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 15 June 2017.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 15 June 2017 were approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive a report of the Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration requesting consideration of governance arrangements for the Culm Garden village project.

The Cabinet had before it a * report of the Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration requesting consideration of governance arrangements for the Culm Garden Village Project.

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration outlined the contents of the report stating that Government had confirmed via a ministerial announcement on 2 January 2017, the success of Mid Devon’s expression of interest for a garden village, one of 14 to be announced nationally.  The expression of interest was supported by Cullompton Town Council, Cullompton Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group and the Local Enterprise Partnership. 

Since the announcement of garden village status, work had started to identify and scope out priority work streams and tasks and a project plan progressed.  Governance arrangements were now required to establish a structure for the project identifying decision-making, reporting lines and links to the wider community in Cullompton.

He highlighted the mapping within Appendix A of the report which highlighted:

·         The Delivery Board 

·         The Project team

·         The Stakeholder Forum

·         The Landowner/Developer Forum

·         The Growth and Infrastructure Group

·         The Neighbourhood Plan Group

Appendix B identified the initial composition and membership of the various elements of the proposed governance structure.

Consideration was given to:

·         The involvement of the different forums and the delivery of the scheme

·         The key role of the project coordinator

·         The proposed number of dwellings within the initial and proposed scheme and whether that would impact on the allocated sites within the Local Plan Review

·         Funding for the project

·         The involvement of local Town and Parishes Councils

·         The naming of the Garden Village, this issue was raised by a local Ward Member and it was confirmed that this should be considered by the Stakeholder Group.

·         Bids for further funding that were being progressed

·         Infrastructure requirements

RESOLVED that:

a)    The proposed garden village governance structure be agreed.

b)    Delegated authority be given to the Chief Executive and Legal Services Manager and Monitoring Officer in consultation with the Leader to prepare initial governance documents for approval at the first meeting of the Delivery Board.

(Proposed by Cllr R J Chesterton and Cllr Mrs M E Squires)

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

To note the Decision of the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration dated 15 June 2017.

That the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration approves the Authority’s Monitoring Report 2016 for publication. 

Reason for Decision:

To present the Authority’s Monitoring Report (AMR) for the period 1 April 2015 – 31 March 2016.

The Cabinet NOTED the following decision made by the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration:

That the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration approves the Authority’s Monitoring Report 2016 for publication. 

Reason for Decision:

To present the Authority’s Monitoring Report (AMR) for the period 1 April 2015 – 31 March 2016.

To note the contents of the Forward Plan.

The Cabinet had before it, and NOTED, its rolling plan for July/August 2017 containing future key decisions.

Note: *Plan previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.

During discussion of the following item(s) it may be necessary to pass the following resolution to exclude the press and public having reflected on Article 15, 15.02(d) (a presumption in favour of openness) of the Constitution. This decision may be required because consideration of this matter in public may disclose information falling within one of the descriptions of exempt information in Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972. The Cabinet will need to decide whether, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption, outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information. 

To consider passing the following resolution so that financial information may be discussed.

Recommended that under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the next item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 respectively of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, namely information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

Prior to considering the following items on the agenda, discussion took place as to whether it was necessary to pass the following resolution to exclude the press and public having reflected on Article 15 15.02(d) (a presumption in favour of openness) of the Constitution. The Cabinet decided that in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

It was therefore:

RESOLVED that under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the next item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 respectively of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, namely information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

(Proposed by the Chairman)

To consider a report of the Director of Finance, Assets and Resources regarding the future use of the Crediton Office.

The Cabinet had before it a * report of the Director of Finance, Assets and Resources outlining options for the future use of the Crediton Office.

The Cabinet Member for Housing outlined the contents of the report

RESOLVED that this item be deferred for at least 2 months to allow for further discussions and investigations to take place with regard to the options for the building.

(Proposed by Cllr R L Stanley and seconded by Cllr P H D Hare-Scott).

Note: * Report previously circulated.

To consider a report of the Director of Finance, Assets and Resources and the Head of Housing and Property Services requesting approval of the draft 5 year business plan for 3 Rivers Developments Limited.

The Cabinet had before it a * report of the Director of Finance, Assets and Resources requesting approval of the draft 5 year business plan for 3 Rivers Development Limited.

The Cabinet Member for Housing outlined the contents of the report

RESOLVED that:

a)    Subject to an amendment to paragraph 10 of the Business Plan inserting “Acting” before “Managing Director…..”.  and the removal of “who will be seconded into the Company” and the insertion after “Property” of an additional sentence stating that “The Head of Housing and Property Services will be seconded into the role of Acting Managing Director until such time as a substantive appointment is made.” The Business Plan to enable the company to operate within the parameters set out and with the capital funding be approved.

b)    The appointment of the three directors of the Company as set out be approved.

(Proposed by Cllr P H D Hare-Scott and seconded by Cllr C R Slade).

Note: * Report previously circulated.

To receive a report of the Director of Operations advising Cabinet of the outcome to the recent tender for structural works associated with council stock and to seeking approval award of the contract.

The Cabinet had before it a * report of the Director of Operations advising the Cabinet on the outcome of the recent tender for structural works associated with council stock and seeking approval to award the contract.

The Cabinet Member for Housing outlined the contents of the report

RESOLVED that the recommendations as set out in the report be approved.

(Proposed by Cllr R L Stanley and seconded by Cllr R J Chesterton).

Note:

i)             * Report previously circulated;

ii)            The meeting returned to open forum to announce the decisions agreed under Part II.