Decisions

Agreed:

RESOLVED that in accordance with Section's 222 and 223 of the Local Government Act 1972 and Section 60 of the County Courts Act 1984, the following officer be authorised to represent Exeter City Council at the County and Magistrates' Courts:-

• Danny Damarell – Housing and Litigation Team Lead

RECOMMENDED that Council approve the amendment to the Council’s Scheme of Delegation to give delegated authority to the Service Lead, Legal Services, to authorise legal officers to represent Exeter City Council in the Magistrates’ and County Court in accordance with sections 222 and 223 of the Local Government Act 1972 and section 60 of the County Courts Act 1984.

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report.

Agreed:

DELETE

In accordance with Regulation 5, Paragraph 5, Part 2 of The Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 concerning the procedures prior to private meetings, the details of the representations received had been included on the agenda with the statement of response to the representations.

RESOLVED that under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1, Schedule 12A of the Act. 

Reason for Decision: The proposed reasons for the exemptions was that it was in the public interest to maintain the confidentiality of the company’s business plan and business case respectively and the recommendationthat minutes 32 and 33 be taken under Part 2, was be maintained.

Agreed:

RESOLVED that the content of the ‘New Local Plan Issues Consultation Summary Report’ (Appendix A) be noted as a document which will be used to inform the preparation of the emerging new Local Plan.

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report.

Agreed:

RECOMMENDED that Council approve:-

(1)   the provision of £750,000 funding to progress to the next Workstage of the Wonford Health & Wellbeing Hub; and

(2)   the invitation of local residents’ involvement in the co-design of the proposed redevelopment.

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report.

Agreed:

RECOMMENDED that Council approve:-

(1)   the variation of Prohibition E of the current order following a public consultation so that any individual whether or not in a group who is causing harassment, alarm and distress may be required to leave the area of the PSPO for a maximum of 24 hours as stated in Appendix A of the report;

(2)   no change to the remaining prohibitions of the Public Spaces Protection Order and the existing boundaries as shown in Appendix B of the report;

(3)   the extension of the PSPO for a further three years, commencing on 20 June 2022; and

(4)   the continuation of the current policy of funding received by the Council from fixed penalty notices issued for a breach of any PSPO to be ring-fenced for initiatives to address anti-social behaviour and that the funding continue to be administered through the Exeter Community Safety Partnership.

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report.

Agreed:

RECOMMENDED that Council:-

(1)   approve the organisational change programme to deliver a fit for purpose organisation and meet the requirements of the MTFP;

(2)   note that the overall savings targets for each work stream are indicative and where targets are not met, that these will have to be met by compensatory savings in other areas to ensure that the council continues to deliver a balanced budget;

(3)   agree to receive further reports requesting funding at the appropriate time, having noted the budget requirements for delivering the change programme;

(4)   approve the following recommendations from the Discretionary Services Review:-

(a)        a recurring reduction of £171,180 in back office spend for operational budget cut proposals;

(b)        the transfer of £95,370 from the Neighbourhood CIL to resource the Communities element of the Active and Healthy People service, subject to compliance with the provisions of the Community Infrastructure Regulations 2011;

(c)        the business case proposal to remodel the Customer Service Centre, and the permanent deletion of two security and assistance officer posts and one customer service officer post, generating a proposed saving of £86,945, noting that two of the posts are currently vacant; and

(d)        the business case to reduce the opening hours of the underground passages to reduce the operational cost, generating a proposed saving of £45,000.

(5)   note that in relation to recommendation 4, that employees will be consulted on the impact of any changes to their roles and jobs and where the outcome results in any potential redundancies, the consultation will be genuine and meaningful and consultation will be entered into:

·        with a real willingness to listen;

·        an honest preparedness to adjust proposals where considered appropriate;

·        where there is a sufficient level of detail provided; and

·        where there is adequate time made available.

(6)   authorise the relevant Director to consider and agree any alternatives that are reasonable, implementable and deliver the same financial savings required by the business case as part of the consultation process.

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report.

Agreed:

RECOMMENDED that Council adopt the revised Contaminated Land Strategy.

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report.

Agreed:

RECOMMENDED that Council:-

(1)   note the Findings and Observations as follows:

·        the average rate of pay for females is higher than males across the Council;

·        the difference has increased slightly since last year from 4.59% to 5.00%; and

·        there are over 3 times more males in the lower quartile of earnings than females

(2)   approves the publication of the Gender Pay Gap Report and its findings on the Exeter City Council website and on the centrally held database on gov.uk.

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report.

Agreed:

RECOMMENDED that Council:-

(1)   adopt the Policy, Report and Appendices and publish in accordance with legislation; and

(2)   grant delegated authority to the Director Corporate Services to make necessary amendments to the pay policy statement following any changes in legislation or subsequent increases in pay.

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report.

Agreed:

RECOMMENDED that Council adopt the new Treasury Management Strategy and delegations contained therein.

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report.

Agreed:

RECOMMENDED that Council adopt:-

(1)        the Prudential Indicators set out in Appendix A-C of the report presented to the meeting; and

(2)        the Annual Statement of Minimum Revenue Provision for the Council.

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report.

Agreed:

RECOMMENDED that Council approve the Capital Strategy as set out in Appendix 1 of the report presented at the meeting.

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report.

Agreed:

RECOMMENDED that Council:-

(1)   approve the overall spending proposals in respect of both its revenue and capital budgets;

(2)   approve the Council Tax for each Band be recommended to the Council as set out in section 8.19.3 of the report, subject to Devon County Council, the Office of the Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner Devon and Cornwall and the Devon and Somerset Fire Authority confirming their Band D levels respectively; and

(3)   approve the revised council tax levels submitted to Council on 22 February 2022, when the actual Council Tax amounts for Devon County Council, Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner and the Devon and Somerset Fire Authority are set.

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report.