To receive answers from the Cabinet Members to questions on their portfolios from other Members.
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Minutes:
Councillor J M Downes addressing the Leader asked how and when the Member Services Manager would be replaced.
The Leader responded stating that other team members would continue the work in the short term and that a replacement appointment would be made.
Councillor F W Letch addressing the Cabinet Member for Housing and Property Services referred to an empty council property in Crediton which had been vacated in November and was still empty. He had spoken to officers who had explained the current staff shortage and the number of voids that required attention.
The Cabinet Member responded that an email had been sent to Members that morning outlining a proposed review of the process around voids, he would add this property to his list along with other information received from Members and that this would form the basis for the review.
Councillor F W Letch then addressed the Cabinet Member for the Environment and Climate Change stating that the bottle bank at Tesco in Crediton had been removed and that the one at Morrisons was becoming over full and asked who was responsible for the recycling at Morrisons.
The Cabinet Member stated that he was aware that Tesco had discontinued its bottle bank, the Council was responsible for the recycling banks at Morrisions and the situation was being monitored, additional receptacles had now been added to the site.
Councillor Letch followed this up with another question to the Cabinet Member with regard to weeds on pavements in Crediton and asked who was responsible and what services did the Council’s street-scene service provide?
The Cabinet Member stated that the street-scene service dealt with litter, fly tipping and public open space. Pavements (and weeds) were the responsibility of the Highway Authority.
Cllr B G J Warren addressing the Leader asked - Are you aware that Transparency International UK wrote a report entitled ‘Corruption in UK Local Government – The Mounting Risks.
On Page 43 of the report is a paragraph which reads: Council leaders have considerable patronage power, which can facilitate corruption. They are able to appoint the members of their Cabinet and award chairmanships – all roles which bring financial gain for the recipients in the form of ‘special responsibility allowances’. This may lead to situations where councillors are unwilling to challenge a leader because they fear losing one of these roles, or where they feel obliged to provide informal favours, such as offering information or turning a blind eye to misconduct.
Since the 2019 election two additional Cabinet posts have been created, seven Cabinet members have been removed from their portfolios and replaced by other members and two changes of Chairman of Scrutiny Committee have been instigated.
What assurance can the Leader give to the residents who are administered by Mid Devon District Council that there is no risk of potential corruption as identified in the report.
The Leader responded stating that this did not apply to Mid Devon District Council, the selection of Cabinet Members had been based on availability and suitability for the post. Cabinet responsibilities had been selected on the best possible talent at his disposal and that the Leader did not have any control of the election of committee chairmen or the Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee.
Councillor B G J Warren addressing the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration stated that: On 5 June 2022 I sent you an email with an accompanying document concerning a Planning Officer response to an outside body which contained responses which were not fully open and transparent. In the document I asked 7 questions to clarify certain matters.
I received no written acknowledgement from you although when we met a few days later I asked if you had received it and you confirmed that you had and had passed it to an officer.
I am aware that an officer is looking into it as the officer has told me but Ihave not received any answers to date which is now a month later.
I sent you a polite reminder and further information on 25 June 2022 and asked for an acknowledgement of receipt but to date have received none.
Is there an arrangement between certain Cabinet Members and Officers not to respond to questions raised by certain members?
When am I going to get an answer to my questions of 5 June 2022 please?
The Cabinet Member responded stating that he had been chasing this up, but he had been ill with Covid and meetings had had to be postponed, he would now continue to follow this up.
Councillor G Barnell addressing the Cabinet Member for Housing and Property Services requested that Members should have a briefing on homes for those from Ukraine, staffing issues and support for host families, there were issues in that some host families were unable to continue providing accommodation and the likely impact of this on Council resources, could a briefing be arranged?
The Cabinet Member responded stating that he would follow this up with officers.
Councillor L J Cruwys addressing the Leader referred to the recent parliamentary by-election and the way in which the event had been superbly run and asked that the Council’s appreciation be shared with the Returning Officer and her team.
The Leader stated that it had been a magnificent effort and he would be happy to speak with the Returning Officer.