Agenda and minutes

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.

            If Councillors have any questions relating to predetermination, bias or interests in items on this Agenda, then please contact the Monitoring Officer in advance of the meeting.

*HC 01            

Members were invited to declare any interests in the items of business to be discussed and none were made.

Minutes of meeting held 30 June 2020

*HC02           

The Minutes of the Hub Committee meeting held on 30 June 2020 were confirmed as a correct record.

*HC 03

There were no questions submitted by the Public

*HC 04

Members were presented with the Hub Committee Forward Plan setting out items on the agenda for Hub Committee meetings for the next four months. 

The contents of the Forward Plan were agreed subject to the following amendment:

-      Devon Districts Procurement Strategy was to be deferred until the Committee meeting on 2 February 2021 and Lead Member changed to Cllr Jory. 

*HC 05            

The Lead Member for Performance and Resources presented the Committee with a report that enabled them to monitor income and expenditure variations against the approved budget for 2020/21, particularly in light of the impact of the Covid 19 pandemic, and provided a forecast for the year end position. The report set out an overall projected shortfall of £0.501 million for 2020/21.

It was highlighted that car parking income had been assumed at 30% reduction for onwards in the previous budget monitoring report, but based on levels of income seen in April, May and June, this has led to a readjustment of estimated losses of 40% drop in income levels for July onwards, leading to overall projection of potential 52% reduction in car park income overall for the year.  Income guarantee scheme had been announced but further clarification was being sought from Central Government.  In response to a specific question on the potential for further local outbreaks, it was agreed that the Environmental Health Lead Officer would follow up this point with Devon County Council colleagues before advising the membership.

It was then RESOLVED that the Hub Committee note:

i)    the significant forecast income and expenditure variations for the 2020/21 financial year and the overall projected shortfall of £0.501 million (6.9% of the total annual Budget of £7.212 million).

ii)    the loss of income streams already experienced by the Council in April 2020 to June 2020 of £0.474 million in total as shown in Section 6 of the presented agenda report.

*HC06    

Members were presented with a report that outlined the draft 2020/21 action plan for the third year of the 2017/22 Homelessness Strategy.

The Lead Member for Homes highlighted the significant achievement of 228 households that had been prevented from becoming homeless, over 80% conversion rate.  Private evictions would start again at the end of August, however Members were assured that the Council  had funds that could help those in financial need and were therefore reminded to refer residents in need to the Council for help.

It was then unanimously RESOLVED that the Hub Committee agree that the Homelessness Strategy Action Plan 2020-21 (as attached at Appendix 3 of the presented agenda report) be adopted with effect from the 1 April 2020.

PART TWO ITEMS ARE THOSE WHICH MAY BE TAKEN IN THE ABSENCE OF THE PUBLIC AND PRESS ON THE GROUNDS THAT EXEMPT INFORMATION IS LIKELY TO BE DISCLOSED (if any)

If any, the Committee is recommended to pass the following resolution:

“RESOLVED that under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the Meeting on the grounds that exempt information may be disclosed as defined in the paragraphs given in Schedule 12A to the Act.”

This document can be made available in large print, Braille, tape format, other languages or alternative format upon request. Please contact the Committee section on 01822 813664 or email janice.young@swdevon.gov.uk

HC 07             

The Lead Member for Health and Wellbeing presented the Committee with a report outlining the changes to the costs involved in providing the pest control service to residents due to the end of the last contract and following the procurement process for a new contract.

Officers confirmed that the reduction in service was expected to be 50% but they would monitor this and undertake a review if this was significantly different, with a subsequent report then being brought back to Committee for review.

It was then RESOLVED that the Hub Committee RECOMMEND the Council:

1.       approve the removal of free pest control (rats and mice treatments) service for residents and replace it with a free service for benefit recipients only; and

2.   accept and approve the tender from Terminix to deliver the service in West Devon Borough Council areas.

*HC 08

RESOLVED

That in accordance with Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business as the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A to the Act is involved.

To consider those items which, in the opinion of the Chairman, should be considered by the Meeting as matters of urgency (if any)

HC 09 

The Committee considered an exempt report that outlined the proposed approach to further support of the Fusion Leisure Group. It was noted that this item had been brought forward as an urgent item in light of the associated time constraints.

The Lead Member for Health and Wellbeing updated on the current situation with the Fusion Leisure Group following the impacts due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Members sought clarification about facilities available to residents, potential long term impact, what Fusion would be paying for and what these monies would cover. 

There followed a full and frank discussion and it was then RESOLVED that the Hub Committee RECOMMENDED to Council:

1.       To provide interim financial support of £97,000 (as set out in Appendix A) to Fusion to secure positive health and wellbeing outcomes in the Borough, which are, the re-opening of Okehampton Leisure Centre, both wet and dryside.

2.       That the cost of £97,000 is funded from the Leisure Earmarked Reserve and it is noted that this interim financial support covers the months of July, August and September for leisure provision.

3.       That a future decision on leisure provision for the months of October 2020 onwards is taken at the Council meeting on 22^nd September 2020.

(NOTE: THESE DECISIONS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF MINUTES HC 07 and HC 09 WHICH ARE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE FULL COUNCIL MEETINGS ON 22 SEPTEMBER 2020 AND 29 JULY 2020 RESPECTIVELY, WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE FROM WEDNESDAY 5^th AUGUST 2020 UNLESS CALLED IN, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SCRUTINY PROCEDURE RULE 18).