Agenda and minutes

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Contact: Karen Strahan, 01392 382264  Email: karen.strahan@devon.gov.uk

Media

Items
Note No. Item

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120.

Minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on 10 January 2018, (previously circulated).

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 10 January 2018 be signed as a correct record.

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121.

Items Requiring Urgent Attention

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

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There was no item raised as a matter of urgency.

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122.

Announcements

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There was no announcement by the Chair at this meeting.

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123.

Petitions

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There was no petition received from a Member of the Public or the Council.

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124.

Question(s) from Members of the Council pdf icon PDF 67 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

In accordance with the Cabinet Procedure Rules, the Leader and relevant Cabinet Member responded to four questions from a Member of the Council on issues surrounding the Carillion collapse including the economic impacts, affected sectors and the impact on apprenticeships. 

 

The Leader and Cabinet Members also responded orally to supplementary questions arising from the above.

 

[NB: A copy of the questions and answers are appended to these minutes and are also available on the Council’s Website at http://www.devon.gov.uk/dcc/committee/mingifs.html and any supplementary questions and answers may be observed through the webcast of this meeting – see Notes below]

125.

Revenue Budget, Medium Term Financial Strategy 2018/2019 - 2021/2022 and the Capital Programme for 2018/2019 - 2022/2023 pdf icon PDF 1 MB

Report of the County Treasurer (CT/18/09) on the Council’s Budget for 2018/2019 which will be circulated as soon as available, in expectation of the final local government settlement for 2018/19 being received in time allowing for proper analysis of that statement.

 

The Cabinet will accordingly consider:

Additional documents:

Minutes:

(Councillors Atkinson, Brazil, Connett, Dewhirst, Edgell and Hannaford attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

 

1. Treasury Management and Investment Strategy

 

The Cabinet noted that, at its meeting on 31 January 2018, the Corporate Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee (Minute *49) had reviewed and endorsed the Report of the County Treasurer (CT/18/08) on the Treasury Management and Investment Strategy for 2018/19 which outlined the Council’s policies in relation to: the management of the Council’s cashflows, its banking, money market and capital market transactions; borrowing and investment strategies; monitoring of the level of debt and funding of the capital programme.

 

It had been prepared in line with the CIPFA Code of Practice and the policies had been reviewed for 2018/19 in the light of the revised code and revised Treasury Management Practices (TMPs). The Strategy would inform the preparation and presentation of the Budget for 2018/19 and consequently:   

 

It was MOVED by Councillor Clatworthy, SECONDED by Councillor Hart and

 

RESOLVED that the Treasury Management Strategy for 2018/19 previously considered and endorsed by the Corporate Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee be approved and incorporated in the 2018/19 budget. 

 

2. Revenue Budget, Capital Programme & Medium Term Financial Strategy

 

The Cabinet also considered and had regard to:

 

(i) the Report of the Chief Executive (CS/18/8) summarising the outcomes of and comments/observations made at consultation meetings with representatives of Devon’s Business Community, Trades Unions, representatives of Older People and the Voluntary Sector and also through the Leaders consultation meetings with Town and Parish Councils which took place between October 2017 and December 2017;

 

(ii) the Minutes of the Council’s Scrutiny Committees held on 23rd, 25th and 31st January 2018, the recommendations being summarised at item 7c on the agenda;

 

(iii) Minute 62 of the Devon Education (Schools) Forum, held on 15 January 2018, relating to the budget;

 

(iv) a 2018/19 Budget Impact Assessment, circulated to all Members of the Council prior to the meeting and available at https://new.devon.gov.uk/impact/published/budget-impact-assessment-201819/ alongside specific quality impact assessments referred to therein and undertaken as part of the budget’s preparation;

     

(v) the Report of the County Treasurer (CT/18/9) (also circulated prior to the meeting in line with Regulation 7(4) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012)) on the Revenue Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy for the period 2018/19–2021/22 and the Capital Programme for 2018/19-2022/23, including an assessment of the adequacy of reserves, a range of prudential indicators concerning the financial implications of the capital programme and an assessment of the risks associated with the budget strategy and how those would be managed, comprising in detail:

           

Introduction

Appendix A       -           Specimen Statement on Robustness of Budget Estimates &

adequacy of the County Council Reserves

Appendix B       -           Revenue Budget 2018/19

Appendix C       -           Summary Revenue Budget 2018/19

Appendix D       -           Medium Term Financial Strategy 2018/19 -2021/22

Appendix E       -           Risk Analysis of Volatile Budgets

Appendix F       -           County Fund Balance and Earmarked  ...  view the full minutes text for item 125.

