Agenda and minutes

to approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 28 January 2021

E.65/20           

The minutes of the Executive meeting held on 28 January 2021 were confirmed as a true and correct record. 

brought forward at the discretion of the Chairman;

Plymouth and South Devon Freezone

E.66/20        

The Chairman advised that she had agreed for one urgent item to be raised at this meeting that related to the ‘Plymouth and South Devon Freezone’.  This item was considered urgent in light of the associated time constraints and would be considered immediately.

(a)   Plymouth and South Devon Freezone

The Leader proceeded to introduce this urgent item and presented a Briefing Paper that described how the Freezone was an opportunity to shape national policy around our own objectives; secure up to £17 million of infrastructure funding; drive inward investment and exceed our already ambitious Joint Local Plan delivery targets for employment sites, jobs and the economy.

In discussion, whilst some Members remained sceptical over the ‘Freezone’ initiative and were wary of the potential resource implications on the Council’s already stretched workforce, other Members emphasised the significance of this opportunity and the likely enormity of the benefits to the South Hams.

It was then:

RESOLVED

1.     That the contents of the Briefing Note be noted;

2.     That the Council works with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and partner organisations to work up the detail of the Plymouth and South Devon Freezone; and

3.     That it be noted that, once the detail of the Plymouth and South Devon Freezone has been finalised, the Director of Place and Enterprise will bring a further report seeking a formal decision as to whether to proceed or not.

Members are invited to declare any personal or disclosable pecuniary interests, including the nature and extent of such interests they may have in any items to be considered at this meeting;

E.67/20           

Members and officers were invited to declare any interests in the items of business to be considered during the course of this meeting but none were made. 

a period of up to 15 minutes is available to deal with questions submitted to the Council in accordance with the Executive Procedure Rules;

E.68/20           

It was noted that no public questions had been received in accordance with the Executive Procedure Rules for consideration at this meeting. 

E.69/20                 

Members were presented with the Executive Forward Plan setting out items on the agenda for Executive meetings for the next four months and noted its content. 

In so doing, the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel advised that there was some public perception that progress against the Council’s Climate Change & Biodiversity Action Plan had suffered as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic.  To reassure the public, the Panel Chairman proceeded to ask whether an update on the Action Plan could be brought forward to the Executive earlier than was set out in its Forward Plan (June).  In response, the Leader highlighted the Council resolution arising from the Council Meeting held on 17 December 2020 (Minute 28/20 refers) that committed to six-monthly reviews being presented to the Executive and the Overview and Scrutiny Panel and she did not see the need to bring a report before June.  However, the Leader did commit to providing a progress update to Members via a Briefing Paper in a future Members’ Bulletin edition.

E.70/20          

Members were presented with a report that sought to recommend to Council the adoption of “Better Homes, Better Lives” 2021-2026 Housing Strategy for South Hams and West Devon.

In discussion, Members thanked those individuals and organisations that had made representations during the public consultation exercise for their well-informed comments.  In addition, a number of Members wished to record their thanks to the lead officers (and in particular the Head of Housing, Revenues and Benefits) for their hard work in developing such a comprehensive Strategy and Action Plan whilst also being heavily involved in the Council’s response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

It was then:

rECOMMENDED

2)    That the Delivery Plan for 2021 be agreed.

E.71/20          

The Executive considered a report that presented the Month 10 (to the end of January 2021) Revenue Budget Monitoring Report.

In discussion, reference was made to the Schedule of Reserves (as set out Appendix A of the presented agenda report).  Whilst accepting that a proportion of the Reserves were allocated, a non-Executive Member questioned the plans for those that were unallocated.  In response, the Leader advised that some of these unallocated monies would be used when the Council entered ‘high season mode’ (from 1 April) during which provision would be increased for services including street cleaning and localities.  As a consequence, it was agreed that, for monitoring purposes, these additional spends should be fully documented.

It was then:

RESOLVED

1.   That the significant forecast income and expenditure variations for the 2020/21 Financial Year and the overall projected surplus of £321,000 against the 2020/21 Amended Budget (3.41% of the total Budget of £9.41 million) be noted;

E.72/20           

Consideration was given to a report that advised Members of the progress on individual schemes within the approved Capital Programme.  The report also included an assessment of the financial position of each of these schemes.

