To receive any questions relating to items on the agenda from members of the public and replies thereto.
Minutes:
Michael Szabo from Crediton Town Council asked a question about a lack of car parking spaces in Crediton and the fact that a situation had arisen in the town recently where one large good sized business which is located on the main road right next to Newcombes Meadow park, called The Bike Shed, has acquired the Mole Avon site at the other end of town and wanted to ask would this Council consider opening exploratory talks with the owner of The Bike Shed with the idea of possibly buying the site, converting it to a car park, which easily has room for at least 60 spaces plus and thereby earning some revenue for this Council and of course providing car parking spaces for the people across Crediton?
The Chairman stated that this would be noted. Any ideas coming forward like that needed to be discussed.
Honorary Alderman Mel Lucas stated that he had three questions on item 8, Council Tax Resolution 2017/18. They related to the 3% adult social care Devon County Council figure. The first question was, is this an annual on-going percentage increase or just a one off increase? The second question was, has a special budgetary area been set up by Devon County Council to ensure that monies so collected are ear marked for adult social care only, I make that comment because we all pay car tax, I am still to see any of that money going into roads. It is something that is very important as I and you are all now going to pay this extra 3%. Thirdly, whilst not specifically on item 8, it does concern item 8 for both myself and other peoples as well who pay by direct debit, can I have assurance from Council that my banking particulars relating to direct debit for Council Tax are secure based on the current situation concerning security in regards to banking details held by a third party? I bring that to your attention because there has been quite a lot in the press recently and I as a member of the public who pays through direct debit would like that assurance.
Andrew Jarrett, the Director of Finance, Assets and Resources, responded by stating that as far as the Devon County adult social care precept, the government have legislated that they are allowed to increase their share of the precept by 3% for this year and next so they are capped to a 6% maximum increase for the next two years. That doesn’t mean they have to raise it by that amount but that is the maximum they can do. There is no commentary about what may happen thereafter. Devon County Council are statutorily required by the DCLG to give statutory returns back to the DCLG to ensure that every single penny raised by that additional 3% precept is earmarked and only spent on adult social care provision. Regarding the direct debit details, I can assure you that your banking information is secured very safely at this Council.