Present

Councillors, Barton, Ford, Rawlinson, Shadrick and Temperley

*90 Election of Chairman and Vice-Chairman

RESOLVED that Councillors Rawlinson and Ford be elected Chairman and Vice-Chairman respectively for the ensuing year.

*91 Minutes

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 19 March 2008 be signed as a correct record.

*92 The Arts in Torridge

The Committee received a presentation by Mark Wallace Director of Beaford Arts on the role, work and funding of the organisation. Beaford aims to be innovative, risk taking and provide life changing experiences. It showed 83 films and arranged over 100 other events across North Devon, including 19 schools work shops and provides residential courses for talented and gifted students (9-16 years) and art courses for other children. The Centre is also the custodian of the Beaford Archive, a comprehensive, historical record of the area and its people currently kept in Barnstaple but hopefully would be moved to the Centre when facilities allowed. Its educational and archive work makes a small financial surplus which supports the community arts events. Beaford Arts is funded by the Arts Council (as a regularly funded organisation) reflecting its important role in a disparate rural community, by the County Council in accordance with its strategic objectives, including promotion of the creative arts as an important economic stimulus. There is no direct funding from the District Council. Financial support from local authorities provided good leverage for additional support from the Arts Council and other national major grant giving organisations such as the National Lottery.

Members discussed the importance of the creative industries, arts and culture in the area promoting year-round tourism and economic activity in a deprived rural community and referred to the success of local initiatives such as the Ruby Country project. Members expressed their regret that the District Council had not been able to give financial support to the Centre and it was hoped that the new administration at Torridge would be able to support the arts to a greater degree in the future. Recognising the constraints on budgets, it may be that this could be through exploring ways through which closer working or support with Beaford Arts and other culturally based organisations might help to meet the Council s strategic objectives. The Committee referred to the need to demonstrate a strategy for the arts and to this end the County Council s Arts Officer is working with colleagues across Devon, including Torridge District Council.

The meeting noted the considerable past capital investment made in the Beaford and Plough Arts Centres and to joint community initiatives carried out with the Youth Service for example and the need to develop further joint working, which would help facilitate the drawing down of additional national funding.

It was MOVED by Councillor Temperley, SECONDED by Councillor Rawlinson and

RESOLVED

(a) that the attention of the Executive be drawn to the significant contribution the creative industries make to the quality of life and economic well-being within the disparate rural communities in Northern Devon and that the County Council s support for the arts (including its contribution to the Appledore festivals, Appledore Arts, the Plough and Beaford Arts Centres) be recognised and celebrated; and

(b) that accordingly a coherent Arts Strategy for the wider area be developed with stakeholders involved.

*93 Adult and Community Learning Presentation

Caroline Verney, Development Officer (Mid/North Devon) ACL reported on the work to provide and promote the broad range of local adult and community learning opportunities in the area. The Service provided both recreational and certificated courses and also courses for adults with learning difficulties/disabilities and for speakers of other languages. It also provided the Skill for Life Courses to Level 2 (Higher grade GCSE). The costs of the courses were outlined.

Members discussed the issues relating to costs for prospective learners in the more deprived communities and initiatives to engage hard to reach groups to improve their skills and life chances. There were various community initiatives and projects to target and engage groups with financial support from for example the Poverty Action Group and work with the Ovis Farm Project (Bratton Fleming) rehabilitation project and the Bideford Regeneration Programme.

Councillor Temperley referred to the sports programme in Bude (CATTS) run by the police for young offenders which he felt could be replicated in North Devon, which also provided valuable learning opportunities.

It was MOVED by Councillor Temperley, SECONDED by Councillor Rawlinson and

RESOLVED that the CATTS initiative be considered at the next meeting of the Committee.

94 Countywide Asset Review Programme

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Executive (CX/08/57 - text only | pdf CX/08/57) and Asset Register Data for Torridge. This was as part of a county wide review of property assets (non schools) with the objective to use property that was fit for purpose, sustainable and efficient, to support delivery of services and where appropriate with other agencies and partners. The data detailed the maintenance requirements and running costs of properties owned or leased by the County Council in the Torridge District.

