Present

Devon County Council

Councillors Parsons (Chairman), Boyd, Boyle, Eastman and Robinson

Torridge District Council

Councillor Johns

Devon Association of Parish Councils

Councillor Snetzler

Attending in Accordance with Standing Order 25

Councillor Tabor

Apologies

Councillor Pennington

*21 Minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 9 December 2009 be signed as a correct record

*22 Feedback/Representations

(a) The Chairman welcomed Councillor Marjorie Snetzler to her first meeting of the Committee. Councillor Snetzler explained her role as a representative of the Devon Association of Parish Councils (DAPC). This included relaying and feedback in respect of local parish issues in the District relating to for example rura/community transport, community shops/infrastructure and support for the parish community planning process.

(b) The Chairman indicated his support for the development of mechanism for public participation and encouraged members to bring to his and the Community Strategy Officer s attention any individuals or groups who may wish to make representation to the Committee.

(c) Policing In Torridge - Inspector Shaun Kenneally (Bideford, Torrington and Holsworthy) reported on community policing in the District, including the roles of Neighbourhood Beat Managers, PCSOs and Special Constables (fully trained voluntary officers), use of specialist teams and the positive perception of policing in the area. He explained that crime rates were lower than the national average and that crime detection in the area was higher and said that a crucial message to the public was one for reassurance. He emphasised the importance of the involvement and support of the local community and the benefit of joint collaborative working including information sharing within the community and with agencies such as the County Council, which he would promote.

Inspector Kenneally referred to a new local police monthly newsletter which he would circulate to members by email. He also encouraged members to contact him with any issues or concerns.

(d) Community Transport/LTP3/Accessibilty

The Committee received community transport updates from Mr Duncan Goodman, Torridge Community Transport Association and David Perkins from the North Tamar CTA.

Mr Goodman outlined the coverage over 36 parishes, with 2000 regular passengers using the ring/ride service, the voluntary driver scheme with 80 drivers, the development of the taxi voucher scheme and the increasing call on their services and the need for expansion with an older demographic and associated budget pressures. He also outlined the support provided by the District and County Councils.

Mr Perkin outlined the range of similar services in the North Tamar CTA covering 28 Parishes which were vital for the rural communities, helping to maintain the independence of older people and other users. He stressed the need for 3-year budgeting to help secure a stable financial base and to assist with effective planning. Currently there was a budget deficit which was being met from reserves but this was not sustainable.

Members referred to valuable work carried out by the CTAs in helping promote the well being of vulnerable older people in the rural parishes and other users and the need to better publicise the range and extent of services provided. They also referred to the role of NHS Devon in supporting the hospital car service, for example, and the importance of local communities using the services that were available.

Mr Bruce Thompson, Transport Co-ordination Service Manager (Environment, Economy and Culture Directorate) explained the County Council s role and emphasised the promotion of accessibility in rural areas. He further reported on the budgetary pressures for 2010/11, responses to which include a reduction of 286k for community transport, and the effects of transport inflation which was considerably higher than the Retail Price Index. He outlined the strategic approach and the aim of better for less , together with improved capacity building (supported by long term 5 year budgeting/grants to improve sustainability) and enhanced partnership arrangements (reducing back office costs for example). He referred to a DCC pamphlet to promote awareness and funding for supported services and the additional needs arising from extended schools and 14 19 education for example and the new community transport initiative pilot in the Honiton area, which if successful would be rolled out.

Mr Lewis Ward (Transport Planning Officer DCC) reported on the preparation for the new Local Transport Plan 3, which succeeded the current 5 year plan which ends in April 2011. This included a planning and development strategy for northern Devon with accessibility as a core objective, along with alleviation of congestion and air pollution. A progress report relating to the LTP3 would be presented to the next Torridge Hatoc.

*23 Rural Access to Health: Task Group Report

The Committee considered the report of the Task Group (CX/10/36 - text only | pdf CX/10/36) into how living in a rural area affects people s ability to access health services.

The report had concluded that, whilst living in rural areas had many advantages, it could also entail many difficulties in accessing health care. Challenges included: increased costs for patients, long journey times, inconsistent outreach services and, in some cases, the patient not being able to access services at all or discontinuing necessary treatment.

The Task Group had made a series of recommendations relating to: transport, maternity services, remote care, community hospitals, discharge planning and delayed transfers of care and the implementation of The Way Ahead joint strategic framework for health and social care. The report would be subject to consideration by the Scrutiny Committee for report to the County Council s Cabinet and by various NHS Trusts and agreed actions would be monitored.

Updates on the implementation of the agreed recommendations would be reported to the Committee.

*24 Locality Budgets 2009/10 - Confirmation of Proposals

The Committee considered the report of the Community Strategy Officer (CX/10/29 - text only | pdf CX/10/29) on the current budget position and confirmed spending approvals made by the Chairman/Vice Chairman since the last meeting and on new spending proposals detailed in table 1 of the report. The report also detailed new audit arrangements relating to the monitoring and use of grants awarded and the production of an annual report.

The Community Strategy Officer reported that the carry forward of any underspend to 2010/11 had been confirmed. The Procedures Committee had also agreed that, exceptionally, locality budgets could be used to mitigate the reduction in the Council s allocation to the Councils For Voluntary Services. In the case of TTVs, this would equate to a contribution of approximately 500 per member. Members agreed to give this further consideration.

The Locality Development Officer also reported on a request for funding in respect of Cornborough Trust, Abbotsham and the Harbour, Bideford and that more information would be sought from the applicants.

It was MOVED by Councillor Parsons SECONDED by Councillor Eastman and

RESOLVED

(a) that the spending proposals set out in the report (subject to deletion of Councillor Boyd s application in respect of the shrub bed for Torrington) including those agreed by the Chairman and Vice chairman since the last meeting be approved;

(b) that the current budget position be noted.

*25 Member Development Steering Group

The meeting received the minutes of the meeting held on 13 January 2010. Members wishing to access any further training needs should approach the Marion Geare, Member Development Officer.

*26 Future Meetings

(a) Dates: 15 June (and not 14 June 2010 as scheduled), 11 October 2010, 7 March 2011

(b) Work Plan/Items identified for future discussion (Draft)

(i) Accessibility to services in rural areas (standing item) including health services and updates on the Community Transport Associations

(ii) LTP3

(iii) Tourism and the arts

(iv) Process for the agreement of Section 106 funding; and agreement of infrastructure proposals - presentation by County and District planners

(v) Policing Issues

(vii) Reports from members on their role on outside bodies and issues arising.

*DENOTES DELEGATED MATTER WITH POWER TO ACT

The meeting started at 2.00 pm and finished at 4. 20 pm

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