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Agenda and minutes

Venue: Committee Suite - County Hall

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

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Items
Note No. Item

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324.

Minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on 13 March 2019 (previously circulated).

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 13 March 2019 be signed as a correct record.

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325.

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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326.

Announcements

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There was no announcement by the Chair at this meeting.

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327.

Petitions

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

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328.

Question(s) from Members of the Council pdf icon PDF 67 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

In accordance with the Cabinet Procedure Rules, the relevant Cabinet Members responded to two questions from a Member of the Council on flood alleviation measures for Barnstaple, in particular for the Pilton Park area and school spending per pupil in England and Devon between 2009/10 to 2017/18.

 

The Cabinet Members also responded orally to supplementary questions arising from the above.  

 

[NB: A copy of the questions and answers are appended to these minutes and are also available on the Council’s Website at http://www.devon.gov.uk/dcc/committee/mingifs.html and any supplementary questions and answers may be observed through the webcast of this meeting  – see Notes below]

KEY DECISIONS

Additional documents:

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329.

County Road Highway Maintenance Capital Budget: Progress on 2018/19 Schemes and Proposals for the 2019/20 Programmes pdf icon PDF 619 KB

Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/19/38) seeking approval of the County Road Highway Maintenance Capital Budget, including progress on 2018/19 schemes and proposals for the 2019/20 programmes, attached.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

(Councillors Connett, Hannaford and Greenslade attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

 

The Cabinet considered the Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/19/38) seeking approval of the County Road Highway Maintenance Capital Budget, including progress on 2018/19 schemes and proposals for the 2019/20 programmes, 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.

 

This Report dealt with capital funding of planned, programmed or structural maintenance, to restore or replace highway components which were dilapidated, due to traffic loading, weather impacts or aging of assets.  The investment was to arrest or slow down deterioration and add value to the highway asset. 

 

It further presented information on the progress of highway capital maintenance programmes and schemes delivered in 2018/19 with Section 3 detailing the proposals for capital funding of highway maintenance schemes in 2019/20. It highlighted the latest network condition information and key performance indicator data which measured performance against the levels of service agreed in Devon’s Highway Infrastructure Asset Management Plan (HIAMP), adopted by the Council in November 2016.

 

The 2019/20 funding awarded to Devon from Government included in the Report, was approved by the Council on 21 February 2019.  The Report sought approval to allocate the funding across the programmes and schemes, as listed in appendices III and IV.  The allocations also included an element of the estimated funding carried forward from 2018/19.

 

Devon’s Local Transport Plan (LTP) Needs Formula Settlement 2019/20 was £34.042 million. Other capital funding previously awarded or anticipated was in relation to the Incentive Fund Self-assessment return where Devon had entered its third successive year as a band 3 Authority (the highest rating) attracting an additional £7.09 million funding for the current year. Also, the Pothole Action Fund at £2.273 million, an £800K balance of £2.5 million DfT grant for coastal protection works to A379, Slapton Line. As part of the Outturn report, Cabinet approval would be sought to carry forward from 2018/19, approximately £15.754 million (under-programming as a consequence of the additional £18.754 million DfT Local Highway Maintenance Fund awarded in October 2018).

 

The Report also outlined Trends in Road Condition ‘A’ Road Assessment Vehicle (SCANNER) which was used to collect data on road surface condition.  The data provided information on condition and trends for ‘A’ roads, ‘B’ roads, ‘C’ roads and Unclassified roads.  Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 to the Report provided a summary of road condition indicator data in a graphical form using the national indicator bands to reflect road condition. The Cabinet noted that the A and B network were in reasonably good condition.

 

In relation to 2019/2020, the Capital Highway Maintenance Programmes allocation was proposed as £54.503 million, with £46.503 million on Highway Structural Maintenance. However, since the report was published, the Pothole Action Fund award was confirmed as £2.273 million (an additional £353,000), therefore the total was now £54.856 million. The Report included the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 329.

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330.

County Road Highway Maintenance Revenue Budget and On-street Parking Account 2019/20 pdf icon PDF 197 KB

Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/19/39) seeking approval of the County Road Highway Maintenance Revenue Budget and On Street Parking Account, attached.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

(Councillors Connett, Hannaford and Greenslade attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

 

The Cabinet considered the Report of the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste (HIW/19/39) seeking approval of the County Road Highway Maintenance Revenue Budge and On Street Parking Account 2019/2020, 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.

