Proposed venue: Exe Room, Phoenix House
Contact: Julia Stuckey Member Services Officer
Link: Audio recording of Meeting
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APOLOGIES AND SUBSTITUTE MEMBERS Minutes: No apologies were given. |
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PUBLIC QUESTION TIME Minutes: There were no members of the public in attendance. |
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MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING PDF 257 KB Minutes: The minutes of the last meeting were approved as a correct record and SIGNED by the Chairman. |
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CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS Minutes: The Chairman informed the Group that the Community Council for Devon had recently changed its name to Devon Communities Together. |
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COMMUNITY SAFETY 00:02:29 PDF 225 KB Minutes: The Committee had before it a report* from the Head of Housing and Property Services regarding the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014.
The Officer explained that the reforms contained within the report were designed to put victims at the heart of any response to anti-social behaviour and give Councils, Police and Social Landlords a wider and more flexible provision to deal with any given situation. The Act came into effect on 20 October 2014, except for Civil Injunctions which had been delayed until early 2015.
The Officer further explained that the Act was intended to consolidate and simplify tools that were already in place to prevent anti-social behaviour.
Discussion took place regarding:-
· The process to be followed; · Training that had been provided for both Police Officers and Officers from Mid Devon; · How victims would be supported through the process; · The website would be updated to explain the new procedures; · No additional funding had been provided; · A fixed penalty notice of £100 could be issued, with offenders being taken to court for non-payment of fines or serious incidents; · If Members witnessed dog fouling or littering offences they could provide a statement.
It was AGREED that the Head of Housing and Property Services would provide an update to the Group regarding performance for anti-social behaviour, to include comparisons with other authorities, on an annual basis.
RECOMMENDED to the Cabinet that:
1. The Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 be adopted.
2. Delegated authority be given to Chief Executive for the appointment of Officers under the Act and to coordinate a consistent level of fines across all Devon authorities.
(Proposed by the Chairman)
Note: *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.
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FINANCIAL MONITORING 00:21:15 PDF 178 KB Minutes: The Group had before it, and NOTED, a report* of the Head of Finance detailing the financial monitoring for the six months to 30 September 2014 in respect of the services within this PDG’s remit.
The Principal Accountant outlined the potential deficit of £172K and explained that the main area contributing to this was waste. He further explained that monitoring for October showed little change to the overall picture.
Discussion took place regarding areas specific to this Group:
· Tiverton Market - At the request of this Group income from the Market was now being shown on the report. A Market Assistant had recently been recruited to undertake administrative duties so that the Market Supervisor could concentrate on increasing income.
· Leisure Services – Income was forecast to be on budget. An open day at Exe Valley Leisure Centre had proved successful, was well supported and new memberships were sold. Work was being carried out to improve retention of members.
· Fuel – The Accountant anticipated that there would be fuel savings across the Council due to both the reduction in the cost of fuel and fuel saving measures that had been put in place.
Note: - Report previously circulated, copy attached to signed minutes. |
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BUDGET 2015-16 00:37:00 PDF 384 KB Minutes: The Committee had before it and NOTED a report * of the Head of Finance requesting that Members consider options available in order for the Council to set a balanced budget for 2015/16.
The Officer explained that since 2010/11 the Council had seen its Formula Grant reduced by circa £2.6m or 42% from £6.2m to the provisional figure of £3.6m announced for 2015/16. Going forward the current Government had maintained its pledge to continue the austerity programme, with most public sector commentators estimating further cuts of at least 10% per annum for the next 3 – 4 years. Once this was factored in to the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan it was predicted that there would be a funding deficit of circa £2.1m by 2018/19. This highlighted the need to takes steps to plan for further reductions to ongoing expenditure levels.
The Head of Finance explained that at this stage the budget for 2015-16 was draft due to a number of unknowns. The Formula Grant would not be known until late in December, along with the referendum limit and the Council Tax Freeze Grant. Senior Officers had looked at where savings could be made and these had been factored into the budget. He further explained that Leisure Services were not achieving predicted savings and that he had not yet estimated savings for the new Waste and Recycling scheme.
Reconciliation of 2015/16 budget variances
General Fund Summary
Discussion took place regarding:
· A Town Centre Manager post would be funded, using the New Homes Bonus; · Feedback from the public confirmed that the area’s most important to them had not changed; · Updated costs for waste and recycling would be brought to the January meeting of this Group; · The Grants budget had been reduced by £20k; · Areas under this PDG showed an improvement of £80K on last year; · In the summer budget meetings the Leisure Service had been targeted ... view the full minutes text for item 40. |
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LEADER FUNDING 01:29:52 Minutes: The Head of Communities and Governance informed the Group that she had sent an email to all Members on Friday to tell them that she had received an indication from DEFRA that the LEADER bid had been successful. This was subject to contract which would be agreed in early 2015 with it being likely that funds would be available from April 2015. Unfortunately there had been a report regarding this in the local paper, which she hoped would not damage the agreement.
The Officer explained that a Local Action Group, made up of local business people and members of local community and voluntary groups would approve funding bids. Full details had yet to be received but it was believed that funding would be approved for bids that would improve the rural economy, such as forestry or farming and community projects that would increase business turnover or employee levels.
The Officer informed the Group that publicity would be carried out following the signing of the contract to promote the funding and staff would be trained on who could claim the fund and how to do so.
The Head of Communities and Governance would update Members when she had received official confirmation from DEFRA, following the signing of the contract. |
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IDENTIFICATION OF ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING: 27 January 2015 Minutes: · CCTV Annual Report · Single Equalities Scheme · Performance and Risk · Grant updates – Grand Western Canal, CAB · Budget Update |