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126.

Admission & Education Transport Policies for 2018-19 and 2019-20 pdf icon PDF 146 KB

Report of the Head of Education and Learning (CS/18/09) on the approval to Admission & Education Transport Policies for 2018-19 and 2019-20, attached.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

(Councillors Brazil, Connett, Dewhirst and Hannaford attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

 

(Councillor Davis declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in this matter by virtue of her son being in receipt of Council transport and withdrew from the meeting during its consideration).

 

The Cabinet considered the Report of the Head of Education and Learning (CS/18/9) on the approval to Admission & Education Transport Policies for 2018-19 and 2019-20, circulated prior to the meeting in accordance with regulation 7(4) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.

 

The Local Authority (LA) had a statutory responsibility to propose, consult on and determine admission arrangements for community and voluntary controlled (VC) schools and co-ordinated admission schemes for the normal round of admissions to all state-funded schools. Consultation in Devon was held ahead of the statutory deadline for annual determination by the Cabinet. Schools that were their own admissions authority were responsible for their own arrangements and determined by the schools themselves.

 

This Report highlighted the outcome of the consultation on primary and secondary school admission arrangements for 2019-20 and the co-ordination of primary and secondary school admissions and to seek approval to the schemes. Admission to special schools and fee-paying independent schools was not included.

 

Cabinet were being asked to determine the Normal Round Co-Ordinated Admissions Scheme for 2019-20, the In-Year Co-Ordinated Admissions Scheme for 2018-19, the Education Transport Policy for 2019-20 and the Fair Access Protocol, for implementation from the summer term 2018 with amendments summarised at section 2. All policies were published at http://devon.cc/lapolicies

 

In addition, Cabinet were asked to approve the admissions cycle timetable drawn up for the following year’s admissions arrangements cycle, set out at Appendix Three.

 

The Cabinet noted that the admission arrangements had been proposed and consulted on by the Local Authority and also that in a more autonomous school system, Local Authorities needed to ensure schools complied with the admissions code and had to be prepared to challenge any practice that was neither legal nor inclusive.

 

In addition, equality of access to education opportunities was a fundamental feature of school admission arrangements. All policies for consideration had been subject to an Equality Impact Needs Assessment, at www.devon.gov.uk/admissionarrangements. An Equality Impact Assessment had been completed as part of this decision making process which was referred to in the Head of Service’s Report and available to all Members at www.devon.gov.uk/admissionarrangements,for the attention of Cabinet at this meeting. It recognised that the proposed admissions policy supported the principle of providing local places for children at local schools and the role of the service inThe service seeks to

determine pupil admission arrangements which

maximise parental preference

and

promote social equity and community

c

ohesion

.

 The service seeks to

determine pupil admission arrangements which

maximise parental preference

and

promote social equity and community

c

ohesion

.

determining pupil admission arrangements which maximised parental preference and to promote social equity and community cohesion.

 

In previous years, the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 126.

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127.

Future Arrangements for 0-19 Public Health Nursing Services pdf icon PDF 107 KB

Joint Report of the Chief Officer for Communities, Public Health, Environment and Prosperity and the Chief Officer for Children’s Services, on the outcome of the options appraisal and proposed recommendations for the provision of the 0-19 Public Health Nursing, attached.

 

An Impact Assessment is attached for the consideration of Members at the meeting.

 

Report of the Children’s Scrutiny Committee and Health and Adult Care Scrutiny Committee Public Health Nursing Spotlight Review (CSO/18/9), to be read in conjunction with the Joint Report above, attached.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

(Councillors Atkinson, Connett, Dewhirst, Hannaford and Sellis attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

 

The Cabinet considered the Joint Report of the Chief Officer for Communities, Public Health, Environment and Prosperity and the Chief Officer for Children’s Services, on the outcome of the options appraisal and proposed recommendations for the provision of the 0-19 Public Health Nursing, circulated prior to the meeting in accordance with regulation 7(4) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.

