Present:

Councillors Haywood (Chairman), Cann, Chugg, Davis, Edgell, Fowler, Greenslade and

Yabsley (DCC)

Apologies:

Councillors Luggar and Tucker (NDC)

*14 Minutes

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 13 November 2009 be signed as a correct record.

*15 Membership

The Committee noted that:

the County Council had extended the membership of its Locality Committees for a trial period of 12 months, to help District Councils to be better briefed on both local and strategic issues and the further strengthening of relations between all organisations;

two places had been offered on each Locality Committee to District Councillors and one place to a representative of the Devon Association of Parish Councils as non-voting members;

North Devon Council had appointed Councillors David Luggar and Joe Tucker to the North Devon Locality Committee, and that an appointment by the Devon Association of Parish Councils was awaited.

*16 Urgent Business: Listening Event at Barnstaple

(An item taken under Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972)

The Chairman had decided that the Committee should take this item as a matter of urgency to enable members to be made aware of matters discussed at the listening event as soon as possible.

Ian Hobbs, County Community Strategy Officer, reported on issues raised by members of the local community at a listening event conducted by the Leader of the County Council in Barnstaple on 20 November 2009. The event was one of a series across Devon forming part of the consultation on the County Council s new Strategic Plan for 2009/13 and which would help set budget priorities. Issues raised had concerned: County Farms; Yeo Valley Community Centre; food recycling; recycling grants; closure of Prospect Place, Barnstaple; public transport in rural areas; Barnstaple park and ride service; highway maintenance vehicles; maintenance of highway verges and hedges; and biodiversity and management/use of the River Taw. There had been significant interest in, and concern expressed about, the future of County Farms.

It was agreed that members should be briefed at a later date on the review of the County Farms Estate Management Strategy and Plan and the maintenance of highway verges etc.

*17 Local Policing and Community Safety Issues

(Councillor Greenslade declared a personal interest by virtue of being a member of the Devon and Cornwall Police Authority appointed by Devon County Council)

Inspector Pete Sarney, who was responsible for policing in Ilfracombe and the surrounding area, gave an overview of policing and community safety issues in North Devon. He referred to recent statistics which showed a significant reduction in crime levels; increased detection rates; and above target levels of public satisfaction with the service. This had been facilitated by the support received from partner agencies, other organisations and the local community. However, Inspector Sarney was disappointed that levels of public confidence remained below target and acknowledged the challenge that this posed. He asked for the help of members in spreading the positive message about community safety in the area.

The Committee was impressed with the service provided by the Police in North Devon and welcomed the closer engagement with partners and the community in view of the tangible benefits in terms of reduced crime levels and anti-social behaviour.

The Chairman thanked Inspector Sarney for his presentation.

*18 North Devon County Committee Locality Budget for Financial Year 2009/10 - Confirmation of Spending Proposals and Spend to Date

(Councillor Haywood declared a personal interest in the item relating to the Panache Performing Arts Company by virtue of being acquainted with a member of the Company)

The Committee considered a report by the County Community Strategy Officer (CX/09/104 - text only | pdf CX/09/104) setting out recent Locality Budget spending approvals, new spending proposals and the budget position at 20 November 2009.

Alison Boyd, Locality Development Officer, reported on further proposals for the use of Locality Budget funds for 2009/10.

Ian Hobbs reminded members that the end of the financial year was approaching and asked them to help him establish likely further locality budget commitments with a view to allocating remaining budgets before 31 March 2009 where possible. While he anticipated that the facility to carry forward unspent balances into the next financial year would remain, this could not be guaranteed at this stage.

Councillor Cann drew attention to an approach he had received from the Children s Hospice South West at Little Bridge House, Fremington for funding to support its latest initiative. He suggested that, given the worthy nature of the cause and subject to the Chairman of Council s approval, all County Councillors might be invited to make a contribution. Councillor Cann was asked to find out more about the project before any further action was taken.

