Meeting documents
Present:-
Councillors Hart (Chairman), Barker, Clatworthy, Croad, Davis, S Hughes, Leadbetter, McInnes and Parsons
Members attending in accordance with Standing Order 25:-
Councillors Colthorpe, Dempster, Dewhirst, Hannan, Hill, Owen, Randall Johnson and Westlake
*200 Minutes
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 11 June 2014 be signed as a correct record.
*201 Announcements
The Chairman reported that the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership had been allocated 35,500,000 of new funding for 2015/16, which meant a total of 117,019,000 had now been secured from the Government s Local Growth Fund to support economic growth in the area to 2021.
Members noted that the Growth Deal would support a number of transport and infrastructure schemes within Devon, to the tune of around 25m, matched with further local contributions, to help accelerate local housing and employment growth. The schemes, which would start in 2015/16 with some completing in 2016/17 and beyond, included:
Bridge Road, Exeter;
A382 Widening, Newton Abbot;
A361 Portmore Roundabout, Barnstaple;
A39 Roundswell Access, Barnstaple;
A38 Deep Lane Junction Sherford access;
A379 Newcourt Junction, Exeter;
A39 Heywood Road Junction, Bideford; and
Marsh Barton Railway Station, Exeter.
These schemes would complement the additional investment in employment and innovation with 2,500,000 in the Environmental Futures Campus at Exeter Science Park in 2015/16 and mobile connectivity being boosted by 1,250,000 for mobile 4G connectivity and a further 1,250,000 in 2016/17.
Members noted that this announcement related only to the phase of the Growth Deal for schemes starting in 2015/16 with a further Deal for the remaining period to 2020/21; it was hoped that Devon would receive further investment for that period.
*202 Petitions
No petition was received from a Member of the Public or the Council
*203 Questions from Members of the Council
In accordance with the Cabinet Procedure Rules, the Leader and relevant Cabinet Member responded to 4 questions from Members of the Council on Sheltered Accommodation Wardens, investment in the Rail Network and Infrastructure and Services for Vulnerable People; responding orally to supplementary questions arising from the above.
[NB: A copy of the questions and answers are appended to these minutes and are available on the Council s Website at ]
KEY DECISIONS
*204 Maximising Council Tax Income
(Councillors Dewhirst and Westlake attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).
The Cabinet considered the Joint Report of the County Treasurer and Head of Services for Communities (SC/14/26 - text only | pdf 
SC/14/26) on the performance of Devon s District Councils in protecting the Council Tax Base following the localisation of Council Tax Support Schemes in 2013/14 and seeking approval to the proposed business case to build on this performance and maximise Council Tax Income over the next 18 months through a range of compliance measures. The proposed way forward had also been supported by the Office of the Police Crime Commissioner for Devon Cornwall.
The matter having been debated and the options and/or alternatives and other relevant factors (e.g. risk management, equality and legal considerations) set out in the Head of Service s Report and/or referred to above having been considered:
It was MOVED by Councillor Clatworthy, SECONDED by Councillor Hart, and
RESOLVED
(a) that approval be given to the proposals outlined in Report SC/14/26 - text only | pdf SC/14/26 and the approach of District Councils in maximising Council Tax income between September 2014 and March 2016 by undertaking compliance investigations on discounts, disregards and exemptions on their Council Tax caseloads;
(b) that approval be also given to the payment of 61,348 (September 2014 to March 2015) and, subject to a satisfactory review of performance in March 2015 the County Treasurer be also authorised to pay 122,696 (from April 2015 to March 2016) to District Councils to support delivery of this work; and
(c) that Cabinet place on record its congratulations to those District Councils which had introduced Council Tax Reduction Schemes in 2013/14 for their hard work in protecting the Council Tax Base and supporting vulnerable people through the change.
*205 Tavistock to Bere Alston Railway and Pedestrian/Cycle Route
(Councillors Dempster, Dewhirst and Westlake attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).
(Councillor McInnes declared a personal interest in this matter by virtue of being a member of West Devon Borough Council.)
The Cabinet considered the Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation Environment (PTE/14/49 - text only | pdf | supplementary information PTE/14/49) seeking approval to the County Council acting as Lead Authority in delivering the railway project and to work to progress it through to finalising estimated costs incorporating a revised approach for pedestrian and cycle provision between Tavistock and the Tamar Valley Trails. It was anticipated that the majority of the estimated cost would be met primarily from external and developer contributions.