 

The Council’s Director of Public Health (DPH) had statutory responsibility for the nationally mandated 0-5 Public Health Nursing Service, which could not be delegated.  The Council was one of five partners in a commissioning partnership for the provision of Integrated Children’s Services (ICS) provided by Virgin Care Ltd.  The 0-19 Public Health Nursing Service (PHNS) was one of the services, overseen by the DPH, the contract for which came to an end on 31st March 2019. The Cabinet, on 11th October 2017, approved the undertaking of an options appraisal for the provision of the 0-19 Public Health Nursing, Portage and ROVICs services from April 2019 onwards as well as the undertaking of a public consultation.

 

In considering the future service delivery model for the 0-19 PHNS from April 2019 onwards, the following options had been considered and fell into two broad categories, the first being the procurement of the PHNS and second the Councils direct delivery of the PHNS.

 

Within each of the categories two options were considered:

 

Procurement of the Public Health Nursing Service

1a: Open procedure with one contract

1b: Procure a joint venture delivery vehicle

 

Devon County Council direct delivery of the PHNS

2a: ‘In-house’ as a department of Devon County Council

2b: Placing all activity relating to the PHNS into a wholly owned subsidiary of Devon County Council.

 

The service delivery models had been assessed against a set of strategic objectives for the delivery of the 0-19 PHNS, as outlined in the Report. However, irrespective of the delivery model a number of assumptions for the service remained, which included the specification for the 0-19 PHNS being based upon the national template 0-19 Healthy Child Programme, the budget of £10million per annum for the service which did not alter and that assumptions had necessarily been made on the staffing requirements.

 

The public consultation had been undertaken through the Have Your Say website from 6th December 2017 – 15th January 2018.  A total of 135 online responses were received with additional written representations from various medical committees, the CCG and Virgin Care Ltd. A number of key these emerged around workforce, System Alignment, Service Offer and Clinical Governance.

 

The Chief Officer’s Report referred to the Impact Assessment undertaken in relation to the proposals outlined in the report.  The Service would continue to work to the localised National Specification from April 2019, which had a positive impact on tackling health inequalities as the fundamental principle of what it sought to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 127.

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128.

Oaklands Park and Ratcliffe Schools, Dawlish: Joint Changes to Provision pdf icon PDF 2 MB

Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/18/7) on approval for the merge of Oaklands Park and Ratcliffe Schools to provide a single provision across both sites for pupils aged 3-19 years, attached.

 

An Impact Assessment is attached to the reports pack.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Cabinet considered the Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/18/7) on approval for the merger of Oaklands Park and Ratcliffe Schools to provide a single provision across both sites for pupils aged 3-19 years, the Report being circulated prior to the meeting in accordance with regulation 7(4) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.

 

The Report outlined that the Governing Body of Oaklands Park and Ratcliffe Schools (Foundation Special Schools within the Sentient Co-operative Trust) had proposed merging the two schools to ensure the ongoing high quality educational standards against changing patterns of provision and demand for children with additional needs and within a sustainable financial climate.  The Governing Body had undertaken the necessary consultation and was seeking final approval to implement the change.

 

The two Schools were currently situated on adjacent sites and the Dawlish Federation of Special Schools consisting of Oaklands Park and Ratcliffe Schools was formed in January 2016 and both Schools were part of the Sentient Co-operative Trust. 

 

Oaklands Park School was inspected by Ofsted (education) in February 2016 and required improvement.  The residential provision was inspected in June 2016 and also required improvement, although at the time of the inspection, the residential provision was in a period of a change following the closure of the Children’s Home and the establishment of the residential special school provision.  A follow up monitoring inspection visit (education) confirmed that senior leaders and governors were taking effective action to tackle the areas requiring improvement identified.

 

Ratcliffe School was inspected by Ofsted (education) in March 2015 and was rated Good.  Good teaching featured across the school and there were examples of outstanding practice in all key stages.  The residential provision of Ratcliffe School was inspected by Ofsted (Social Care) in November 2017 and required improvement, however, there were no serious or widespread failures that resulted in pupils’ welfare not being safeguarded or promoted. Again, work was ongoing to further improve the quality of education and care.

 

The current provision at the Schools was outlined in the Report with Oaklands Park School having 60 places including 17 residential places for boys and girls aged 3-19 with Severe Learning Difficulties, Complex Communication and Interaction Difficulties and Autistic Spectrum Conditions. Ratcliffe School had 96 places including 40 residential places for boys and girls aged 5-16 with Communication and Interaction Difficulties and Social Development Needs.

