Agenda and minutes

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

Apologies were received from Cllr Mrs H Bainbridge was substituted by Cllr Mrs F J Colthorpe and Cllr Miss C E L Slade was substituted by Cllr Mrs C P Daw.

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 questions from the members of the public present.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the last meeting (attached).

The Minutes of the last meeting of the Group were approved as a correct record and SIGNED by the Chairman.

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

The Chairman had no announcements to make.

To receive a presentation from the Public Health Officer and a representative from Devon County Council, updating the Group on the role of Public Health.

The Public Health Manager introduced the Public Health Officer and the Public Health Specialist from Devon County Council (DCC). He explained that the authority was working in partnership with DCC.

The Public Health and Professional Services Officer gave a presentation to the Group which outlined the public health role, its health vision, aims and priorities, its link to the Corporate Plan, statutory functions, projects and partners as well as looking ahead at the local action plan.

The Officer explained that 40% of premature deaths were caused by behavioural patterns and that this was an area that Public Health could help to improve.

He informed the Group that district councils played a key role in keeping people healthy by providing core local services, economic development, planning, housing, leisure, wellbeing and environmental services that were recognised as vital components of health.

The officer explained that the vision of the Public Health Service was a ‘happy and healthy Mid Devon’.  Its aims were to improve health and reduce health inequalities, increase the profile of public health, lever better health value and create opportunities for partnership and innovation. Priority areas were emotional health and resilience, vascular disease and cancer, air quality and housing.

Discussion took place regarding:

·         Eco Stars and the benefits to air quality;

·         The Public Health Officer would be going out and about in the District with Members to see at first hand any issues that Members were aware of;

·         The importance of nutrition in food health and the possibility of work being undertaken to improve diet by the introduction of cooking workshops;

·         Exercise equipment that could be placed in local parks to encourage activity;

·         Rural isolation and how this could be used to help with public health by encouraging older residents to share their knowledge with younger residents.

The Chairman thanked the officers for their presentation.

To receive a report of the Head of Finance regarding budget proposals.

The Group had before it and NOTED a report * from the Head of Finance detailing options available in order for the Council to move towards a balanced budget for 2016/17.

The Officer explained that in December 2015 the Council received formal confirmation of its Formula Grant Settlement. The provisional formula grant award for 2016/17 amounted to £3.04m. This was unlikely to change significantly and was approximately £130k lower than had first been estimated. This had increased the draft 2016/17 General Fund budget deficit but other savings proposals had helped to reduce it to circa £405k.

The Head of Finance explained that the formula grant announcement gave provisional figures for the three years up to 2019/20: As predicted the Revenue Support Grant, which currently stood at £1.7m, would completely disappear by 2019/20. The current and provisional future formula grant amounts were:

                                                    15/16      16/17      17/18     18/19      19/20

                                                     £m         £m          £m        £m          £m

Revenue Support Grant          1.7       1.02           0.5       0.18        0.00

Business Rates                       2.0        2.02          2.06     2.13        2.19

Total Formula Grant                3.7        3.04          2.56     2.31        2.19

Using the provisional Business Rate Retention and Revenue Support Grant figures in the Medium Term Financial Plan showed that by 2019/20 the authority would need to find approximately £1.1m of savings, close to the amount previously forecast. At this point there were no details on the proposed changes allowing Councils’ to retain more of the business rate income.

Since the budget had first been discussed at the Policy Development Groups and at Cabinet meetings the Finance team and service managers had revisited budgets to strive to deliver more savings or increase income levels.

This process had improved the General Fund budget by circa £422k and now left a budget gap of £405k.

The Officer informed the Group that to date this authority had used the New Homes Bonus Grant to fund economic development projects, help fund the capital programme and to fund certain “one off” revenue projects. It was a possibility that some of these funds could be used to off-set the budget gap but that it should be noted that there was uncertainty regarding the future of the New Homes Bonus and that it could not be guaranteed for future years.

Discussion took place regarding:

·         A proposed Locality Budget, whereby each Member would receive £500 to spend within their own ward, had been removed from the draft budget;

·         The New Homes Bonus and how it should not be relied on in the future;

·         The need to reduce costs and increase income.

It was RECOMMENDED to Cabinet that subject to the £500 Member Locality budget being removed the draft budget be approved.

(Proposed by the Chairman)

Note: - Report previously circulated and attached to Minutes.

To receive a report of the Head of Communities and Governance providing Members with details of the Tourism Action Plan (Appendix A) for 2016/17.

The Group had before it * a report from the Head of Communities and Governance providing Members with details of the Tourism Action Plan (Appendix A) for 2016/17.

The Head of Communities and Governance explained that the Councils new Corporate Plan for 2016-2020 included growing the tourism sector under the Economy priority and that public consultation, which was currently ongoing, indicated that the public believed that tourism should be a key area of focus for the Council.

The officer explained that work was currently being undertaken to map attractions and accommodation providers within the District.  The team were working closely with the Heart of Devon Tourism Group to share resources, knowledge and expertise.

Consultation was being undertaken to establish what visitors would like find on offer when they visited the area.