The Cabinet noted that, as had previously been identified in the 2004 Devon Structure Plan, the 2011 West Devon Core Strategy and the Devon and Torbay Local Transport Plan, the County Council had long aspired to reopen the disused railway between Tavistock and Bere Alston. The Head of Service reported that the project had progressed significantly in 2012/13 and 2013/14 and consent was therefore now being sought to continue and progress the project up to the securing of necessary Powers to deliver the railway (including negotiation with land owners and land acquisition where necessary), alongside improved cycle and pedestrian trail options securing improved access to the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site.
The Head of Service s Report also incorporated an Impact Assessment relating to the possible impacts of the proposal, in order that as part of its determination of the next steps in the process the Cabinet might have full regard to the responsibilities placed upon it to exercise its Public Sector Equality Duty, under s149 of the Equality Act 2010. While that Assessment acknowledged that the environmental aspects of the proposals would be fully assessed through the separate Environmental Impact Assessment process the Head of Service opined that the schemes would make a positive impact on the wider community through improving access to employment and education and to recreational destinations allowing people to use routes that they might otherwise not have been able to access.
The matter having been debated and the options and/or alternatives and other relevant factors (e.g. financial, sustainability, carbon impact, risk management, equality and legal considerations and Public Health impact) set out in the Head of Service s Report and/or referred to above having been considered:
It was MOVED by Councillor Leadbetter, SECONDED by Councillor Hart, and
RESOLVED
(a) that the progress with the Tavistock to Bere Alston Railway Project be noted;
(b) that approval be given to the continued development of the Tavistock to Bere Alston Railway Project up to and throughout the process for securing the necessary powers to deliver the railway, including land acquisition where necessary;
(c) that approval be given to the County Council acting as Lead Authority in delivering the project;
(d) that the route for a pedestrian and cycle trail between Tavistock and the Tamar Valley Trails, in place of the route along the former railway, be approved in principle and be subject to further design and negotiation with land owners; and
(e) that, accordingly, Minute *1076(a) (Devon County Council Executive, 23 April 2009) relating to the establishment of a joint venture partnership with Kilbride Properties Ltd be rescinded.
*206 A Gateway to Northern Devon: A Strategy for the A361 and A39
(Councillors Colthorpe, Dempster, Dewhirst, Owen and Westlake attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).
The Cabinet considered the Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation Environment (PTE/14/50 - text only | pdf PTE/14/50) outlining progress with the strategy to improve the A361/A39 route and seeking approval to public consultation and commissioning feasibility designs on possible improvements.
Members acknowledged there was a need to develop a strategy for the future improvement of the North Devon Link Road to facilitate economic growth and the delivery of Local Plan proposals for new housing and employment along that corridor. The proposals now submitted, which would form the basis of consultation, set out a framework for the development of a series of interventions including road and junction improvements; the proposals were to be regarded as having strong potential with flexibility where necessary.
The Cabinet noted the comments of the Leader of North Devon District Council, as reported at the meeting, supporting the Report and it's recommendations and also acknowledged the problems experienced - and the need for improvement - to the A361/A39 corridor in Mid Devon, which had already been recognised and would undoubtedly feature in future planning.
The matter having been debated and the options and/or alternatives and other relevant factors (e.g. financial, environmental, risk management, equality and legal considerations and Public Health impact) set out in the Head of Service s Report and/or referred to above having been considered:
It was MOVED by Councillor Leadbetter, SECONDED by Councillor Hart, and
RESOLVED
(a) that the content of Report PTE/14/50 - text only | pdf PTE/14/50 and the accompanying North Devon Link Road (NDLR) strategy leaflet be noted and endorsed as the basis for consultation with those County Councillors whose Divisions will be affected (i.e local Members) and other Stakeholders;
(b) that approval be given to further work being undertaken on the engineering feasibility of the strategy and the development of specific schemes.
*207 Dartington CE Primary School Proposed Remedial Building Work (Minute 58/11 September 2013)
(Councillors Dewhirst, Owen and Westlake attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).
(Councillor Barker declared a personal interest in this matter by virtue of two members of his household being employed as teachers at the School.)
The Cabinet considered the Joint Report of the Head of Highways, Capital Development and Waste and the County Treasurer (HCW/14/62 - text only | pdf | supplementary information HCW/14/62) on the latest position with regard to the findings of building investigation works at Dartington CE Primary School and the provision of replacement accommodation.