 

The Governing Body of Oaklands Park and Ratcliffe Schools were proposing to merge the Schools to provide a single provision across both sites for pupils aged 3-19.  The school would continue to provide 156 registered places but planned to increase the number to 190 in the future, but Cabinet noted this would be subject to further consultation.

 

Also proposed was the reduction of residential places to 35 weekly residential places for pupils aged 3-19 to reflect current and future demand for places, with merging the residential provision from April 2018 and the two schools from August 2018, reopening as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 128.

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129.

Exeter HATOC: (Residents Parking Working Group - Minute 38)

In considering the Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste which reported on the progress, conclusions and recommendations of the Residents Parking Working Group, the Exeter Highways and Traffic Orders Committee on 16 January 2018 had resolved (Minute 38) ‘(d) that the Cabinet be requested that sufficient funds are provided from the On-Street Parking account to ensure the delivery of the Residents’ Parking proposals for the City, detailed in the Working Party’s Paper, as approved by this Committee’. 

 

Recommendation – that Cabinet take into account this referral from the Exeter HATOC at its meeting on 11 April 2017 when full consideration is given to the programme funded from the On-Street Parking account.

 

 

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

The Cabinet noted that, in considering the Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste the Exeter HATOC on 16 January 2018 (Minute 38) had resolved that ‘(d) that the Cabinet be requested that sufficient funds are provided from the On-Street Parking account to ensure the delivery of the Residents’ Parking proposals for the City, detailed in the Working Party’s Paper, as approved by this Committee’. 

 

In light of this issue being fully considered at the April 2018 meeting of the Cabinet, it was MOVED by Councillor Hart, SECONDED by Councillor Hughes, and

 

RESOLVEDthat Cabinet take this referral from the Exeter HATOC into account at its meeting on 11 April 2018 when full consideration will be given to the programme funded from the On-Street Parking account.

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130.

Children's Scrutiny Committee - Children's Social Care Site Visits (Minute 38) and Budget 2018/2019 (Minute 35a)

In considering the Report of the County Solicitor (CS/18/4) which reported on a number of matters, as a result of site visits to Children’s Social Work offices in each of the four County localities, as part of ongoing work to monitoring the performance and effectiveness of the County Council’s arrangements to protect and safeguard children in Devon from harm. The Committee had received the Report, noting key themes such as recruitment and retention difficulties, improvements in caseload management, placement sufficiency, support for care leavers, consistency in terms of family practitioners and CAMHS. The Committee had resolved ‘that the Report be commended to Cabinet and the issues raised regarding car parking difficulties for Social Workers and Social Worker professional development be further reviewed’.

 

Also, as part of the Budget debate and in considering the Report of the County Treasurer (CS/18/3) on the proposed budget for 2018/19, the Committee had resolved ‘that social work training, professional development and opportunities for career progression are reviewed, investigating current schemes already in place at neighbouring authorities.

 

Recommendation – that Cabinet welcomes the Task Group’s report, particularly noting the dedication and hard work of all staff.  The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services will take all appropriate action to ensure that the Council looks into the issue of car parking for those staff for whom this is a concern.  In relation to the questions raised by the Task Group about entry into, and support for, qualifying social work professional training, continuing professional development and opportunities for career progression, Cabinet endorses the seriousness and importance of the matters raised.  The social work profession is entrusted with the responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of our most vulnerable children and young people.  Cabinet notes that the senior leadership team in Children’s Services is developing a Workforce Strategy that will address these matters.  The Cabinet Member will satisfy himself that this work comes to fruition in a timely way and that Overview and Scrutiny have the opportunity to be involved in the development of the strategy.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

(Councillors Brazil, Connett, Hannaford and Sellis attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

 

The Cabinet noted that in considering the Report of the County Solicitor (CS/18/4) which reported on a number of matters as a result of site visits to Children’s Social Work offices in each of the four County localities and as part of ongoing work to monitoring the performance and effectiveness of the County Council’s arrangements to protect and safeguard children in Devon from harm. The Committee had received the Report, noting key themes such as recruitment and retention difficulties, improvements in caseload management, placement sufficiency, support for care leavers, consistency in terms of family practitioners and CAMHS. The Children’s Scrutiny Committee had subsequently resolved ‘that the Report be commended to Cabinet and the issues raised regarding car parking difficulties for Social Workers and Social Worker professional development be further reviewed’.

