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Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 07/02/2019 - Cabinet
Decision published: 12/02/2019
Effective from: 16/02/2019
Decision:
To consider a * report of the Group Manager for Street Scene and Open Spaces regarding an alternative charging structure for bulky waste.
The Leader outlined the contents of the report stating that at a meeting on 8 January 2019, members of the Environment PDG had asked that the bulky waste charges be investigated to ensure that they were in line with other authorities in Devon. As part of the exercise it was shown that in certain instances users were actually paying less for more items being removed under the fixed price items charge. It was therefore proposed that the charge for fixed priced items, for example a settee and 2 armchairs be removed from the charging scheme and that those be dealt with as individual/additional items.
Discussion took place regarding the value of the scheme in that it sought to reduce fly tipping and that the revised scheme would commence on 1 April 2019 with a press release being produced to inform the public.
RESOLVED that the current fixed price item charge of £27 for bulky waste be abolished as recommended by the Environment Policy Development Group on 8 January 2019.
(Proposed by the Chairman)
Note: *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.
To provide an update on shopfront enhancement schemes and to seek Cabinet approval to continue / re-instate such schemes in each of the three main market towns in the District.
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 07/02/2019 - Cabinet
Decision published: 12/02/2019
Effective from: 16/02/2019
Decision:
Arising from a *report of the Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration, the Economy Policy Development Group had recommended that a seed fund totalling £15,000 to maintain/reinstate shopfront enhancement schemes for the three main market towns in the District be approved.
The Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration outlined the contents of the report stating that it was recognised that the visual attractiveness of a town centre was an important element of consumers choice as to where they shopped and was seen as a major contributor to a towns vitality and economic success. The shopfront scheme was a practical way to support local business owners, previous schemes had been a success and it was felt that the scheme should be continued in the 3 main towns.
Consideration was given to:
· The details provided in appendix 1 of the report with regard to individual schemes that had been completed
· The need to help local traders.
RESOLVED that the recommendation of the Policy Development Group be approved.
(Proposed by Cllr R J Chesterton and seconded by Cllr C R Slade)
Notes:
i) Cllr C J Eginton declared a personal interest as he owned a shop in Tiverton;
ii) *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.
To provide Members with the updated policy and a review of best practice
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 07/02/2019 - Cabinet
Decision published: 12/02/2019
Effective from: 16/02/2019
Decision:
Arising from a report of the Director of Corporate Affairs and Business Transformation, the Community Policy Development Group had recommended that the revised Safeguarding Policy and Procedures be approved.
The Cabinet Member for Community Well-Being outlined the contents of the report stating that the revised policy provided greater clarity of roles and responsibilities of officers throughout the Council and provided a framework for developing partnerships within appropriate external bodies and other local authorities.
RESOLVED that the recommendation of the Policy Development Group be approved.
(Proposed by Cllr C R Slade and seconded by Cllr Mrs M E Squires)
Note: *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.
Lead officer: Jill May
To receive the Council's draft Economic
Strategy for approval
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 07/02/2019 - Cabinet
Decision published: 12/02/2019
Effective from: 16/02/2019
Decision:
Arising from a report of the Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration, the Economy Policy Development Group had made the following recommendations:
1. The Economic Strategy and year 1 action plan be approved.
2. That delegated authority be granted to the Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration in consultation with the Chairman of the Economy PDG and Cabinet Member for Planning and Regeneration to finalise the document for publication (document appearance such as formatting, illustrative material and minor changes).
3. That delegated authority be granted to Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration in consultation with the Chairman of the Economy PDG and Cabinet Member for Planning and Regeneration to add an appendix to include key employment sites.
The Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration outlined the contents of the report by way of presentation stating that the revised strategy had been developed by a process of engagement with Members through a series of informal workshops and local business representatives in which priorities and possible interventions had been discussed and was aimed to supplement the joint strategy created with other EHOD authorities. He highlighted the themes of discussion, the overarching objectives of the strategy, the five key themes, the proposed outcomes of the themes and the level of ambition.
Consideration was given to:
· The year 1 action plan
· How productivity could be influenced
· The need to attract new businesses into the area
· The work of the Economic Development Team with local businesses
· The need to upskill the workforce and how Petroc had widened its opportunities available to young people
RESOLVED that the recommendation of the Policy Development Group be approved.
(Proposed by Cllr R J Chesterton and seconded by Cllr C R Slade)
Note: *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.
Lead officer: Stephen Walford
To consider the approval of a regeneration scheme for Tiverton Town Centre between Fore Street and the Market.
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 07/02/2019 - Cabinet
Decision published: 12/02/2019
Effective from: 16/02/2019
Decision:
The Cabinet had before a * report of the Group Manager for Corporate Property and Commercial Assets requesting the approval of a regeneration scheme for Tiverton town centre between Fore Street and the pannier market, to enable a tender process to commence.