 

It recommended the allocation of revenue highway maintenance funding for 2019/20 by maintenance function as well as a programme of work identified in accordance with the provisions of Traffic Management Act 2004, to be funded from the On-street Parking Account.

 

The revised Code of Practice, ‘Well Managed Highway Infrastructure’ came into force in October 2018 which moved highway authorities towards a more risk-based approach to maintenance. This approach was used in Devon on highway safety inspections and defects assessed on the level of risk based upon the likelihood to cause harm and the impact should harm occur.

 

Devon had a duty to maintain a road network of 8,025 miles (12,915 km) and the Report highlighted the three types of maintenance works undertaken. This was reactive repairs such as pot-hole filling, flooding issues, replacing road signs and markings, clearing overhanging vegetation or precautionary salting and snow clearance. Second was routine or cyclic maintenance such as gully emptying, grass cutting, cleaning and clearing of drainage pipes, ducts and channels and then, third, planned, programmed or structural maintenance such as resurfacing, reconstruction and surface treatments etc.

 

The Council revenue budget for 2019/20 the highway maintenance base budget had been set at £23,115,000 (£20,815,000 in the Highways service budget and £2,300,000 funded from the On-street Parking account) and was made up as follows.

 

·         Highway Maintenance £7,417,204

·         Bridges and Structures £483,719

·         Safety Reaction £6,058,970

·         Winter Maintenance, Emergencies & Depots £3,462,567

·         PROW £591,851

·         Street Lighting £4,104,000

·         TMC Fixed Overhead Charge £996,689

 

Detailed allocations by work function were given at Appendix I to the Report, based on Devon's asset management principles and experience of maintaining the network.

 

The Cabinet noted that the Strategy used a framework to manage the highway network as described in the Highway Infrastructure Asset Management Policy (HIAMP).  With a total asset (under CIPFA guidance) valued at £12.26 billion (Gross Replacement Cost), the highway network was the County’s most valuable public asset. The approach was aligned to three clear business plan objectives to drive efficient delivery of the service, mobilise community support and manage demand for highway services.

 

They further noted Devon’s transformation approach to ‘doing what matters’, how the service could make fundamental changes to provide better outcomes at a lower cost.  Partnership working was important and community, voluntary and private enterprises encouraged and supported to innovate and run services traditionally delivered by the Council.

 

In respect of the On-Street Parking Account, expenditure of the income was restricted by the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.  The costs of operating the service was first and any remaining surplus used in accordance with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 330.

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331.

Transport Capital Programme 2019/20: Proposed Allocation pdf icon PDF 137 KB

Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/19/17) outlining the proposed allocation of the Transport Capital Programme 2019/20 and seeking approval, attached.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

(Councillors Connett, Hannaford and Greenslade attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

 

The Cabinet considered the Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/19/17) seeking approval to the proposed allocation of the Transport Capital Programme 2019/2020, 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 Integrated Transport Block (ITB) settlement from Government was set at around £3.6 million, a significant reduction from the levels in 2009/2010 of just over £10 million.  As part of the Outturn Report, Cabinet approval would be sought to carry forward from 2018/19, an estimated £0.558 million, which if approved, would mean funding of £4.159m for 2019/20.

 

The Council continued to demonstrate a strong track record of working with partners to secure significant levels of external funding and listed the achievements since 2014, for example, the Growth Deal (GD) (agreements for over £22 million) which had funded projects such as A379 Bridge Road, A361 Portmore junction, A39 Roundswell bridge crossing schemes and A38 Deep Lane junction, to name but a few.

 

The Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) which the Council had been successful with its Forward Fund bid for £55 million of grant funding, to deliver key infrastructure that would support major development to the South West of Exeter.

 

The National Productivity Investment Funded (NPIF) 2019/20 was a two-year NPIF funded capital programme to deliver highway infrastructure improvements at Sherford and to the East of Exeter growth area and £5.0 million was secured towards an £8.0 million project to deliver the main street link road connecting Sherford new community with the A38 at the Deep Lane junction. Also, to the East of Exeter NPIF grant funding of £4.6 million towards a bid totalling £7.2 million for the Exeter Eastern Growth Package.

 

The Report also outlined successes from the Growth & Housing Fund (GHF), including the Tithebarn Link Road to the east of Exeter being completed and opened, the Safer Roads Fund where a bid totalling £4m was successful leading to safety improvements on the A3121 (South Hams) and A3123 (North Devon), both schemes now part of the 2019/20 and 2020/21 capital programmes.