The Head of Service reported that since the previous report to Cabinet - and in order to ensure pupils and staffs continued safety - the buildings at Dartington School had been kept under regular review by a consultant structural engineer. Temporary repairs had been undertaken to allow the majority of the accommodation to continue in use for a limited period of time. To permit the school to remain operational, contractors had also been instructed to provide temporary accommodation on an agricultural field situated adjacent to the school s existing playing field.
The Head of Services Report outlined the range of options open to the Council, based on the final Technical Specialists and Expert Witness s Reports, namely:
Option 1: Demolition and rebuilding of cluster 4 and repair of clusters 1, 2 and 3.
Option 2: Demolition and rebuilding of all clusters with a compliant design reusing the existing sub-structure.
Option 3: Complete demolition and rebuilding of all clusters to a compliant design using cross laminated timber to the existing design template.
Option 4: Complete demolition and rebuild of all clusters using cross laminated timber panels to an alternative (simpler) design.
Option 5: Complete demolition and rebuilding of all clusters using traditional construction materials based on a standardised design model.
The final Technical Specialists and Expert Witness s Reports had also formed the basis of two legal claims which would be rigorously and robustly pursued.
The Cabinet was recommended to adopt Option 1, using a new compliant design using traditional construction and undertake repairs to the remaining clusters which housed the majority of the teaching accommodation.
Members noted that due to the extent of the proposed demolition, construction and repair work, the continuing Health and Safety of all those in the buildings and the potential disruption to the School, it would be relocated for the duration of the building work within temporary accommodation located on a site adjacent to the existing playing field.
The Head of Service s Report also incorporated an Impact Assessment relating to the possible impacts of the proposal, in order that as part of its determination of the next steps in the process the Cabinet might have full regard to the responsibilities placed upon it to exercise its Public Sector Equality Duty, under s149 of the Equality Act 2010. The Head of Service confirmed that no unmanageable impacts had been identified.
The matter having been debated and the options and/or alternatives and other relevant factors (e.g. financial, sustainability, risk management, equality and legal considerations and Public Health impact) set out in the Head of Service s Report and/or referred to above having been considered:
It was MOVED by Councillor Clatworthy, SECONDED by Councillor Hart, and
RESOLVED that the findings of intrusive building investigation works at Dartington C of E Primary School be noted and approval be given to proceed with Option 1 for the demolition and rebuilding of Cluster 4 and repair of Clusters 1, 2 and 3, in advance of a legal claim.
*208 County Farms Capital Receipts
(Councillors Dewhirst and Westlake attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).
The Cabinet considered the Joint Report of the Head of Business Strategy Support and the County Treasurer (BSS/14/9 - text only | pdf BSS/14/9) on proposed changes to the treatment of capital receipts generated by the County Farms Estate.
The matter having been debated and the options and/or alternatives and other relevant factors (e.g. financial, risk management and legal considerations) set out in the Head of Service s Report and/or referred to above having been considered:
It was MOVED by Councillor Clatworthy, SECONDED by Councillor Hart, and
RESOLVED
(a) that the Report be noted and the current practice be amended so that capital receipts generated from the sale of farm land and buildings set out in the County Farms Strategic Review of 2010 are received and treated corporately, with effect from 1st August 2014.
(b) that the County Farms Committee be required to submit capital programme funding requests to the Corporate Capital Group in consultation with the Corporate Asset Manager to enable relative priority for funding to be considered across the organisation, as is the practice for all other parts of the Council;
(c) that where funding requirements increase or where there is a need to change the funding allocation, the Farms Estate Committee be required to seek approval from either the Cabinet Member for Policy Resources, in line with the provisions of the Council s Constitution, or by the Cabinet itself.
OTHER MATTER
*209 Annual Public Health Report 2013/14
(Councillors Dewhirst, Owen and Westlake attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).
The Cabinet received and welcomed the seventh Annual Public Health Report prepared and published by the Director of Public Health reviewing the state of the health of the population of Devon and setting future health and wellbeing priorities for the local population.
The 2013/14 Report reviewed health in Devon, reflecting on the transfer of responsibility for local public health from the NHS to local authorities, looking to the future to ensure continuing progress in improving the health and wellbeing of the people of Devon; encapsulated in the priorities and recommendations set out in the Report s Executive Summary which complemented the County Councils strategic objectives.
Members noted that the Annual Report also recorded achievements against recommendations contained in the previous year s report, the majority of which had been fully achieved.
