Agenda and minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on 15 November 2016 (previously circulated).

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 15 November 2016 be signed as a correct record.

Items which in the opinion of the Chairman should be considered at the meeting as matters of urgency.

There was no matter raised as a matter of urgency.

In accordance with the Council's Public Participation Rules, the Committee received and acknowledged oral representations made by Mr Dezell on a matter to be considered by the Committee that day, namely the Connecting Devon and Somerset Programme Update.

The Chairman responded, thanking Mr Dezell for his attendance and presentations which would be taken into account by the Committee during its subsequent deliberations.

Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/17/1), attached.

The Committee received the Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/17/1) on how the Council secured Section 106 contributions and infrastructure funding to support new development and, within the current planning regime, described the process involving Section 106 agreements and the use of a CIL.

In responding to issues discussed by Members the Head of Service advised that unlike Section 106 Agreements, the CIL related to the Local Plan area as opposed to specific, individual sites or applications.

Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/17/1), attached.

The Committee received the Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HW/17/1) on the review of the Highway Maintenance Hierarchy and the classification of the Devon Road Network which would provide an up-to-date category for every public road in Devon and would enable alignment with the recommendations of the National Code of Practice and with the road hierarchy of neighbouring highway authorities in the region.

The review process was scheduled for completion by October 2017 and following Consultation, road categories for each public road in Devon would be published on the Council’s website and adopted for future use by Devon as the Local Highway Authority.

It was MOVED by Councillor Radford, SECONDED by Councillor Ball and

RESOLVED that the review process including the alignment of the criteria and route categories with neighbouring local highway authorities; and consultation with Local Councils to validate the officer analysis of road category be accepted.

Report of the Head of Digital Transformation and Business Support (BSS/16/20), attached.

(Councillor Hook declared a personal interest in this item by virtue of being a shareholder in Teign Energy Communities.)

The Committee received the Report of the Head of Digital Transformation and Business Support (BSS/16/20) updating Members on the Council’s objectives in terms of corporate energy savings and renewable energy production. 

The Committee acknowledged that significant progress had been made with a reduction in consumption and resultant costs savings following the implementation of a number of energy efficiency measures, the continued reduction in the Council’s property portfolio and a dedicated resource to focus on energy management.

Report of the Agriculture Task Group (CS/17/1) attached, setting out the Recommendations of the Group.

(Councillor Greenslade attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item.)

The Committee considered the Agriculture Task Group’s Report on the current challenges faced by Devon’s agriculture sector, the impact this had on the rural economy and how the Council, its partners and central government could help support, sustain and develop the industry. 

The Committee extended its thanks to those Members and Officers that had contributed to and were involved in the preparation of the Report.

It was MOVED by Councillor Radford, SECONDED by Councillor Ball and

RESOLVED

(a) that the Committee note and endorse the recommendations made in the Report for approval by Cabinet;

(b) that a copy of the Report be sent to the Secretary of State, Devon MPs and other appropriate bodies for endorsement;

(b) that the Committee receive progress Report in a year’s time.

Report of the Head of Economy, Enterprise and Skills (EES/17/1), attached.

(Councillor Leadbetter, Cabinet Member for Economy, Growth and Cabinet Liaison for Exeter, attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(1) and spoke to this item at the invitation of the Committee.)

The Committee received the Report of the Head of Economy, Enterprise and Skills (EES/17/1) on progress made to date on the Connecting Devon and Somerset Programme (CDS) having regard to the further representations received on this matter at Minute *32 above.

The Head of Service reported further, in particular, that:

·         Phase One (BT contract) – there were now 11,000 premises short of the Superfast Connection Speed and Officers were working closely with BT on this to produce an improved remedial plan;

·         Phase Two Procurement -  the contract to deliver phase two of the programme had been awarded to Gigaclear and an investment of £43.75m secured from them; also funding of £4.6m had been secured from the European Regional Development Fund;

·         the Voucher Scheme had now received 580 installations with 4,600 vouchers having been approved to date for use until the end of March; the scheme was now paused for review, although registrations of interest could still be made.

It was MOVED by Councillor Radford, SECONDED by Councillor Hook and

RESOLVED that Gigaclear be invited to attend a Members’ briefing at a future date to set out its plans for delivery of superfast broadband to the hardest to reach homes and businesses in the region by 2019.

In accordance with the previous practice, Scrutiny Committees are requested to review the list of forthcoming business (previously circulated) and to determine which items are to be included in the Work Programme. 

The Committee may also wish to review the content of the Cabinet Forward Plan to see if there are any specific items therein it might wish to explore further.

The Work Programme and Forward Plan can be found at:

http://democracy.devon.gov.uk/mgPlansHome.aspx?bcr=1

The Committee reviewed the Scrutiny Work Programme and determined those items of business to be included therein for its sphere of activity, having regard also to the Cabinet/Council Forward Plan. 

The Work Programme was endorsed subject to the addition of the following:

Agriculture Task Group Report

Corporate Energy Storage – update on funding bids.

Devolution

[NB: The Scrutiny Work Programme is available on the Council's website at

http://democracy.devon.gov.uk/mgPlansHome.aspx?bcr=1and the Council/Cabinet Forward Plan is available at http://democracy.devon.gov.uk/mgPlansHome.aspx?bcr=1]