Cabinet Members will answer questions from Members on their Portfolios.
Minutes:
Councillor A Wilce addressing the Cabinet Member for the Environment asked: are you are aware that the expired Dog Control PSPO did not undergo any consultation or evidence gathering process to justify the need for such an Order, since it was a transitionary Order arising from the new ASB legislation and that therefore, it is necessary for this Council to carry out that work now, before issuing a new Order?
The underlying principle should be that dog controls are the least restrictive required to achieve a defined and measurable outcome. What are they for Mid Devon?
The Government itself, the LGA, and others have said that incidences of nuisance – as opposed to acts of disorder – should be enforced by byelaws and not PSPOs. Where is the evidence of there being such a seriousanti-social behaviour issue as to warrant criminalising dog owners??
The Cabinet Member responded stating that the issue would be discussed at the cabinet meeting the following evening, he was only aware of the 2014 Order but would provide a written response to the member following the Cabinet meeting.
Councillor F W Letch addressing the Deputy Leader asked that with the Conservative Group holding 4 Cabinet seats, would the Conservative Group no longer be seen as the opposition?
The Deputy Leader replied stating that that the Cabinet still remained under the leadership of an independent Leader as agreed by Council in 2019. The Conservative Group had 17 seats and were not the majority party. Until they became the majority party they would remain the official opposition.
Councillor G Barnell addressing the Cabinet Member for Housing and Property Services/Deputy Leader asked the following:
1. At Scrutiny Committee on 12th October you were asked about the latest forecast for the losses anticipated on the St George’s site in Tiverton that is currently being built out by 3Rivers Developments Ltd. We were informed that the answer had been given at Cabinet on 1st October. There was no answer given to this question at Cabinet on 1st October other than we should expect an answer at the following Scrutiny Committee. At tomorrow’s Cabinet meeting the ruling Conservative Group are proposing a further loan of taxpayers money of £1.4 million to 3Rivers. The Cabinet report on this subject claims that 3Rivers will break even by the financial year 2022/23. However the report provides only very sketchy financial evidence to support this claim. Please can the Deputy Leader tell members what are the forecast losses on the St George’s site?
2. At Scrutiny Committee on 12th October you stated that the expected completion date for the St George’s site in Tiverton had been moved back to 2022. Contractors started building on this site in early 2018. At Cabinet in September the Leader of the Council told us that the anticipated completion date for this site was December of this year. Why is there now an additional and very lengthy delay of up to two years in completing this development?
Given that Cabinet will be discussing the future funding of 3RDL tomorrow and that the answers to these questions may be deeded commercially sensitive I am asking that a written answer is provided to Members only in time for tomorrow’s meeting of Cabinet.
The Cabinet Member/Deputy Leader stated that a written response would be provided to all members prior to the Cabinet meeting the following day.
Councillor B Holdman addressing the Deputy Leader asked if the Conservative Group were still the opposition party how could he be Deputy Leader of the Council and Leader of the opposition party.
The Deputy Leader responded stating that he was the Leader of the Conservative Group, a group of 17 members, as the Council had 39 Members, the Conservative Group did not hold a majority that was held by a coalition of other members.
Councillor R Dolley addressing the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration asked about the ring fencing of S106 and the monies promised to local organisations which had not been received.
The Cabinet Member responded stating that if Councillor Dolley provided him with the details of his concern and if any other members had similar concerns that they also forward the details, he would look into the matter, speak to the Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration and respond.
Councillor S J Clist stated that the youths of the district was enthused by the upgrades to the 2 play areas at Westexe, Tiverton and at Cheriton Bishop and the one at Hemyock which had been funded locally. Which fund was funding the upgrades, how much was left and how could people apply.
The Chairman stated that a written response would be provided to the member.
Councillor D R Coren informed the meeting that the Cheriton Bishop play area upgrade had been funded from S106 monies.