It was MOVED by Councillor Davis SECONDED by Councillor Hart, and
RESOLVED
(a) that the Report be welcomed and published;
(b) that a copy of the Annual Report be sent to Dr Sarah Wollaston MP, in her capacity as the recently elected Chair of the House of Commons Health Select Committee, drawing particular attention to the issues around the limited progress made by NHS England in Devon with providing the Health Protection Committee with assurance on activity to improve the uptake of immunisations.
[NB: The Annual Public Health Report may be viewed at:
www.devonhealthandwellbeing.org.uk/aphr ]
STANDING ITEMS
*210 References from Committees
(a) People's Scrutiny Committee: Safeguarding Children Task Group
(Councillors Dewhirst, Owen, Randall Johnson and Westlake attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).
The Cabinet noted that the Peoples Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 26 June 2014 (Minute *63) considered the 2nd Interim Report of its Safeguarding Children Task Group and resolved that the Task Groups recommendations as set out in report CS/14/27 - text only | pdf CS/14/27 be endorsed and commended to Cabinet for action , acknowledging also the improvements already being made on a number of the issues identified in the Task Group s Report and set in train.
The matter having been debated and the options and/or alternatives and other relevant factors (e.g. financial, sustainability, carbon impact, risk management, equality and legal considerations and Public Health impact) set out in the Head of Service s Report and/or referred to above having been considered:
It was MOVED by Councillor Parsons, SECONDED by Councillor Hart, and
RESOLVED that the Task Group s Report, having been previously welcomed by the Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Skills, be endorsed and taken into account in the continuing development of work in this area.
(b) Health Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee: Voice of the Vulnerable Spotlight Review
(Councillors Dewhirst, Owen, Randall Johnson and Westlake attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).
The Cabinet noted that the Health Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee had, at its meeting on 16 June 2014 (Minute *54), considered the Report of a Spotlight Review (CS/14/11 - text onlyCS/14/11) examining how Scrutiny could be sure that it heard the voice of vulnerable people in Devon and had resolved that the Review s recommendations as set out in report CS/14/11 - text onlyCS/14/11 be endorsed and commended to Cabinet for action
The matter having been debated and the options and/or alternatives and other relevant factors (e.g. financial, sustainability, carbon impact, risk management, equality and legal considerations and Public Health impact) set out in the Head of Service s Report and/or referred to above having been considered:
It was MOVED by Councillor Davis, SECONDED by Councillor Hart, and
RESOLVED that the Task Group s suggestions be endorsed and disseminated to all Heads of Service to increase and reinforce awareness of this issue.
OTHER MATTER
*211 Treasury Management Stewardship Annual Report 2013/14
(Councillor Owen attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).
The Cabinet considered the Report of the County Treasurer (CT/14/46 - text only | pdf CT/14/46) outlining the Treasury Management action taken during the last financial year (in line with the CIPFA Code of Practice previously adopted by the Council) which had also been considered and endorsed by the Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee on 26 June 2014.
The Annual Report reviewed performance over the 2013/14 financial year with a view to identifying any issues arising from the Council's Treasury and Debt Management during that period and to provide assurance that agreed policy had been implemented.
The Report revealed that:
no long term or short term borrowing had been undertaken during 2013/14;
investment income targets had been exceeded and prudent management of the Council s short term cash reserves had also delivered a surplus
all lending had been carried out in accordance with the Council s Treasury Management Strategy.
The matter having been debated and the options and/or alternatives and other relevant factors (e.g. financial and legal considerations) set out in the County Treasurer's Report and/or referred to above having been considered:
It was MOVED by Councillor Clatworthy, SECONDED by Councillor Hart, and
RESOLVED that the Annual Treasury Management Stewardship Report be noted and welcomed.
STANDING ITEMS
*212 Questions from Members of the Public
There was no question from a Member of the public.
*213 Minutes
(Councillors Hannan and Westlake attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).
It was MOVED by Councillor Hart, SECONDED by Councillor Clatworthy, and
RESOLVED
(a) Arising on Minute 696: Devon Education Forum (Universal Infant Free School Meals)
that, while acknowledging the views of the Forum, approval be given as appropriate to the minimum first year 3000 small schools transitional funding being taken into account when allocating UIFSM capital in order to minimise the funding shortfall;
(b) that subject to the foregoing, the Minutes of the following and any recommendations to Cabinet therein be approved:
Safer Devon Partnership 18 June 2014;
Devon Audit Partnership 18 June 2014;
Devon Education Forum 26 June 2014;
Devon Authorities Waste Reduction Recycling Committee 2 July 2014.
