Agenda item

To consider reports from Cabinet Members.

The Council received reports from the relevant Cabinet Members on matters of interest or service developments relating to their remits which had occurred since the previous meeting or were likely to have an impact in the future or on specific issues upon which they had been asked to comment, as set out below:

(a) Policy, Corporate and Asset Management

Councillor Hart circulated a Report, as requested by Councillor Hannaford, on the latest results from the 2021 National Census, information for the Devon County Council area, and how the data would be used to shape the strategic plan and service delivery. The report highlighted that the data would provide important information for predicting the need for services and setting the Council’s budget. As more detailed Census data became available, a programme of local analyses and reports would be developed.

The Leader also provided data on settlement agreements within Children’s Services and was asked whether this was typical across other Local Authorities and other Service areas. 

He also responded to questions on the progress of Devon’s Devolution Deal, the importance of infrastructure and also committed to reporting annually on settlement agreements across the Authority to the Appointments, Renumeration and Chief Officer Conduct Committee.

(b) Highway Management

Councillor Hughes circulated a Report, as requested by Councillor Hannaford, on the Civil Parking Enforcement Roads &Transport Consultation 2022, which outlined the previous review of the Council’s policy on Residents Parking. He commented that he had asked for this issue to be on the agenda for the September Cabinet with a full report in order to respond to what residents had said.

The Report also provided information on highways claims and type of claim, staff for road repairs, defects and timelines for repair and highways budgets, as requested by Councillor Letch.

The Cabinet Member also responded to questions on recruitment within civil parking enforcement, the impact of HGV’s on Devon’s roads, the potential for joined up services for parking enforcement, emissions and size of vehicles in relation to residents parking and also defects on the A381.

(c) Children’s Services and Schools

Councillor Leadbetter circulated a Report in response to his commitment at the Cabinet meeting on 13 July 2022, to address the Council on the Service response to the recent Ofsted SEND letter and to detail the Action Plan to address these failings and improve the service. He had been asked to report on the same matter by Councillor Adams. The Cabinet Member outlined the actions on the ground, including recruitment issues and what had been done since the inspection in May.

The Report contained information, as requested by Councillor Hannaford, on the effect inflationary pressures were having on school meals in Devon, but added the importance of children and young people having access to healthy options in school, although there was currently no consideration for the Council to subsidise schools for this.

His Report also provided a link to a comprehensive paper covering issues on Mental Health in Devon, including services, availability, parity across the County, capacity and data on demand.

He was further asked to report, by Councillor Bailey, on child trafficking in the County and what the Council was doing to identify and prevent it. He outlined that human trafficking was a horrendous crime and whilst Devon and Cornwall Police were the lead agency in this area, a wide range of agencies worked closely together to expose child trafficking and ensure victims were supported and protected, and perpetrators brought to justice. As this was a very complex area of work, the Cabinet Member undertook to engage with partners, which has not been possible in the timeframe prior to this meeting and provide an updated response after the meeting.

The Cabinet Member and also responded to questions on political accountability, the levelling up agenda, child trafficking and links to Ukrainian refugees, funding differentials between nursery’s and schools, waiting times for assessments and the impacts, the role of educational psychologists and the national shortages and the importance of good communications.

He added that a more detailed action plan was being formed and concluded with a reminder to Members that the next Corporate Parenting Forum would take place on the next Council meeting date of 6 October 2022.

(d)       Public Health, Communities and Equality

Councillor Croad circulated a Report, as requested by Councillor Hannaford on the Council’s commitment to equality and diversity, and how the Council was using its position to reach out to local trans people and their families, individually and collectively to show solidarity and support, including our own staff members. The Report highlighted that the Council’s Equality Reference Group had highlighted concerns about the “erosion of trans rights and identities” on a national level and had agreed to work with the LGBT+ representative to detail these concerns to the Council. They were also publishing a Position Statement to remind public authorities of the need to take an ‘equality by design’ approach - Position Statements - Equality and Diversity (devon.gov.uk).

He also responded to questions on accessibility issues within the Councils own buildings and in meetings for people with disabilities (e.g door handles, hearing loops and signing).

(e)       Climate Change, Environment and Transport

Councillor Davis circulated a Report, as requested by Councillor Bailey on the difficulties with the commissioning of the bus service between Exeter, Ottery St Mary and Axminster.

In response the Cabinet Member reported on the replacement contract, the work of officers to retain as many services as possible and the current difficulties with the local bus network which meant any increase in service level was unlikely.

The Cabinet also responded to questions on progress with electric buses and further agreed to circulate a recent letter that had been written to the Traffic Commissioner and Managing Director of Stagecoach.