Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence and notices of appointment of substitute Members (if any).

There were no apologies.

Councillors are reminded of the requirement to declare any interest, including the type of interest, and reason for that interest, either at this stage of the meeting or as soon as they become aware of that interest.

No declarations were made

To receive any questions relating to items on the Agenda from members of the public and replies thereto.

Note:   A maximum of 30 minutes is allowed for this item.

There were no members of the public present.

An opportunity for non-Cabinet Members to raise issues.

There were no issues raised under this item.

Members to consider whether to approve the minutes as a correct record of the meeting held on 5^th August 2019.

The Committee is reminded that only those members of the Committee present at the previous meeting should vote and, in doing so, should be influenced only by seeking to ensure that the minutes are an accurate record.

The minutes of the last meeting held on 5^th August 2019 were approved as a correct record and SIGNED by the Chairman.

The Chairman informed the Committee (with their agreement) that he intended to move item 6 on the agenda, Decisions of the Cabinet to the final item on the agenda and item 9, Police representatives to the next item on the agenda.

A question and answer session with representatives from Devon and Cornwall Police

The Committee welcomed Superintendent Stephen Bradford from Devon and Cornwall Police who had been provided with some questions from Members.

In response to questions asked he explained that the Police had connected with the local population via certain shows like the Mid Devon Show, the implementation of a rural affairs officer and a PCSO working with migrant workers.

He outlined the cadet unit based in Tiverton and that they were currently looking at programme in which the cadets could be involved, like letter drops giving tips on crime prevention. He explained that they were looking at expanding the cadet unit to Cullompton and Crediton.

There was a general discussion about the effectiveness of CCTV and the Superintendent explained the working relationship between the Police and the CCTV supervisor in Tiverton. He stated he would welcome further investment in CCTV coverage but realised the financial difficulties that local councils were experiencing.

Members had asked about the possibility of patrol cars returning to base via the local villages to show a presence in these areas and the Superintendent explained that it was a fine balance between the number of officers available and the incidents they were involved in but the rural villages were included in the patrol plans.

He stated that there had been no significant increase in crime due to the increased levels of house building in the district.

There was a discussion in regard to police representatives attending Town and Parish meetings and the Superintendent could not commit to providing officers to attend one meeting a year each as there were 62 parishes in the district and there was not the manpower to provide this service. He did, however, commit that if a Parish had a particular issue they would attend a meeting if requested. He stated that there were plans to introduce meetings in which the Parish and Town Councils could attend.

To receive any announcements that the Chairman of Scrutiny Committee may wish to make.

The Chairman announced that he was due to have a meeting with the Leadership Team and the Monitoring Officer regarding the way forward for Scrutiny.

He was due to attend a Police Advocate scheme and would report back to the Committee.

To provide Members with an update on performance against the corporate plan and local service targets for 2019-2020 as well as providing an update on the key business risks.

The Committee had before it, and NOTED, the Performance and Risk *report from the Group Manager for Performance, Governance and Data Security who stated that this was the first report detailing the 2019/2020 performance.

She informed the Committee that if there were suggestions for additional performance measures then these could be included in future reports.

The Committee considered:

·         The Corporate plan for houses

·         Affordable homes vs Council homes

·         Empty units at Market Walk

·         Targets for Council Tax

·         Working days lost to sickness

Members expressed concerns that the Pannier Market in Tiverton was not being supported by the Council and that traders felt that more could be done to support them.

Note: *Report previously circulated and attached to the minutes.

Members are asked to consider any items within the Forward Plan that they may wish to bring forward for discussion at a future meeting.

The Committee NOTED the forward *plan.

Note: *Plan previously circulated and attached to the minutes.

To consider any decisions made by the Cabinet at its last meeting that have been called-in.

The Chairman informed the Committee that two decisions made by the Cabinet at its meeting on 22^nd August 2019 (with regard to the Car Parking Working Group report and the Disposal of Land at the Park Road Nursery Depot) had been called in for consideration by the Scrutiny Committee in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.

To consider:

a)    Car Parking Working Group report*

•           The decision was illogical

•           The decision diminishes legitimate income

•           The decision went against the balanced recommendation of the Car Parking Working Group

The Chairman explained that he had called in the decision as he felt that having different charges for night time parking in different car parks across the District was illogical and that the findings and recommendations of the Working Group were balanced.

The Committee discussed the Cabinet decision to abolish night time car parking charges and the Chairman of the Car Parking Working Group explained that over the course of the Group meetings night time car parking charges had been discussed. He explained that the working group had a long discussion about the charges and had decided to retain the £1 charge but to introduce a lower priced permit which would be able to be paid in monthly instalments and would cost the user less than 30p per day.

The Cabinet Member for the Working Environment and Support Services explained that she was part of the original Car Parking Working Group and she felt that the decision to remove night time charges was not illogical. She explained that the charges in the Multi Storey Car Park had always been different than the Council’s other car parks. She explained that in her opinion the policy to charge people to park overnight had increased the amount of car parking on local streets. She explained that no other local authority in the South West charged people to park overnight and that the decision would not have a detrimental effect on the Council’s income. She further explained that the Cabinet had understood and considered the Working Group recommendation but they didn’t accept them in their entirety.  

The Chairman of the Working Party explained to members that those neighbouring authorities that didn’t charge for overnight parking had a residents’ parking scheme which raised income for overnight parking but in a different way. He explained that this had been looked at by the working group, but it was felt that the Council should assist residents to park securely at night but with a lower fee.

The Cabinet Member for the Working Environment and Support Services informed members that people were driving around and around in Cullompton looking for a free car parking space. She addressed the points about residents’ parking permits and suggested that this was something that could be looked at.

The Chairman of the Economy PDG addressed the committee and explained that they had accepted the findings of the Working Group. He acknowledged the current poor uptake of night time parking permits but stated that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53.

Members are asked to note that the following items are already identified in the work programme for future meetings:

S106 Governance

RIPA

Broadband Provision

Cabinet Member for Housing Report

Strategic Grants and Service Level Agreement Programme 2020-2023

Annual report of Complaints and Compliments

Statement of Community Involvement Review 2018 - Pre consultation

Cullompton Town Centre Masterplan – Contract Award

Note: - this item is limited to 10 minutes. There should be no discussion on items raised.

Members requested that a representative from Devon and Somerset Fire Service to be invited to attend a future meeting to discuss the ongoing public consultation on proposed cuts to the service.