[NB: Minutes of County Council Committees are published on the Council s Website at: http://www.devon.gov.uk/index/your_council/decision_making/cma/index_exc.htm .
Minutes of the Devon Strategic Partnership are publicised at : http://www.devonsp.org.uk/meetings.html .
Minutes of the Devon Education (Schools) Forum are published at: http://www.devon.gov.uk/schoolsforum.htm ]
*214 Delegated Action/Urgent Matters
(a) Call-in of Cabinet Member Decisions: Adult Residential and Day Care Services
The Cabinet noted that, in accordance with the Scrutiny Procedure Rules, the requisite numbers of Members of the Council having invoked the call-in procedure in relation to the decisions of the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care Health Services on Adult Residential Day Care Services, the People s Scrutiny Committee had considered the call-in at its meeting on 26 June 2014 on the grounds set out at Minute 63 of that Committee. The Cabinet further noted that Scrutiny Committee had not asked that the Cabinet Member s decisions be reconsidered or amended in any way and, consequently, they had therefore been implemented, with immediate effect.
[NB: The Minutes of the People s Scrutiny Committee are available at:
http://www.devon.gov.uk/index/councildemocracy/decision_making/cma/index_scs.htm. ]
(b) Registers of Decisions
The Registers of Decisions taken by Members or Officers under the urgency provisions or delegated powers were available for inspection at the meeting in line with the Council s Constitution and Regulation 13 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012; a summary of decisions taken since the last meeting had been published with the Agenda for this meeting.
*215 Forward Plan
In accordance with the Council s Constitution, the Cabinet reviewed the Forward Plan and determined those items of business to be defined as key and framework decisions and included in the Plan from the date of this meeting onwards reflecting the requirements of the of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 (at ).
*216 Exclusion of the Press Public
It was MOVED by Councillor Hart, SECONDED by Councillor Hughes and
RESOLVED that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Act namely the financial or business affairs of persons tendering for the provision of council goods or services and of the County Council, in both cases, and in accordance with Section 36 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, by virtue of the fact that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.
*217 Land at Monkerton Farm, Exeter: Disposal of land surplus to requirements
(An item taken under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 during which the press and public were excluded, no representations having been received to such consideration under Regulation 5(5) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012).
(Councillors Dewhirst and Westlake attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).
The Cabinet considered the Report of the Head of Business Strategy and Support (BSS/14/14) on the proposed disposal of circa 15 hectares of land, formerly part of Monkerton Farm in Exeter, which had been retained by the Council on the basis that it had the potential to generate a significant capital receipt.
The land was designated for residential development as well as allocated areas for the provision of a new school, an Extra Care Housing scheme and a District Heating Plant (although not included in the current area to be disposed of).
The Council had been approached by a developer with a view to purchasing land at Monkerton to deliver a innovative housing development with a significant proportion of affordable homes and the Report outlined the continuing negotiations to ensure the current offer was acceptable to the Council.
The Report outlined the preliminary discussions that had taken place with the Developer and the Exeter City Council and a proposed course of action to safeguard the Council s position, acknowledging also the need to address all necessary requirements including relevant planning considerations before any final decision was made.
The matter having been debated and the options and/or alternatives and other relevant factors (e.g. financial, risk management, equality and legal considerations) set out in the Head of Service s Report and/or referred to above having been considered:
It was MOVED by Councillor Clatworthy, SECONDED by Councillor Hart, and
RESOLVED that approval be given to continue negotiations upon the terms set out in Report BSS/14/14 and that a further report be made to this Cabinet relating thereto in due course.
*DENOTES DELEGATED MATTER WITH POWER TO ACT
The meeting started at 10.30am and finished at 12.46pm.
APPENDIX
QUESTION(S) FROM MEMBER(S) OF THE COUNCIL
9 July 2014/Minute 203
1. QUESTION FROM COUNCILLOR HILL
Re: Warden Service in Sheltered Accommodation
In view of the fact that the Warden Service to residents of Sheltered Accommodation is to end next year and that only the care element of older peoples services will continue to be financed, using the Fair Access criteria, could Councillor Barker:
1. explain the Fair Access to Care criteria including whether this is county wide;
2. indicate how many residents currently in receipt of services will fall outside of these criteria and in particular how many Exeter residents;
3. indicate how much Devon County Council is expected to save as a result of these changes;
4. confirm that Members were informed of the withdrawal of the Warden Service?
