Present:-

Devon County Council

Councillors McInnes (Chairman), Marsh, and Sellis

West Devon Borough Council

Councillor Mrs Garton

Apologies

Councillors Musgrave and Sanders

*19 Minutes

RESOLVED

(a) that the Minutes of the meeting held on 9 December 2009 be signed as a correct record;

(b) that Members be sent an email inviting them to place items on the agenda if they wish.

*20 Rural Access to Health Task Group Report

The Committee considered the Task Group s report and Councillor Sellis spoke to Members about her Chairmanship of the Task Group and the key conclusions of the report. She reminded Members that Maternity Services were subject to further review in the light of concerns relating to the change of service at Honiton, Okehampton and Tiverton. In relation to Recommendation 1 and transport between West Devon and Derriford Hospital, Plymouth she was looking at this with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Plymouth Scrutiny Committee.

Members discussed whether more publicity could be given to bus services to Derriford Hospital and whether there could be more liaison between Devon County Council and Plymouth Council regarding these services, to avoid in particular the inaccessibility of services due to road closures, as happened recently with regard to access to the Eye Infirmary and the closure of Mutley Plain. Members went on to discuss broadband availability in rural areas and work currently underway to increase that. The very good breastfeeding figures in Okehampton, which had one of the highest levels in the County, were also discussed.

*21 Feedback/Representations

Councillor Marsh requested that consideration be given to appointing a replacement for her as the current representative serving on the West Devon Children s Trust.

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

RESOLVED that the Chief Executive undertake to seek a replacement representative on the Trust on behalf of Councillor Marsh.

*22 West Devon s Consortium Approach to Funding

Mr John Calvert, Divisional Youth Officer, Devon Youth Service (DYS), provided an update on the budget for DYS and outline the implications for West Devon. He advised Members that the budget had not been set yet but was expecting a 6% reduction in funds plus efficiency savings of 3% and went on to highlight the impact on staffing that this would mean. He also raised the implications for the Service of the recruitment freeze across the County Council because Youth Work was seen as non-essential. It was understood by Members that lifting the embargo for youth workers had already been raised at Cabinet on a number of occasions and had been refused. Mr Calvert reported on staffing developments at Okehampton, Tavistock, North Tawton, Mary Tavy, Horrabridge and Princetown and also on the purpose-built mobile youth centre. Members asked questions on partnership working, liaising with churches and funding from the Health Authority and Police.

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

RESOLVED that Members be kept advised of developments in relation to their local youth centres and that Cabinet be called upon to support funding for the Youth Service.

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

The Committee considered the report of the County Community Strategy Officer (CX/10/49 - text onlyCX/10/49).

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

RESOLVED

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

(b) that the Committee note that the following payments were approved by the Chairman at the meeting:

Additional 20mph repeater signs in Castle Road, Okehampton: 500 Councillor Marsh

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

*24 Progress Report on Northlew IT Pilot Project

Mr Chris Marston, Northlew Broadband Project Leader, and Mr Ken Warren spoke to Members about the background to how he came to set up a 2mb Broadband microwave link in Northlew and outlying hamlets, how the funding was raised, the fees charged to users, the assistance of South Hams and his plans to install fibre optic cables in the future and to increase the speed to 4mb.

Members felt the project was an excellent role model to inspire others and the Chairman agreed to keep in contact and lend assistance regarding advice on funding.

*25 Update on IT Hub Project

Mr Darren Cole, West Devon Borough Council, outlined the report, prepared for West Devon Borough Council, South Hams District Council and Torridge District Council, looking at the costs and benefits of introducing ICT to deliver services in small villages, particularly with poor broadband accessibility across the three Council areas. West Devon were looking to pilot it in 5 sites and were speaking to officers in the County Council to move it forward. Members were advised to access the West Devon Borough Council website at www.westdevon.gov.uk/villagehubproject to find out more about the project. Mr John Calvert, Divisional Youth Officer, Devon Youth Service (DYS) expressed an interest in the project.

*26 Update on Winter Maintenance Task Group

Chairman advised the Committee that this item was discussed at this morning s HATOC meeting and no further discussion was necessary.

*27 West Devon Borough Council's Collaboration with the Community Council of Devon

Councillor Mrs Marsh reported that West Devon Borough Council had opted out of it s involvement with Community Council and therefore no longer funded the Council. This was noted with dismay.

*28 Member Development Steering Group

The Committee received the minutes of the meeting held on 18 March 2010 for information.

*29 Forward Plan

The County Community Strategy Officers reported that the Mobile Library Review would feature on the agenda of the next meeting in July.

*30 Date of Next Meeting

The Committee noted that the next meeting on the DCC web calendar is due to be held on Friday 16 July 2010 at 2pm at West Devon Borough Council Offices, Tavistock.

*DENOTES DELEGATED MATTER WITH POWER TO ACT

The meeting started at 2.00pm and finished at 4.00pm

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