Cabinet Members will answer questions from Members on their Portfolios.
Minutes:
Councillor Mrs C P Daw asked the Leader: following David Cameron’s announcement this week that the U.K will be accepting 20,000 refugees over the next five years. What are the plans for MDDC to accept these refugees, how many are we looking to accept and how are we going to deliver the service.
The Leader stated that he was awaiting information from Central Government with regard to how additional resources would be allocated.
Councillor R M Deed asked the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration if he could update the meeting of the timing of the submission of the Local Plan.
The Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration stated that he was aware that further work had been requested by the Environment Agency regarding improvements to Junction 28 to allow the settlement east of Cullompton to come forward. He had a meeting the following day where he would gain further information.
Councillor R M Deed referring to Junction 27 and the petition received earlier in the meeting asked the Leader if he could inform the meeting if there was a draft timetable available for modifications to the Local Plan submission.
The Leader stated that officers were still going through the revised submission and he would need to be informed whether a modification was required.
Councillor N A Way asked the Leader: with the recent communication concerning devolution from the Leader of DCC in mind: We understand that the authority recently attended a meeting with other principal authorities from Devon and representatives from Somerset authorities to discuss the issue of devolution and transferring of powers from central to local government. This also included talks about the principles concerning any future bids to Central Government to gain extra powers. It seems that so far at least that parish and town councils have not been included in these talks. Before this process goes any further, and because devolution means the passing of powers downwards, is the Leader consulting with the parish and town councils on this subject and seeking their views?
The Leader stated that the Chief Executive and the Deputy Leader had attended with other authorities and a statement of intent had been sent by the required deadline imposed by Government (Members had been informed of this via WIS the previous week). There had been no time to consult with Town and Parish Councils, however the timeframe involved for further work to take place was 18-24 months and more information would be available with regard to what was proposed to be devolved.
Councillor Mrs J Roach addressing the Leader stated that with regard to the current refugee crisis, she had been asked if previously used residential homes could be used to house refugees and that people want someone to coordinate matching people who were willing to take in refugee families; if the Council could have some involvement who would be available to lead on the project?
The Leader stated he was awaiting information from Central Government.
Councillor R Wright asked the Cabinet Member for the Environment the following questions:
How often were the pavements in the main shopping area in Tiverton swept and how often were the pavements in the main shopping area at Crediton swept?
The Cabinet Member stated that the streets were swept on a daily basis. He did however share the Councillor’s concerns regarding street cleaning and this work would be addressed by the Waste and Transport Manager when Phase 2 of the Waste Project had been finalised.
Referring to recycling figures published in Mid Devon Talk he questioned how the figures for dry recycling and composting had been calculated?
The Cabinet Member stated that it was very early days with regard to the new recycling scheme and that comparison figures should be based on 6 monthly or annual results.
Councillor T W Snow addressing the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration raised concerns about the congestion in Cullompton and asked if a timetable was available for the implementation of the eastern relief road.
The Cabinet Member stated that he had not seen definitive plans for an eastern relief road, Devon County Council were working on the issues; he would look into the matter and respond to all Members.
Councillor Mrs F J Colthorpe addressed the Leader with regard to the refugee crisis, she hoped that the Devon response would be made cross county.
The Chief Executive reported that he had received an email stating that the Chief Executive of Devon County Council would be responsible for a cross county response.
Councillor Miss C E L Slade asked the Cabinet Member for the Environment if he had noticed a rise in graffiti in the town and what were the Council proposing to do about it?
The Cabinet Member stated that he had noticed an increase in graffiti, this was a criminal act and the Police had been informed.
Councillor Mrs J Roach asked the Cabinet Member about Devon County Council charging for the disposal of roofing felt at the Recycling Centre.
The Cabinet Member stated that that Devon County Council would charge as roofing material was not recyclable.
The Chief Executive stated that roofing felt was not household waste and should not be disposed of with domestic refuse.
Councillor J L Smith referring to his question at the previous meeting about contacting the Chief Constable with regard to issues in Mid Devon asked the Leader if there had been any constructive feedback regarding the state of the frontline service.
The Leader explained that he had written to the Chief Constable which had been followed by a meeting with the local Inspector, the outcome of that had been that a Members briefing would take place in November at which Members could question the officer with regard to issues in Mid Devon.