 

The Major Road Network (MRN) Fund was a new programme that would see substantial new investment available for road enhancement schemes from 2020/21 on local authority roads classified under the Major Road Network.  Under the Large Local Majors Fund (LLM) programme the Council was progressing proposals for the first phase of the A361/A39 North Devon Link Road improvements.

 

The Report also outlined the activities of the South West Peninsula Shadow Sub-National Transport Body (Peninsula Transport SSTB) and for the Council MRN network would include business case submissions for the A379 corridor (Exeter) bridge renewal works, A382 corridor Newton Abbot and A39/A361 Barnstable Roundswell to Bishops Tawton scheme. For the next tranche of the LLM, a proposed submission for major improvements to the M5 Junction 28 at Cullompton.

 

Cabinet noted that the focus of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 331.

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332.

E4 Cycle Route (Phase 2) - Cycle and Pedestrian improvements on Pinhoe Road and Exhibition Way, Exeter: Approval to Construct pdf icon PDF 5 MB

Report of the Head of Planning Transportation and Environment (PTE/19/18) on the E4 Cycle Route (Phase 2) - Cycle and Pedestrian improvements on Pinhoe Road and Exhibition Way, Exeter, asking for approval to construct, attached.     

 

An Impact Assessment is also attached for the attention of Members at this meeting.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

The Cabinet considered the Report of the Head of Planning Transportation and Environment (PTE/19/18) on the E4 Cycle Route (Phase 2) - Cycle and Pedestrian improvements on Pinhoe Road and Exhibition Way, Exeter in accordance with regulation 7(4) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.

 

The principle of a strategic cycle network for Exeter was endorsed by Cabinet on 8 June 2016 which agreed that work should continue with the development of the Network, giving priority to E4 cycle route (see Appendix 1) between Monkerton and the City Centre. The Report sought approval to construct an improved pedestrian and cycle route on Pinhoe Road and Exhibition Way, which in combination with other Cabinet-approved cycle schemes would complete approximately 2 miles of the E4 route between Redhayes bridge and Beacon Lane.

 

The County had a strong record of delivering pedestrian and cycle infrastructure and current routes were particularly well used and continued to increase.  Appendix 1 to the Report gave an overview of Exeter’s strategic cycle routes.

 

The E4 route between Redhayes Bridge (Monkerton) and the City Centre and the University’s Streatham Campus had been in four phases. Phase 1 had been completed in July 2018 (Cumberland Way and Pinhoe Road).  Cabinet approval had been given for Phase 3 in January 2019 (pedestrian and cycle bridge across Summer Lane), with construction scheduled for autumn 2019.  Planning permission for Phase 2a (path widening improvements along Exhibition Fields) had been granted and works were currently underway.

 

This Report related to Phase 2, a 530-metre section from the junction with Pilton Lane on Pinhoe Road up to the railway bridge on the northern end of Exhibition Way, completion of which would enable cyclists to have 2 miles of high-quality cycle route between Redhayes Bridge and the entrance to Betty’s Mead playing fields on Beacon Lane.  An overview of the design for the cycle and pedestrian route on Pinhoe Road and Exhibition Way was shown in Appendices 2A, 2B and 2C of the Report.

 

The Report further explained the proposals at Pinhoe Road (Appendix 2A), the Southern End of Exhibition Way (Appendix 2B) and the Northern end of Exhibition Way (Appendix 2C).

 

In terms of consultation, the Cabinet noted this began in early 2015 and involved discussions with Local Members, Exeter City Council, cycling groups, Cabinet and the wider public.  Through this process, the routes were agreed and prioritised and the approval to undertake design had been granted by Cabinet in 2016. Proposals had been presented to the Exeter HATOC. The outcomes of the public consultation have been published on the following website: www.devon.gov.uk/e4/

 

The overall construction cost of the proposal was estimated at £1,544,338, forming part of the National Productivity Investment Fund (NPIF) Government Grant package. The scheme would increase the attractiveness of cycling, walking and provide facilities for a range of other users. It would further allow better  ...  view the full minutes text for item 332.

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333.

