Present:

Devon County Council

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

Devon Association of Local Councils

Councillor Geen

Apology

Councillor Tucker (NDC)

*44 Minutes

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 26 October 2010 be signed as a correct record.

*45 Urgent Business: Items Raised under Standing Order 23(2)

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

The Chairman had decided that the Committee should consider these items as matters of urgency.

(a) Home-Start

Councillor Greenslade expressed concern about budget reductions for Home-Start (North Devon) - an organisation which provided support services for families with young children - and raised the possibility of financial support from the County Council.

The Committee agreed that there should be a presentation from Home-Start (North Devon) at their next meeting.

(b) Tarka Trail

Councillor Cann expressed concern about:

the proposed one-day closure of the Tarka Trail to cyclists in connection with the making of a television programme

aspects of the management of tress/hedges along the Trail.

The Committee supported the concern expressed about the proposed closure of the Tarka Trail to cyclists and asked that this be conveyed to the North Devon Biosphere Reserve Service, together with a request for a presentation on the overall management of the Tarka Trail at their next meeting.

*46 Youth Services in North Devon

Simon Cohen, North Devon Team Leader, North Devon Youth Service, reported on:

new build projects for the Youth Service at Chulmleigh and South Molton which were due to be completed shortly

the effect of reductions in Youth Service budgets in North Devon.

Simon Cohen responded to concerns from members about the loss of Youth Service buildings, staff and activities.

The Committee asked to be kept informed of developments.

*47 Third Party Reporting on Hate Crime

Dave Wright, Prejudice/Hate Crime Prevention Co-ordinator, DCC reported on his work with the Safer Devon Partnership on reducing hate crime and gave a presentation which covered the following:

the definition of hate crime - any criminal offence that is motivated by hostility or prejudice based upon the victim s disability, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation or transgender

the disproportionate impact of hate crime on the individual, family, friends, school college, work, community, society etc - DCC through the Safer Devon Partnership was committed to tackling this problem across the whole county

hate crime figures for Devon

local cases

why are we promoting third party reporting now?

recommendations.

In summary, too many hate crimes went unreported, leaving the offenders free to commit similar crimes. The prime objective of the Partnership was to encourage victims, witnesses and third parties (anonymously if they wished) to report hate crimes either direct to the Police or - in the case of non-urgent matters - in other ways which they might be more comfortable with, such as by using a reporting form that was being made widely available. Copies of a leaflet on third party reporting/the reporting form were circulated at the meeting.

The Partnership wanted local services to be pro-active in reaching out to black, minority and ethnic (BME) communities and where possible to support local voluntary and community groups as they often led the way in terms of engagement.

Dave Wright responded to queries and comments from members, during which concern was expressed about homophobic and disablist behaviour in some schools. The presentation was noted.

*48 Feedback/Representations

(a) County Councillors

Councillor Yabsley, the County Council s representative on the Northern Devon Local Children s Trust, indicated that the future of the Devon Children s Trust Partnership and the Local Children s Trusts was under review. He also expressed concern about the impact of budget reductions for the Government s Supporting People initiative on the services provided by North Devon Homes.

Councillor Fowler referred to funding for the Transform Neighbourhood Management Programme.

(b) Devon Association of Local Councils

Councillor Geen referred to concerns and uncertainties about budget reductions and their effect on services, and the ability of communities to fill the gap and take a leading role in rural areas. The Chairman indicated that Committee members would attend Parish Council meetings and keep them informed of developments where possible.

On hearing that Councillor Geen was attending his last meeting of the Locality Committee, members thanked him for his valuable contribution and expressed their best wishes for the future.

*49 Devon Minerals and Waste Development Framework

The Committee considered a report by the Executive Director of Environment, Economy and Culture (EEC/11/60/HQ - text only | pdf EEC/11/60/HQ) drawing attention to the development by the County Council of separate Core Strategies for minerals and waste for the period to 2031, public consultation on key issues and options and their implications for North Devon.

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

RESOLVED

(a) that the report be noted;

(b) that the Cabinet be made aware of the Committee s concern regarding future provision for waste disposal in North Devon;

(c) that a report on how the County Council proposes to meet the waste disposal requirements for northern Devon be presented to the next Locality (County) Committee meeting.

*50 2011/12 Budget - Implications for Services in North Devon

Alison Boyd, Locality Development Officer gave a brief overview of the effect of budget reductions on local County Council services.

*51 North Devon County Committee Locality Budget for the Financial Year 2010/11 - Confirmation of Spending Proposals and Spend to Date

The Committee considered a report by the County Community Strategy Officer (CX/11/26 - text onlyCX/11/26) setting out recent Locality Budget spending proposals and the budget position at 8 March 2011.

It was MOVED by Councillor Chugg, SECONDED by Councillor Fowler and

RESOLVED

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

(b) that the following additional new spending proposal be approved:

Organisation Nature of Project Name of Councillor Amount of Funding

Braunton Tennis Take Part Scheme Councillor Chugg 800

Club

(c) that the current budget position for 2010/11 be noted.

*52 Devon Special Olympics

At the Chairman s suggestion, the Committee agreed that there should be a presentation by the organisers of the Devon Special Olympics at their next meeting.

*53 Member Development Steering Group

The Minutes of the meeting held on 12 January 2011 were noted.

*54 County Council s Forward Plan

The Forward Plan was noted.

*55 Future Meetings

(a) Dates

The Committee noted the following:

Next Meeting:

28 June 2011

Subsequent Meetings:

25 October 2011

20 March 2012

(all Tuesday mornings, after the HATOC)

(b) Work Plan/Items Identified for Future Discussion

Inspiring Young People (Sustainable Community Strategy Theme)

Pilots involving Parish and Town Councils on New Ways of Working

Implementation of The Way Ahead - Data and Trends Information

Ilfracombe Narrowing the Gap Project

Respite Care (Young Carers)

Property Rationalisation

North Devon Youth Service Update

Devon Special Olympics Presentation

Home-Start Presentation

Tarka Trail Management Presentation

Broadband Presentation

Report on Future Provision for Waste Disposal in northern Devon

*DENOTES DELEGATED MATTER WITH POWER TO ACT

The meeting started at 2.00pm and finished at 3.55pm

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