In discussion, a local Ward Member for Kingsbridge made reference to the section in the presented agenda report titled: ‘investing in Kingsbridge’.  Having sought assurances, the Deputy Leader gave the Member a commitment that the local Ward Members and Kingsbridge Town Council would be fully consulted from the infancy of any proposals being considered.

It was then:

rESOLVED   

That the contents of the Monitoring Report be noted.

E.73/20          

A report was considered that requested that the Executive recommend to Council that a Public Space Protection Order 2021 be adopted in relation to the Control of Dogs for three years from 25 March 2021.

In discussion, the following points were raised:-

(a)     For clarity, it was recognised that part (a) of the report recommendation should be amended to read to: ‘Carry the means to pick up and to pick up dog waste’.  At the point when the recommendation was proposed and seconded, this addition was included;

(b)     The lead officer confirmed that she would provide an explanation on the South Hams feedback to the consultation exercise (Appendix 2 of the presented agenda report refers) to interested Members outside of the meeting;

(c)      In emphasising the importance of policing the Order, Members were informed that localities officers had the powers to issue penalty tickets;

(d)     Since the proposals within the Order presented dog walkers with a choice to be able to access certain specified beaches, this was felt to represent a fair balance.

It was then:

E.74/20           

The Executive considered a report that provided a Harbour Depot project update and sought to recommend to Council a series of corresponding recommendations.

During the ensuing discussion, reference was made to:-

(a)  widespread support being expressed for the project.  In addition, it was noted that a version of the report was also to be considered at the Salcombe Harbour Board meeting to be held on Monday, 15 March and it was hoped that similar support would be expressed at this meeting;

(b)  the disruption of Creek Car Park.  The Leader highlighted the inevitable disruption to Creek Car Park and requested that officers work closely with Salcombe Town Council in order to minimise the impact.

It was then:

rECOMMENDED

That the Executive RECOMMEND to Council to:

(NB. in accordance with Executive Procedure Rule 1.9.4, Cllr Pearce (as a local Ward Member) took part in the debate, but abstained from the vote on this agenda item).

E.75/20

The Deputy Leader presented a report that provided a Commercial Units project update and sought to recommend to Council a series of corresponding recommendations.

In discussion, some Members stated the importance of these units being for Marine Business use and it was emphasised that every step should be taken by the Council to ensure that this was the end result.

It was then:

rECOMMENDED

That the Executive RECOMMEND to Council to:

(NB. in accordance with Executive Procedure Rule 1.9.4, Cllr Pearce (as a local Ward Member) took part in the debate, but abstained from the vote on this agenda item).

E.76/20          

Members gave consideration to a report that sought to allocate £167,200 of Section 106 funds towards an affordable housing project for adults with learning disabilities at Butterpark, Ivybridge.

During discussion, both Executive and local Ward Members paid tribute to the work of Ivybridge Town Council in progressing this scheme, which was felt to be an excellent use of Section 106 monies.

It was then:

RESOLVED

That the Executive approve the allocation of £167,200 of Section 106 funds from the contribution from Cornwood Road, Ivybridge to spend on an affordable housing project for adults with learning disabilities at Butterpark, Ivybridge on land owned by Ivybridge Town Council (subject to planning approval being gained).

E.77/20          

A report was considered that sought to overcome some anomalies that had been identified with the existing lease to Bickleigh Parish Council for the Woolwell Centre.

In discussion, support was expressed for the proposed recommendation.

It was then:

RESOLVED

That authority be delegated to the Head of Practice for Assets, in consultation with the Section 151 Officer and Leader of the Council, to progress and conclude negotiations of a lease renewal to Bickleigh Parish Council for a term in excess of 15 years.

(NB. in accordance with Executive Procedure Rule 1.9.4, Cllr Hopwood (as the local Ward Member) took part in the debate, but abstained from the vote on this agenda item).

(NOTE: THESE DECISIONS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF E.70/20 PART 1, E.71/20 PARTS 2, 3, 4 AND 5, E.73/20, E.74/20, AND E.75/20 WHICH WERE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COUNCIL MEETING TO BE HELD ON 25 MARCH 2021, WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE FROM 5.00PM ON MONDAY, 22 MARCH 2021 UNLESS CALLED IN, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SCRUTINY PROCEDURE RULE 18).