 

Also, as part of the Budget debate and in considering the Report of the County Treasurer (CS/18/3) on the proposed budget for 2018/19, the Committee had resolved ‘that social work training, professional development and opportunities for career progression are reviewed, investigating current schemes already in place at neighbouring authorities.

 

It was MOVED by Councillor McInnes. SECONDED by Councillor Hart and

 

RESOLVED that Cabinet welcomes the Task Group’s report, particularly noting the dedication and hard work of all staff.  The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services will take all appropriate action to ensure that the Council looks into the issue of car parking for those staff for whom this is a concern.  In relation to the questions raised by the Task Group about entry into, and support for, qualifying social work professional training, continuing professional development and opportunities for career progression, Cabinet endorses the seriousness and importance of the matters raised.  The social work profession is entrusted with the responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of our most vulnerable children and young people as well as vulnerable adults.  Cabinet notes that the senior leadership team in Children’s Services is developing a Workforce Strategy that will address these matters.  The Cabinet Member will satisfy himself that this work comes to fruition in a timely way and that Overview and Scrutiny have the opportunity to be involved in the development of the strategy.

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131.

Health and Adult Care Scrutiny Committee - Spotlight Review NHS Inquiry (Minute 45) pdf icon PDF 267 KB

In considering the updated Report of the Spotlight Review  (CSO/18/6), the Health and Adult Care Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 25 January 2018 had resolved ‘(a) that the Cabinet and the NHS in Devon be requested to endorse the Report and its ambitions with the specific recommendations detailed in the Report with a report on progress against the spotlight review recommendations in six months’ time and that the Report be sent to all Devon MPs; and (b) that this Scrutiny Committee does not, at this time, call for a public inquiry but will continue to monitor the impact of the STP and the move to an ‘Accountable Care System’; and to support effective scrutiny, a report outlining the expectations on how health and social care services will be delivered and improved in Devon be requested for a future meeting.

 

Recommendations

 

(a) that the Health and Adult Care Scrutiny Committee be thanked for their Report and Cabinet endorses the recommendations therein. It further asks Cabinet Members, NHS and Chief Officers to take forward the proposed recommendations as outlined in the Report, noting that the Health and Adult Care Scrutiny Committee will review progress in six months;

 

(b) that a copy of the Report be sent to all Devon MP’s; and

 

(c) that Cabinet notes the view of the Scrutiny Committee that, at this time, there is no call for a public enquiry and welcomes the further intention to monitor the impact of the STP and the move to an ‘Accountable Care System’.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillors Atkinson, Connett, Hannaford and Randall Johnson attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

 

The Cabinet considered the updated Report of the Spotlight Review (CSO/18/6) and the resolution of the Health and Adult Care Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 25 January 2018 which had resolved ‘(a) that the Cabinet and the NHS in Devon be requested to endorse the Report and its ambitions with the specific recommendations detailed in the Report with a report on progress against the spotlight review recommendations in six months’ time and that the Report be sent to all Devon MPs; and (b) that this Scrutiny Committee does not, at this time, call for a public inquiry but will continue to monitor the impact of the STP and the move to an ‘Accountable Care System’; and to support effective scrutiny, a report outlining the expectations on how health and social care services will be delivered and improved in Devon be requested for a future meeting.

 

It was MOVED by Councillor Leadbetter SECONDED by Councillor Hart and

 

RESOLVED

 

(a) that the Health and Adult Care Scrutiny Committee be thanked for their Report and Cabinet endorses the recommendations therein. It further asks Cabinet Members, the NHS and Chief Officers to take forward the proposed recommendations as outlined in the Report, noting that the Health and Adult Care Scrutiny Committee will review progress in six months;

 

(b) that a copy of the Report be sent to all Devon MP’s; and

 

(c) that Cabinet notes the view of the Scrutiny Committee that, at this time, there is no call for a public enquiry and welcomes the further intention to monitor the impact of the STP and the move to an ‘Accountable Care System’.

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132.

Question(s) from Members of the Public

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There was no question from a Member of the public.

