Present:-

Councillors Connelly (Chairman), Hosking and Marsh and McInnes

*101 Minutes

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 9 January 2009 be signed as a correct record.

*102 Externalisation of Older People s Services

The Committee received a presentation from Paul Giblin, Head of Public Information and Communication, on the decision to embark on community engagement on the wider provision of social care required to meet the challenges of our ageing population. A accompanying briefing paper detailed the formation of three Locality Focus Groups in Northern, Southern and Eastern Devon, the engagement method and public information provision including a separate political engagement in area committees and by specific meetings at the County Council s residential care homes.

Members were in general supportive of the consultation process but suggested that officers make sure they reach grass root opinion and make full use of local Members in the engagement process.

It was MOVED by Councillor Connelly, SECONDED by Councillor Marsh and

RESOLVED that the presentation be noted.

*103 Community Engagement/Community Leadership/Duty to Involve

The Committee received a presentation from Gabi Recknagel from the Exeter CVS. The presentation provided an overview of government policy, an introduction to key concepts and definitions, and the opportunity to discuss support for Councillors for implementing best practice in community engagement. Members received the paper Duty to Involve on the new duty to ensure that local people have their say. The document by the National Empowerment Partnership Engagement and Empowerment in Rural Areas A Case Study was also enclosed separately with the agenda.

Members asked questions and made comments in relation to:-

the formation of area County Committees was a step in the right direction although West Devon HATOC had an issue with community involvement;

unfortunately there was an anti-political culture in this country and a widespread public disenchantment with democracy;

the voluntary sector had useful expertise in community engagement ;

councillors must not be too precious about their decisions;

how do you get the public engaged in council meetings?

It was MOVED by Councillor Connelly, SECONDED by Councillor Hosking and

RESOLVED that the presentation be noted.

*104 Reducing Teenage Pregnancy in Devon - Briefing Paper with a Focus on West Devon

The Committee received a presentation by Glynis Bath, Devon Teenage Pregnancy Co-ordinator, referring to a paper that set out the context and the under 18 conception rates for Devon, the West Devon area and highlighted ward level hotspots across Devon. The report went on the show the association between high rates of teenage pregnancy and low educational attainment and the ten key elements known to be part of effective teenage pregnancy reduction strategies.

It was MOVED by Councillor Connelly, SECONDED by Councillor Marsh and

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

*105 West Devon County Committee Locality Budgets for Financial Year 2008/09 Confirmation of Spending Proposals and Spend to Date

The Committee considered the report of the County Community Strategy Officer (EEC/09/98/HQ - text only | pdf EEC/09/98/HQ) setting out the budget position as at 24 March 2009 and spending proposals approved by the Chair or Vice-Chair since the previous meeting. Table 1 in the report itemised spending proposals for approval at this meeting. Appendix 1 provided a summary of approved spending proposals to date.

The County Community Strategy Officer reminded Members that there would be no more spending out of the Locality Budget after today s meeting and went through each Member s budget balance.

It was MOVED by Councillor Connelly, SECONDED by Councillor Marsh and

RESOLVED that the Committee

(a) confirms approval of spending proposals set out in Table 1 in the report, including those agreed by the Chair/Vice-Chair since the previous meeting;

(b) approves the following spending proposal by Councillor McInnes

(i) Playground Development at Spreyton School 112.00

(c) approves the following spending proposals by Councillor Hosking:-

(i) Energy Efficiency Okehampton Primary Schools 252.50

(revised figure)

(ii) Buckland Monachorum Parish Walks Leaflet 150.00

(iii) Buckland Monachorum Allotments 1,000.00

(iv) Tavy and Tamar Apple Group 1,100.00

(d) notes the current budget position for 2008/09;

(e) thanks officers for their efficient management of the Locality Budget.

*106 Dates of Future Meetings

Members noted that Friday 10 July 2009 at Okehampton Town Council Offices had been put in County Council s calendar and diary, commencing at the rising of the West Devon HATOC.

It was MOVED by Councillor Connelly, SECONDED by Councillor McInnes and

RESOLVED

(a) that future meetings be held on a Thursday and not a Friday so as to avoid clashing with meetings of Committees and Working Groups of the Dartmoor National Park Authority;

(b) that West Devon HATOC and County Committee meetings due to be held on 10 July 2009 be cancelled;

(c) that future HATOC meetings start at 11am followed by lunch, with County Committee meetings starting at 2pm;

(d) that future West Devon HATOC and County Committee meetings be held at the roughly the same time as other area Committee meetings rather than being out on a limb as is currently the case.

*DENOTES DELEGATED MATTER WITH POWER TO ACT

The meeting started at 4pm and finished at 5.10pm

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