Agenda and minutes

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

There were no apologies or substitute Members

To record any interests on agenda matters.

Cllr B G J Warren declared a personal interest for item 10 as he was Chairman of Willand Parish Council

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

To consider whether to approve the minutes as a correct record of the meeting held on

The minutes of the meeting held on11th October 2022 were agreed as a true record and duly SIGNED by the Chairman

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

The Chairman had no announcements to make

To receive an update from the Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change

The Cabinet Member for the Environment and Climate Change gave an update on his portfolio and stated that the 3 weekly bin collections had commenced on 10^th October key issues included:

·         200 bins were yet to be delivered

·         4500 calls had been actioned

·         Crews were logging any discrepancy

·         All side waste was being collected

·         Enforcement officers were actively patrolling the streets to assist with education

In response to a question asked he stated that he had abstained on a vote at Council with regard to motion 583 as he felt that South West Water and the Environment Agency were already doing the measures asked for and that Members could have asked for the issue to be looked at by the Scrutiny Committee without a motion. He had also been concerned about the amount of officer time required to produce reports and analysis into the matter.

To receive an update on actions taken for the Climate Change Action Plan and to receive Electric Vehicle Car Sharing Options report with recommendations to the Cabinet

The Group had before it a *report from the Climate and Sustainability Specialist providing an update on the Climate Change Action Plan.

The officer explained the Net Zero Advisory Group (NZAG) had a special meeting with Members of the Environment PDG and had discussed the RAG rated investment options available. NZAG discussions and Audit had highlighted the importance of ensuring that Climate Change was a consideration in the decision making process and business cases.

Consideration was given to:

·         A meeting with the Environment Agency was due to be held regarding Hydro Power which would be valuable with regard to feasibility

·         Fortnightly progress meetings were being held with Deletti partnership Electric Vehicle Chargepoint phase 2 delivery. Rural sites were the next logical step but less commercially attractive to providers

·         There had been no outreach to farmers regarding sustainable farming initiatives since the Mid Devon Show but there was plenty of information on the Council website to signpost interested parties to other organisations

·         The projected spend on the Hydro Schemes and consultants was an estimate and had yet to be decided and therefore did not affect the budget

·         The financial pressures on farmers

·         The use of consultants could open up greater funding streams

It was therefore RESOLVED that:

1.         That the Environment PDG notes and accepts this report as an update on the Council’s response to the Climate Emergency, documenting progress with the Climate Action Plan (CAP) and the wider Climate and Sustainability Programme.

2.         That the Environment PDG recommends to the Cabinet that the team with delegated authority (13 May 2021 Cabinet decision) lead next steps with regard to Environment PDG input regarding options for green travel hire schemes.

3.         That Environment PDG consult with Corporate Management Team (CMT) to formulate a method for a Climate and Sustainability Statement that can be consistently applied to all business cases. Feedback to inform a Recommendation to Cabinet.

4.         That Environment PDG and Net Zero Advisory Group (NZAG) consult with CMT and the C&S Specialist to devise a consistent approach to climate change impact statements noted on committee reports. Feedback to inform a Recommendation to Cabinet

(Proposed by the Chairman)

Note: *Report previously circulated and attached to the minutes

To receive the Q2 update from the Environment and Enforcement Manager

The Group had before it, and NOTED, a *report from the Environment and Enforcement Manager providing the Q2 report for the Environment and Enforcement Service.

The officer explained that the report had provided an update on body worn cameras.

Consideration was given to:

·         Officers had made efficiency savings and were now proactive with fly tipping

·         The amount of time spent on each enforcement activity would be provided to Members

·         An acknowledgement and thanks from Members for the recent litter picking activity on the A361

Note: *Report previously circulated and attached to the minutes

Discussion with regard to the next item, may require the Policy Development Group to pass the following resolution to exclude the press and public having reflected on Article 12 12.02(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 Policy Development Group would 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.  

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)

The Chairman indicated that discussion with regard to the next item, may require the Committee to pass the following resolution to exclude the press and public having reflected on Article 12 12.02(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 Committee would 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 present to Member’s the updated Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP), previously presented to Cabinet on 1^st November 2022, which covers the period 2023/24 to 2027/28 and takes account of the Council’s key strategies (i.e. the Corporate Plan, Business Plans, Treasury Management Plan, Asset Management Plan, Work Force Plan and Capital Strategy) and demonstrates it has the financial resources to deliver the Corporate Plan. This models potential changes in funding levels, new initiatives, unavoidable costs and proposed service savings.

The Group had before it and NOTED, a *report from the Deputy Chief Executive providing the Medium Term Financial Plan.

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)

Members then reviewed the options included within the Part 2 appendices and made recommendations to the Cabinet on the options preferred.

(Proposed by the Chairman)

Note: *report previously circulated and attached to the minutes

The meeting then returned to open session

To receive the current work plan for the Environment PDG.

The Group had before it, and NOTED, the *Environment PDG Work Plan for 2022-2023.

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