It was MOVED by Councillor Cann, SECONDED by Councillor Greenslade and

RESOLVED

(a) that the spending proposals set out in the report, including those agreed by the Chairman/Vice-Chairman since the meeting on 25 September 2009, be confirmed;

(b) that the following new spending proposals be approved:

Organisation	Nature of Project	Name of Councillor(s)	Amount of Funding
Forches Community Association	Transport for Senior Citizens to Christmas Lunch and for Young People to Christmas Grotto and Disco	C Haywood	900
Cycle Coaching South West	Young People s Visit to South Wales Indoor Velodrome	C Haywood	600
Orchard Vale Community School, Barnstaple	Sports Kit	C Haywood	400

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

*19 Devon County Council Strategic Plan

The Committee noted a summary leaflet on the County Council s new Strategic Plan for 2009/13 which set out its priorities for the next four years in the context of the Sustainable Community Strategy. The Plan was due be submitted for approval to the full Council meeting on 10 December 2009. Members were particularly keen to see the detailed delivery plans that were now being developed.

*20 Adult and Community Services Update

Yvonne Langer, Cluster Manager for Barnstaple and Chris Thomas, Cluster Manager for Ilfracombe updated the Committee on the following in relation to health and social care provision from the local perspective:

the financial position;

performance;

externalisation of in-house residential care services.

In responding to queries and comments from members during which concerns were expressed about future residential care in North Devon, Yvonne Langer and Chris Thomas referred to:

financial constraints and the benefits of joint working between health and social care teams (especially Complex Care Teams) from both the financial and patient care point of view;

the closer partnership working which was emerging with the voluntary sector and the local community, notably in Ilfracombe;

reduced waiting times for patient reviews;

the new preferred externalisation process for residential care, and related consultations;

the relative costs of residential and domiciliary care.

It was agreed to invite Councillor Stuart Barker, Cabinet Member for Adult and Community Services to the next meeting to discuss future residential and domiciliary care provision in North Devon.

*21 The Northern Devon Economy

Jamie Evans, Economic Research Officer, Environment, Economy and Culture Directorate, gave an overview of the northern Devon economy ie North Devon and Torridge District Council areas (a briefing note was circulated with the agenda). A summary of the present position is as follows:

there are significant pockets of deprivation;

business activity is lower than the UK average but advancing well in North Devon District;

the Jobseekers Allowance claimant count is below the national average;

average earnings are much lower than the national average;

manufacturing remains an important part of the local economy;

agriculture and forestry make up a much higher proportion of local output than in most parts of the UK.

Jamie Evans outlined recent action on the local economy and possible future activity. He then responded to queries and comments from members relating to data for people coming off Jobseekers Allowance and going into apprenticeships, and European funding for northern Devon.

The Chairman thanked Jamie Evans for his presentation.

*22` Member Development Steering Group

The Minutes of the meeting held on 20 October 2009 were noted.

*23 Devon County Council Overview and Scrutiny Committees: Workplan

The Committee noted the County Council s Overview and Scrutiny Workplan and that members could provide evidence to specific Task Groups or otherwise comment upon specific areas of activities to the appropriate Overview or Scrutiny Committee.

The Committee asked for the Cabinet s Forward Plan to be circulated with agendas for its future meetings.

*24 Future Meetings

(a) Dates

The Committee noted the following:

Next Meeting:

Tuesday 23 March 2010

Subsequent Meetings:

Tuesday 29 June 2010

Tuesday 26 October 2010

Tuesday 22 March 2011

(all on the rising of the HATOC at Barnstaple Civic Centre)

(b) Work Plan/Items Identified for Future Discussion

The Committee noted and endorsed the following work programme:

Inspiring Young People (Sustainable Community Strategy theme);

Pilots involving Parish and Town Councils on New Ways of Working as part of Local Government Reorganisation;

Implementation of The Way Ahead - Data and Trends Information;

Overview of Educational Provision in North Devon - Informal briefing being

arranged;

Ilfracombe Narrowing the Gap Project;

The Work of North Devon Voluntary Services;

Residential Care Provision in North Devon;

County Farms Estate Management Strategy and Plan Review;

Maintenance of Highway Verges etc.

The County Community Strategy Officer reported that the arrangements for the joint briefing for North Devon and Torridge County Committee members on schools, early years and safeguarding were being finalised. Ian Hobbs was asked to add special educational needs and the work of the Local Children s Trusts to the areas covered.

Reference was made to the valuable work undertaken by the Atkinson Unit for children in care, Exeter and it was suggested that the Executive Director of Children and Young People s Services should circulate a briefing note to all County Councillors on the role of the Unit.

The Committee welcomed the new trial format for Locality Committee agendas and meetings which should help to raise the profile of the Committee and encourage greater community involvement.

*DENOTES DELEGATED MATTER WITH POWER TO ACT

The meeting started at 10.55am and finished at 12.55pm

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