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Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - County Hall

Contact: Karen Strahan, 01392 382264  Email: karen.strahan@devon.gov.uk

Note: To view this meeting as a live stream, please copy and paste the link into your browser - https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MWRlYTdjYTMtMDZiNC00MGExLWI2ZmItMjU3NWM4YzcxOWIy%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%228da13783-cb68-443f-bb4b-997f77fd5bfb%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22b0735e0e-6faa-4f6a-91bb-917fd50284ca%22%2c%22IsBroadcastMeeting%22%3atrue%7d&btype=a&role=a 

Media

Items
Note No. Item

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203.

Minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on 13 July 2022, (previously circulated).

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 13 July 2022 be signed as a correct record.

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 13 July 2022 be signed as a correct record.

 

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204.

Items Requiring Urgent Attention

Items which in the opinion of the Chair should be considered at the meeting as matters of urgency.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There was no item raised as a matter of urgency.

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205.

Announcements

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chair welcomed Tandra Forster (Director of Integrated Adult Social Care) to her first official meeting of the Cabinet.

 

He further thanked all staff who had been involved in the Council’s response to Operation London Bridge, including the proclamation and cathedral events which had required significant organisation.

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206.

Petitions

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There was no petition received from a Member of the Public or the Council.

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207.

Question(s) from Members of the Council pdf icon PDF 87 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

In accordance with the Cabinet Procedure Rules, the relevant Cabinet Members responded to four questions from Members of the Council on the following matters;

 

·         damaged 'speed camera' on the A379 and the timescale for repair;

·         County Highway at Starcross, operation of non return valve, flooding issues and liaison with Network Rail;

·         Vehicle Activated Speed Signs (VAS) in Kenton and Starcross, delays, timeline and contractual control; and

·         former Councillor John Humphreys, multi-agency safeguarding meeting and progress with the proposed independent investigation

 

The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services also responded orally to a supplementary question arising from the above.

 

[NB: A copy of the questions and answers are available on webpage for meeting and any supplementary questions and answers may be observed through the webcast of this meeting]

208.

Update on Race Equality Progress pdf icon PDF 114 KB

Report of the Chief Executive (Interim) on the learning and findings of the Race Equality Audit, delivery against the commitments in the Council’s Strategic Plan and the detailed work done since, attached.

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED

(a) that the progress on race equality made throughout 2022 be noted;

 

(b) that the planned next steps to further advance race equality and commit to a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to racism be supported; and

 

(c) that attendance at the elected Member Masterclass on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion ‘Legal and Moral Duties’ on 23rd November 2022 be encouraged.

Minutes:

(Councillors Brazil and Whitton attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

 

The Cabinet considered the Report of the Interim Chief Executive circulated prior to the meeting in accordance with regulation 7(4) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.

 

The Report highlighted that the Council’s Strategic Plan 2021-2025 which set out the Council’s commitment to becoming an organisation that was intolerant to prejudice and discrimination and helping Devon to be a place that was inclusive, compassionate, and caring, where everyone could feel safe.


The Report provided an update on the progress made throughout 2022 since the publication of the Strategic Plan in December 2021 and the Race Equality Audit in January 2022.

 

There had been a lot of work in responding to the learning and findings of the Race Equality Audit and deliver against the commitments in the Council’s Strategic Plan.

 

The initial steps included a key action in the Strategic Plan 2021/2025 to consider the findings of the Race Equality Audit and implement its recommendations. The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) function moved to Organisational Change Team for wider access to support and embed EDI into the Council’s organisational change work and also included an additional budget. Other actions included a raised awareness of the unacceptable behaviour help line and relaunching the It’s ok to say it’s not ok campaign.

 

A cross organisational Race Equality Delivery Group was developing an Anti-Racism Framework (how the Council would address racism in the workplace and community), a Race Equality Staff Group met regularly and provided direction, leadership and prioritisation for the Council’s race equality work.  There were key connections with the Cabinet Member for Public Health, Communities and Equalities and the Chair of the Council who cited inclusivity, diversity and equality as one of his priorities.

 

Corporate Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee (CIRS) had agreed to monitor the progress against the Race Equality Action Plan and an Elected Member Masterclass was taking place in November.

 

A number of actions were also in train for raising awareness and understanding, including the Council’s Core Principles and Behaviours Framework, equality statement for use in recruitment, iTrent data and improved and increased communications to staff. Training and Development was also being strengthened.

