Agenda and minutes

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

Apologies were received from Cllr Mrs E M Andrews.

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.

Mr Middlewick, referring to item 6 on the agenda said that he would like further information regarding leisure memberships.  He said that he was an asthma sufferer and for that reason could not make use of the swimming pools at the leisure centres, but that there was currently no membership tariff that did not include swimming.  There were tariffs for just swimming and tariffs for swimming with fitness, but none for just fitness, Mr Middlewick considered that he was paying a lot of money for a facility that he could not use.  He asked if a fitness only membership could be introduced.

The Chairman informed Mr Middlewick that this question would be answered in writing following the meeting and requested that all Members see the response.

Members to consider whether to approve the minutes of the last meeting as a correct record (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 provide an updated Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Policy for consideration.

The Group had before it a report * from the Group Manager for Public Health and Regulatory Services providing an updated Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Policy for consideration.

The officer introduced the ASB and Community Safety Support Officer to the Group.

The officer went on to outline the contents of the report, explaining that the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 provided agencies, including Local Authorities, with enforcement powers to address anti-social behaviour. The Act replaced Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (known as ASBOs) which were the primary civil order in the UK since 1998, with Criminal Behaviour Orders.

The focus of the Act was to streamline the tools and powers available to frontline agencies in dealing with anti-social behaviour. Previously there had been 19 different powers, but these were reduced to a base of 6. They were:

Civil Injunction

Criminal Behaviour Order

Dispersal powers

Community Protection Notices

Public Space Protection Order

Closure of Premises

The officer informed Members that the purpose of the ASB policy was to provide an overarching basis to link all local services that dealt with ASB, therefore to improve co-ordination and encourage a consistent approach to dealing with issues that arose, either informally or formally through the enforcement powers available.

The Council also had a specific responsibility to address ASB as part of wider strategies for reducing crime and disorder under the provisions of the Crime & Disorder Act 1998.

The document had been shared with partner agencies, organisations and internal services for comment and officers had taken into account the comments made.

The officer informed Members that use of formal legal powers was a last resort and that in the last year 20 letter ones had been sent, 7 letter twos, 6 behaviour contracts issued which were not formal interventions. This meant only 1 Community Protection Notice and 1 Civil Injunction were issued.  There was an online tool kit which made it clear what the public could do and how to report matters of concern.

Discussion took place regarding:

·         The need for complainants to remain anonymous;

·         The requirement for complainants to log issues and keep records;

·         A request for a flyer which could be posted on noticeboards to promote the service;

·         A request that information be provided in the Members weekly newsletter and the Town and Parish Newsletter in order that Councillors could signpost complainants;

·         The way in which the authority communicated with the public in general.

It was AGREED that the Communications and Consultation Manager be invited to attend a meeting of the Group to discuss communication matters.

It was RECOMMENDED that Cabinet approve the updated ASB Policy as attached in Annexe 1.

(Proposed by Chairman)

Note: - Report * previously circulated and attached to Minutes.

To review current concessionary pricing within the leisure service.

The Group had before it a report * from the Leisure Manager with regard to reviewing current concessionary pricing within the leisure service.

The officer outlined the contents of the report, explaining that a review of policy to manage peak-time capacity across leisure was designed to ensure capacity to attract demand. Concessionary discounts were currently available to those in receipt of disability allowances, students in full time education and those in receipt of a means tested benefits.

Currently times of access to facilities for these members were not restricted or subject to an additional fee at peak times.  The leisure facilities had peak participation periods between 0800 to 1000hrs and 1630 to 1930hrs weekdays. At the weekend the peak period was fairly consistent between 0800 and 1400 hrs.

Discussion took place regarding:

·         The need to encourage this use of facilities and the need to ensure that those that were entitled to concessionary rates were encouraged to use them;

·         In the past concessionary memberships had restricted access but with the facility to pay a ‘top up’ for peak times;

·         Leisure staff would help members to ensure that they got the best membership for their personal usage;

·         The reduction in time that concessionary members would be able to access facilities would be one third of the opening hours;

·         Offerings such as Teen Gym,  swimming lessons, GP Referrals, Cardiac Rehabilitation and Public Health initiatives would not be subject to the time restrictions;

·         A third reduction in fees, to match the third reduction in access would keep concessionary membership below £30, including the proposed 3% annual increase.

It was RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet Member for Community Well Being make a decision to:

a)    Increase the base line for all leisure pricing by 3%;

b)    That the reduction for concessionary membership be set at 1/3 of the full cost;

c)    That times of access be restricted for those with concessionary membership, as proposed in the report, with an uplift payment available should they wish to attend during peak periods.

({Proposed by the Chairman)

Note: - Report * previously circulated and attached to Minutes.

To review the revised draft budget changes identified and discuss any further changes required in order for the Council to move towards a balanced budget for 2018/19.

The Group had before it and NOTED an update on the budget * from the Director of Finance, Assets and Resources setting out the revised draft budget changes identified.

