Cabinet Members will answer questions from Members on their Portfolios.
Minutes:
Councillor F W Letch addressing the Cabinet Member for Housing and Property Services stated that he had been in Tiverton recently and had walked to the St Georges site to see how the construction of the site was taking place, he was amazed at the amount of ‘macarno’ and metal on the site with just 2 men walking around and not a lot of building going on, was it possible for an update to be given on the work taking place on the site and how many workmen were available to work.
The Cabinet Member stated that a written response would be provided.
Councillor G Barnell addressing the Leader stated that he had written to him on 6 March requesting an investigation into the possible fraudulent activities involving 3 Rivers. The Leader had responded stating that he had commenced an investigation into the matter. He had asked again at the Scrutiny Committee on 15 March when he could expect the outcome of this investigation and the Leader had not replied. On 25 March the Leader had written to Councillor Letch stating that he had not undertaken any investigation and gave no explanation for this other than to describe the different purposes and processes which the company had submitted the development costs for. On 4 April he had written to the Leader again asking about the investigation and had not received a reply. He asked whether the Leader could give an answer now as to whether he would carry out on investigation into these issues.
The Leader responded stating – No.
Councillor B Holdman addressing the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration asked about the lack of a Tree Officer and whether a Tree Officer would be appointed?
The Cabinet Member stated that Councillor Holdman had asked the Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration the previous week and had been supplied with an answer, but that he would try to find out more information and provide Councillor Holdman with a written response.
Councillor Barnell again addressing the Leader asked whether he could tell the Council why he had agreed to an investigation and now he was saying he would not progress this.
The Leader stated that the original request for an investigation had come from Councillor Barnell and in the course of many meetings there was a response to the question that he had asked. Councillor Barnell had alluded to Councillor Letch as the Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee where I said effectively because the question had been asked that I could only answer further if I had an answer that would satisfy Councillor Barnell and I am not sure that I will ever be in that position.
Councillor Holdman added to his question with regard to the Tree Officer stating that because of the public concern around the lack of a Tree Officer, could we please have a public update on that. The Cabinet Member stated that an update would be provided.
Councillor B G J Warren addressing the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration stated that he understood that there had been difficulty recruiting and retaining a Tree Officer, because it was not a full-time job, had the Cabinet Member considered sharing an officer with an adjoining authority?
The Cabinet Member stated that this situation had occurred in the past and conversations had been had with other local authorities, no one was available at the current time, but it was being considered.
The Chairman addressing the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration stated that there had been a number of rumours in Tiverton regarding concern that a meeting of 4 Cabinet Members and the Leader had taken place with a representative from LVA who were the applicants for the Tidcombe Hall Development, he asked whether such a meeting had taken place and what was the reason for the meeting and whether it took place with the agreement of the Monitoring Officer and the Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration.
The Cabinet Member responded stating that a briefing did take place, but that he didn’t organise it and he did not know of any involvement of the Monitoring Officer and the Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration.
The Leader stated that a meeting had taken place with people who were talking about carbon neutral housing and he would check the dates.
Councillor Miss E Wainwright stated that a zero carbon education meeting had taken place in July 2020 and the meeting had been offered by one of the partners looking at the Tidcombe Hall property, she had not attended as she had taken advice from the Monitoring Officer and the Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration.
The Leader stated that the Cabinet were interested in carbon zero property development and that it was an education exercise and that it came via a party interested in the Tidcombe Hall development. The meeting had been a remote meeting and had not taken place at Tidcombe Hall.
Councillor B A Moore stated that he had the details of the meeting, it had been called ‘a journey towards sustainable development’ and had taken place on 9 September 2020 with a representative from LVA and other stakeholders. Tidcombe Hall had been mentioned but it was an educational and informative meeting with regard to carbon neutral developments.
Further discussion took place with regard to a proposed meeting in July and the meeting in September where some members of the new Cabinet did attend.