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133.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 87 KB

Minutes of the bodies shown below are circulated herewith for information or endorsement as indicated therein:

 

Devon and Exeter Rail Working Party – 19 January 2018

Devon Education Forum – 15 Janaury 2018 (except minute 62)

 

[NB: Minutes of County Council Committees are published on the Council’s Website:

Minutes of the Devon Education (Schools) Forum:  

Minutes of the South West Waste Partnership

Minutes of the Devon & Cornwall Police & Crime Panel

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the following and any recommendations to Cabinet therein be approved:

 

Devon and Exeter Rail Working Party – 19 January 2018

Devon Education Forum – 15 January 2018 (excepting minute 62)

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134.

Delegated Action/Urgent Matters pdf icon PDF 33 KB

The Registers of Decisions taken by Members under the urgency provisions or delegated powers will be available for inspection at the meeting in line with the Council’s Constitution and Regulation 13 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.  A summary of such decisions taken since the last meeting is attached.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Registers of Decisions taken by Members under the urgency provisions or delegated powers were available for inspection at the meeting in line with the Council’s Constitution and Regulation 13 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012; a summary of decisions taken since the last meeting had been published with the Agenda for this meeting. Decisions taken by Officers under any express authorisation of the Cabinet or other Committee or under any general authorisation within the Council’s Scheme  of Delegation  set out in  Part 3 of the Council’s Constitution may be viewed at  https://new.devon.gov.uk/democracy/officer-decisions/

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135.

Forward Plan pdf icon PDF 115 KB

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, the Cabinet is requested to review the list of forthcoming business (previously circulated) and to determine which items are to be defined as key and/or framework decisions and included in the Plan from the date of this meeting.

 

[NB: The Forward Plan is available on the Council's website at:http://democracy.devon.gov.uk/mgListPlans.aspx?RPId=133&RD=0&bcr=1 ]

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, the Cabinet reviewed the Forward Plan and determined those items of business to be defined as key and framework decisions and included in the Plan from the date of this meeting onwards reflecting the requirements of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 (at http://democracy.devon.gov.uk/mgListPlans.aspx?RPId=133&RD=0)

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136.

Exclusion of the Press and Public

Recommendation: that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Act namely, the financial or business affairs of a third party and of the County Council and in accordance with Section 36 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, by virtue of the fact that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

It was MOVED by Councillor Hart, SECONDED by Councillor Barker and

 

RESOLVEDthat the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Act namely, the financial or business affairs of a third party and of the County Council and in accordance with Section 36 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, by virtue of the fact that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

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137.

Investment in Exeter Science Park

[An item to be considered by the Cabinet in accordance with the Cabinet ProcedureRules and Regulation 5 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 no representations having been received to such consideration taking place under Regulation 5(5) thereof]

 

Report of the Chief Officer for Communities, Public Health, Environment and Prosperity, (EES/18/3). The Report will follow.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

(An item taken under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 during which the press and public were excluded, no representations having been received to such consideration under Regulation 5(5) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012).

 

(Councillors Atkinson, Brazil, Connett and Hannaford attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

 

The Cabinet considered the Report of the Chief Officer for Communities, Public Health, Environment and Prosperity, (EES/18/3) on proposed investment in Exeter Science Park.

 

This report set out the case for investment in Exeter Science Park Limited (ESPL) to support the expansion of additional innovation space at the Exeter Science Park, one of the Council’s strategic employment sites.

 

The matter having been debated and the options and/or alternatives and other relevant factors (e.g. financial, sustainability, carbon impact, risk management, equality and legal considerations and Public Health impact) set out in the Head of Service’s Report and/or referred to above having been considered:

 

It was MOVED by Councillor Barker, SECONDED by Councillor Hart, and

 

RESOLVED

 

(a) that a capital investment of up to £500,000 in Exeter Science Park Limited (ESPL) to facilitate an expansion of the Science Park be approved, in particular the construction of two “Grow On” buildings that will be able to accommodate small innovative companies as they begin to scale up and to increase rental yield to support ESPL’s future financial sustainability;

 

b) That the following conditions be attached to this investment:

 

i) That similar contributions from other shareholders are provided with the shareholders achieving a combined capital investment of circa £1,250,000 and

ii) ESPL must produce a comprehensive business plan for approval by shareholders by Summer 2018; and

 

c) that an update on the development of the Science Park and the approved Business Plan be received by the end of 2018.