 

In terms of moving forwards (as well as continuing delivery against the Race Equality Framework and Action Plan), an area of focus would be providing protection for staff at risk of identity-based harm including taking a ‘zero tolerance approach’ to racism and a number of mechanisms for improved protection for staff at risk.

 

The Cabinet noted that the Race Equality Framework and Race Equality Action Plan contributed positively to public sector equality duties to eliminate unlawful discrimination, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations for the protected characteristic of race (Equality Act 2010). The activities would have a positive equality impact for the protected characteristic of race.

 

The matter having been debated and the options and/or alternatives and other relevant factors  ...  view the full minutes text for item 208.

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209.

Budget Monitoring - Month 4 pdf icon PDF 177 KB

Report of the Director of Finance and Public Value (DF/22/68) outlining the Budget Monitoring position at Month 4, attached.

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED

 

(a) that the month 4 budget monitoring forecast and the very challenging financial position faced by the Council be noted;

 

(b) that the immediate action being taken to safeguard the financial sustainability of the authority be supported;

 

(c) that the proposed reduction to Member Locality Budgets, as outlined in paragraph 3.4 be approved; and

 

(d) that the savings and additional income resulting from the Financial Sustainability Programme also be noted.

Minutes:

(Councillors Brazil and Whitton attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

 

The Cabinet considered the Report of the Director of Finance (DF/22/68) relating to the Budget Monitoring Position at Month 4, circulated prior to the meeting in accordance with regulation 7(4) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.

 

At month 4 it was estimated that budgets would overspend by £17 million, excluding the dedicated schools grant deficit. This was made up of an underlying overspend of £35.6 million that was being reduced by £18.6 million of Financial Sustainability Programme (FSP) proposed savings and income.

 

There was also a risk that inflationary pressures could result in costs, in addition to this overspend, of more than £10 million this year.   

 

The pandemic and geopolitical situation had created huge financial pressures and immediate action was being taken to safeguard the financial sustainability of the authority. Work was ongoing to identify services and projects in both revenue and capital that could be transformed, modernised, remodelled, funded differently, ceased, or postponed. 

 

The Dedicated Schools Grant projected deficit, relating to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), was forecast to be £34.5 million.  The outcome of the discussions with the Department for Education as part of the Safety Valve Intervention were still awaited.

 

The table at section 2.1 of the Report detailed the forecast outturn position by service area at month 4.

 

Integrated Adult Social Care was forecasting an overspend of £3.2 million and

Children and Young People’s Futures an overspend of £19.9 million and £34.5 million on Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

 

The remaining Directorates were forecasting an underspend of £4.6 million at month 4. The underlying forecast position was an overspend of £1.3 million and additional savings identified as part of the FSP totalled £5.9 million. Non Service items, which included capital financing charges and business rates pooling gain were forecasting an underspend of £1.5 million. The underlying position was a forecast pressure of £6.5 million, predominantly the forecast impact of the 2022/23 pay award and the FSP had identified further savings of just over £8 million.

 

An organisation wide Financial Sustainability Programme had been developed in June to examine areas of expenditure and develop proposals that directly addressed the in-year financial challenges. The Report included a table with a high-level summary by type of saving and included a saving of £128,000 from Member’s Locality Budgets (representing 50%, or half, of the individual member balances that had been unspent at the end of 2021/22 that were carried forward into the current year and also a £38,000 carry forward from 2021/22 as a central contingency that remained unallocated). 

 

The approved capital programme for the Council was £215.8 million and the year-end forecast was £185.6 million, producing forecast slippage of £30.2 million. Material and labour price increases continued to be experienced which were impacting the delivery costs and tender prices being returned.

 

Cabinet noted that the formation of the Financial Sustainability Programme was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 209.

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210.

Transport Capital Programme 2022/23 and 2023/24: Update and Proposed Allocation pdf icon PDF 154 KB

Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/22/45) providing an update on the Transport Capital Programme and Proposed Allocation for 2022/2023 and 2023/2024, attached.

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED

 

(a) that budgets be allocated to the Local Transport Plan Integrated Transport Block (LTP ITB) schemes in 2022/23 and 2023/24 as set out in Appendix 1 of the Report, noting the level of overprogramming planned;

 

(b) that the 2022/23 capital programme be increased by £4.576 million, with £2.652 million funded from other external grants, £0.474 million from external contributions and £1.451 million from developer contributions and to decrease the 2022/23 capital programme by £4.738 million due to rephasing of the Tiverton EUE budget. The schemes are listed in Appendix 1 of the Report; (c) that the 2023/24 capital programme be increased by £11.001 million with £3.234 million funded from other external grants, £5.967 million from external contributions and £1.800 million from developer contributions. This includes the rephasing of the Tiverton EUE budget. The schemes are listed in Appendix 1 of the Report;

 

(d) that £1 million LTP ITB from 2023/24 to 2022/23 be rephased; and

 

(e) that delegated authority be given to the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport and the Cabinet Member for Highway Management regarding amendments to the Integrated Block allocations.