REPLY BY COUNCILLOR BARKER
As the County Council is not a housing provider, it is not our decision whether or not a warden service is provided. It was the decisions made by District Councils some years ago that provided warden support services. The County Council provided funding through a specific Supporting People fund to meet early intervention care needs of some sheltered housing tenants; that fund ceased to exist some years ago but we continued to support a service on the basis of assessed intervention care being provided. Tenants fund wardens through additional costs on the rents that they pay. It is for tenants to choose in conjunction with their housing providers whether they wish to continue paying for warden services in Exeter. It is for housing landlords to ask their tenants if they want to continue paying for wardens. Devon County Council now wishes to be responsible for the assessments to ensure that people who should have a care need are having their needs met.
The FACS criteria are nationally described within bands of critical, substantial, moderate and low . The County Council, in common with most Councils, sets its eligibility threshold at substantial need. This is not changing and this eligibility level remains fully funded following recent decisions which may otherwise have affected this criteria. Full detail can be found at https://new.devon.gov.uk/adultsocialcareandhealth/factsheet/factsheet-1-assessments-for-care-services/assessment-results/
No residents who have had their needs properly assessed fall outside this criteria.
In reality we expect to have to conduct up to 1000 assessments across Devon as a result of this change because it has been identified that a number of people who could require social care may not have been identified by the current system. Until assessments are complete it is not possible to say how much extra the cost will be and therefore how much the saving will be, if any. We expect to spend more on eligible social care for people in sheltered housing than has previously been the case because those with a care need may not be having their needs met.
2. QUESTION FROM COUNCILLOR WESTLAKE
Re: Rail Network
What is the Cabinet s view on the possible announcement that diversionary rail routes around Dawlish are too expensive?
REPLY BY COUNCILLOR HART
The Government has not actually released the Report so it is not possible to comment in any detail at this stage nor do I wish to speculate. I understand that the Government continues to keep all options on the table with regards to securing resilience improvements to our railway and to maintain the connectivity of Devon and Cornwall. The Council s Officers have been engaged on the West of Exeter Resilience Study Management Group and we await the publication of the Study. We will of course continue to work with our colleagues through the Peninsula Rail Task Force to present a unified voice on the importance of our railways resilience and connectivity.
As it happens, the SW Councils Group (of which I am Chairman) has already agreed to make representations on behalf of the Region seeking greater clarity from Government as to what is actually proposed and arguing the case for a more robust approach to securing the integrity and future of the rail network in the region.
3. QUESTION FROM COUNCILLOR WESTLAKE
Re: Rail Infrastructure
The network rail investment plan gives signalling improvements from Totnes to Plymouth the only line investment in Devon. Can the Leader of the Council give details of the investment plan put forward by Devon and any lobbying that took place.
REPLY BY COUNCILLOR HART
The announcement of Network Rail funding to re-signal the main line from Totnes to Penzance is one element of a number of improvements included within the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Growth Deal. Local contributions through the deal have enabled Network Rail to bring forward funding for this work into the current five year investment plan.
In Devon the 30m network resilience between Taunton and Cowley Bridge scheme is in the programme and the Council is actively engaged in developing Network Rail s long term investment strategy for the next decade and beyond. The first draft of this is due to undergo consultation this Autumn.
The first evidence of success is our own Growth Deal as part of the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership. This includes Monday s announcement of funding for further new stations at Marsh Barton and Edginswell (in Torbay), building on that already secured for Newcourt and Cranbrook. There are further rail projects in the pipeline for the remaining period of the Growth Deal to 2020/21 and beyond including the Bere Alston Tavistock rail line extension.
4. QUESTION FROM COUNCILLOR OWEN
Re: Services for Vulnerable People
I am told that several contracts regarding services and accommodation for vulnerable people in the St David s Ward of Exeter, have been changed or not let. Could you confirm whether this is the case and if so whether as local member I should have been informed?
REPLY BY COUNCILLOR BARKER
As the question does not specify the service referred to then I can only assume that by referring to vulnerable people in terms of County Council responsibilities this would apply to people who have had a social care assessment which identified a support need. Anyone with an assessed need either for domiciliary care or residential care using the current criteria has been allocated a provider. No changes have been made to any of the eligibility criteria for these services or to the funding available. Domiciliary providers are available through a framework supply provision. There is no difference in this service across Devon, contracts are not awarded on a Ward basis.