Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies.

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

There were no members of the public present.

To receive the minutes of the meeting of 10 March 2016

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 10 March 2016 were approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

Arising from a report of the Head of Housing and Property Services the Managing the Environment Development Group had recommended that:

(i)            the current risk assessments and safety inspections are considered adequate to meet the Council’s responsibilities and for individual pieces of play equipment to be identified on the Risk Assessment forms as stated in 4.1.

(ii)          digital transformation of the current inspection method would make the task more efficient, as detailed in 4.2. and that an evaluation of this process would be undertaken by officers.

Arising from a *report of the Head of Housing and Property Services, the Managing the Environment Policy Development Group had recommended that:

(i)           The current risk assessments and safety inspections are considered adequate to meet the Council’s responsibilities and for individual pieces of play equipment to be identified on the Risk Assessment forms as stated in 4.1.

(ii)          Digital transformation of the current inspection method would make the task more efficient, as detailed in 4.2. and that an evaluation of this process would be undertaken by officers.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment outlined the contents of the report highlighting the number of play areas in the district, the maintenance and the inspection of equipment that took place.  He also explained the need for a digital records system to improve the inspection methods.

RESOLVED that the recommendations of the Policy Development Group be approved.

(Proposed by Cllr N V Davey and seconded by Cllr Mrs M E Squires)

Note:  *Report previously copy attached to minutes.

Arising from a report of the Head of Housing and Property Services the Managing the Environment Development Group had recommended that the updated Climate Strategy and Action Plan be approved.

Arising from a *report of the Head of Housing and Property Services, the Managing the Environment Policy Development Group had recommended that the updated Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan be approved.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment outlined the contents of the report stating that the Strategy and Action Plan was a compilation and summary of existing relevant documents and actions across the Council and a statement on central government policy and guidance.        The document had been updated as previously agreed to ensure its accuracy reflecting other updates and emerging guidance.  The authority had a good track record with the use of solar energy on housing stock and corporate buildings which promoted green credentials.

Consideration was given to:

·         The lack of specific targets and any monitoring scheme

·         The need for the strategy to be appropriate to the authority

·         The detail in the action plan

RESOLVED that the recommendations of the Policy Development Group be approved.

(Proposed by Cllr N V Davey and seconded by Cllr P H D Hare-Scott)

Notes: 

(i)           Cllr R L Stanley requested that his abstention from voting be recorded;

(ii)          *Report previously copy attached to minutes.

Arising from a report of the Head of Housing and Property Services, the Decent and Affordable Homes had recommended that the revised policy be approved.

Arising from a *report of the Head of Housing and Property Services, the Decent and Affordable Homes Policy Development Group had recommended that the revised Housing Services Allocations Policy be approved.

The Cabinet Member for Housing outlined the contents of the report stating that homes in the District which become available for letting were allocated appropriately in order to make best use of the stock.  The revised Allocations Policy set out the authority’s approach to the use of preference labels on adverts for available properties through Devon Home Choice and reinforced the cascade process.

Consideration was given to the homeless; Members were informed that this was dealt with via a different strategy.

RESOLVED that the recommendations of the Policy Development Group be approved.

(Proposed by Cllr R L Stanley and seconded by Cllr Mrs M E Squires)

Note:  *Report previously copy attached to minutes.

Arising from a report from the Head of Communities and Governance, the Community Well-Being Policy Development Group had recommended that the revised Single Equality Scheme and Equality Objective be approved.

Arising from a *report of the Head of Communities and Governance, the Community Well-Being Policy Development Group had recommended that the revised Single Equalities Scheme and Equality Objective be approved.

The Cabinet Member for Community Well-Being outlined the contents of the report stating that the policy had been revised in line with the Equalities Act 2010 and did reflect the various strands within the Corporate Plan.

Consideration was given to:

·         The balance of the Citizens Panel used for consultation purposes

·         The work of the Devon Equalities Group

·         The possibility of making reference to the Single Equality Scheme on the front page of the corporate report template alongside legal implications and risk assessment.

RESOLVED that the recommendations of the Policy Development Group be approved.

(Proposed by Cllr C R Slade and seconded by Cllr N V Davey)

Note:  *Report previously copy attached to minutes.

Report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration requesting Members to consider the draft Design Guide for the Tiverton Eastern Urban Extension.

The Cabinet had before it a *report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration requesting it to consider the draft design guide for the Tiverton Eastern Urban Extension.

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration outlined the contents of the report highlighting the consultation process that had taken place to date and the role of the design guide which sought to bring clarity to design requirements for the whole of the Eastern Urban Extension.  He explained the method of design requirements throughout the whole site based on the theme of a new garden neighbourhood for Tiverton.

Consideration was given to:

·         Minor amendments to the wording within the guide

·         Comparison developments

·         What weight the guide would have  within the planning process

·         The possibility of  translating the design guide into a Supplementary Planning Document and the weight that this would have in planning terms

·         The cost  and resource  required to produce a Supplementary Planning Document

RESOLVED that Members were minded to approve the document but wished to defer the decision to allow for minor amendments to be made to the wording of the guide and  for consideration of the implications, costs and timescales of developing a Supplementary Planning Document as an addition to the guide.

(Proposed by Cllr R L Stanley and seconded by Cllr C R Slade)

Note:  *Report previously copy attached to minutes.

Arising from a report of the Head of Communities and Governance the Community Well-Being Policy Development Group had recommended that the Tourism Action Plan for 2016/17 be approved.  The Cabinet at its meeting on 11 February resolved that the item be deferred until the next meeting to allow further work to take place with a view to including more rural based actions with the action plan.

Arising from a report from the Head of Communities and Governance, the Community Well-Being Policy Development Group had recommended that the Tourism Action Plan for 2016/17 be approved.

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration outlined the contents of the report  which highlighted the work programme in terms of tourism for the 20016/17 financial year and stated that this item had been deferred from the February meeting to allow for further information to be obtained with regard to activities taking place in the rural areas.  The action plan sought to consider a full audit of tourist attractions and activities across the district which would include the rural areas.

Consideration was given to:

·         Activities already taking place in the rural areas and the need to gather further intelligence

·         The need for a joined up plan for both rural areas and town centres

·         The Corporate Plan and the clear steer given by Members with regard to town centres and tourism

·         The use of social media to disseminate information

·         Working with the community and Town and Parish Councils to help coordinate rural events.

RESOLVED that the Tourism Action Plan be approved

Proposed by Cllr R J Chesterton and seconded by Cllr  N V Davey)

Note: - *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.

To note the rolling plan containing key issues.

The Cabinet had before it, and NOTED, its rolling plan * for April 2016 containing future key decisions.

Members were informed of the following movements:

The addition of the following reports for the May meeting: the Statement of Community Involvement for Consultation and Waste Storage Supplementary Planning Document for Consultation. 

S106 Monitoring Fees to be moved to the June meeting.

Masterplan – Area B, Tiverton Eastern Urban Extension to be moved to September.

Note: * Plan previously circulated; copy attached to the signed Minutes