordable housing for over 55s which was at a cost but was the most appropriate way forward;

k)     Mary Arches would come to planning committee in due course;

l)       office relocation would be coming to council at a special meeting in February;

m)   as a non-constituent and non-voting member of the Combined Authority he represented the districts along with the Leader of Torridge Council. A peer review had been completed which had looked at governance and making it relevant to people. A Strategic Mayoral Authority was being considered as this was the direction of travel from government and where investment would come into the county;

n)     with regard to Local Government Reorganisation he believed that this would happen and a strong bid had been put forward with support from all parties in the room as well as Plymouth. A letter in response to the Minister had been sent and the minutes of the council meeting would be sent when prepared and he had directed those who had asked to make representations to the Minister.

The Leader responded to Members’ questions in the following terms:

a)     he was not unhappy to meet with St David’s ward councillors about Mallinson Bridge but wanted to speak to Directors first so as not to raise false hope. He was convening a meeting with the Leader of Devon County Council about a number of issues and would discuss Mallinson Bridge or how those funds could be redirected within the city;

b)     procurement was complete for the remainder of the Laings work and a process was in place for the project to be completed and he wished to formally apologise to residents in the areas for having to live in the environment as it was;

c)     Whipton Gardens Phase B would be in line with what had previously been stated, social and affordable housing;

d)     with regard to local government reorganisation the Chief Executive would be convening a meeting with all group leaders to give an opportunity to discuss the way forward;

e)     he had responded to the Leader of Devon County Council who had offered democratic services support in order that elections could go ahead and he did not want to put the Council’s proposal at risk;

f)       there weren’t as many second homes in Exeter as in South Hams and he had asked Devon County Council new administration whether funds could be identified and ring-fenced and the response he received was that the budget had been set before they took control. He had asked whether this would be in the budget for the coming year and was awaiting a response;

g)     properties owned by the city council would not be used for PBSA; and

h)     that he welcomed any questions not asked to be emailed to him and responses would be circulated to the committee.

Councillor Pole moved from the Chair, seconded by Councillor Kevin Mitchell, that the Strategic Scrutiny Committee notes the Leaders Portfolio Holder Report and the feedback received and following a unanimous vote was CARRIED.

A break was taken at 6:22pm and the meeting reconvened at 6:26pm

The Chair explained that Councillor Ruth Williams, as Portfolio Holder had attended meetings where the Mallinson Bridge had been discussed, Harbour Board and ECQT, which Councillor Read had also attended.