Minutes:

(Councillors Prowse and Whitton attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

 

The Cabinet considered the Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/22/45) circulated prior to the meeting in accordance with regulation 7(4) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.

 

The Report provided an update on the capital programme covering the current financial year and sought approval for a two-year transport capital programme covering the financial years 2022/23 and 2023/24 (excluding maintenance). The Transport Capital Programme set out the short-term priority for investment in transport infrastructure. It built on long-term commitments as detailed in adopted strategies such as Local Plans, the Local Transport Plan, the Multi-Use Trail and Network Strategy, and the Transport Infrastructure Plan.

 

The Programme continued to build on national policy changes to support transport’s contribution towards addressing the climate emergency, with a range of sustainable transport schemes included.

 

Significant inflationary pressures were continuing to be felt in the construction sector with recent estimates on live projects putting the increase due to inflation at 20-24%, with the situation continuing to be monitored. This could result in scheme costs increasing with shortfalls needing to be covered by the Council’s Local Transport Plan Integrated Transport Block. However, this funding was limited.

 

The Integrated Transport Block (ITB) settlement from Government for 2022/23 was £3.628 million. The same value has also been indicatively allocated for 2023/24 and 2024/25.

 

The Council also had a strong track record of successfully levering in external funding sources, often through competitive bidding processes and the Report outlined the extensive list of existing funding sources successfully secured and currently in use (for example the Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF), Large Local Majors (LLM) Fund, Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), Major Road Network (MRN) Fund, Growth Deal to name but a few).

 

In order to continue delivering transport infrastructure, additional funding opportunities to enhance the capital programme would continue to be sought and there could be opportunities through the Peninsula Transport Sub-National Transport Body, Active Travel Fund 4, Levelling Up Fund and Plymouth and South Devon Freeport.

 

The proposed Transport Capital Programme was detailed in full at Appendix 1 and included a range of schemes across the County covering different transport modes.  The programme was extensive, ambitious and diverse, the scale of which could result in resourcing implications; the level of overprogramming was evidence of this. 

 

Transport was a key mechanism to deliver the Council’s Strategic Plan priorities and actions, with many cross-cutting themes evident in the transport capital programme. The programme sought to prioritise active and sustainable travel investment across the County, whilst also supporting economic growth through the delivery of major schemes.

 

The table within the Report summarised how the proposals would impact achievement of relevant Strategic Plan actions.

 

An Environmental Impact Assessment had been carried out for the overall strategy contained in the Devon and Torbay Local Transport Plan 2011-2026.  The environmental impacts of individual schemes would be detailed in Cabinet or  ...  view the full minutes text for item 210.

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211.

Civil Parking Enforcement: Changes to Parking Permits pdf icon PDF 257 KB

Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/22/46) on Changes to Parking Permits (Civil Parking Enforcement), attached.

 

An Impact Assessment is also attached for the attention of Members at this meeting and is available on the website at - https://www.devon.gov.uk/impact/published/.

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED

 

(a) that the progress on the Residents Parking Permit Scheme be noted; and

 

(b) that the implementation of the Traffic Regulation Order as advertised be agreed, except for the recommended reduction in charge for Essential Visitor Permits, and amendments for Exeter Zone S1 and Sidmouth Zone A (as described in Section 4), noting the clarified the clarification that the lowest emitting vehicles (Electric and Ultra Low) (A) would be £35 for all permits.

Minutes:

(Councillors Prowse, Whitton and Wrigley attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

 

The Cabinet considered the Report of the Director of Climate Change, Environment and Transport (CET/22/46) on Changes to Parking Permits (Civil Parking Enforcement), circulated prior to the meeting in accordance with regulation 7(4) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.

 

Further to the agreement of a new Residents Parking Policy at Cabinet on 9th December 2020, the Report sets out the response to the statutory public consultation earlier this year, proposals to make changes to the advertised Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) as a result of the consultation, and the implementation process.

 

The Traffic Regulation Order had been advertised on 1st June 2022 for one month, with an advert in the Western Morning News and proposals directly marketed to over 14,000 active permit holders (approximately 47% of all permit holders) who had provided email details. Information was also available on the public web pages: http://devon.cc/cpetro.