Members highlighted the need for early involvement and consultation in respect of proposed development or sale of any individual properties in their respective divisions. They also referred to the value of input from local managers and issues relating to access and DDA legislation, which formed part of the fit for purpose considerations. There was also a need to refer to the community/social value of individual properties as demonstrated by the Quirk review.

Further detailed information on properties including a pro forma for members would be circulated shortly.

It was MOVED by Councillor Temperley, SECONDED by Councillor Rawlinson and

RESOLVED that the Executive be requested that as part of the next stage of the process the County Farms Estate and Schools be included in the county wide review.

*95 North Devon Coast: Consultation Draft of the Management Strategy for the North Devon Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Environment, Economy and Culture (EEC/08/145/HQ - text only | pdf EEC/08/145/HQ) and received a presentation from North Devon AONB Manager on the AONB North Devon Coast Management Plan Consultation Draft and Proposals 2009 -14. The presentation covered current funding arrangements and the timetable for the approval of the Plan for submission to the Secretary of State by March 2009.

Members comments in discussion with the AONB Manager included:

Use of the terminology on page 11 of the Plan in respect of the geographical features in respect of the Hartland Peninsula

The importance of joint funding arrangements with other local authorities and agencies in drawing down additional financial support

The importance of good working relations and communication with local planning authorities on proposed developments in the AONB particularly in respect of the more challenging architectural proposals

The importance in developing sustainable green, low carbon tourism in the AONB.

It was MOVED by Councillor Rawlinson, SECONDED by Councillor Ford and

RESOLVED that the process and timetable for undertaking the AONB Management reviews be noted; and

(a) the Consultation Draft of the Management strategy 2009 -2014 for the North Devon Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty be approved in principle (subject to any decision on the Management Strategy by the other County Committee considering this report);

(b) delegates to officers the final agreement of any outstanding detailed issues for the Consultation Draft;

(c) notes that the final version of the new Management Strategy would be approved through the normal decision making process by the appropriate Executive Member in the Spring of 2009.

*96 Local Area Agreement: Draft Agreement 2008 -2011

The Committee received the report of the Community Strategy Officer to the North Devon and Torridge Local Strategic Partnership (CX/08/68 - text onlyCX/08/68). The local pages of the Joint North Devon and Torridge LSP would be ready shortly and these will be forwarded to members for comment and information.

It was expected that the LAA would be signed off by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government by the end of June 2008.

*97 Torridge County Committee Locality Budget 2007/08 Outturn and spend to date for 2008/09

The Committee considered the report of the County Community Strategy Officer (EEC/08/146/HQ - text only | pdf EEC/08/146/HQ) and a request for support for purchase of vehicle for the Devon Youth Service covering Torridge and Mid Devon at a total cost of 14,700 and a further request for funding support for the local youth network (as a result of formula funding changes).

The Committee noted that funding of 6,000 approved for the Plough Arts Centre should be shared from each of the members delegated budgets.

It was MOVED by Councillor Rawlinson, SECONDED by Councillor Ford and

RESOLVED

(a) that the Community Strategy Officer be delegated authority to approve outstanding proposals submitted by members for approval;

(b) that a contribution of 7,350 be made towards the provision of a new vehicle for the Youth Service covering Mid Devon and Torridge and 5,000 for the Local Youth Network be also approved, both from the Committee s pooled budget.

*98 Update on Member Development and the SW Charter

The Committee noted the progress being made to identify Members personal development needs.

This information has been collated into a learning and development plan and work was underway to start to address these needs and any barriers which prevented members from achieving their role. These issues were being directed to relevant senior officers.

The next step would be to deliver the activities and to measure their success in meeting the original objectives. This feedback would be used to make future improvements.

The Member Learning and Development webpage s were now available (accessed through the Members Web), which contained a range of information about learning and development opportunities, policies and links to useful websites.

*99 Update on Children s Trust Governance Arrangements

RESOLVED that Councillor Ford be nominated as the Committee s representative on the Children s Trust Local Planning and Implementation Partnership (CTLPIP).

*100 Future Meetings

Thursday, 9 October at 10 am at St Mary s Community Hall, Appledore

Tuesday 3 December 2008,

Wednesday, 18 March 2009

*DENOTES DELEGATED MATTER WITH POWER TO ACT

The meeting started at 9.30 am and finished at 1.00 pm

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