Present:-

Councillors Radford (Chairman), Colthorpe, Hannon, Lee and Radford

Mid Devon District Council

Councillors Mrs Campbell and Squires

Devon Association of Parish Councils

Councillor Browse

Apologies

Councillor Berry

*21 Minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meetings held on 16 December 2010 be signed as a correct record.

*22 Gritting in Rural Areas

Councillor Squires raised the issue of poor gritting in rural areas during the recent spell of bad winter weather and was advised that the Environment, Economy and Culture Scrutiny Committee had set up a Highways Winter Maintenance Task Group chaired by Councillor Diviani and it was suggested that she send her views and suggestions to be considered by the Task Group.

*23 Feedback/Representations

Councillor Mrs Campbell reported on her attendance at the local Children s Trust and difficulties relating to Chairmanship, which was currently undertaken by a Head Teacher. Councillor Hannon felt that Children s Trusts should be chaired by a Member or someone from the voluntary sector. Councillors Squires and Browse reported on their representation on the Devon Association of Parish Councils, Councillor Lee on the Local Strategic Partnership and Councillor Colthorpe on the Devon Conservation Forum.

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

RESOLVED that this Committee receive a report on the Mid Devon Children s Trust and any issues arising.

*24 Mid Devon County Committee Locality Budget for 2009/10 - Confirmation of Spending Proposals and Spend To Date

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Executive (CX/10/45 - text only | pdf CX/10/45) on the current budget position.

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

RESOLVED

(a) that the spending approvals set out in the report, including those agreed by the Chairman/Vice-Chairman since the previous meeting, be confirmed;

(b) that the Committee note that the following payments were approved by the Chairman at the meeting:

Duchy Free School, CYPS Centre in Bradninch: 300 Councillor Berry

Uffculme Secondary School, awards presentations: 750 Councillor Radford

(c) that the current budget position for 2009/10 be noted;

(d) that future locality budget reports contain a pr cis explaining what the allocated funding is actually to be spent on.

*25 Member Development Steering Group

The Committee received the minutes of the meeting held on 13 January 2010 for information.

*26 Mid Devon Local Strategic Partnership

Review if the Mid Devon Sustainable Community Strategy

Councillor Mrs Campbell reported on the consultation on the Strategy, the results of which were due out within the next few days after which priorities would be identified. There was strong support for rural broadband development which included the Federation of Small Businesses. Members discussed the County Council s contract for the supply of broadband, community provision and the pilot scheme championed by the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Councillor Mumford.

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

RESOLVED that this Committee receive the results of the Strategy consultation by email, that Members have an opportunity to comment on the draft Strategy and that officers prepare a report on community provision of Broadband for the next meeting.

*27 Work Programme

Members discussed issues and topics that they would like to see considered at future meetings.

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

RESOLVED that the Committee receive the following at future meetings:-

a presentation by Devon County Council Transport Coordination Service on subsidised rural bus services, information on bus services and concessionary fares in Mid Devon and that a bus company representative be invited to attend;

a presentation by INVOLVE (an organisation promoting public involvement in NHS, public health and social care research);

a presentation by Mr John Bryant, Manager of the Tiverton Children s Centre;

a presentation about Children in Care.

*28 Next Meeting

The Committee noted that the next meeting was due to be held on 21 June 2010.

*DENOTES DELEGATED MATTER WITH POWER TO ACT

The meeting started at 2.00pm and finished at 3.10pm.

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