 

A summary of the proposed changes could be found in Appendix B of the Report.

 

769 responses had been received and the most frequently voiced comments by respondents included;

 

·         Timing and justification for price increases

·         Fairness of tiering prices based on car tax bands

·         Permit abuse and need to better enforce zones

·         Reduction in number of visitors allowed and increase in price

·         Opposition to new charges for the essential visitor permit and charges for motorcycles

·         Unfair to those with no online access. Preference for paper permits

·         Blocking access to permits to businesses, house in multiple occupation (HMO) residents and students

 

The full summary of responses received to the proposals, including new permit prices and transformation to digital permits were outlined in Appendix C along with responses to the points made.

 

A number of amendments were considered following the consultation

 

·         concerns relating to the application of charges for Essential Visitor Permits were understood and it was proposed these were modified to reduce the cost to £10;

·         it was noted that Exeter S1 zone was unique due to its active times being limited to Exeter Chiefs Rugby Match Days and residents receiving refunds for permit costs from that club therefore it was proposed that paper permits and charges would be maintained.

·         Sidmouth Zone A also had a unique ruleset on how permits were issued, therefore paper permits would be maintained and the differential charge could not be applied.

 

It was proposed to phase out the issuing of paper permits in favour of virtual permits at the time of renewal for existing permit holders, or at time of first purchase for new occupiers in properties in resident permit zones. The change over would take a year to complete. The tiered pricing structure linked to the number of permits held by a property owner and the vehicle’s cars emissions (Based upon tax band or engine size for vehicles registered pre-2001) would be implemented at the same time.

 

Appendix A included a table explaining the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 211.

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212.

Fostering Friendly Policy pdf icon PDF 101 KB

Report of the Deputy Chief Officer – Head of Children’s Health and Wellbeing (CS/22/9) seeking approval to adopt a Fostering Friendly Employer policy to support Council employees who are foster carers, attached.

 

The full wording of the proposed policy was attached as Appendix 1.

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED that the Fostering Friendly Employer policy which supports Devon County Council employees who are also foster carers, be endorsed and adopted.

Minutes:

(Councillors Whitton and Wrigley attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

 

The Cabinet considered the Report of the Head of Children’s Health and Wellbeing (CS/22/9) which sought approval to adopt a Fostering Friendly Employer policy to support Council employees who were foster carers, circulated prior to the meeting in accordance with regulation 7(4) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.

 

The Council was responsible, as a corporate parent, for children who became cared for by the local authority.  In Devon, as nationally, there was a shortage of suitable foster carers for children who needed a foster home, and the Council had a duty to provide a sufficient number and range of foster carers to meet children’s needs. Recruiting more foster carers was a high priority in the Improvement plan. 

 

Fostering Friendly policies were adopted by employers to support employees who were also foster carers and included a range of support. Other employers, such as Tesco and O2, as well as neighbouring local authorities, and the Council’s improvement partner Leeds City Council, had already adopted Fostering Friendly Employer policies. 

 

The draft Fostering Friendly Employer policy, attached at Appendix 1, met the requirements of the Fostering Network, which was a national body promoting the importance of foster care, and would support employees who were already employed by the Council, or employees who may wish to consider becoming foster carers. 

 

The draft Fostering Friendly Employer policy required managers to adopt a flexible and accommodating approach to requests for flexible working arrangements. In addition, there was paid time off for fostering preparation and assessment processes.   

 

Currently there were fewer than five Council employees who were foster carers for Devon. The financial impact of adopting the policy was small and would be funded from the current placements budget.

 

The matter having been debated and the options and/or alternatives and other relevant factors (e.g. financial, risk management, equality and legal considerations) as 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 that the Fostering Friendly Employer policy which supports Devon County Council employees who are also foster carers, be endorsed and adopted.

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213.

Foster Carer Uplift pdf icon PDF 85 KB

Report of the Deputy Chief Officer – Head of Children’s Health and Wellbeing (CS/22/10) seeking approval for a proposed uplift to the fees paid to the  Council’s foster carers, attached.

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED

 

(a) that the proposed uplift to the fees paid to Devon County Council’s foster carers be approved, as outlined in section 3 of the Report;

 

(b) that an initial investment of £136,000 in 2022/23 from reserves be agreed; and

 

(c) that Cabinet further consider a base budget increase of £281,000 as part of the 2023/24 budget setting process.

