Present:-

Councillors Lee (Chairman), Berry, Hannon, Mrs. Turner and Way

Apologies

Councillor Radford

*104 Minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 17 December 2008 be signed as a correct record.

*105 Community Engagement/Community Leadership/Duty to Involve

The Committee received a presentation by Gabi Recknagel from Exeter CVS and referred to a report by the National Empowerment Partnership entitled Engagement and Empowerment in Rural Areas: A Case Study distributed at the meeting. The presentation provided an overview of government policy, an introduction to key concepts and definitions, and the opportunity to discuss support for Councillors for implementing best practice in Community Engagement.

Members raised points in relation to:

this is central Government driven, much of what Councillors already do meet this criteria;

the Ladder of Participation is very familiar;

there is much practical information contained in this scheme although the terminology is sometimes is less than helpful;

I see Councillors as a bridge between the people and the Council;

experience has shown that it is better to speak to people direct on local issues rather than accept the views of parish councils at face value.

It was MOVED by Councillor Lee, SECONDED by Councillor Hannon and

RESOLVED that the presentation be noted.

*106 Update on Educational Provision for 14 - 19 Year Olds

The Committee received a presentation by Mr Richard Hussey, 14 - 19 Area Co-ordinator (East and Mid Devon) and Ms Julia Foster, 14-19 Officer. The presentation covered the 14-19 Strategic Partnership, progress and delivery of Diplomas across Mid Devon, the Foundation Learning Tier and practical learning opportunities at 14-19, information and guidance to young people including area online prospectus, Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG), a common application process and the development of an eILP (electronic individual learning plan).

Members raised points in relation to:

transport for Bicton College students;

the organisation of Post 16 transport across the County;

provision for key skills training;

high proportion of retail careers in Mid Devon;

relationship between local authorities and FE colleges.

It was MOVED by Councillor Lee, SECONDED by Councillor Berry and

RESOLVED that the presentation be noted.

*107 Reducing Teenage Pregnancy in Devon - Briefing Paper with a Focus on Mid Devon

The Committee received a presentation by Ms Julia Loveluck, Devon Teenage Pregnancy Co-ordinator, referring to a paper that set the context and briefly set out the under 18 conception rates for Devon, the Mid Devon area and highlighted the ward level hotspots across Devon. The report went on the show the association between high rates of teenage pregnancy and low educational attainment and the ten key elements known to be part of effective teenage pregnancy reduction strategies.

Members discussed the pregnancy statistics in Mid Devon, sex and relationship education, contraception, learning from other countries with low teenage pregnancies, the inclusive all round approach to dealing with the issue and the connection between early pregnancy and poor future lifestyles.

It was MOVED by Councillor Turner, SECONDED by Councillor Lee and

RESOLVED that the presentation be noted.

*108 Mid Devon County Committee Locality Budget for Financial Year 2008/09 - Confirmation of Spending Proposals and Spend to Date

The Committee considered the report of the County Community Strategy Officer (EEC/09/74/HQ - text only | pdf EEC/09/74/HQ) setting out the budget position as at 4 March 2009 and spending proposals approved by the Chair or Vice-Chair since the previous meeting and Table 1 in the report itemised spending proposals for approval at this meeting. Appendix 1 provided a summary of approved spending proposals to date.

The County Community Strategy Officer reminded Members that there would be no more spending out of the Locality Budget after today s meeting and went through each Member s budget balance and additional proposals that had been received after the agenda was despatched (and therefore not yet approved).

It was MOVED by Councillor Lee, SECONDED by Councillor Berry and

RESOLVED

(a) that the spending proposals listed at Table 1 of the report be approved by the Committee.

(b) that the following six spending proposals by Councillor Way totalling 1,950 be approved:-

(i) Crediton Area Museum Society index system 200

(ii) Floral Crediton 200

(iii) Kids at Copplestone Tae Kwon Do 250

(iv) Badminton into Schools Initiative 300

(v) Resource Centre Crediton TIC 500

(vi) Skatepark seating 500

(c) that approval be given to Councillor Hannon allocating 1,500 Uplowman School Path;

(d) that the proposal to allocate 250 to the Marisco Wood School of Dance for the purchase of a ballet training bar as suggested by Councillor Radford be refused because it falls outside the operating rules for this budget. ;

(d) that officers be congratulated for their efficient management of the Locality Budgets.

*109 Future Meetings

Members noted the following dates for future meetings at 2.00pm, as set out in the County Council s Calendar of Meetings:-

Monday 21 September 2009 Tiverton Town Hall

Wednesday 16 December 2009 Tiverton Town Hall

*DENOTES DELEGATED MATTER WITH POWER TO ACT

The meeting started at 2pm and finished at 4.15pm.

The Minutes of the Mid Devon County Committee are published on the County Council s Website at:-