Agenda and minutes

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

Apologies were received from Cllr B Holdman and Cllr J M Downes. The Leader provided apologies for Cllr Mrs E M Andrews.

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.

Councillors were reminded of the need to make declarations where appropriate.

Members to consider whether to approve the Minutes of the last meeting as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 20^th December 2021 were approved as a correct record and SIGNED by the Chairman.

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 receive any announcements that the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman had no announcements to make.

Presentation from Crediton Area History & Museum Society.

Members of the Crediton Area History and Museum Society gave an overview of an exhibition that they intended to run in 2023 by way of a presentation which told the story of the fire which took hold of Crediton High Street in 1743.

They explained that for the exhibition to appeal to a wide range of people it needed to be relatable so would include map images and a research area. They were hoping to get local people involved as back yard archaeologists to find and submit local artefacts.  The Society was also intending to publish a book to go along with the exhibition.

The Society was hoping to secure Heritage Funding which would require evidence of:

•           How more people would be involved with heritage

•           How the local economy would be boosted

•           How heritage would be better explained and understood

The Society estimated that the project would cost in the region of £10k.

Members of the Group voiced their support for the project and suggested that the Council could offer practical support at this time. If financial support was required a proper fully funded request would need to be formally submitted with details of what was required and by when. Once this had been presented the PDG, if it so wished, the Group could recommend any such request to the Cabinet to consider.

It was therefore AGREED that the Society would return to a future meeting of the PDG to present their case for financial support from the Council.

To receive a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (S151) reviewing the revised draft budget changes identified and discussing further changes required in order for the Council to move towards a balanced budget for 2022/23.

The Group had before it, and NOTED, the revised draft *budget for 2022-2023.

The Cabinet Member for Finance, via the Deputy Chief Executive (S151), explained that there was a £1.4m gap to close initially and that the budget was the Council’s budget and not the Cabinets and he encouraged Members to contribute to the debate.

The Deputy Chief Executive (S151) explained that this was the second round of budget discussions and since the initial presentation of the draft budget that further savings had been identified along with the Government’s Funding Settlement.

The Corporate Manager for Finance explained that the funding gap was down to £947k and welcomed any further options for savings that the PDG could offer in its portfolio which would then be put forward to the Cabinet to consider.

The Group then discussed the savings measures which had been suggested by officers and consideration was given to:

• The suggestions for savings provided were for debate and discussion but the PDG would always get political sign off before any increase in fees for discretionary services were implemented
• Customer retention and growth in the leisure service was a priority and that major significant capital investments had been made in the leisure centres
• Members views that the leisure service was an asset to the Council and the people of the District and should not be outsourced at this time
• Although the Council could look to increase a self-service offering for customer contacts, the need for face to face interactions for those who could not use on line services would always be offered and retained
• Previous investigations into contracted out enforcement had found that the option was not financially viable or reliable
• Members would find it difficult to reduce Grants to strategic partners in future years but felt that as they had remained at the same levels for a number of years, this was effectively a cut in funding due to inflation
• Officers and Members should actively promote chargeable discretionary services to the public to increase revenue from these services
• No additional budget savings were identified by the PDG

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

To receive the annual review of the Council’s Policy on the Use of Covert Investigation Techniques[1] (otherwise known as “the RIPA Policy”).

The Group had before it the *Annual Review of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (RIPA) Policy from the District Solicitor and Monitoring Officer.

It was therefore RECOMMENDED to the Cabinet that the Council’s RIPA Policy be amended as outlined in section 3 of the report.

(Proposed by the Chairman)

Note: *Policy previously circulated and attached to the minutes

To receive the current work plan for the Community PDG.

Members to agree and discuss additional items that they would like added to the work plan.

The Group had before it, and NOTED, the *Community PDG Work Plan.

The Crediton Area History & Museum Society were invited to return to the PDG at its June meeting to present a fully costed case for financial support.

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