Edge of Care pdf icon PDF 295 KB

Report of the Chief Officer for Childrens Services (CS/19/12), on the development of an Edge of Care service, attached.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

The Cabinet considered the Report of the Chief Officer for Children’s Services (CS/19/12) on the development of an Edge of Care service, 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 Cabinet noted that within Devon, significant numbers of young people were entering care as adolescents. This was due to various issues such as adolescent neglect, acute family stress and risk taking. Any such dysregulated behaviour often led to escalation into high cost residential placements with little evidence of improved outcomes.

 

The Report outlined the numbers of children affected as well as the effect on the placements budget which was currently a £5m in-year pressure. The Council had analysed a cohort of late entrants to care to identify common characteristics of trauma and disrupted attachments.

 

The proposed model for Edge of Care Services for adolescents brought together a range of disciplines to work intensively and flexibly (including weekends and late evenings) to provide timely and creative support to meet the complex needs of young people and their families and to prevent care being needed. For example, appropriate interventions to address parenting capacity, substance misuse programmes, pattern changing programmes and family therapy interventions or even Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. Adolescents would also be supported by Youth Workers. The model also contained dedicated education expertise to support a young person to re-engage in education.

 

An outcomes framework was under development to monitor the impact on specific outcomes (outlined in the Report) and a specific learning and development programme implemented to skill-up the workforce in specific evidence-based interventions.

 

The Model also aligned to existing locality working, including specialist multi-disciplinary capacity based on a ‘whole life’ approach, adding specific expertise to case decision making. The Service would work with 240 families for on average 3-6 months. 

 

The operating model was expected to generate savings and avoidance of costs in the future by preventing young people from entering care or rapidly escalating to higher cost placements once in care. Costs had escalated in recent years. Only two years ago, there were 38 Looked After Children in residential placements at a cost of £6.2 millions. As at January 2019, the forecast was 54 at a cost of £11.3 millions.

 

Initial scoping indicated an estimated budget requirement for 2019/20 of £2.1 millions, rising to an ongoing annual requirement of £2.5 millions from 2020/21. The model indicated a net saving, after costs, of £3.3 millions by 2023/24 could be delivered.

 

The Report also outlined the staffing model, comprising four locality-based teams, a Virtual School team and a Central Leadership team (49 full time equivalent staff).  Appendix 2 set out the investment requirement and the effect of estimated savings.

 

The matter having been debated and the options and/or alternatives and other relevant factors (e.g. financial, sustainability (including carbon impact), risk management, equality  ...  view the full minutes text for item 333.

MATTERS REFERRED

Additional documents:

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334.

Call in of Cabinet Member Decision for Highways Management - Highways Fees and Charges. pdf icon PDF 1 MB

In accordance with the Scrutiny Procedure Rules, the requisite number of Members (Councillors Connett, Dewhirst, G Hook, Brazil and Way) invoked the call-in procedure in relation to the decision of the Cabinet Member for Highways Management relating to Fees and Charges for Highways.

 

This was on the grounds of concern about the steep rises proposed, justification for them, any policy that outlined this and how raised funds would be used.

 

This Call-in was considered at the Corporate Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee on 26 March 2019 (Minute *117 refers).

 

The Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste and the Cabinet Member for Highway Management set out the reasons for the increase and responded to the queries raised at the meeting highlighting that the policy for increasing parking charges was in the Local Transport Plan, short stay parking charges had not been reviewed since their launch, minimising traffic congestion and easing air quality issues and how revenue was invested.

 

The Corporate Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee RESOLVED that  the Cabinet Member decision to approve the detailed schedule of fees and charges for Highways and On-Street Parking tariffs be confirmed, subject to the Cabinet Member giving further consideration to the specific areas of concern raised by Local Members at the meeting; and that the Committee give further consideration to establishing a Scrutiny Task Group to look at parking fee policy in time for any future parking fee changes.

 

In responding to the Call-in, the Cabinet is required to reconsider the matter in the light of the Scrutiny Committee’s views and may either amend or adopt the original decision, which shall be implemented with immediate effect.