The Cabinet Member for Housing outlined the contents of the report highlighting the previous schemes which had not come to fruition and the detail of the current scheme which would encourage footfall through to the Pannier Market and Market Walk and then onto Bampton Street to create a circular shopping route that would assist all traders in its path, this would be backed up by additional signage. A planning application had been submitted for the demolition of the ground floor retail shop at 34 Fore Street to create a widened pedestrian access to the Pannier Market, the construction of 3 flats and 3 units in plot 36. The layout and design of the proposal demonstrated that the site could accommodate the amount of retail and residential development. The widening of the pedestrian access adjacent to 34 Fore Street would improve pedestrian access and visibility of the Pannier Market from Fore Street and make a more welcoming approach.
Consideration was given to:
· The next step for the project, that of a tender process
· The desire to deliver the masterplan which would give confidence to the other main towns with regard to regeneration
RESOLVED to proceed with the tender process for this key regeneration project in the heart of Tiverton town centre, in line with the results of the stage one Tiverton Masterplan public consultation.
(Proposed by Cllr R L Stanley and seconded by Cllr R J Chesterton)
Notes:
i) Cllr C J Eginton declared a personal interest as he had a shop in the town;
ii) Cllr R L Stanley declared a personal interest as the project was within his portfolio as Cabinet Member;
iii) * Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.
Lead officer: Andrew Busby
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 07/02/2019 - Cabinet
Decision published: 12/02/2019
Effective from: 16/02/2019
Decision:
Arising from a * report from the Deputy Chief Executive (S151) and Director of Operations considering the options available in order for the Council to set a balanced budget for 2019/20 and agree a future strategy for further budgetary planning for 2020/2021 onwards; the Homes Policy Development Group had made the following recommendations: that the proposed HRA budget for 2019/20 be approved subject to garage rents being frozen for 2019/20 and that from 2020/2021 onwards garage rents be increased by the Consumer Prices Index plus 1%.
The Cabinet Member for Finance outlined the contents of the report stating that the Housing Revenue Account was well managed and he highlighted the 1% rent decrease proposed by central Government in 2015 each year until 2019/20. It was proposed that rents be increased in 2010/21 by CPI plus 1% which confirmed with the previous rent policy. He stated that it was proposed to freeze garage rents for 2019/20. He explained the Right to Buy system and the impact of this on the HRA.
Consideration was given to the impact of the Right to Buy scheme.
RESOLVED that the recommendation of the Policy Development Group be approved.
(Proposed by Cllr P H D Hare-Scott and seconded by Cllr R L Stanley)
Note: *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.
Lead officer: Roderick Hewson
To receive a report from the Group Manager for
Building Services presenting the revised Void Management
Policy.
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 07/02/2019 - Cabinet
Decision published: 12/02/2019
Effective from: 16/02/2019
Decision:
Arising from a report of the Group Manager for Building Services, the Homes Policy Development Group had recommended that the revised Void Management Policy be approved and that the term of the policy be extended to 10 years.
The Cabinet Member for Housing outlined the contents of the report stating that the revised policy was a guide to tenants and officers on how the authority managed void properties in that how the properties should be left and what was available to new tenants. The revised policy had been aligned to the latest tenancy agreements and the recent Recharges Policy. It was envisaged that the policy have a 10 year lifespan.
RESOLVED that the recommendation of the Policy Development Group be approved.
(Proposed by Cllr R L Stanley and seconded by Cllr P H D Hare-Scott)
Note: *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.
To receive a report from the Group Manager for
Housing presenting the revised Supply and Demand Policy.
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 07/02/2019 - Cabinet
Decision published: 12/02/2019
Effective from: 16/02/2019
Decision:
Arising from a report of the Group Manager for Housing, the Homes Policy Development Group had recommended that:
a) The revised Housing Options Supply and Demand Policy be approved;
b) The Cabinet notes the Housing Options Service will continue to make best use of its temporary housing resources when accommodating homeless households.
The Cabinet Member for Housing outlined the contents of the report stating that the Councils statutory duties were governed by legislation by the Housing Act 1996 as amended under the Homelessness Act 2002 Part II and the Homeless Reduction Act 2017. The Housing Authority had a duty to carry out an assessment in all cases where an eligible applicant was homeless or threatened with homelessness. He highlighted the duty of the Housing Authority and the need for the provision of suitable accommodation for homeless applicants.
Discussion took place regarding the current situation and that homelessness issues were getting worse and that a budget was available to help people before they became homeless.
RESOLVED that the recommendation of the Policy Development Group be approved.
(Proposed by Cllr R L Stanley and seconded by Cllr P H D Hare-Scott)
Note: *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.
Report regarding a review of the ICT Strategy
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 07/02/2019 - Cabinet
Decision published: 12/02/2019
Effective from: 16/02/2019
Decision:
The Cabinet had before a * report of the Group Manager for ICT and GMS Services providing an overview of the revised ICT Strategy and seeking approval of the strategy.
The Cabinet Member for Community Well-Being outlined the contents of the report stating that the strategy provided a vision and ensured that the appropriate ICT infrastructure was in place to enable the Council to deliver services efficiently and effectively.
RESOLVED that the revised strategy be approved.
(Proposed by Cllr C R Slade and seconded by Cllr R J Chesterton)
Note: * Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.
Lead officer: Jill May