Minutes:

(Councillors Whitton and Wrigley attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

 

The Cabinet considered the Report of the Report of the Deputy Chief Officer – Head of Children’s Health and Wellbeing (CS/22/10) which sought approval for a proposed uplift to fees paid to the Council’s foster carers, circulated prior to the meeting in accordance with regulation 7(4) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.

 

The Council was responsible, as a corporate parent, for children who became cared for by the local authority and had a duty to provide a sufficient number and range of foster carers to meet children’s needs. Recruiting more foster carers was a high priority in the improvement plan.  Foster carers were paid an allowance to meet the needs of the child or children they cared for, an additional amount that was assessed in relation to children’s assessed needs, and also a weekly payment in relation to attendance at training and support groups.

 

Foster carers were required to be approved with either a local authority or independent fostering agency (IFA) in order to have children placed in their care. Whilst foster carers could choose whether they apply to foster for a local authority, or an independent fostering agency, their decision would be affected by a number of things including terms and conditions and the financial allowances paid.

 

Many IFAs were part of the ‘Southwest Peninsula’ multi- provider contract approach. Currently, the average weekly cost to the Council of a fostering placement with these providers was £971, reflecting the full commercial business cost for the organisation, an element of which will be foster carer allowances. Two local IFAs advertise standard allowances for their carers of £400 and £435 per week respectively. The Council’s foster carers were paid a standard weekly allowance of £329.10, which included an element for attending training and support groups (additional fees of £90, or £160, could be paid if the child had additional needs that met the criteria for a further allowance).

 

The report outlined proposals to provide an uplift of 1.75% for foster carers and SGO carers, in line with the public sector uplift for 2021/22, commencing 1st October 2022. Any further uplift would be considered within the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for 23/24.

 

This proposal supported the Council’s strategic aim to transform, develop and improve children’s services.

 

The Cabinet noted that endorsing the proposal would support the Council’s statutory obligation to provide children in care with homes in Devon, close to families, friends, and communities. It would also support the children’s services improvement priority to increase the number of in-house foster carers, which would reduce reliance on IFAs and subsequently reduce costs.

 

The Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, the Leader and other Cabinet Members extended their heartfelt thanks to all Foster Carers, especially those of Devon and placed on record their appreciation for all their contributions to the service.

                                                                                         

The matter having been debated and the options and/or alternatives and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 213.

214.

Notices of Motion pdf icon PDF 139 KB

The following Notices of Motion submitted to the County Council by the following Councillors have been referred to the Cabinet in accordance with Standing Order 8(2) for consideration, to refer it to another Committee or make a recommendation back to the Council:

 

(a)  Building on Devon County Council Owned Brown-field Land to provide Homes for Devon (Councillor Wrigley)

(b)  Impact of Changes to Pension Age (made at short notice) on Women Born in the 1950s (Councillor Hannaford)

(c)  Sewage Discharges and Impacts on Wildlife and Public Health (Councillor Bailey)

Additional documents:

Decision:

(a) Building on Devon County Council Owned Brown-field Land to provide Homes for Devon (Councillor Wrigley)

 

RESOLVED that Council be recommended to;

 

(a) note the number of affordable housing units across Devon which the Council’s land has enabled over the past five years;

 

(b) confirm that in the short to medium term (3-5 years) the Council does not have plans to dispose of County Hall;

 

(c) endorse the approach to review the use of DCC assets as part of the Council’s financial sustainability programme to identify opportunities for the provision of (in particular) DCC key worker accommodation;

 

(d) note the continuing work of the Devon Housing Task Force and DCCs involvement in this; and

 

(e) support the inclusion of strategic DCC farm land in relevant local plan allocations (including land at Markham’s and Manor Farm) as part of the Council’s work to support housing provision across the County whilst ensuring that farm holdings remain viable and where possible land is replenished (subject to financial resources being available) to maintain the Farms Estate at c10k acres.

 

(b) Impact of Changes to Pension Age (made at short notice) on Women Born in the 1950s (Councillor Hannaford)

 

RESOLVED that Council be recommended to ask that the Leader of the Council writes to each of the Devon Members of Parliament and the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions supporting the July 2021 findings of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman; highlighting the impacts on women in Devon and urging the Government to offer compensation as a matter of urgency.