 

Recommendation

 

(a) that the Corporate Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee be thanked for their comments relating to the fees and charges for highways and on-street parking tariffs;

 

(b) that the decision of the Cabinet Member for Highway Management (approval of the detailed schedule of fees and charges for highways and on-street parking tariffs) be confirmed, with the exception of Ilfracombe B and Courtney Street / Park in Newton Abbot where the Cabinet Member will review the charges in Consultation with the Local Member with confirmation of the final fees being determined by the Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highway Management; and

 

(c) that the Cabinet welcomes the suggestion of a Scrutiny Task Group considering parking fee policies, when changes to parking fees are proposed.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

(Councillors Connett, Hannaford and Hodgson attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

 

The Cabinet noted that in accordance with the Scrutiny Procedure Rules, the requisite number of Members (Councillors Connett, Dewhirst, G Hook, Brazil and Way) had invoked the call-in procedure in relation to the decision of the Cabinet Member for Highways Management relating to Fees and Charges for Highways.

 

This was on the grounds of concern about the steep rises proposed, justification for them, any policy that outlined this and how raised funds would be used.

 

This Call-in was considered at the Corporate Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee on 26 March 2019 (Minute *117 refers).

 

The Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste and the Cabinet Member for Highway Management at the Scrutiny Committee had set out the reasons for the increase and responded to the queries raised at the meeting highlighting that the policy for increasing parking charges was in the Local Transport Plan, that short stay parking charges had not been reviewed since their launch, the aims of minimising traffic congestion and easing air quality issues and how revenue was invested.

 

The Corporate Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee subsequently RESOLVED that the Cabinet Member decision to approve the detailed schedule of fees and charges for Highways and On-Street Parking tariffs be confirmed, subject to the Cabinet Member giving further consideration to the specific areas of concern raised by Local Members at the meeting; and that the Committee give further consideration to establishing a Scrutiny Task Group to look at parking fee policy in time for any future parking fee changes.

 

Cabinet noted that it was required to reconsider the matter in the light of the Scrutiny Committee’s views and may either amend or adopt the original decision, which would be implemented with immediate effect.

 

The Cabinet Member for Highways Management highlighted that tariff increases were applied to assist in managing parking stock effectively, to minimise congestion and assist in ensuring the right parking opportunities were available to support town centres. He also highlighted that the disparity between on and off-street parking was deliberate to encourage parking in longer stay car parks, reducing the recirculation of traffic and minimising traffic congestion.

 

He further offered to review the position at Ilfracombe B and Courtney Street/Park in Newton Abbot and supported the proposal for a Scrutiny Task Group to look at parking fee policy in the future.

 

It was MOVED by Councillor Hart, SECONDED by Councillor Hughes and

 

RESOLVED

 

(a) that the Corporate Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee be thanked for their comments relating to the fees and charges for highways and on-street parking tariffs;

 

(b) that the decision of the Cabinet Member for Highway Management (approval of the detailed schedule of fees and charges for highways and on-street parking tariffs) be confirmed, with the exception of Ilfracombe B and Courtney Street / Park in Newton Abbot where the Cabinet Member will review the charges in consultation with the Local Member  ...  view the full minutes text for item 334.

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335.

Corporate Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee - Highways Winter Service Task Group Report pdf icon PDF 233 KB

At its meeting on 26th March 2019, the Corporate Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee considered the Report of the Highways Winter Service Task Group (Minute *119 refers) and the recommendations contained therein. 

 

The Corporate Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee expressed their thanks to everyone involved in the production of such a comprehensive report and RESOLVED that the Task Group Report be commended to the Cabinet.

 

Recommendation

 

(a) that the Corporate Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee be thanked for its Task Group Report and the recommendations be in principle endorsed; and

 

(b) that the relevant Cabinet Member and Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste be asked to take forward the Report and progress / co-ordinate the recommendations contained therein, subject to available resources, engaging other partners and contractors as necessary.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

(Councillors Connett, Colthorpe, Hannaford and Hosking attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

 

The Cabinet noted that at its meeting on 26th March 2019, the Corporate Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee considered the Report of the Highways Winter Service Task Group Report (Minute *119 refers) and the recommendations contained therein. 

 

The Corporate Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee had expressed its thanks to everyone involved in the production of such a comprehensive report and subsequently RESOLVED that the Task Group Report be commended to the Cabinet.

 

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management thanked the Task Group Members, officers and stakeholders who had engaged with the Task Group and the excellent work undertaken, outlining his support for the recommendations in principle, but that some of the resource implications would need to be evaluated.

 

It was MOVED by Councillor Hughes, SECONDED by Councillor Hart and

 

RESOLVED

 

(a) that the Corporate Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee be thanked for its Task Group Report and the recommendations be, in principle, endorsed; and

 

(b) that the relevant Cabinet Member and Chief Officer for Highways, Infrastructure Development and Waste be asked to take forward the Report and progress / co-ordinate the recommendations contained therein, subject to available resources, engaging other partners and contractors as necessary.

