Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

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.

Members were reminded of the need to declare any interests when appropriate.

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

Mr Warren referring to item 5 on the agenda (Housing Infrastructure Fund) stated that in September 2017 a bid was made to the fund in relation to two projects in Mid Devon.  On 1 February 2018 a press release from MDDC stated “Today the Council learned it was successful with its bids for both Tiverton and Cullompton, unlocking growth potential for both towns.  Cullompton will receive £10 million to undertake short term improvements to Junction 28”.  It goes on to describe those works.  Comments are also included which are attributed to Councillors Chesterton and Eginton.  Councillor Eginton is quoted as saying “this shows not only the quality of our own bids, but with success being repeated across the greater area”. 

The report before you today, under risk assessment, contains the words “lead us now to believe that the scheme as initially submitted under the HIF MV fund is not deliverable and will not achieve the desired outcomes”.

At paragraphs 4.1.1 it states “It is therefore concluded by the highway authorities that the scheme of works at the junction as submitted under the HIF scheme is both undeliverable and would not represent value for money.

How can the Leader substantiate his quote that the original bid was one of quality?

Having read the report before you and the requirement of due diligence and further assessments needed, was it not premature to advise members of the public that the original bid was successful?

The latest press release dated 15 May 2018 concludes with the words “The Council learned it was successful in principle with both its bids in February, subject to further stages of evaluation by Homes England prior to a final decision in summer/autumn 2018”.

Now that we have the words ‘in principle’ included was the press release in February misleading the public as it now appears the funding was not definite as more work and discussions were needed?

Is the statement by Councillor Chesterton in that May 2018 press release predetermining the outcome of your discussions and decision today?

Catherine Penharris again referring to item 5 on the agenda (Housing Infrastructure Fund) stated that in your report and in particular the risk assessment, I cannot see anything about earmarking the land, if the land (you are proposing to use for the relief road) is not available for the relief road what are you proposing to do?  You state that discussions are well advanced, what are the options and what other options do you have?

The Chairman indicated that answers would be provided when the item was discussed.

Members to consider whether to approve the minutes as a correct record of the meeting held on 19 May 2018.

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To consider a report of the Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration updating Members on the latest position with regard to the Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) bid for Cullompton and to seek approval to pursue opportunities to use this Government investment on an amended transport intervention to bring forward housing development and address congestion and air quality problems in the Cullompton area and seek approval to fund related work.   

The Cabinet had before it a report* of the Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration updating Members on the latest position with regard to the Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) bid for Cullompton and to seek approval to pursue opportunities to use the Government investment on an amended transport intervention to bring forward housing development and address congestion and air quality problems in the Cullompton area and seek approval to fund related work.  

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration initially asked the Monitoring officer if she felt that he was predetermining the outcome of the discussions and the decision that would be made today.  The Monitoring Officer advised that as long as the Member was satisfied that he was willing to listen to the discussion then predetermination was unlikely.  He therefore outlined the contents of the report stating that in July 2017 the Government launched its £2.3 billion Housing Infrastructure Fund to finance infrastructure to unlock housing delivery.  

The Marginal Viability part of the fund would be used to provide the final, or missing, piece of infrastructure funding in order to get existing sites unblocked quickly or new sites allocated. The Government expected the infrastructure to be built soon after schemes had been awarded funding and for the homes to follow at pace.

Bids to the fund were assessed against three criteria:

·         Value for money

·         Strategic approach to delivering housing growth

·         That the scheme and homes could be delivered.

Mid Devon District Council submitted marginal viability bids in relation to two schemes for highways infrastructure which would unlock development sites identified within both the adopted Local Plan and the emerging Local Plan Review:

1.    J28 M5 Cullompton - A £10m scheme for  improvements at the junction itself to increase its capacity through the creation of an additional lane on the bridges, new footbridges and full signalisation.

2.    A361 junction east of Tiverton – A £8.2m scheme for phase 2 covering the bridge across the A361, the north side slip roads and associated landscaping.

The Government announced the success of both schemes in early 2018. This was subject to a process of further assessment and due diligence by Homes England which was still ongoing. Assessment was currently focussed on value for money (cost/benefit) and delivery. A final decision over whether the funding would be awarded was expected within the next few months.

Since the original bid submission, further transport analysis and further discussions had taken place with Devon County Council officers and Highways England over the proposed scheme for Cullompton. This has resulted in advice that:

1.    The scheme at the junction would not achieve the benefits to traffic flows and junction operation initially expected.

2.    The highway authorities had expressed strong concern over the ability for the scheme as submitted to be constructed.

3.    Neither authority therefore wished to take responsibility for the delivery of the scheme which was now considered to be undeliverable and not to represent value for money.

Officers therefore concluded that the scheme as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

Cabinet meeting held on 23 May 2018, following an issue raised at Full Council where Cllr Mrs N Woollatt felt that Minute 16 (page 10) the 5^th bullet point was incorrect and should read “The details within the North West Cullompton Masterplan regarding the release of funding upon the sale of the land and prior to construction”.

It was AGREED that the minutes of the meeting of 23 May 2018 be amended as above.