Discussion took place regarding:

·         Regular updates would be provided to the Group;

·         The Town Centre and Tourism Officer would be working across the District;

·         A brand was being developed;

·         Events such as food festivals were already being developed;

·         Signage audits for locations such as the Tourist Information Centre were taking place in the three main towns.

It was RECOMMENDED to Cabinet that the Tourism Action Plan for 2016/17 be approved.

(Proposed by the Chairman)

To receive a briefing paper by the Head of Communities and Governance advising Members of the work that is being done by the Town Teams and also to advise them of some of the Town Centre Projects which are currently being undertaken.

The Group had before it * and NOTED a briefing paper from the Head of Communities and Governance advising Members of the work that was taking place by the Town Teams and also advising them of some of the Town Centre Projects which were currently being undertaken.

The Head of Communities and Governance informed the Group that the ‘Electric Nights’ events that had been held at the Pannier Market last year had won an award for Best Small Food Market for Local Authority Markets.  The Group asked the officer to convey its congratulations to the team.

The Officer also advised the Group that the Market Manager was retiring and that a new post had been advertised.  She was hoping to interview and appoint shortly.

Discussion took place regarding:

·         Coach parking at Tiverton, Cullompton and Crediton and the possibility of the towns becoming a ‘day out’ for holiday companies. 

·         The possibility of appointing town guides;

·         ‘Electric Nights’ events were planned to be bigger and better for the coming year;

·         Possible joint working with other organisations.

Note:- Report previously circulated and attached to Minutes.

To receive a report of the Leisure Manager advising Members of the proposed leisure pricing strategy for 2016/17.

The Group had before it a report * from the Leisure Manager advising Members of the proposed Leisure pricing strategy for 2016/17.

The Leisure Manager outlined the contents of the report, explaining that a new structure had recently been put in place, investment had been undertaken at the Centres and that the Leisure service had been tasked to become self-funding by 2020.

He explained that a variety of different membership tariffs had been introduced over a period of time, to increase sales and generate cash income.  However the service could no longer afford to do this.  A review of the current pricing literature and information had been undertaken which revealed a complicated structure.

One area being considered for change was the Zest membership provision for the over 60’s which was currently subsidised. 

Discussion took place regarding:

·         The over 60’s and the fact that the retirement age was now a moving figure;

·         A subsidised fee based on ability to pay would ensure that those that could not afford the full membership would still be able to use the facilities;

·         Benchmarking against other local facilities;

·         Wetside facilities were expensive to run and were subsidised by dryside facilities;

·         The need to keep wetside facilities affordable;

·         The need to prepare a four year approach;

·         The possible introduction of car parking charges at the centres;

·         The need for staff to be trained to deal sensitively with means tested applications;

·         Welcome packs for new home owners.

It was RECOMMENDED to Cabinet that the Leisure Pricing report be approved subject to the following:

a)    All basic fees, lets and charges be increased by 5% from 1 April 2016;

b)    That discounts for 60+ Zest membership be set at:

1)    30% for 2016/17

2)    20% for 2017/18

3)    10% for 2018/19

4)    And from 2019/20 be as per the appropriate Zest membership fee;

c)    That concessionary Junior Zest memberships be discounted by 10% from the appropriate junior monthly Zest membership fee;

d)    That a full review of rents, lets and charges be undertaken with a view to further simplifying the tariff structure;

e)    That within six months a full review of Leisure services income and resources be undertaken to ensure a positive long-term financial result for the service.

(Proposed by Cllr R M Deed and seconded by Cllr F Letch)

Notes:-i)   Report previously circulated and attached to Minutes

ii)  Councillor F J Colthorpe declared a Personal Interest as she had a friend that was a Zest member.

iii) Councillor Mrs J Binks declared a Personal Interest as she was a Zest Member.

To receive a briefing paper by the Head of Housing and Property Services providing an update on CCTV coverage in Tiverton.

The Group had before it and NOTED * a briefing paper from the Head of Housing and Property Services providing an annual update on CCTV coverage in Tiverton.

The Officer explained that the report gave an overview of the last year and highlighted areas of activity.  He further explained that the cameras ran for 24 hours a day, every day of the year but were only manned for limited hours. The supervisor worked very closely with the Police and when there was a need for him to be in attendance at a specific time he would accommodate this.

The Head of Housing and Property Services further explained that there was a need to update the cameras to high definition and that officers were liaising with the Steering Group, which included the Town Council and the Police regarding this.

Discussion took place regarding the fact that the CCTV service was very dependent on one officer who worked a significant number of hours as a volunteer.  There was a need for further funding which it was hoped would come from the business sector, which benefited from the cameras.

Note: - briefing paper previously circulated and attached to Minutes.

Note: This item is limited to 10 minutes.  There should be no discussion on the items raised.

Inward Investment Strategy

Single Equalities Policy

Performance and Risk

Financial Monitoring

Rural Isolation

Community Engagement Plan and Strategy

Health and Safety Policy

Citizens Advice Bureau

Young Carers

Chairman’s Annual Report