 

(c) Sewage Discharges and Impacts on Wildlife and Public Health (Councillor Bailey)

 

(Councillor Hart declared an interest in this item by virtue of an ongoing dispute with South-West Water and left the room during the debate)

 

RESOLVED that as reflected by this Notice of Motion, it is recommended that Council:

 

(a) recognises the unacceptable extent of storm overflow discharges into Devon’s watercourses and coastal waters and the huge public concern relating to these and the wider impacts of water pollution on public health and wildlife; and

 

(b) urges all those with a specific role, including South West Water, the Environment Agency, Ofwat and central government, to pursue relevant action to adequately address this problem.

Minutes:

(a) Building on Devon County Council Owned Brown-field Land to provide Homes for Devon (Councillor Wrigley)

 

(Councillor Wrigley attended in accordance with Standing Order 8 and Councillor Whitton attended in accordance with 25(2) and spoke to this item).

 

The Motion text is outlined below.

 

The Council notes:

 

  • The world-wide concerns on the supply of food, in particular wheat following the war in Ukraine and climate change issues globally.
  • The need for improved food security in the UK, encouraging more food production requiring grade 1 agricultural land including use in less intensive ways.
  • The need for affordable homes, especially for health and social care workers set in sustainable locations.
  • The change of work patterns of many Devon residents to have fewer days in an office setting and more days working from home in a hybrid model.

 

This Council commends:

 

The acquisition of 34 Hectares of Grade One agricultural land for county owned Markham’s Farm in 2009 with the express purpose to make the farm viable.

 

In the light of the need for thousands more affordable homes for Devon families, the lack of any form of homes to rent long-term in Devon, and to enable homes for incoming workers for health and social care provision this council resolves to:

 

1)    Review the land assets held by the County Council with the aim of identifying opportunities to use brownfield sites for new rented affordable homes to generate long term and reliable revenue for the council.

2)    Work with the District Councils and their registered provider partners as housing providers

3)    Deliver a significant programme of homes for rent remaining in the ownership of Devon County Council providing a long-term revenue stream to reduce Council Tax requirements.

4)    Withdraw the sites at Manor Farm, Markham’s Farm and other County Farms from local plan allocations for housing and preserve farm viability.

           

In the site review particular attention will be given to the Topsham Road County Hall site.  This site is antiquated and in the wrong place for modern council operation.  Office space and meeting space would be far more efficient in a modern working location such as alongside the council’s other offices in Sowton or in Marsh Barton – both out of the town centre but well connected by train, bus and by road.

 

The current County Hall site would be far more effective if it were re-modelled to become homes for rental, with a proportion reserved for NHS and social Care staff and many at social rent levels.  This would provide much needed affordable homes and a rental income stream for the council.  Turning a liability into a significant revenue generating asset.

 

Converting the existing office blocks and building new homes on the enormous supply of parking space would provide a highly desirable and green residential location with good connection to the RD&E hospital site and the city centre.

 

The hundreds of rented flats delivered would not only provide homes for local families, but also a long-term rental income for the Council that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 214.

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215.

Question(s) from Members of the Public

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There was no question from a Member of the public.

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216.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 223 KB

Minutes of the bodies shown below are circulated herewith for information or endorsement as indicated therein (i.e. any unstarred minutes):

 

[NB: Minutes of County Council Committees are published on the Council’s Website:

Minutes of the Devon Education (Schools) Forum:  

Minutes of the South West Waste Partnership

Minutes of the Devon & Cornwall Police & Crime Panel

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the following be endorsed and any recommendations to Cabinet therein be approved:

 

Devon Audit Partnership – 12 July 2022

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the following be endorsed and any recommendations to Cabinet therein be approved:

 

Devon Audit Partnership – 12 July 2022

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217.

Delegated Action/Urgent Matters

The Register of Decisions taken by Members under the urgency provisions or delegated powers is available on the website in line with the Council’s Constitution and Regulation 13 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.  The decisions taken and associated information can be found here.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Registers of Decisions taken by Members under the urgency provisions or delegated powers were available for inspection, in line with the Council’s Constitution and Regulation 13 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012. Decisions taken by Officers under any express authorisation of the Cabinet or other Committee or under any general authorisation within the Council’s Scheme of Delegation set out in Part 3 of the Council’s Constitution.

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218.

Forward Plan pdf icon PDF 165 KB

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, the Cabinet is requested to review the list of forthcoming business (previously circulated) and to determine which items are to be defined as key and/or framework decisions and included in the Plan from the date of this meeting.

 

The Forward Plan is available on the Council's website.

Additional documents:

Decision:

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 Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.

Minutes:

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 Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.

 

There had been the addition of ‘Endorsement of the Devon Carbon Plan’ for 12 October 2022, the website having been updated to give the requisite notice period.


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