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336.

Children's Scrutiny Committee - Matter of Urgency: School funding issues - Kingsbridge Community College

At its meeting on 18th March 2019, the Children’s Scrutiny Committee considered an item taken under Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, at the request of Councillor Brazil due to concerns raised by Kingsbridge Community College regarding a letter sent relating to reducing school budgets, rising class sizes and restricted curricular and the need to support children’s emotional health and wellbeing, without adequate resources.

 

Kingsbridge Community College had written to the Secretary of State for Education to request a meeting with representative headteachers, but such a meeting had been declined.

 

The Committee RESOLVED that Cabinet be asked to write to the Secretary of State for Education requesting that he meet with Headteachers not only in Devon, but across the whole country, concerning the current school funding crisis and the impact it was having on schools, children and families.

 

Recommendation

 

That the Children’s Scrutiny Committee be thanked for their support in relation to the schools funding crisis and that the Cabinet Member for Childrens Services and Schools write to the Secretary of State for Education asking that he meet with Headteachers not only in Devon, but across the whole country, concerning the current school funding crisis and the impact it is having on schools, children and families.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

(Councillors Brazil, Connett, Hannaford and Hodgson attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

 

The Cabinet noted that at its meeting on 18th March 2019, the Children’s Scrutiny Committee had considered an item taken under Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, at the request of Councillor Brazil due to concerns raised by Kingsbridge Community College regarding a letter sent relating to reducing school budgets, rising class sizes and restricted curricular and the need to support children’s emotional health and wellbeing, without adequate resources.

 

Kingsbridge Community College had written to the Secretary of State for Education to request a meeting with representative headteachers, but such a meeting had been declined.

 

The Children’s Scrutiny Committee subsequently RESOLVED that Cabinet be asked to write to the Secretary of State for Education requesting that he meet with Headteachers not only in Devon, but across the whole country, concerning the current school funding crisis and the impact it was having on schools, children and families.

 

The Cabinet Members for Children’s Services and Schools also updated the meeting on the national activities in terms of lobbying, discussions with civil servants, the work of the f40 group and MO’s briefings in the House of Commons.

 

It was then MOVED by Councillor McInnes, SECONDED by Councillor Hart and

 

RESOLVED that the Children’s Scrutiny Committee be thanked for their support in relation to the schools funding crisis and that the Cabinet Member for Childrens Services and Schools write to the Secretary of State for Education asking that he meet with Headteachers not only in Devon, but across the whole country, concerning the current school funding crisis and the impact it is having on schools, children and families.

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337.

Question(s) from Members of the Public pdf icon PDF 63 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

In accordance with the Council's Public Participation Rules, the relevant Cabinet Members responded to two questions from Members of the public on the Exeter Transport Strategy and Climate Change, and targets for energy from renewable sources by 2030.

 

The members of the public were not present at the meeting, but the responses would be circulated and appended to the minutes.

 

[NB: A copy of the questions and answers are appended to these minutes and are also available on the Council’s Website at http://www.devon.gov.uk/dcc/committee/mingifs.html]

STANDING ITEMS

Additional documents:

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338.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 117 KB

Minutes of the bodies shown below are circulated herewith for information or endorsement as indicated therein:

 

[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:

Minutes:

(Councillor Connett and Hannaford attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

 

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

 

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the following and any recommendations to Cabinet therein be approved, including Minute 41 of the Devon Audit Partnership (11 March 2019) regarding the extended Membership of the Partnership.

 

Devon Audit Partnership – 11 March 2019

Devon Education Forum – 20 March 2019

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339.

Delegated Action/Urgent Matters pdf icon PDF 36 KB

The Registers of Decisions taken by Members under the urgency provisions or delegated powers will be 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 such decisions taken since the last meeting is attached.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Registers of Decisions taken by Members 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. 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 may be viewed at  https://new.devon.gov.uk/democracy/officer-decisions/

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340.

Forward Plan pdf icon PDF 87 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.

 

[NB: The Forward Plan is available on the Council's website at:http://democracy.devon.gov.uk/mgListPlans.aspx?RPId=133&RD=0&bcr=1 ]

Additional documents:

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 (at http://democracy.devon.gov.uk/mgListPlans.aspx?RPId=133&RD=0)


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