The officer outlined the contents of the report stating that following initial meetings of the Cabinet and the Policy Development Groups, the Finance team and service managers had been revisiting a range of budgets to deliver more savings or increase income levels.  The officer outlined the following table which showed the main budget variances affecting the 2018/19 budget:

The draft budget had been presented to the Group at their November meeting. This had indicated a budget gap of £617k and had been based on a range of assumptions, the updated report before the Group for this meeting took into account the formula grant settlement. Other factors affecting the draft budget included the following:

·         There was an indicative pay award of 2% which would add an additional £160k to the pay bill, however this was not straightforward in that there would be an increase of circa 5% for those on grades 4 or 5;

·         The Council had been successful in its bid to be a 100% Business Rate Pilot and some initial modelling had predicted that this could see £230k of extra business rates being kept within Mid Devon. The caveat to this was that this was only a 12 month pilot and it therefore presented a possible revenue risk;

·         The Government had increased the referendum limit to 3% (the amount the Council could increase Council Tax by) which could deliver an extra £21k;

·         The Government had reaffirmed its reduction to New Homes Bonus (NHB) from a 6 year dowry to a 4 year dowry, this would reduce NHB from £1.8m to £1.1 next year. A number of sinking funds in the revenue budget would therefore be under greater strain.

Discussion took place regarding:

·         The New Homes Bonus and the impact the changes had on the budget;

·         The difficulties to be faced going forward and the commercial agenda to generate return rather than reducing services;

·         The Working Group which had met and given consideration to the areas that fell within the remit of the Group.

Note: - Report * previously circulated and attached to Minutes.

To receive a verbal update from the Director of Finance, Assets and Resources.

The Director for Finance, Assets and Resource provided a verbal update.  The officer informed Members that the overspend was in much the same position now as it had been when reported to them in November.  The targets set for Leisure Services had been too ambitious and this had been rectified for the coming year. There had been good news regarding Planning fees as the Government had allowed an increase of up to 20% to be added, generating an estimated £140k in the coming year and an increase for the remainder of the current year.  The Authority was also in receipt of an addition £240k Capacity Funding for the Garden Village.

To receive a verbal update from the Public Health officer.

The Public Health Officer provided a verbal update regarding progress with Trim Trails.

The officer informed the Group that there was little to update at this stage, but that a number of sites were being considered and discussions were ongoing with Town and Parish Councils.

Discussion took place regarding:

·         A proposal that Newcombes Meadow would be a good site for this and a request that officers liaise with Crediton Town Council;

·         The fact that the ‘outdoors’ could be used as its own trim trail;

·         The Grand Western Canal and whether funding could be available to site a Trim Trail there.

It was AGREED that a further update be provided to the May meeting of the Group.

The Group to discuss communities and what can be done to bring them together, share good practice and prevent rural isolation. The Scrutiny Consultation working group report to be considered.

The Group had before it a report * from the Scrutiny Working Group regarding Consultation.  

The Consultation Working Group was set up following discussion at a Scrutiny Committee meeting. The rationale was that Members identified a lack of consultation as a key issue for the public. Members considered that it was important to find out if the public were encountering problems and if they were what they were.

The aim of the review was to identify what the council was doing well and what the council could do better.

The agreed methodology/approach was to hold a public consultation in the street and engage with the public. This took place for 2 hours in Tiverton Town Centre, Cullompton Town Centre and Crediton Town Centre.

Discussion took place regarding:

·         The fact that a small survey would only be a snap shot;

·         The public had been glad to be able to speak to a Councillor and those that took part had found it to be a worthwhile exercise;

·         The Economy PDG had been tasked to research why the ‘mood’ seemed better in Crediton than the other towns;

·         Confusion by the public regarding which Council was responsible for what area.

It was RESOLVED that the Communications and Consultation Manager attend a meeting of the Group to discuss community engagement and whether the findings and experiences of the Working Group could be taken into consideration for further consultation exercises.

(Proposed by the Chairman)

Note: Report * previously circulated and attached to Minutes.

To provide Members with an update on performance against the corporate plan and local service targets for 2017-18 as well as providing an update on the key business risks.

Note – any questions relating to this report should be submitted to the clerk in advance of the meeting date.

The Group had before it and NOTED a report * from the Director of Corporate Affairs & Business Transformation, providing Members with an update on performance against the Corporate Plan and local service targets for 2017-18 as well as providing an update on the key business risks.

Note: Report * previously circulated and attached to Minutes.

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

Regeneration of old railways lines for walking and cycling and the promotion of walking leaflets

Corporate Health and Safety Policy

Community Safety Partnership

Commuity Engagement Strategy

RIPA

Regeneration of old railways lines for walking and cycling and the promotion of walking leaflets

Corporate Health and Safety Policy

Community Safety Partnership

Community Engagement Strategy

RIPA